Canada's Move Toward Mid-Rise and Tall Wood Buildings
Rodney McPhee, Canadian Wood Council

Format: Audio MP3 Download: $18
Audio Compact Disc: $23

Designers and developers around the world are becoming increasingly interested in expanding the use of wood-based structures in higher and larger buildings, as wood offers a low carbon footprint and contributes to sustainable development. While the 2010 National Building and Fire Codes of Canada currently limit the height of wood buildings to no more than four stories, proposed changes to increase the height and area limits to six stories for buildings constructed of combustible materials are under development for the 2015 Codes. This session will describe those proposed changes as well as the research underway to develop technical solutions and performance data for fire safety, acoustic, and building envelope issues to facilitate the changes.