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J.S. Held Acquires Clark Seif Clark, Strengthening West Coast Capabilities for Environmental Claims, Disputes, and Catastrophe Response
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+1 604 689 4449
(Office)
700 W Pender St, Ste. 800
Vancouver, BC V6C 1G8
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Andrew Harmsworth, M. Eng., P. Eng., PE, CP, FEC, joined J.S. Held in August of 2025 as part of J.S. Held's acquisition of GHL Consultants, Ltd.
With over 30 years of experience in Fire Science and Building Code consulting, Andrew Harmsworth has developed specialized expertise in the application of Fire Science and Engineering of Building Code requirements. With a long history of Code Development starting as the prime consultant on BC’s 6-storey Code Changes in 2008, Andrew is the Fire Engineer responsible for over a dozen mass timber buildings, including the 18-storey Brock Commons TallWood House at UBC. He has successfully negotiated approval for numerous mass timber buildings with significant exposed mass timber including 2150 Keith Drive, Vancouver, 10 stories of open office, with a timber lateral system, Andrew maintains an active role in Fire Research, particularly related to Mass Timber, most recently in the Mass Timber Fire Test Demonstration Project, a member of the steering committee and directing all activities in BC as well as consulting on the Ottawa tests.
A Founding Principal of GHL Consultants Ltd in Vancouver, Andrew is a member of Codes Canada’s Standing Committee on Fire Protection. Andrew has a master’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering from UBC and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in all Western Provinces and Washington State.
Andrew is a Certified Professional under BC’s Certified Professional Program, and is responsible for overall Code Compliance for projects that include the Vancouver Convention Centre and the New St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver provides strong experience in building regulation and inspection.
Andrew chaired the EGBC Building Codes Committee from 2000 to 2007, and before that, the BC Certified Professional Committee. The ability to negotiate complex alternative solutions and work with varied authorities on large complex projects demonstrates my ability to direct and focus discussions and organize groups. This is all supported by developing GHL Consultants from a small specialist consulting firm to a Certified Professional and Fire Engineering firm of over 50 employees.
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