Building Evaluation
and Investigation

They began their careers as building officials in 1994, first as building inspectors, then as building engineers. Alison left government to join a private engineering consulting firm, where she became involved in the investigation of collapses, failures, and loss of serviceability of buildings, and the evaluation of buildings damaged by fire, impact, and weather events. Marianne stayed in government for 13 years until 2007, in the roles of Chief Building Engineer, and then finally Manager of Building Construction, after which she joined Alison in consulting.

Alison and Marianne formed Orr Brown Consulting Engineers Ltd. in 2011. Orr Brown provides expert opinions regarding simple and complex building code issues, typically associated with repair of buildings, and opinions regarding the standard of care of municipal building departments to assist in litigation. They have participated in insurance appraisals, arbitrations, mediations, coroner’s inquests, and trials. They continue to be involved in the evaluation of damaged buildings, including recommending temporary safety measures, assessing structural damage, and determining required building code upgrades.

Alison was appointed to the Building Code Commission as a member in 2006, and Vice Chair in 2018, and has participated in numerous hearings.

Marianne is presently the Alternate Chair of the Standing Committee for Housing and Small Buildings, which assesses code changes to Part 9 of the National Building Code of Canada.