Office buildings in Calgary

CCT 01What makes this building different

An office project combines workstation power, lighting, controls, communications interfaces and shared building systems. Changes to occupancy and working patterns can expose shortcomings in an older fit-out without necessarily requiring a utility upgrade. Begin with existing capacity and the proposed layout rather than assuming the previous arrangement is reusable.

CCT 02Electrical scopes to consider

• Tenant improvements: Office, retail and restaurant fit-outs: what the base building provides, what the tenant’s electrical scope covers, the drawings and the permits.
• Lighting controls: Occupancy and vacancy sensing, daylight harvesting, scheduling and networked controls, and what the energy code expects.
• LED lighting retrofits: Replacing fluorescent, HID and metal halide lighting with LED: fixtures versus kits, controls, the energy code and payback.
• Service calls & repairs: Troubleshooting, lighting repairs and small changes for property managers and facility teams, and how service work is priced.

CCT 03Coordinate the interfaces

The furniture vendor, IT team, landlord and design consultants should agree on outlets, floor boxes, access control, server equipment and control zones. State who supplies low-voltage systems and who provides their power. Resolve after-hours HVAC and lighting expectations with the building operator.

CCT 04Work around the operation

For an occupied office, schedule noisy work and interruptions with tenants and IT. Identify equipment that requires controlled shutdown and restart. Commission controls with actual occupants, including the person responsible for overrides and future changes.

CCT 05Prepare these documents

• Landlord design manual and work letter
• Furniture and reflected-ceiling plans
• IT and meeting-room equipment requirements
• Occupancy phasing and interruption approvals

Label missing or uncertain information clearly. An old drawing is a useful starting point, but the proposed work should be based on verified conditions. Define who will investigate gaps and how that affects the price.

CCT 06Compare scope before price

Start with Electrical cost per square foot. Then use Comparing electrical bids to separate equipment, installation, approvals, testing and exclusions.

Identify owner-carried costs and recurring service fees. Record access and interruption assumptions so a quotation does not quietly depend on working conditions the building cannot provide.

CCT 07Approvals and completion

Use the Commercial electrical permits in Calgary guide to plan the trade-permit scope. Base-building and tenant work have separate electrical permits in Calgary. ¹

At handover, retain inspection results, final drawings, operating instructions and a list of resolved and outstanding deficiencies. Assign responsibility for ongoing inspection and maintenance.

These pages concern Calgary. Confirm the authority and wire-service provider for Airdrie, Rocky View County or another neighbouring municipality. The applicable permits and connection process may differ.