A Regionalized Industry Average EPD for Canadian Oriented Strand Board
A Regionalized Industry Average EPD for Canadian Softwood Lumber
Guide to Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction in the Ontario Building Code
Insuring Timber Strategy
2023 CWC Annual Report
Privacy Policy
We are pleased to open our Call for Entries and invite North American and International submissions to the 2025 Wood Design and Building Awards program celebrating excellence in wood architecture and construction. The Canadian Wood Council (“CWC”) is committed to upholding the confidentiality and security of your personal information. The CWC respects your right to privacy and have instituted best practices to help ensure that your personal information is handled responsibly. This Policy explains how CWC collects, uses, and discloses personal information that you knowingly provide while using this website and website content (the “Website”) and in any electronic publications, newsletters, or announcements made by it (“Electronic Communications”). By using CWC’s Web sites, you consent to our collection, use, and disclosure of the information you provide, as set out in this Privacy Policy. Any personal information provided to CWC through the Web sites will be treated with care, and subject to this Policy will not be used or disclosed in ways not consented. 1. Scope of this Policy 2. Information Automatically Collected 3. Personal Information You Specifically Provide to the Website 4. Other Matters Your Comments — If you have any comments or questions about this Policy or your personal information, please contact CWC at helpdesk@cwc.ca. Other Websites — The Website may contain links to other Websites or Internet resources. When you click on one of those links you are contacting another Website or Internet resource that may collect information about you voluntarily or through cookies or other technologies. CWC has no responsibility or liability for, or control over those other Websites or Internet resources or their collection, use and disclosure of your personal information. Website Terms of Use — The Terms of Use governing your use of the Website contains important provisions disclaiming and excluding the liability of CWC and others regarding your use of the Website and provisions determining the applicable law and exclusive jurisdiction for the resolution of any disputes regarding your use of the Website. Each of those provisions also applies to any disputes that may arise in relation to this Policy and the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information, and are of the same force and effect as if they had been reproduced directly in this Policy. Former Users — If you stop using the Website or your permission to use the Website is terminated by CWC, CWC may continue to use and disclose your personal information in accordance with this Policy as amended from time to time, and subject to compliance with the law. Privacy Policy Changes — This Policy may be changed by CWC from time to time, without any prior notice or liability to you or any other person. The collection, use and disclosure of your personal information by CWC will be governed by the version of this Policy in effect at that time. New versions of this Policy will be posted here. Your continued use of the Website and receipt or request of any electronic communication subsequent to any changes to this Policy will signify that you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the changed Policy. Accordingly, when you use the Website or receive or request any electronic communication, you should check the date of this Policy and review any changes since the last version.
Terms of Use
By accessing and using this website and website content (collectively, the “Website”), you are deemed to have agreed to these terms and conditions of use (the “Terms of Use”) and any other notices, guidelines and rules published by the Canadian Wood Council (“CWC”) on this Website from time to time (each of which is incorporated into these Terms of Use by reference), and all applicable laws and regulations governing the Website. By using this Website you also represent and warrant that you have the legal authority to enter into this Agreement. You also agree to the use of any personal information that you may supply to CWC through this Website, as further described in our Privacy Policy. CWC has the right, in its sole discretion, to add, remove, modify or otherwise change any part of these Terms of Use for the Website, in whole or in part, at any time. Any change will be effective when notice of such change is posted on the Website. Your continued use of this Website after any such change is posted will constitute your acceptance and agreement from you or any party you purport to represent, without limitation or qualification, to be bound by this Agreement as it may be amended from time to time. If any portion of these Terms of Use or any change to these Terms of Use is not acceptable to you, you must discontinue your use of this Website immediately. These Terms of Use apply exclusively to your use of this Website and do not alter the terms or conditions of any other agreement you may have with CWC. 1. Your Use of This Website The Materials included on this site are provided for convenience and informational purposes. CWC grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sub-licensable, revocable, limited license to display on your computer, print, download and use the Website for informational purposes only and solely for your own personal or internal company use. Except as otherwise expressly stated, no other use is permitted. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you may not use the Website to infringe the rights of, restrict or inhibit anyone else’s use or enjoyment of the Website, disseminate any unlawful or objectionable material, obtain unauthorized access to or interfere with CWC’s computer systems, or otherwise breach applicable laws or regulations. Accessing the Website from locations where its content is illegal is prohibited. Those who choose to access the Website from other locations do so at their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws. 2. 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CWC claims no ownership or control over any content including any and all trademarks, logos, designs, photos, information and material in text, graphical, video and audio forms, images, reports, articles, data, databases, charts, graphics, interfaces, and other content submitted, posted or displayed by you on or through the Website (the “User Content”). You or a third party licensor, as the case may be, retain all rights to any User Content you submit, post or display on or through the Website and you are responsible for protecting those rights. 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Because CWC has no control over such sites and resources, you acknowledge and agree that CWC is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and that CWC does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any content, advertising, products, services or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that CWC shall not be responsible or liable, directly
The 2025 Ottawa Wood Solutions Conference will be presented on February 5, 2025 at the National Arts Centre
December 19, 2024 (Ottawa) – The 2025 Ottawa Wood Solutions Conference will be presented on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the National Arts Centre, located at 1 Elgin St. in Ottawa. First launched over 20 years ago to serve design and construction professionals interested in building with wood, this event has evolved from a niche gathering into a cornerstone of professional education, driven by the growing demand for sustainable wood construction. The program offers a range of presentations—from technical deep dives to inspiring case studies—catering to participants at every stage of their professional journey, from newcomers to seasoned experts. Attendees can also take advantage of valuable opportunities to connect, collaborate, and expand their professional networks within the wood community. Conference organizers are delighted to welcome Christophe Ouhayoun of KOZ Architects (France) to share insights into the innovative, collaborative development of the Paris Olympics Athletes’ Village. His presentation will also explore the current effort underway to convert these structures into much-needed permanent housing, highlighting this progressive mass timber development as a model of adaptability and sustainability. Another program highlight pays tribute to the venue itself. Donald Schmitt, CM, of Diamond Schmitt Architects will present on the revitalization of the National Arts Centre, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the timber structure and prefabrication process that transformed this iconic building into a modern landmark. Other technical presentations include managing sound and vibration in mass timber buildings and growing Canadian capacity for industrialized wood construction, advancing wood products in our changing climate, and a discussion of the value of conventional wood frame construction in small communities where it provides job opportunities, with a specific focus on Indigenous housing projects. Early Bird registration of just $99+HST is available until the end of December. In the new year, registration for the conference will be $149 +HST. Delegates can find the Ottawa Wood Solutions Conference on Eventbrite or jump directly to online registration with this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2025-ottawa-wood-solutions-conference-tickets-1080654991169 A limited number of discounted passes are available for post-secondary educators and students in AEC+D programs of study. Please contact Kelsey Dayler for more information kdayler@cwc.ca.
Wood Design & Building Magazine, vol 23, issue 94
Wood design in the National Building Code of Canada
The current edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) is published in an objective-based format intended to allow more flexibility when evaluating non-traditional or alternative solutions. The objective-based format currently in use provides additional information that helps proponents and regulators determine what minimum performance level must be achieved to facilitate evaluation of new alternatives. Although the NBC helps users understand the intent of the requirements, it is understood that proponents and regulators will still have a challenge in terms of demonstrating compliance. In any case, objective-based codes are expected to foster a spirit of innovation and create new opportunities for Canadian manufacturers. Requirements related to the specification of structural wood products and wood building systems that relates to health, safety, accessibility and the protection of buildings from fire or structural damage is set forth in the NBC. The NBC applies mainly to new construction, but also aspects of demolition, relocation, renovation and change of building use. The current NBC was published in 2015, and is usually updated on a five-year cycle. The next update is expected in 2020. In terms of structural design, the NBC specifies loads, while material resistance is referenced through the use of material standards. In the case of engineering design in wood, CSA O86 provides the designer with the means of calculating the resistance values of structural wood products to resist gravity and lateral loads. Additional design information is found in the companion documents to the NBC; Structural Commentaries (User’s Guide – NBC 2015: Part 4 of Division B) and the Illustrated User’s Guide – NBC 2015: Part 9 of Division B, Housing and Small Buildings. In Canada, structural wood products are specified prescriptively or through engineered design, depending on the application and occupancy. Design professionals, such as architects and engineers, are generally required for structures that exceed three-storeys in height or are greater than 600 m2 or if occupancies are not covered by Part 9 ‘Housing and Small Buildings’ of the NBC. Housing and small buildings can be built without a full structural design using prescriptive requirements found in Part 9 of the Code. Some Part 9 requirements are based on calculations, others are based on construction practices that have a proven performance history. Generally prescriptive use is allowed if the following conditions are met: three-stories or less 600m2 or less uses repetitive wood members spaced within 600 mm spans are less than 12.2 meters floor live loads do not exceed 2.4 kPa residential, office, mercantile or medium-to low-hazard industrial occupancy The rationale for not basing all Part 9 requirements on calculations comes from the fact that there has been historical performance and experience with small wood-frame buildings in Canada, in addition to the notion that many of the non-structural elements actually contribute to the structural performance of a wood-frame system. Quantifying the ‘system’ effects on overall behaviour of a wood-frame building cannot be done adequately using typical design assumptions, such as two-dimensional load paths and single member engineering mechanics. In these instances, the requirements for houses and small buildings is based on alternative criteria of a prescriptive nature. These prescriptive criteria are based on an extensive performance history of wood-frame housing and small buildings that meet current day code objectives and requirements. Buildings that fall outside of prescriptive boundaries or are intended for major occupancy or post disaster situations must be designed by design professionals in accordance with Part 4 of the NBC. Structural resistance of wood products and building systems are engineered according to the requirements of CSA O86 in order to resist the loadings described in Part 4 of the NBC.
Mid-Rise Buildings
In the early 1900s, light-frame wood construction and heavy timber, up to ten-storeys in height, was commonplace in major cities throughout Canada. The longevity and continued appeal of these buildings types is apparent in the fact that many of them are still in use today. Over the past decade, there has been a revival in the use of wood for taller buildings in Canada, including mid-rise light-frame wood construction up to six-storeys in height. Mid-rise light-frame wood construction is more than basic 2×4 framing and wood sheathing panels. Advances in wood science and building technology have resulted in stronger, safer, more sophisticated engineered building products and systems that are expanding the options for wood construction, and providing more choices for builders and designers. Modern mid-rise light-frame wood construction in incorporates well researched and safe solutions. The engineering design and technology that has been developed and brought to market is positioning Canada as a leader in the mid-rise wood-frame construction industry. In 2009, via its provincial building codes, British Columbia became the first province in Canada to allow mid-rise buildings to be made from wood. Since this change to the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC), which increased the permissible height for wood frame residential buildings from four- to six-storeys, more than 300 of these structures have been completed or are underway with BC. In 2013 and 2015, Québec, Ontario, and Alberta, respectively, also moved to permit mid-rise wood-frame construction up to six-storeys in height. These regulatory changes indicate that there is clear market confidence in this type of construction. Scientific evidence and independent research has shown that mid-rise wood-frame buildings can meet performance requirements in regard to structural integrity, fire safety, and life safety. That evidence has now also contributed to the addition of new prescriptive provisions for wood construction, as well as paved the way for future changes that will include more permissible uses and ultimately greater permissible heights for wood buildings. As a result of this research, and the successful implementation of many mid-rise wood-frame residential buildings, primarily in British Columbia and Ontario, the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) approved similar changes to the National Model Construction Codes. The 2015 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) permits the construction of six-storey residential, business, and personal services buildings using traditional combustible construction materials. The NBC changes recognize the advancements in wood products and building systems, as well as in fire detection, suppression, and containment systems. In relation to mid-rise wood-frame buildings, several changes to the 2015 NBC are designed to further reduce the risks posed by fire, including: increased use of automatic sprinklers in concealed areas in residential buildings; increased use of sprinklers on balconies; greater water supply for firefighting purposes; and 90 percent noncombustible or limited-combustible exterior cladding on all storeys. Most mid-rise wood-frame buildings are located in the core of smaller municipalities and in the inner suburbs of larger ones, offering economic and sustainability advantages. Mid-rise wood-frame construction supports the goals of many municipalities; densification, affordable housing to accommodate a growing population, sustainability in the built environment and resilient communities. Many of these buildings have employed light-frame wood construction from the ground up, with a five- or six-storey wood-frame structure being constructed on a concrete slab-on-grade, or on top of a concrete basement parking garage; others have been constructed above one- or two-storeys of noncombustible commercial occupancy. Mid-rise wood buildings are inherently more complex and involve the adaptation of structural and architectural details that address considerations related to structural, acoustic, thermal and fire performance design criteria. Several key aspects of design and construction that become more critical in this new generation of mid-rise wood buildings include: increased potential for cumulative shrinkage and differential movement between different types of materials, as a result of the increased building height; increased, dead, live, wind and seismic loads that are a consequence of taller building height; requirements for continuous stacked shearwall layouts; increased fire-resistance ratings for fire separations, as required for buildings of greater height and area; ratings for sound transmission, as required for buildings of multi-family residential occupancy, as well as other uses; potential for longer exposure to the elements during construction; mitigation of risk related to fire during construction; and modified construction sequencing and coordination, resulting from the employment of prefabrication technologies and processes. There are many alternative approaches and solutions to these new design and construction considerations that are associated with mid-rise wood construction systems. Reference publications produced by the Canadian Wood Council provide more detailed discussion, case studies and details for mid-rise design and construction techniques. For further information, refer to the following resources: Mid-Rise Best Practice Guide (Canadian Wood Council) 2015 Reference Guide: Mid-Rise Wood Construction in the Ontario Building Code (Canadian Wood Council) Mid-Rise 2.0 – Innovative Approaches to Mid-Rise Wood Frame Construction (Canadian Wood Council) Mid-Rise Construction in British Columbia (Canadian Wood Council) National Building Code of Canada Wood Design Manual (Canadian Wood Council) CSA O86 Engineering design in wood Wood for Mid-Rise Construction (Wood WORKS! Atlantic) Fire Safety and Security: A Technical Note on Fire Safety and Security on Construction Sites in British Columbia/Ontario (Canadian Wood Council)
FAQs
What do the experts have to say about wood-frame mid-rise construction? Graham Finch, Building Science Research Engineer Michael Green, Principal, Michael Green Architecture Mid-rise Wood Construction – a detailed look at a changing landscape (Part 1) Mid-rise Wood Construction – a detailed look at a changing landscape (Part 2) Seven-storey wood-frame earthquake test BC Housing is supporting wood-frame construction for seniors’ rental housing Is mid-rise and tall wood building construction a new phenomenon: Wood-frame and heavy timber construction (up to ten storeys) was the norm in the early 1900’s, and many of these buildings still exist and are in use in many Canadian cities. Check them out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobkh/337920532/. Over the past 10 years, there is a revival in the use of wood for both mid-rise (up to six-storeys) and tall buildings. In British Columbia alone, as of December 2013, there were over 250 five- and six-storey wood product based mid-rise buildings either in the design or construction phase. Why have code change proposals? This 2015 building code change is not about favoring wood over other building materials; it’s about acknowledging, via the highly thorough code process, that science-based innovation in wood products and building systems can and will lead to more choices for builders and occupants. Are these buildings safe? Regardless of the building material in question, nothing gets built unless it meets code. Mid-rise wood-frame buildings reflect a new standard of engineering in that structural, fire and seismic concerns have all been addressed by the expert committees of the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes. As an example, when it comes to concerns from firefighters, there is increased sprinkler protection for concealed spaces and balconies, greater water supply for fire protection, restrictions on types of building claddings used and increased consideration for access by firefighters . In the end, when occupied, these buildings fully meet the same requirements of the Building Code as any other type of construction from the perspective of health, safety and accessibility. What are some of the new safety provisions being proposed? Fire safety: Increased level of sprinkler / water protection: More concealed spaces sprinklered Balconies must be sprinklered Greater water supply for fire protection Non-combustible or limited combustible exterior wall cladding on 5th and 6th storey 25% of perimeter must face one street (within 15m of street) for firefighter access Seismic and wind provisions: Similar to BC Building Code Guidance (Appendix) on impact of increased rain and wind loads for 5- and 6-storey Acoustics: Requirements for Apparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC) Supported by science from FPInnovations, NRC and many others. Doesn’t wood burn? No building material is impervious to the effects of fire. The proposed code changes go above and beyond the minimum requirements outlined in the NBCC. Health, safety, accessibility, fire and structural protection of buildings remain the core objectives of the NBCC and wood industry at large. What about construction site safety? The Canadian Wood Council has developed construction site fire safety guides which outline best practices and safety precautions to take during the construction phase of a building. Are mid-rise wood-frame buildings cost effective? For the most part, yes. Mid-rise wood-frame buildings are often a less expensive construction option for builders. This is good news for main-street Canada where land is so expensive. The recommended changes to the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) would give the opportunity to erect safe, code compliant buildings that would otherwise not be possible. The net benefit of reduced construction costs is increased affordability for home buyers. In terms of new economic opportunity, the ability to move forward “now” creates new construction jobs in cities and supports employment in forestry communities. This also offers increased export opportunities for current and innovative wood products, where adoption in Canada provides the example for other countries.
