The Canadian Wood Council partnered with federal and provincial governments and organizations, as well as key experts, to conduct a series of five fire research burns on a full-scale mass timber structure in Ottawa. The five tests occurred in June 2022. The project supports market acceptance of tall and large mass timber buildings in Canada and encourages the construction of buildings that include mass timber.
With the most certified sustainable forests in the world, Canada is a champion of sustainable forest management and in a position to solidify our global leadership in the bioeconomy and forest sector by advancing mass timber adoption. Mass timber is revolutionizing the building industry as a renewable, nature-based construction material. Recognizing mass timber’s vital role in achieving a low carbon, built environment, the Canadian Wood Council and its partners are dedicated to advancing its adoption.
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Purpose
The project was designed to support market acceptance of tall and large mass timber buildings in Canada and encourage the construction of buildings that include mass timber. By designing and executing a series of demonstration fire research tests on a full-scale mass timber structure, and collecting data from tests, the project:
- Demonstrated mass timber fire performance to key stakeholders including building officials, fire service and insurance industry
- Encouraged building code advancements that will allow for taller and larger wood buildings Support the adoption of the 2020 National Building Code introducing new provisions to allow 12 storey mass timber buildings
- Supported future code change proposals and the development of alternative solutions
- Encouraged the development of / provide data and information to support the transition toward performance-based codes, long-term strategy
- Promoted the adoption of mass timber by developing educational materials for targeted audiences
- Supported the maximum use of exposed mass timber elements (visual aesthetic), leading to cost competitive projects and health and wellness benefits
- Demonstrated the ability of different mass timber assemblies to maintain structural integrity under, during and post-construction fire scenarios in a way that is comparable to (or superior to) conventional materials.
- Supported the transition to Performance-based codes
Summary of the Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Test #5
Objectives
While there is evidence, research, and case studies that demonstrate the comparable, safety and performance of mass timber construction compared to construction using conventional materials like steel and concrete, misconceptions still circulate. By designing and executing a series of demonstration fire research burns on a full-scale mass timber structure, and collecting data from these burns, our objective was to:
- Showcase, through fire demonstration tests, that mass timber construction is a safe and viable alternative to other more conventional construction systems (steel & concrete) for constructing large or tall buildings;
- Support the implementation and adoption of the 2020 edition of the National Building Code of Canada;
- Support future code change proposals to extend the use of mass timber to other building types, heights, and sizes;
- Support the transition to Performance-based codes;
- Use the results and finds from the demonstration tests to develop viable solutions to mitigate construction fire risk.
Targeted Audiences
Various key stakeholders within the construction sector need to be educated through science-based tests that mass timber building systems can be designed to provide a safe building environment when subjected to fire. The key groups targeted by the project include, but are not limited to:
- Building Code Officials & Regulators
- Fire Services Professionals
- Insurance Professionals
- Building & Construction Industry
- Sustainability Specialists
- Building Occupants & Owners
Funders & Stakeholders
- Natural Resources Canada
- BC Forestry Innovation Investment
- Government of British Columbia – Office of Mass Timber Implementation (OMTI)
- Ontario – Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
- Alberta – Agriculture, Forestry & Rural Economic Development
- Québec – Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
- Canadian Wood Council
- FPInnovations
Full Scale Fire Testing and Research
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) provided support for the technical work and science-based fire tests, as part of its research to inform the advancement of safe and innovative solutions across Canada’s construction industry.
Key Consultants & Contractors
- GHL Consultants Ltd.
- CHM Fire Consultants Ltd.
- ISL Engineering
- Timmerman Timberworks Inc.
Key Suppliers & Manufacturers
Five mass timber product manufacturers supplied the mass timber materials:
- Western Archrib:
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ Westdek panels for the roof - Element5 Modern Timber Buildings
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ CLT floor - Structurlam Mass Timber Corporation
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ CLT floor and walls - StructureCraft: Timber engineering & Construction:
◦ DLT floor and roof - Nordic Structures
◦ Glulam beams and columns
◦ CLT roof and walls
Several key material suppliers also supported the program:
- MTC
◦ Connectors and fasteners - Rockwool
◦ Fire Proof Insulation - Hilti
◦ Fireproof material
The structure for the Ottawa Fire Test was built by Timmerman Timberworks Inc.
