REPCo ENGINEERING

[An ICE Affiliate]

A consulting firm specializing in the fields of fire science,
power equipment, and high voltage testing.

Biographical Data

Educational Background

Albert (Al) Reed - [BASc, MASc, MEng, P.Eng.] Al's first degree was in Electrical Engineering (BASc) and later a Master's degree also in Electrical Engineering (MASc). Recently, he pursued and achieved a Master's degree (MEng) in Fire Protection Engineering.

Professional Career

Al has extensive experience, over three decades in the electrical energy/research field. He is well respected in the international power engineering community and is an active member of the national committee on High Voltage Test Techniques for the Standards Council of Canada and has served as the Canadian member on several International Electrotechnical Commission working groups which set the standards for industrial and laboratory testing related to high voltage and power technologies. He is also active in the Fire Protection Engineering Community in both fire investigation and fire department management. Al has been external examiner for post-graduate degree candidates and has been a technical advisor to the Canadian Electrical Association, National Research Council, B.C. Science Council, Discovery Foundation, and Science World. He is also one of the evaluation interviewers for candidates wishing registration as professional engineers or geoscientists in the province of B.C. He is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the National Fire Protection Association, and is a registered professional engineer.

Professional Activities

Al has been directly technically responsible for and led a team of over thirty scientific, professional, technical, and unionized staff. He has designed and implemented programs and projects ranging from several thousand to several million dollars. The projects he has led or been responsible for include developmental and testing work for manufacturers of power system equipment; design of laboratory and testing facilities (including the second largest high voltage laboratory in Canada with its unique fire protection and suppression systems); evaluation of specialised fire protection systems; and consultation, testing and analysis for electrical utilities' planning, engineering, protection, control, communications, distribution, quality assurance, and maintenance groups. Al has used his expertise in electrical and materials areas as an expert witness/consultant in many forensic investigations involving electrical and fire losses and settlements of tens of millions dollars and his advice has also been used to prevent similar losses.

Community Activities

Al is active in his community as a volunteer, working with youth - both outdoors and as an academic tutor. He is an elected trustee and chairman for the Gabriola Fire Protection District, and serves as a volunteer planning engineer for the Improvement District.