Insurance Implications of the New Fire Safety In Use Research

MMC CHAMPION VISITS TIMBER FRAME FACILITY INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW TIMBER 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 CO 2 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

CLT PIONEERS INVEST IN NEW FIRE RESEARCH AND COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK

Existing buildings and new construction account for nearly 40% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions according to a World Green Building Council report published in September 2019. As a robust, fast, clean, sustainable and renewable method of construction, cross laminated timber (CLT) is now widely acknowledged as having a vital role to play in reducing CO 2 emissions to mitigate the climate change crisis.

Specialist contractors and manufacturers operating in the CLT sector firmly believe that mass timber technology like CLT provides the solution to many of the challenges the construction industry is facing today. In collaboration, leading CLT manufacturers are investing half a million pounds in developing a new fire safety compliance framework for CLT to meet the amended Building Regulations in England. Over the next 18 months the research supporting the new framework will include a series of compartment fire tests for commercial and multi-family residential type buildings to generate new knowledge in support of a safe design envelope for CLT buildings.

The purpose of this ongoing research is to provide scientific data for CLT fire performance that will support designers in the delivery of robust fire safety designs and will ultimately allow the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to view CLT as a construction material suitable for all buildings including where CLT forms part of the external wall construction irrespective of height. In carrying out this research as an industry, it will also establish benchmark testing for all CLT manufacturers leading to an enhanced and broader understanding of CLT performance in fire. The project is a collaboration of the largest suppliers of CLT in Europe supported by leading fire and structural engineering experts. The project proposals and outputs will be reviewed by an independent industry stakeholder group and it is intended to release data as and when it becomes available during the course of the programme.

The CLT industry in the UK, supported by the Structural Timber Association (STA) is also responding to recent statements raising concern about the gaps in knowledge and competency relating to mass timber by providing evidence of the product fire performance and data to support competent professionals in the design of mass timber buildings for fire. This evidence will enhance the understanding of fire performance of CLT, in terms of compartment fire behaviour, the response of structural elements and hazards associated with external fire spread.