INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW TIMBER MMC CHAMPION VISITS TIMBER FRAME FACILITY FRAME FIRE SAFETY IN USE RESEARCH
Marcus Saunders, Client Service Executive for construction at leading insurance broker and risk management expert Gallagher, considers what the new STA research into fire safety could mean for insuring timber framed properties during construction. I have kept an even closer eye than usual on recent developments in the timber sector for a number of reasons. Firstly, because of how the increased use of timber can help the construction industry meet the ambitious carbon targets set by the Government, but also because the sector has made huge progress in recent years, which I believe should start to positively impact insurers views. The STA ran multiple full-scale fire tests to EN1365 on different timber frame systems; comprising walls with insulation and plasterboard variability and even penetrations in the walls for sockets. The European standard being chosen as it is seen within the industry as the ‘gold standard’ of fire testing, and more onerous than the BS Standards. The outcome has resulted in a robust comprehensive suite of evidence-based solutions for timber frame systems that will deliver high levels of resilience and quality of fire safety, all comfortably complying with EN Standards. This research has never been more relevant, as its publication has coincided with a noticeable sea change in the attitude towards timber frame amongst real estate owners and developers in the UK. There is clear recognition that the real estate and construction market, one of the largest producers of CO2 in the UK, has a major challenge ahead in order to reach carbon zero by 2050 – and building in timber, due to its embodied carbon, has to play a huge role in reaching that target. So what does this mean for insurers and the insurance industry? In my view this research provides convincing further evidence that the STA and its members are leading the way when it comes to fire protection, regulatory compliance and frankly, all round best practice risk management on a construction site. Gallagher is the approved broker to the STA, and we are constantly looking for new ways to educate insurers. This research will go a long way to helping our cause.
This research now forms part of the STA’s best practice guidance and is free to download from: www.structuraltimber.co.uk/links/research-documents Marcus Saunders MIBSC Cert CII Client Service Executive, Gallagher
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