Description

As the push for more timber construction continues because of its low carbon attributes, further research into the fire safety of timber products is important. Recent BRANZ projects added to the available knowledge.

As countries around the world strive to achieve carbon emissions reduction targets, timber is increasingly being used in construction where historically concrete and steel would have been specified. However, unlike steel and concrete, timber is combustible and presents different fire safety challenges.

A BRANZ research project was established to address gaps in two particular aspects of fire engineering in timber construction – first, the spread of flame and associated fire growth with partially timber-lined compartments, and second, a look at the fire performance of mass timber in construction.

Scope

This article includes:

• Fire growth with partial timber linings
  • Fire spread performance of EWPs
  • Results
• Fire performance of mass timber
  • Passive fire protection of CLT
  • Delamination and B-RISK model
  • Testing mass timber joints in fire
• More challenges to fire safety