Over the last decade, attitudes toward taller wood buildings have begun to shift.
Recent advancements in engineered wood products, coupled with environmental pressure to build more sustainably, have resulted in the construction of large wood-timber buildings at heights once unimaginable. However, these bold new structures can present designers, enforcers, and first responders with unique fire and life safety challenges.
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NFPA Senior Fire Protection Engineer Tracy Vecchiarelli discusses engineered lumber, a member of the "lightweight construction" family of products popularized by today's builders. Lightweight construction is seen as more economical and environmentally friendly than traditional lumber.
NFPA research
Blog posts and news releases
- New release - Fire Protection Research Foundation releases new findings on cross laminated timber used in tall wood buildings, 2018
NFPA Journal articles
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Outside the Box - The increasingly popular option of modular construction offers innovative and efficient solutions for designers, builders, and owners. But questions persist on how the industry should be regulated, 2019
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Danger: Construction - A recent spate of large and costly fires involving buildings under construction underscores the need for more widespread use of NFPA 241 to address a range of related hazards, 2017
- Different by Design - The look and function of modern buildings are being shaped by a host of influences, from emerging technologies to a push for environmental sustainability. But these bold new structures can also present designers, enforcers, and first responders with unique fire and life safety,challenges, 2017.
- The use of fire-retardant-treated wood for roof assemblies in health care facilities, 2017
NFPA codes & standards