Course Overview

Recent code changes and advancements in timber products are allowing for larger and more complex buildings to be built in timber. These multi storey, complex buildings are comparable to steel and concrete in strength and durability and conform to all building codes. Although a relatively small portion of the overall project budget, the course of construction insurance for these projects tend to be much higher than the non-combustible alternative. This presentation will walk the attendee through the nuances of the insurance industry, and highlight the research that has taken place over the last 3 years to lower these rates. We will debunk many of the myths associated with timber construction that serve as roadblocks to desirable insurance rates. The best practices we will examine in this presentation could be instrumental in helping achieve a safe and insurable construction site.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the insurance industry’s methods of assessing construction risk.
2. Identify the major risk factors associated with timber construction.
3. Identify construction site best practices.
4. Be prepared to submit a comprehensive package to apply for insurance.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Timothy Buhler, BBA
Technical Manager
Canadian Wood Council

Born and raised in Northern Ontario, Tim is very aware of the importance of the forestry industry to Canadians.

Tim graduated from Nipissing University in 2006 and shortly after joined the Canadian Wood Council. Tim’s keen interest in sustainable construction and curbing climate change led him to pursue the role of technical manager within the Wood WORKS! Program. Over the last 14 years Tim’s experience and education has taken him across North America and Europe where he has engaged and learned from a variety of leading experts in the field. Tim has worked closely with industry and the design community to become a resource for all things related to timber construction.

As a technical manager with the Ontario team Tim continues to work diligently to promote timber construction has assisted with over 100 projects in Ontario ranging in size in scope from 1 to 35 (theoretical) stories.

Course Overview

This webinar will discuss the fire-related national building and fire code changes related to a new construction type called Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC) to be used for wood buildings up to twelve storeys. As well, it will provide an overview of ongoing fire research at the National Research Council of Canada into various performance aspects of mass timber construction and tall wood buildings.

Learning Objectives

1. Proposed new construction type EMTC.
2. Proposed new ULC encapsulation rating test.
3. Proposed additions for EMTC in the 2020 NBC and NFC.
4. Mass timber fire testing.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Marc Alam
Manager, Codes and Standards in the fire division Canadian Wood Council

Marc Alam is a member of the Canadian Wood Council. As Manager, Codes and Standards in the fire division, Marc assists through participation in CWC’s building code and standards fire‐related initiatives and the development of CWC’s fire design tools, as well as code‐related fire research projects.

Course Overview

Examining recent 6-storey projects, this presentation will highlight specific challenges, important details and procedures, and to illustrate how various engineered wood products were applied strategically to ensure success.

Learning Objectives

1. Gain insight into some of the critical structural challenges for wood framed mid‐rise buildings.
2. Understand how use of Engineered Lumber (particularly LSL) can assist in decreasing building shrinkage and resisting higher loads.
3. Know what a qualified ELP supplier can provide to assist in these projects.
4. Examine a few emerging technologies that may impact this type of construction in the future.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Steve McManus, P. Eng.
Weyerhaeuser

Course Overview

The presentation will address common modes of fire spread in mid‐rise buildings of combustible construction and the measures implemented into building codes to limit fire spread. The presentation will look at several case studies and quantify the impact of key mitigation measures that have been implemented into building codes following these fires.

Learning Objectives

1. Knowledge of key fire spread modes and mechanisms in combustible mid‐rise buildings.
2. Knowledge of key building code requirements to limit fire spread.
3. The importance of fire stopping and blocking.
4. Methods to limit fire spread.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Keith Calder, P.Eng.
Jensen Hughes

Keith Calder, P.Eng., has almost 20 years’ experience in fire engineering, fire modelling, building and fire code consulting and fire investigation. He has developed a vast knowledge of the application of current and historical building codes and has provided analysis and advice on the development of several wood initiatives.

Course Overview

Durability by design is all in the detail. It is the detail, an aspect of wood design which is sometimes overlooked, that determines the durability of a building’s exterior, especially when wood is exposed to the elements. Knowing what happens to the wood when exposed to moisture or the sun’s UV rays and applying that information, results in a design that stands the test of time. Bill Billups’ presentation will include illustrated examples of what happens when design principles of durability are ignored.

Learning Objectives

1. The participant will look at four design elements of wood structures: Canopies, Eave Lines, Siding and Caps & Bases.
2. Examples will show what does / does not work and through these examples the presenter will show how Durability by Design is in the details.
3. The participant will learn where the water goes and how nature teaches us how to handle the sun.
4. They will come away with a Durability check list they can apply to any design they are working on.

Course Video

Speaker Bio

Bill Billups, AScT
Technical Consultant
Wood WORKS! BC