Fire safety research towards enabling timber structures in Canada

In Canada, practitioners are moving beyond the mid-rise timber framed structure and progressing to the design of hi-rises. Examples include the Brock Commons building at 18 storeys, Terrace House which is planned to have 19 storeys, and the 13 storey Origine building. Each building encompasses an integrated usage of (multiple) engineered timbers: Cross-Laminated Timber, Laminated Veneer Lumber, and Glulam timber for example. These designs are being supported by extensive research which examined the fire performance of these aforementioned engineered wood products. While practitioners have begun to build these hi-rise structures in Canada and abroad, there is still much we do not know about these materials and their behavior in fire, as identified by various global research collegiums. This paper will begin with an overview of past and recent published ‘timber in fire’ research conducted in Canada and its relation to global research conducted elsewhere. Emphasis is on the ongoing Canadian research as being conducted by the authors themselves, collaborators and their consultancy partners towards a stronger confidence in timber buildings and design. Differentiation will be made between solid and engineered timber through discussion of a real fire case study. Particular attention will be made to the performance of various adhesives utilized in these various engineered wood products as this has been identified to degrade beyond the char formed layer. This paper will aim to discuss the current research gaps in a Canadian context with relation to the international context. The paper will conclude if we, as a Canadian practice, have sufficient knowledge to undertake more of these innovative designs, or if there is additional need in Canada, and perhaps abroad, for further research attention in this area to support mid-to hi-rise timber design