Combustible construction
The provision of fire safety in a building is a complex matter; far more complex than the relative combustibility of the main structural materials used in a building. To develop safe code provisions, prevention, suppression, movement of occupants, mobility of occupants, building use, and fuel control are but a few of the factors that must be considered in addition to the combustibility of the structural components. Fire-loss experience shows that building contents play a large role in terms of fuel load and smoke generation potential in a fire. The passive fire protection provided by the fire-resistance ratings on the floor and wall assemblies in a building assures structural stability in a fire. However, the fire-resistance rating of the structural assemblies does not necessarily control the movement of smoke and heat, which can have a large impact on the level of safety and property damage resulting from fire. The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) categorizes wood buildings as ‘combustible construction’. Despite being termed combustible, common construction techniques can give wood frame construction fire-resistance ratings up to two hours. When designed and built to code requirements, wood buildings provide the same level of life safety and property protection required for comparably sized buildings defined under the NBC as ‘noncombustible construction’. Wood has been used for virtually all types of buildings, including; schools, warehouses, fire stations, apartment buildings, and research facilities. The NBC sets out guidelines for the use of wood in applications that extend well beyond the traditional residential and small building sector. The NBC allows wood construction of up to six storeys in height, and wood cladding for buildings designated to be of noncombustible construction. When meeting the area and height limits for the various NBC building categories, wood frame construction can meet the life safety requirements by making use of wood-frame assemblies (usually protected by gypsum wallboard) that are tested for fire-resistance ratings. The allowable height and area restrictions can be extended by using fire walls to break a large building area into smaller separate building areas. The recognized positive contribution to both life safety and property protection which comes from the use of automatic sprinkler systems can also be used to increase the permissible area of wood buildings. Sprinklers typically operate very early in a fire thereby quickly controlling the damaging effects. For this reason, the provision of automatic sprinkler protection within a building greatly improves the life safety and property protection prospects of all buildings including those constructed of noncombustible materials. The NBC permits the use of ‘heavy timber construction’ in buildings where combustible construction is required to have a 45-minute fire-resistance rating. This form of heavy timber construction is also permitted to be used in large noncombustible buildings in certain occupancies. To be acceptable, the components must comply with minimum dimension and installation requirements. Heavy timber construction is afforded this recognition because of its performance record under actual fire exposure and its acceptance as a fire-safe method of construction. In sprinklered buildings permitted to be of combustible construction, no fire-resistance rating is required for the roof assembly or its supports when constructed from heavy timber. In these cases, a heavy timber roof assembly and its supports would not have to conform to the minimum member dimensions stipulated in the NBC. Mass timber elements may also be used whenever combustible construction is permitted. In those instances, however, such mass timber elements need to be specifically designed to meet any required fire-resistance ratings. NBC definitions: Combustible means that a material fails to meet the acceptance criteria of CAN/ULC-S114, “Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.” Combustible construction means that type of construction that does not meet the requirements for noncombustible construction. Heavy timber construction means that type of combustible construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by placing limitations on the sizes of wood structural members and on thickness and composition of wood floors and roofs and by the avoidance of concealed spaces under floors and roofs. Noncombustible construction means that type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by the use of noncombustible materials for structural members and other building assemblies. Noncombustible means that a material meets the acceptance criteria of CAN/ULC-S114, “Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.” For further information, refer to the following resources: National Building Code of Canada CAN/ULC-S114 Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials Wood Design Manual 2017
Encapsulated mass timber construction
In addition to combustible, heavy timber and noncombustible construction, a new construction type is presently being considered for inclusion into the National Building Code of Canada (NBC). Encapsulated mass timber construction (EMTC) is proposed to be defined as the “type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by the use of encapsulated mass timber elements with an encapsulation rating and minimum dimensions for the structural timber members and other building assemblies.” EMTC is neither ‘combustible construction’ nor ‘heavy timber construction’ nor ‘noncombustible construction’, as defined within the NBC. EMTC is required to have an encapsulation rating. The encapsulation rating is the time, in minutes, that a material or assembly of materials will delay the ignition and combustion of encapsulated mass timber elements when it is exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as otherwise prescribed by the NBC. The encapsulation rating for EMTC is determined through the ULC S146 test method. In order for structural wood elements to be considered ‘mass timber’, they must meet minimum size requirements, which are different for horizontal (walls, floors, roofs, beams) and vertical (columns, arches) load-bearing elements and dependent on the number of sides that the element is exposed to fire. EMTC construction in Canada is expected to be limited to a height of twelve-storeys, that is, the uppermost floor level may be a maximum of 42 m (137 ft) above the first floor. An EMTC building must be sprinklered throughout according to NFPA 13 and it is likely that some mass timber will also be able to be exposed in the suites. All EMTC elements are expected to have a minimum two-hour fire resistance rating and the building floor area to be limited to 6,000 m2 for Group C occupancy and 7,200 m2 for Group D occupancy. There are restrictions on the use of exterior cladding elements in EMTC, as well as other restrictions on the use of; combustible roofing materials, combustible window sashes and frames, combustible components in exterior walls, nailing elements, combustible flooring elements, combustible stairs, combustible interior finishes, combustible elements in partitions, and concealed spaces. If any encapsulation material is damaged or removed, it will be required to be repaired or replaced so that the encapsulation rating of the materials is maintained. Additionally, requirements related to construction site fire safety are to be applied to construction access, standpipe installation and protective encapsulation. EMTC and its related provisions are anticipated to be included in the NBC 2020. NBC definitions: Combustible means that a material fails to meet the acceptance criteria of CAN/ULC-S114, “Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.” Combustible construction means that type of construction that does not meet the requirements for noncombustible construction. Heavy timber construction means that type of combustible construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by placing limitations on the sizes of wood structural members and on thickness and composition of wood floors and roofs and by the avoidance of concealed spaces under floors and roofs. Noncombustible construction means that type of construction in which a degree of fire safety is attained by the use of noncombustible materials for structural members and other building assemblies. Noncombustible means that a material meets the acceptance criteria of CAN/ULC-S114, “Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.” For further information, refer to the following resources: Guide to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction in the Ontario Building Code ULC S146 Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Encapsulation Materials and Assemblies of Materials for the Protection of Mass Timber Structural Members and Assemblies Fire performance of mass-timber encapsulation methods and the effect of encapsulation on char rate of cross-laminated timber (Hasburgh et al., 2016) CAN/ULC-S114 Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
Tall Wood Buildings
With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as glued-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber, building tall with wood is not only achievable but already underway – with completed contemporary buildings in Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom at 9 storeys and taller. Increasingly recognized by the construction sector as an important, new, and safe construction choice, the reduced carbon footprint and embodied / operational energy performance of these buildings is appealing to communities that are committed to sustainable development and climate change mitigation. Tall wood buildings, built with renewable wood products from sustainably managed forests, have the potential to revolutionize a construction industry increasingly focused on being part of the solution when it comes to urban intensification and environmental impact reduction. The Canadian wood product industry is committed to building on its natural advantage, through the development and demonstration of continuously improving wood-based building products and building systems. A tall wood building is a building over six-storeys in height (top floor is higher than 18 m above grade) that utilizes mass timber elements as a functional component of its structural support system. With advanced construction technologies and modern mass timber products such as glued-laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber (CLT) and structural composite lumber (SCL), building tall with wood is not only achievable but already underway – with completed contemporary buildings in Canada, US, Australia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom at seven-storeys and taller. Tall wood buildings incorporate modern fire suppression and protection systems, along with new technologies for acoustic and thermal performance. Tall wood buildings are commonly employed for residential, commercial and institutional occupancies. Mass timber offers advantages such as improved dimensional stability and better fire performance during construction and occupancy. These new products are also prefabricated and offer tremendous opportunities to improve the speed of erection and quality of construction. Some significant advantages of tall wood buildings include: the ability to build higher in areas of poor soils, as the super structure and foundations are lighter compared to other building materials; quieter to build on site, which means neighbours are less likely to complain and workers are not exposed to high levels of noise; worker safety during construction can be improved with the ability to work off large mass timber floor plates; prefabricated components manufactured to tight tolerances can reduce the duration of construction; tight tolerances in the building structure and building envelope coupled with energy modelling can produce buildings with high operational energy performance, increased air tightness, better indoor air quality and improved human comfort Design criteria for tall wood buildings that should be considered include: an integrated design, approvals and construction strategy, differential shrinkage between dissimilar materials, acoustic performance, behaviour under wind and seismic loads, fire performance (e.g., encapsulating the mass timber elements using gypsum), durability, and construction sequencing to reduce the exposure of wood to the elements. It is important to ensure early involvement by a mass timber supplier that can provide design assistance services that can further reduce manufacturing costs through the optimization of the entire building system and not just individual elements. Even small contributions, in connection designs for example, can make a difference to the speed of erection and overall cost. In addition, mechanical and electrical trades should be invited in a design-assist role at the outset of the project. This allows for a more complete virtual model, additional prefabrication opportunities and quicker installation. Recent case studies of modern tall wood buildings in Canada and around the world showcase the fact that wood is a viable solution for attaining a safe, cost-effective and high-performance tall building. For more information, refer to the following case studies and references: Brock Commons Tall Wood House (Canadian Wood Council) Origine Point-aux-Lievres Ecocondos,Quebec City (Cecobois) Wood Innovation and Design Centre (Canadian Wood Council) Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada (FPInnovations) Ontario’s Tall Wood Building Reference (Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry & Ministry of Municipal Affairs) Summary Report: Survey of International Tall Wood Buildings (Forestry Innovation Investment & Binational Softwood Lumber Council) www.thinkwood.com/building-better/taller-buildings
Bridges
Timber bridges have a long history as vital components of the roadway, railway and logging road networks within Canada. Dependent on the availability of materials, technology, and labour, the design and construction of wood bridges has evolved significantly over the last 200 hundred years throughout North America. Wood bridges take on many forms and use alternative support systems; including simple span log bridges, different types of trussed bridges, and stress-laminated or composite bridge decks and components. Timber bridges remain an important part of our transportation network in Canada. The benefits of building modern timber bridges include: The different types of materials used to construct wood bridges include: sawn lumber, round logs, straight and curved glued-laminated timber (glulam), laminated veneer lumber (LVL), parallel strand lumber (PSL), cross-laminated timber (CLT), nail-laminated timber (NLT), and composite systems such as stress-laminated decks, wood-concrete laminated decks, and fibre-reinforced polymers. Two main wood species used for wood bridge construction in Canada are Douglas fir and the Spruce-Pine-Fir species combination. Other species within the Hem-Fir and Northern species combinations are also recognized under CSA O86, however, they are less commonly used in bridge construction. All metal fasteners used for bridges must be protected against corrosion. The most common method for providing protection is hot dip galvanizing, a process whereby a sacrificial metal is added to exterior of the fastener. Different fastener types that are used in wood bridge construction include, but are not limited to, bolts, lag screws, split rings, shear plates, and nails (for deck laminations only). All highway bridges in Canada must be designed to meet the requirements outlined in CSA S6 and CSA O86. The CSA S6 standard requires that the main structural components of any bridge in Canada, regardless of construction type, be able to withstand a minimum of 75 years of loading during its service life. The style and span of bridges varies greatly depending on the application. In hard to reach locations with deep valleys, timber trestle bridges were common at the end of the 19th century and into the beginning of the 20th century. Historically, trestle bridges relied heavily on ample timber resources and in some cases, were considered to be temporary. Initial construction of North America’s transcontinental railways would not have been possible without the use of timbers to construct bridges and trestles. Many examples of trussed timber bridges for have been built for well over a century. Trussed bridges allow for longer spans compared to simple girder bridges and historically had spans in the range of 30 to 60 m (100 to 200 ft). Bridges that are designed with trusses located above the deck provide a great opportunity to build a roof over the roadway. Installing a roof overhead is an excellent way to shed water away from the main bridge structure and protect it from the sun. The presence of these covered roofs is the main reason these century-old covered bridges remain in service today. The fact that they remain part of our landscape is as much a testament to their hardiness as to their attractiveness. Although originally devised as a rehabilitation measure for aging bridge decks, the stress-laminating technique has been extended to new bridges through the application of stressing at the time of original construction. Stress-laminated decks provide improved structural behaviour, through their excellent resistance to the effects of repeated loading. Three main considerations related to durability of wood bridges include protection by design, preservative treatment of wood, and replaceable elements. A bridge can be designed such that it is inherently self-protecting by deflecting water away from the structural elements. Preservative treated wood has the ability to resist the effects of de-icing chemicals and attack by biotic agents. Lastly, the bridge should be designed such that, at some point in its future, a single element can be replaced relatively easily, without significant disruption or cost. For further information, refer to the following resources: Wood Highway Bridges (Canadian Wood Council)Ontario Wood Bridge Reference Guide (Canadian Wood Council)CSA S6 Canadian Highway Bridge Design CodeCSA O86 Engineering design in wood
Tall Wood Buildings – Research
Tests Current research includes the World’s largest mass timber fire test – click here for updates on the test results currently being conducted https://firetests.cwc.ca/ Studies “The Historical Development of the Building Size Limits in the National Building Code of Canada (17 Mb) “Case Studies of Risk-to-Life due to Fire in Mid- and High-Rise, Combustible and Non-combustible Buildings Using CUrisk“, by Xia Zhang and George Hadjisophocleous of Carleton University, and Jim Mehaffey of CHM Fire Consultants Ltd. (March 2015) (2.3 Mb) “Fire Safety Challenges of Tall Wood Buildings”, by Robert Gerard and David Barber – Arup North America Ltd; Armin Wolski, San Francisco, CA; for the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Protection Research Foundation (December 2013) “The Case for Tall Wood Buildings – How Mass Timber Offers a Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Alternative for Tall Building Structures“, by mgb ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, Equilibrium Consulting, LMDG Ltd, and BTY Group (February 2012) (8.5 Mb) Ontario Tall Wood Reference Guide (8.04 MB) Reports Fire Research Final Report – Full-scale Mass Timber Shaft Demonstration Fire (including the National Research Council test report as an Appendix), by FPInnovations (April 2015) Acoustics Research and Guides RR-331: Guide to calculating airborne sound transmission in buildings (2nd Edition), by the National Research Council (April 2016) Tall Wood Building Demonstration Initiative Test Reports (funding provided by Natural Resources Canada) CLT Diaphragm Properties CLT Firestopping Testing Monotonic Quasi-Static Testing of CLT Connections Shear Modulus of CLT in plan loading Shear Testing of Cross-Laminated Beams Full Scale Exterior Wall Test on Nordic CLT System, by the National Research Council (January 2015) Client Report A1-005991.1 – Fire Endurance of Cross-Laminated Timber Floor and Wall Assemblies for Tall Wood Buildings, by the National Research Council (December 2014) Measurement of Airborne Sound Insulation of Wall & Floor Assemblies Visit Think Wood’s Research Library for additional resources
Mid-Rise Buildings – Research
Studies General “The Historical Development of the Building Size Limits in the National Building Code of Canada“, by Sereca for CWC (2015) (17 Mb) Structural & Seismic Vertical Movement in Wood Platform Frame Structures (CWC Fact Sheets) Basics Design and detailing solutions Movement prediction Design of multi-storey wood-based shearwalls: Linear dynamic analysis & mechanics based approach A Mechanics-based Approach for Determining Deflections of Stacked Multi-storey Wood-based Shearwalls Design of Stacked Multi-storey Wood Shearwalls using a Mechanics Based Approach Linear Dynamic Analysis for Wood Based Shear Walls and Podium Structures Design of wood frame and podium structures using linear dynamic analysis, by Newfield, G., Ni, C., and Wang, J., Proceedings of the World Conference on Timber Engineering 2014, Quebec City, Canada (2014) Testing Other Reports Final Report – Full-scale Mass Timber Shaft Demonstration Fire (including the National Research Council test report as an Appendix), by FPInnovations (April 2015) Full Scale Exterior Wall Test on Nordic CLT System, by the National Research Council (January 2015) Report No. 101700231SAT-003_Rev.1 – Report of Testing Cross-Laminated Timber Panels for Compliance with CAN/ULC-S101 Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials: Loadbearing 3-ply CLT Wall with 1 Layer of 5/8″ Type X Gypsum Board – 1 hr FRR, by Intertek for CWC (November 2014) Report No. 100585447SAT-002B – Report of Testing Cross-Laminated Timber Panels for Compliance with CAN/ULC-S101 Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials: Loadbearing 3-ply CLT Wall with 1 Layer of 5/8″ Fire-rated Gypsum Board (60% load) – 1 hr FRR, by Intertek for CWC (December 2013) Report No. 100585447SAT-002A_Rev.1 – Report of Testing Cross-Laminated Timber Panels for Compliance with CAN/ULC-S101 Standard Methods of Fire Endurance Tests of Building Construction and Materials: Loadbearing 3-ply CLT Wall with Attached Wood-frame Partition – 1 hr FRR, by Intertek for CWC (January 2012) Visit Think Wood’s Research Library for additional resources
Fire Resistance
In the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) “fire-resistance rating” is defined in part as: “the time in minutes or hours that a material or assembly of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria…” The fire-resistance rating is the time, in minutes or hours, that a material or assembly of materials will withstand the passage of flame and the transmission of heat when exposed to fire under specified conditions of test and performance criteria, or as determined by extension or interpretation of information derived therefrom as prescribed in the NBC. The test and acceptance criteria referred to in the NBC are contained in a standard fire test method, CAN/ULC-S101, published by ULC Standards. Horizontal assemblies such as floors, ceilings and roofs are tested for fire exposure from the underside only. This is because a fire in the compartment below presents the most severe threat. For this reason, the fire-resistance rating is required from the underside of the assembly only. The fire-resistance rating of the tested assembly will indicate, as part of design limitations, the restraint conditions of the test. When selecting a fire-resistance rating, it is important to ensure that the restraint conditions of the test are the same as the construction in the field. Wood-frame assemblies are normally tested with no end restraint to correspond with normal construction practice. Partitions or interior walls required to have a fire-resistance rating must be rated equally from each side, since a fire could develop on either side of the fire separation. They are normally designed symmetrically. If they are not symmetrical, the fire-resistance rating of the assembly is determined based on testing from the weakest side. For a loadbearing wall, the test requires the maximum load permitted by design standards be superimposed on the assembly. Most wood-stud wall assemblies are tested and listed as loadbearing. This allows them to be used in both loadbearing and non-loadbearing applications. Listings for loadbearing wood stud walls can be used for non-loadbearing cases since the same studs are used in both applications. Loading during the test is critical as it affects the capacity of the wall assembly to remain in place and serve its purpose in preventing fire spread. The strength loss in studs resulting from elevated temperatures or actual burning of structural elements causes deflection. This deflection affects the capacity of the protective wall membranes (gypsum board) to remain in place and contain the fire. The fire-resistance rating of loadbearing wall assemblies is typically lower than that of a similarly designed non-loadbearing assembly. Exterior walls only require rating for fire exposure from within a building. This is because fire exposure from the exterior of a building is not likely to be as severe as that from a fire in an interior room or compartment. Because this rating is required from the inside only, exterior wall assemblies do not have to be symmetrical. The NBC permits the authority having jurisdiction to accept results of fire tests performed according to other standards. Since test methods have changed little over the years, results based on earlier or more recent editions of the CAN/ULC-S101 standard are often comparable. The primary US fire-resistance standard, ASTM E119, is very similar to the CAN/ULC-S101 standard. Both use the same time-temperature curve and the same performance criteria. Fire-resistance ratings developed in accordance with ASTM E119 are usually acceptable to Canadian officials. Whether an authority having jurisdiction accepts the results of tests based on these standards depends primarily on the official’s familiarity with them. Testing laboratories and manufacturers also publish information on proprietary listings of assemblies which describe the materials used and assembly methods. A multitude of fire-resistance tests have been conducted over the last 70 years by North American laboratories. Results are available as design listings or reports through: APA Intertek QAI Laboratories PSF Corporation Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada Underwriters’ Laboratories Incorporated In addition, manufacturers of construction products publish results of fire-resistance tests on assemblies incorporating their proprietary products (for example, the Gypsum Association’s GA-600 Fire Resistance Design Manual). The NBC contains generic fire-resistance rating information for wood assemblies and members. This includes fire and sound resistance tables describing various wall and floor assemblies of generic building materials that assign specific fire-resistance ratings to the assemblies. Over the last two decades a number of large research projects were conducted at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) on light-frame wall and floor assemblies, looking at both fire resistance and sound transmission. As a result, the NBC has hundreds of different wall and floor assemblies with assigned fire-resistance ratings and sound transmission ratings. These results are published in the NBC Table A-9.10.3.1.A. Fire and Sound Resistance of Walls and NBC Table A-9.10.3.1.B Fire and Sound Resistance of Floors, Ceilings and Roofs. Not all assemblies described were actually tested. The fire-resistance ratings for some assembles were extrapolated from fire tests done on similar wall assemblies. The listings are useful because they offer off-the-shelf solutions to designers. They can, however, restrict innovation because designers use assemblies which have already been tested rather than pay to have new assemblies evaluated. Listed assemblies must be used with the same materials and installation methods as those tested. The previous section on fire-resistance ratings deals with the determination of fire-resistance ratings from standard tests. Alternative methods for determining fire-resistance ratings are permitted as well. The alternative methods of determining fire-resistance ratings are contained in the NBC, Division B, Appendix D, Fire Performance Ratings. These alternative calculation methods can replace expensive proprietary fire tests. In some cases, these allow less stringent installation and design requirements such as alternate fastener details for gypsum board and the allowance of openings in ceiling membranes for ventilation systems. Section D-2 in NBC, Division B, Appendix D includes methods of assigning fire-resistance ratings to: wood-framed walls, floors and roofs in Appendix D-2.3. (Component Additive Method); solid wood walls, floors and roofs in Appendix D-2.4.; and, glue-laminated timber beams
Construction Sites
The vulnerability of any building in a fire situation is higher during the construction phase when compared to the susceptibility of the building after it has been completed and occupied. This is because the risks and hazards found on a construction site differ both in nature and potential impact from those in a completed building. And, these risks and hazards are occurring at a time when the fire prevention and protection elements that are designed to be part of the completed building are not yet in place. For these reasons, construction site fire safety includes some unique challenges. However, an understanding of the hazards and their potential risks is the first step towards fire prevention and mitigation. It is important to comply with applicable regulations related to fire safety planning during construction, and cooperation between all stakeholders in establishing and implementing a plan goes a long way in reducing the potential risk and impacts of a fire on any construction sites. In addition to province-wide regulations, local governments and municipalities can also have specific laws, regulations or requirements that must be followed. The local fire department can be a resource in directing you to these additional regulations or requirements. Construction site safety has the potential to impact productivity and profitability at any phase of the project. Given that provincial or municipal regulations provide the minimum requirements for construction site fire safety, consideration should also be given to the specific characteristics, objectives and goals of the project, which could provide incentives to exceed the regulated standards for construction site fire safety. It can be prudent to assess and implement various ‘best practices’, based on the specific needs of your site, which can provide an additional level of protection and build a culture of fire safety. Most construction site fires can be prevented with knowledge, planning and diligence; and, the impact of those fires that might occur can be significantly lessened. Understanding and addressing both the general and specific hazards and risks of a particular construction site requires education and training, as well as preparedness and continued vigilance. For further information, refer to the following resources: “Construction Site Fire Safety: A Guide for Construction of Large Buildings” – by Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, University of the Fraser Valley for CWC, 2015 “Construction Site Fire Response: Preventing and Suppressing Fires During Construction of Large Buildings” – by Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, University of the Fraser Valley, 2015 “Report on Course of Construction (Fire) Best Practices Guide” – by Technical Risk Services for CWC, 2014 “Comparison of the Canadian Construction Site Fire Safety Regulations/Guidelines” – by Sereca for CWC, 2014 Quick Facts – Insurance and Construction Series (CWC, 2005): “No. 1 – Course of Construction Insurance Basics“ “No. 2 – Course of Construction Risk Control“ “No. 3 – Course of Construction – Site Risk Control Guidelines“ “Fire Safety and Security: A Technical Note on Fire Safety and Security on Construction Sites in British Columbia” – by Wood Works! British Columbia, 2013 City of Surrey, BC – Construction Fire Safety Plan Bulletin Fire Safety During Construction of Five and Six Storey Wood Buildings in Ontario: A Best Practice Guideline – by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing of Ontario, May 2016 “Fire Safety and Security: A Technical Note on Fire Safety and Security on Construction Sites in Ontario” – by Wood Works! Ontario, 2013
Structural Design
A structure must be designed to resist all the loads expected to act on the structure during its service life. Under the effects of the expected applied loads, the structure must remain intact and perform satisfactorily. In addition, a structure must not require an inordinate amount of resources to construct. Thus, the design of a structure is a balance of necessary reliability and reasonable economy. Wood products are frequently used to provide the principal means of structural support for buildings. Economy and soundness of construction can be achieved by using wood products as members for structural applications such as joists, wall studs, rafters, beams, girders, and trusses. In addition, wood sheathing and decking products perform both a structural role by transferring wind, snow, occupant and content loads to the main structural members, as well as the function of building enclosure. Wood can be used in many structural forms such as light-frame housing and small buildings that utilize repetitive small dimension members or within larger and heavier structural framing systems, such as mass timber construction, which is often utilized for commercial, institutional or industrial projects. The engineered design of wood structural components and systems is based on the CSA O86 standard. During the 1980s, the design of wood structures in Canada, as directed by the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and CSA O86, changed from working stress design (WSD) to limit states design (LSD), making the structural design approach for wood similar to those of other major building materials. All structural design approaches require the following for both strength and serviceability: Member resistance = Effects of design loads Using the LSD method, the structure and its individual components are characterized by their resistance to the effects of the applied loads. The NBC applies factors of safety to both the resistance side and the load side of the design equation: Factored resistance = Factored load effect The factored resistance is the product of a resistance factor (f) and the nominal resistance (specified strength), both of which are provided in CSA O86 for wood materials and connections. The resistance factor takes into account the variability of dimensions and material properties, workmanship, type of failure, and uncertainty in the prediction of resistance. The factored load effect is calculated in accordance with the NBC by multiplying the actual loads on the structure (specified loads) by load factors that account for the variability of the load. No two samples of wood or any other material are exactly the same strength. In any manufacturing process, it is necessary to recognize that each manufactured piece will be unique. Loads, such as snow and wind, are also variable. Therefore, structural design must recognize that loads and resistances are really groups of data rather than single values. Like any group of data, there are statistical attributes such as mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. The goal of design is to find a reasonable balance between reliability and factors such as economy and practicality. The reliability of a structure depends on a variety of factors that can be categorized as follows: external influences such as loads and temperature change; modelling and analysis of the structure, code interpretations, design assumptions and other judgements which make up the design process; strength and consistency of materials used in construction; and quality of the construction process. The LSD approach is to provide adequate resistance to certain limit states, namely strength and serviceability. Strength limit states refer to the maximum load-carrying capacity of the structure. Serviceability limit states are those that restrict the normal use and occupancy of the structure such as excessive deflection or vibration. A structure is considered to have failed or to be unfit for use when it reaches a limit state, beyond which its performance or use is impaired. The limit states for wood design are classified into the following two categories: Ultimate limit states (ULS) are concerned with life safety and correspond to the maximum load-carrying capacity and include such failures as loss of equilibrium, loss of load-carrying capacity, instability and fracture; and Serviceability limit states (SLS) concern restrictions on the normal use of a structure. Examples of SLS include deflection, vibration and localized damage. Due to the unique natural properties of wood such as the presence of knots, wane or slope of grain, the design approach for wood requires the use of modification factors specific to the structural behaviour. These modification factors are used to adjust the specified strengths provided in CSA O86 in order to account for material characteristics specific to wood. Common modification factors used in structural wood design include duration of load effects, system effects related to repetitive members acting together, wet or dry service condition factors, effects of member size on strength, and influence of chemicals and pressure treatment Wood building systems have high strength-to-weight ratios and light-frame wood construction contains many small connectors, most commonly nails, which provide significant ductility and capacity when resisting lateral loads, such as earthquake and wind. Light-frame shearwalls and diaphragms are a very common and practical lateral bracing solution for wood buildings. Typically, the wood sheathing, most commonly plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), that is specified to resist the gravity loading can also act as the lateral force resisting system. This means that the sheathing serves a number of purposes including distributing loads to the floor or roof joists, bracing beams and studs from buckling out of plane, and providing the lateral resistance to wind and earthquake loads. Other lateral load resisting systems that are used in wood buildings include rigid frames or portal frames, knee bracing and cross-bracing. A table of typical spans is presented below to aid the designer in selecting an appropriate wood structural system. For further information, refer to the following resources: Introduction to Wood Design (Canadian Wood Council) Wood Design Manual (Canadian Wood Council) CSA O86 Engineering design in wood National Building Code of Canada www.woodworks-software.com
Lumber properties
For many years, the design values of Canadian dimension lumber were determined by testing small clear samples. Although this approach had worked well in the past, there were some indications that it did not always provide an accurate reflection of how a full-sized member would behave in service. Beginning in the 1970s, new data was gathered on full-size graded lumber, known as in-grade testing. In the early 1980s, the Canadian lumber industry conducted a major research program through the Canadian Wood Council Lumber Properties Program for bending, tension and compression parallel to grain strength properties of 38 mm thick (nominal 2 in) dimension lumber of all commercially important Canadian species groups. The Lumber Properties Program was conducted as a cooperative project with the US industry with the goal of verifying lumber grading correlation from mill to mill, from region to region, and between Canada and the United States. The in-grade testing program involved testing thousands of pieces of dimension lumber to destruction in order to determine their in-service characteristics. It was agreed that this testing program should simulate, as closely as possible, the structural end use conditions to which the lumber would be subjected to. After the test samples were conditioned to approximately 15 percent moisture content, they were tested under short- and long-term loading in accordance with ASTM D4761. Lumber samples in three sizes; 38 x 89 mm, 38 x 184 mm and 38 x 235 mm (2 x 4 in, 2 x 8 in, and 2 x 10 in), were selected across the Canadian growing regions for the three largest-volume commercial species groups; Spruce-Pine-Fir (S-P-F), Douglas Fir-Larch (D.Fir-L) and Hem-Fir. Select Structural, No.1, No.2, No.3, as well as light framing grades, were sampled in flexure. Select Structural, No.1 and No.2 grades were evaluated in tension and compression parallel to grain. Several lesser-volume species were also evaluated at lower sampling intensities. The in-grade testing resulted in new relationships between species, sizes and grades. The dimension lumber database of results was examined to establish trends in bending, tension and compression parallel to grain property relationships as affected by member size and grade. These studies provided a basis for extending the results to the full range of dimension lumber grades and member sizes described in CSA O86. In Canada, both the CSA O86 and the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) have adopted the results from the Lumber Properties Program. The data has also been used to update the design values in the United States. The scientific data resulting from the Lumber Properties Program demonstrated: close correlation in the strength properties of visually graded No.1 and No.2 dimension lumber; good correlation in the application of grading rules from mill to mill and from region to region; and a decrease in relative strength as size increases (i.e. size effect) – for example the unit bending strength for a 38 × 89 mm (2 x 4 in) member is greater than for a 38 × 114 mm (2 x 6 in) member. Following the testing program, the consensus-based ASTM D1990 standard was developed and published. Data for bending, tension parallel to grain, compression parallel to grain, and modulus of elasticity continue to be analyzed in accordance with this Standard. Unlike visually graded lumber where the anticipated strength properties are determined from assessing a piece on the basis of visual appearance and presence of defects such as knots, wane or slope of grain, the strength characteristics of machine stress-rated (MSR) lumber are determined by applying forces to a member and actually measuring the stiffness of a particular piece. As lumber is fed continuously into the mechanical evaluating equipment, stiffness is measured and recorded by a small computer, and strength is assessed by correlation methods. MSR grading can be accomplished at speeds up to 365 m (1000 ft) per minute, including the affixing of an MSR grade mark. MSR lumber is also visually checked for properties other than stiffness which might affect the suitability of a given piece. Given that the stiffness of each piece is measured individually and strength is measured on select pieces through a quality control program, MSR lumber can be assigned higher specified design strengths than visually graded dimension lumber. For further information, refer to the following resources: Canadian Lumber Properties (Canadian Wood Council) ASTM D1990 Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for Visually-Graded Dimension Lumber from In-Grade Tests of Full-Size Specimens ASTM D4761 Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Properties of Lumber and Wood-Based Structural Materials National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA)
Permanent Wood Foundations
A permanent wood foundation (PWF) is an engineered construction system that uses load-bearing exterior light-frame wood walls in a below-grade application. A PWF consists of a stud wall and footing substructure, constructed of approved preservative-treated plywood and lumber, which supports an above-grade superstructure. Besides providing vertical and lateral structural support, the PWF system provides resistance to heat and moisture flow. The first PWF examples were built as early as 1950 and many are still being used today. A PWF is a strong, durable and proven engineered system that has a number of unique advantages: energy savings resulting from high insulation levels, achievable through the application of stud cavity insulation and exterior rigid insulation (up to 20% of heat transfer can occur through the foundation); dry, comfortable living space provided by a superior drainage system (which does not require weeping tile); increased living space since drywall can be attached directly to foundation wall studs; resistance to cracking from freeze/thaw cycles; adaptable to most building designs, including crawl spaces, additions and walk-out basements; one trade required for more efficient construction scheduling; buildable during winter with minimal protection around footings to protect them from freezing; rapid construction, whether framed on site or pre-fabricated off-site; materials are readily available and can be efficiently shipped to rural or remote building sites; and long life, based on field and engineering experience. PWFs are suitable for all types of light-frame construction covered under Part 9 ‘Housing and Small Buildings’ of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), that is, PWF can be used for buildings up to three-storeys in height above the foundation and having a building area not exceeding 600 m2. PWFs can be used as foundation systems for single-family detached houses, townhouses, low-rise apartments, and institutional and commercial buildings. PWFs can also be designed for projects such as crawlspaces, room additions and knee-wall foundations for garages and manufactured homes. There are three different types of PWFs: concrete slab or wood sleeper floor basement, suspended wood floor basement and an unexcavated or partially excavated crawl space. Lumber studs used in PWF are typically 38 x 140 mm (2 x 6 in) or 38 x 184 mm (2 x 8 in), No. 2 grade or better. Improved moisture control methods around and beneath the PWF result in comfortable and dry below-grade living space. The PWF is placed on a granular drainage layer which extends 300 mm (12 in) beyond the footings. An exterior moisture barrier, applied to the outside of the walls, provides protection against moisture ingress. Caulked joints between all exterior plywood wall panels and at the bottom of exterior walls is intended to control air leakage through the PWF, but also eliminates water penetration pathways. The result is a dry basement that can be easily insulated and finished for maximum comfort and energy conservation. All lumber and plywood used in a PWF, except for specific components or conditions, must be treated using a water-borne wood preservative and identified as such by a certification mark stating conformance with CSA O322. Corrosion-resistant nails, framing anchors and straps that are used to fasten PWF-treated material must be hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel. Exterior moisture and vapour barriers must be at least 0.15 mm (6 mil) in thickness. Dimpled drainage board is often specified as an exterior moisture barrier. For further information, refer to the following references: Permanent Wood Foundations (Canadian Wood Council) Permanent Wood Foundations 2023 – Durable, Comfortable, Adaptable, Energy efficient, Economical (Wood Preservation Canada and Canadian Wood Council) Wood Design Manual (Canadian Wood Council) Wood Preservation Canada CSA S406 Specification of permanent wood foundations for housing and small buildings CSA O322 Procedure for certification of pressure-treated wood materials for use in permanent wood foundations CSA O86 Engineering design in wood National Building Code of Canada
Durability by design
“Durability by design” is the most important aspect of durable solutions. It starts with using dry wood, storing it appropriately to ensure it stays dry, and then designing the building to protect the wood or, if the wood will be exposed, designing to not accumulate moisture. It includes ensuring the building envelope is appropriately designed to shed bulk water, mitigating water and vapour from getting into the envelope, and draining water that does leak into the envelope.
