Areas of
Practice

HDK Consulting’s Areas of Practice reflects its specialties in institutional and commercial building engineering design and construction. HDK has worked on projects in all of Canada’s geographic climates as well as situated in both urban, rural/remote and security-sensitive locations across the country. Engagements in these areas typically include the analysis, planning, design and enhancement and optimization of the following:

Mechanical and Electrical Building Systems

Our network of mechanical and electrical engineering professionals provides consulting, design and construction phase services on all manner of systems. With LEED and Project Management Institute-Accredited Professionals as part of our team, our clients have come to expect innovative and sustainable yet practical mechanical and electrical solutions to even their most pressing project challenges. 

 

Mechanical Systems:

  • HVAC Design and Specification
  • Ventilation and Air Distribution
  • Air Conditioning
  • Supply, Drainage, Collection and Delivery-related Plumbing design and systems
  • Fire Protection Engineering including design of all types of automatic Sprinkler Systems.

Electrical Systems:

  • Medium and Low Voltage Electrical Power
  • Emergency Power Systems – Generator and Uninterruptible Power Supplies 
  • Interior Lighting and outdoor applications
  • Fire Alarm Systems
  • Building Controls

Communications and Audio-Visual System Design and Integration:

HDK provides specialized engineering services in the area of communications systems and networks with the capacity to consult on some of the most complex integrated building systems and environments in the world. HDK’s unique background has provided some of Canada’s most security-sensitive public institutions with practical solutions to their 21st century telecommunication project requirements and on project sites ranging from Far North Military Research Stations to National Training Academies to high-technology command posts and E-911 Centres. HDK is among only a handful of firms in Canada with a one of its key principals holding the coveted BISCI and RCDD designations. These are highly regarded among clients and signal HDK as offering among the deepest level of expertise associated with consulting on telecommunications building-systems projects. 

 

 

Areas of practice include:

  • Visual-technology environment integration including real-time interactive video conferencing, lighting, presentation and custom-training requirements 
  • “Mission critical” Audio-Visual internet-protocol-centric system design that emphasize responsive interfaces in far-flung, secure locations across Canada
  • Application of specialized software design-planning tools such as EASE and BIM (3D Modeling and Collaboration with vendor-made Revit families)
  • Data-centre engineering to support “Cloud”-based and on-prem server and storage solutions as well as integrated systems design with traditional Building Engineers and Designers
  • Consolidation and virtualization of client servers and network infrastructure

Security Engineering
and Consulting:

Fully integrated with its communications and AV areas of practice is the capacity to manage physical and electronic security system changes as stand-alone, site-specific projects or as part of new build or renovations or upgrades to an existing space. Projects it has consulted on have ranged from replacement of 100’s of intrusion alarm systems for defense establishments to integrating lighting systems and video surveillance systems to respond to special security threats. HDK provides advice that is independent of any one product or systems and results in the best option being recommended to the client. 

Areas of practice offered:

  • Making recommendations as part of overall project design to balance electronic, physical (architectural) and operational security
  • Design and specification of Door Access Control, IP-based Video Surveillance, Closed-Circuit Television, Door Security and other Security systems.
  • Application of new and emerging technologies and transmission standards such as Near Field Communications (NFC) and “Smart”-tech, CAT6 and security-relevant design and systems
  • Threat Assessments and Security Planning for single-institutions or corporate-wide standardization of compliance Orders and Protocols
  • Interoperability of Security Systems and building Energy Management Control Systems (EMCS)

Project Management,
Cost Control, Building Commissioning and Construction Phase Services:

HDK provides full services to many of clients, stewarding their projects from the pre-design and planning stages to substantial completion of Construction. The firm has developed a robust inhouse Project Management Methodology and Approach that showcases the best of what the firm has to offer; Principals-as-Project Managers, a flexible, scalable and responsive approach to project planning, use of refined project planning tools and integrated, multi-disciplinary expertise in a number of areas of practice. As part of each service, HDK brings a network of experienced and knowledgeable professionals from across the major disciplines and who are local to jurisdictions across Canada. 

 

Services that HDK provides along with its engineering expertise include:

  • Condition Assessments, Studies and Site Investigations 
  • Feasibility Studies with Options Analysis and Recommendations 
  • Concept Design and Inhouse Budgeting (Probable Opinion of Cost)
  • Design Development through inter-disciplinary coordination and collaboration
  • Coordination with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) in to assure design compliance with legislated safety, occupancy, fire, energy and accessibility requirements and building standards
  • Preparation and coordination of multi-discipline Final Construction Drawings and Specifications
  • End-to-end management of the bidding process or on-demand responses to inquiries
  • Coordination of Canadian Construction Committee Document Model Construction Contracts

Services during Construction including:

  • Visiting site and verifying construction to date matches drawings and specifications per Issued for Construction set of project plans
  • Reviewing and validating requests for payment from contractors, conducting final walkthroughs and deficiency in construction reviews
  • Responding to requests for additional information and clarification from builders and contractors working on behalf of the client
  • Assisting client with assessing requests for change from builders when encountering unforeseen circumstances on site
  • Issuing Letters of Responsibility to certify total completion of the construction adheres to the plans originally seal and submitted for approval to begin construction

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