Mass Timber Buildings and Fire Safety
Course Overview Welcome, this course is a case study of a number of educational buildings in both the United States and Canada and how wood used in the construction of these buildings supports sustainability, promotes health and motivates learning. Learning Objectives How wood was used to create a healthy learning environment. How wood was used to create a sense of wellbeing by creating warm inviting interiors with large open spaces. Examines the use of wood in the construction of 20 different educational buildings from elementary and high schools to university research facilities and showcase buildings. Course Video Speakers Bio Steve Craft, Ph.D., P.Eng. Co-founder CHM Fire Consultants – Ottawa, ON Dr. Steven Craft is a Principal Engineer with CHM Fire Consultants Ltd, which he co-founded in 2011, and an Adjunct Professor in the Fire Safety Engineering Program at Carleton University. He has an undergraduate degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Ph.D. in Fire Safety Engineering from Carleton University. Dr. Craft teaches courses in Wood Engineering, Fire Dynamics, and Wood Structures and Fire Safety at Carleton University. As well, he is active in Canadian and international codes and standards work, including chairing a task group under CSA O86, Canada’s Wood Design Standard, on fire resistance and a task group under ULC’s Fire Test Committee on exterior fire tests.
Vertical Additions: An innovative pathway to delivering more homes
Course Overview Discover the innovative approach to housing supply undertaken by Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel. The Arbor Mill expansion sets a remarkable precedent for other non-profit affordable housing providers who want to build more housing and can do it by adding additional units on top of their existing buildings. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 20-25% of existing buildings can support a vertical addition in wood, which is a comparatively light weight building material. This novel approach removes the need to find new land to develop and has the added benefit of immediately integrating new residents into an existing supportive community. This project added 6 barrier-free, affordable apartments on top of a 35-year old, occupied residential building using prefabricated mass timber, delivering more affordable housing through the “gentle densification” of existing infrastructure. In this webinar, the project team will discuss the architectural, structural, and design challenges of the project, including blending prefabricated mass timber construction methods with an older structure built with conventional materials. Key sustainability and construction considerations will also be highlighted. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of the first project teams in North America to pursue this innovative approach to housing delivery. Learning Objectives Participants will learn how Pathway, a non-profit community developer in Peel Region, created a plan to expand its housing portfolio while addressing tenant needs and priorities. Participants will gain insights into the design and approval challenges of the project, including navigating site plan approvals, integrating mass timber, and meeting acoustic and fire safety requirements. Participants will understand the structural considerations for vertical expansions, which include performing load assessments and evaluating structural options. Participants will understand the mass timber fabricator’s process and the key considerations for successfully integrating prefabricated mass timber components into a project, including early involvement, securing production spots, and managing construction timelines. Course Video Speaker Bio Roman Spektor General Manager Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel Mechanical engineer by profession, Roman has been the General Manager of Pathway for over 25 years and has managed social housing projects for 35 years. Pathway Non-Profit Community Developments Inc. of Peel (Pathway) is an interfaith non-profit corporation that was incorporated in 1988. The Pathway organization is run by a volunteer board made up of members of the three founding congregations. Pathway owns and operates two apartment building in Mississauga constructed in the early 90s. Pathway’s two buildings, Forest Ridge and Arbour Mill, house 230 families and are funded by rental income and a government subsidy. Pathway has also created a separate management company and manages other non-profit housing communities. Roman has coordinated with the volunteer board on all aspects of management of the buildings including budgeting, capital work and project management. Through the creation of programs for the residents, Pathway has created inclusive communities where all residents feel welcome. Cathy Tafler, OAA Partner Tafler Rylett Architects Cathy has been a partner in the firm Tafler Rylett Architects since 1996 and is involved in all aspects of the firm’s work including client consultation, design, permit application, specifications and contract administration. Cathy is committed to producing thoughtful and environmentally responsible projects that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. The firm designs with a collaborative process, listening to their client’s requirements and budget and input from the surrounding community. Cathy was chair of the OAA’s Committee on the Environment and is a member of the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness (TAEH). The firm’s work includes supportive and affordable housing, offices, institutional and private residential projects. Major projects include supportive housing for Houselink Community Homes, offices for Doctors Without Borders, offices for the U of T Faculty Association, Tiny Treasure Montessori School and affordable housing for Pathway. Craig Nicoletti, P.Eng. Partner, Structural Engineer Engineering Link Inc. Craig is a Professional Engineer and Partner for the Structural Division at Engineering Link. He has been with Engineering Link since 2011 and brings more than 20 years of structural engineering expertise to his projects. During his tenure, Craig acquired a diverse portfolio of experience with wood projects that spans all sectors including commercial, recreational, industrial, hospitality, civic, and sporting facilities, in addition to heritage designated sites. Stephen Balamut, B.Eng. Project Manager Element5 Stephen is a Civil Engineering Graduate of McMaster University. He began with Element5 as a designer and estimator, then moved into his current project manager position where he has overseen over 50 completed mass timber projects, from low- and mid-rise residential, to mixed-use and commercial. As a project manager, Stephen oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of Element5’s mass timber projects. He collaborates closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure the structural integrity and sustainability of the mass timber components. Stephen is driven by a passion for contributing to sustainable projects that have a meaningful and lasting impact on people’s lives.
Diversify Your Structural Portfolio: Wood in Low-Rise Commercial Construction
Course Overview This course will explore the use cases for incorporating more wood into a sector that is typically dominated by structural steel construction. We will look at Light Wood Framing (LWF), Structural Composite Lumber (SCL), Mass Timber (MT), and Hybrid Systems that may incorporate any or all of these materials, as well as structural steel. What is important is using the right material in the right application. Several examples from the CWC Publication “Low-Rise Commercial Construction in Wood: A guide for Architects and Engineers”, as well as real project examples from the presenter. Learning Objectives Identify strengths and weaknesses of various wood products. Learn to select the right wood material/system for the most efficient and cost effective structure. Highlight critical details and identify potential red flags to ensure a successful project. Provide useful examples, resources and tools for the practitioner to add to their “tool belt”. Course Video Speaker Bio Alex Nowakowksi Engineer, Senior Associate, and Barrie Team Lead Tacoma Engineers Alex is a Professional Engineer, Senior Associate, and Barrie Team Lead for Tacoma Engineers. Alex has been with Tacoma Engineers since 2012. As a Senior Structural Engineer and Project Manager, Alex has been the Primary Structural Engineer and Specialty Structural Engineer on a wide variety of wood projects in the Commercial, Institutional, Multi-Family, Agricultural and Residential Sectors.
Moisture Fire and Sound Control
Course Overview Moisture: Exterior and Interior.Fire: Gypsum as Passive protection, Fire Rated Assemblies, and Gypsum Firewalls.Sound: Sound Transmission Class, Apparent Sound Transmission Class, Impact Isolation Class, and Sound Quality. Learning Objectives Moisture Control Design. Fire Safety Design. Sound Transmission Design. Course Video Speaker Bio Michelle Maybee P.Eng. Architectural Solutions Manager CertainTeed | Saint-Gobain
Unlocking Insights: Mass Timber Fire Performance
Course Overview Coming Soon Learning Objectives The presentation will be focused on providing a summary of the Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Test Program’s results and include the following segments: Introduction and background on what led to the demonstration fire tests. Overview of research prior to the demonstration fire tests and the contribution of the demonstration fire tests to the understanding of the fire performance of mass timber construction. Review of the five fire scenarios including the design, videos of the tests, and discussion of the results. Overview of National Research Council’s report including data collection, analysis, and conclusions. Q&A session to allow participants the opportunity to seek clarification or additional information. Course Video Speaker Bio Steven Craft, PhD, P.Eng. Founding Partner CHM Fire Consultants Ltd Dr. Steven Craft is a founding partner of CHM Fire Consultants Ltd located in Ottawa and Toronto, ON. He served as an Adjunct Professor in the Fire Safety Engineering Program at Carleton University from 2010- 2019 and was a Research Scientist with Canada’s National Forest Products Research Institute (FPInnovations) from 2006-2011. He has an undergraduate degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a PhD in Fire Safety Engineering from Carleton University. He is the Chair of the ULC Fire Test Committee, is a Vice-chair of ASTM Committee on Fire Standards and is on the Technical Committee for the Canadian Wood Design Standard, CSA O86, where he Chairs the Task Group on Fire Resistance. Dr. Craft has been involved in over 20 significant mass timber building projects across Canada and multiple large-scale fire tests on mass timber construction.
Building Code Evolution: Understanding the Latest Mass Timber Provisions
Course Overview WoodWorks and the BC Office of Mass Timber Implementation present a brief, but detailed technical webinar focusing on the recently adopted provincial code provisions. Learning Objectives Beyond the introduction of a new, 18 storey limit, you will: Learn the additional changes for various different occupancies, building heights, and construction requirements that will help you enhance your future projects with exposed or encapsulated mass timber. Gain insights into the national landscape, understanding how these code amendments might reverberate across other provinces in Canada. Course Video Speaker Bio Cameron McDonald Technical Solutions Lead, Office of Mass Timber Implementation Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Cam is a former level 3 building official and BOABC member. He now works in the Office of Mass Timber Implementation, under the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, as the Lead of Technical Solutions and played an active role in the development of the new code provisions for EMTC in BC. Derek Ratzlaff, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., PE Technical Director, WoodWorks BC Canadian Wood Council Derek began his career in the wood industry in high school working on single and multi-family light wood construction, after university and almost 20 years of structural consulting experience, Derek has worked in all types of wood construction and played key roles in the delivery of iconic BC wood structures, the Richmond Olympic Oval and Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre. He brings his experience in design and construction to support the industry as the Woodworks BC Technical Director.
