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Building codes around the globe dictate the design and construction of buildings. For most buildings, designers will follow prescriptive code provisions to demonstrate code compliance. However, some buidling codes allow the use of performance-based design to demonstrate code compliance. Performance-based design is usually more complex but allows for greater flexibility in the use of materials and systems. Regardless of the code compliance methods, the combustibility of timber structures and wood products needs to be well understood and properly accounted for in building designs. This paper describes the develpment of a new international guidance document on fire safety in timber building within the Fire Safe Use of Wood (FSUW) network, written by 13 lead authors assisted by more than 20 experts in over a dozen different countries.

Building codes around the globe dictate the design and construction of buildings. For most buildings, designers will follow prescriptive code provisions to demonstrate code compliance. However, some buidling codes allow the use of performance-based design to demonstrate code compliance. Performance-based design is usually more complex but allows for greater flexibility in the use of materials and systems. Regardless of the code compliance methods, the combustibility of timber structures and wood products needs to be well understood and properly accounted for in building designs. This paper describes the develpment of a new international guidance document on fire safety in timber building within the Fire Safe Use of Wood (FSUW) network, written by 13 lead authors assisted by more than 20 experts in over a dozen different countries.

Building codes around the globe dictate the design and construction of buildings. For most buildings, designers will follow prescriptive code provisions to demonstrate code compliance. However, some buidling codes allow the use of performance-based design to demonstrate code compliance. Performance-based design is usually more complex but allows for greater flexibility in the use of materials and systems. Regardless of the code compliance methods, the combustibility of timber structures and wood products needs to be well understood and properly accounted for in building designs. This paper describes the develpment of a new international guidance document on fire safety in timber building within the Fire Safe Use of Wood (FSUW) network, written by 13 lead authors assisted by more than 20 experts in over a dozen different countries.

Building codes around the globe dictate the design and construction of buildings. For most buildings, designers will follow prescriptive code provisions to demonstrate code compliance. However, some buidling codes allow the use of performance-based design to demonstrate code compliance. Performance-based design is usually more complex but allows for greater flexibility in the use of materials and systems. Regardless of the code compliance methods, the combustibility of timber structures and wood products needs to be well understood and properly accounted for in building designs. This paper describes the develpment of a new international guidance document on fire safety in timber building within the Fire Safe Use of Wood (FSUW) network, written by 13 lead authors assisted by more than 20 experts in over a dozen different countries.

Building codes around the globe dictate the design and construction of buildings. For most buildings, designers will follow prescriptive code provisions to demonstrate code compliance. However, some buidling codes allow the use of performance-based design to demonstrate code compliance. Performance-based design is usually more complex but allows for greater flexibility in the use of materials and systems. Regardless of the code compliance methods, the combustibility of timber structures and wood products needs to be well understood and properly accounted for in building designs. This paper describes the develpment of a new international guidance document on fire safety in timber building within the Fire Safe Use of Wood (FSUW) network, written by 13 lead authors assisted by more than 20 experts in over a dozen different countries.

This chapter covers control of workmanship, fire safety during construction, responsibilities and enforcement, fire detection and suppression and emergency procedures. Quality and inspection of workmanship are vital for high-quality buildings, whether of timber or other construction materials. Timber buildings require certain precautions due to the risk for greater exposure of combustible materials. Furthermore, not all fire safety measures for the final building will be in place throughout construction; consequently, adequate processes are required to maintain the fire safety of building sites. All construction sites require formalised fire safety management systems, including auditing of contractors and subcontractors.

This chapter summarises the regulatory control systems for fire safety design of buildings in different regions around the globe. It is focused on the possibilities to use wood products and timber structures according to prescriptive requirements. The possible use of structural timber elements and visible wood surfaces in interior and exterior applications are reviewed and presented in tables and maps. They apply mainly to residential and office buildings. Performance-based requirements may be used in several countries and can be used to verify further applications of wood.

A wide variety of active fire protection systems are available to fire safety practitioners. In addition to passive fire protection measures, some level of active fire protection is normally required to meet the expected minimum level of fire safety in modern buildings. Active fire protection can also be used to increase the fire safety in order to achieve a more flexible fire safety design and an acceptable level of fire safety in buildings. There are many types of active fire protection systems, but this chapter deals mainly with automatic fire sprinkler systems, since they are often used to facilitate the use of timber as structure, internal linings and external facades in large or complex buildings. Sprinklers are required in some countries for taller timber buildings, as described in Chapter 4.

This chapter describes means of preventing spread of fire and smoke between compartments in timber buildings. Much of this applies to all buildings independent of materials used, but some topics are especially relevant for timber buildings. This chapter highlights critical paths of possible spread of fire into, within and through timber structures, including solutions and detailing to prevent uncontrolled spread of fire and smoke.