Work is continuing on developing the technical resources to support and encourage the uptake of the NCC mid-rise timber building code change.
Specifically, an Assessment Report is being finalised following a fire test of engineered wood products to enable their use as floor joist members in mid-rise timber buildings. This work was undertaken to answer the fire services’ concerns regarding the fire performance of these types of products.
The result of the fire test work demonstrated that these engineered floor joist products will support the floor design load for the required 90 minutes.
There are also construction details (e.g. fire-rated wall penetrations, lift door detailing) that are commonly used in “traditional” forms of construction that require assessment for use in mid-rise timber buildings. An Assessment Report is currently being completed.
The next phase of this work will be to inform design professionals and disseminate the technical WoodSolutions resources via workshops/ seminars with key professional associations (e.g. Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, Australian Institute of Architects, Building Designers Association Victoria, Building Designers Australia, Master Builders Association and others). The resources currently being finalised include:
- Mid-rise Timber Buildings – Class 2, 3 and 5 (Technical Guide)
- Mid-rise Timber Buildings – Class 2, 3 and 5 (Educational/Training Resource)
- Fire Safety: Mid-rise Timber Buildings – Class 2, 3 and 5 (Technical Guide)
