POSITIVE CHANGE

As Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association (STA) points out, recent changes to ‘Fire Safety: Approved Document B’ will have significant impact on timber construction.

On 1 June 2022, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) published intended changes to Approved Document B, which is designed to offer guidance on fire safety and precautions that support the wider Building Regulations for England. These guidelines are designed to keep people and property safe, including both occupants and residents, visitors and fire-fighting personnel, and must be adhered to fully. A number of changes have been made to Approved Document B, which will come into force on 1 December 2022.

A key change, that directly relates to structural timber, is the permittance of the use of structural timber in buildings up to 18m in height. Initially, changes were proposed by the Government to reduce the combustibles ban to 11m, however this has been rejected due to the negative impact this would have on the adoption of structural timber, deciding that a more measured approach was required. The industry, led by the Confederation of Timber Industries (CTI), called for a risk-based approach from the Government and to focus on ‘cladding over structure’.

These new changes certainly help to further strengthen critical fire safety guidance and the STA fully backs the Government’s safety in construction agenda. There is now even more clarity and reason for a ‘timber first’ approach – building with structural timber safely up to 18m. The opportunity to use structural timber is vast and we first need to start with addressing the nation’s housing stock, where dwellings can be built efficiently in timber frame. Here, the Government confirms what we already knew to be true – timber use in construction is safe, and is the most logical material to adopt in the road to net zero.

Speaking on this, The DLUCH said: “Our approach will allow the continued use of structural timber in the external walls of residential buildings below 18m if these materials are used safely in accordance with the requirements of the Building Regulations.” Essentially, this should provide insurers and investors with the confidence and the devolved UK Governments encouragement to progress with projects and developments that utilise structural timber structures.

With the DLUHC and the Scottish Government’s net zero strategies both placing a firm emphasis on reducing the embodied carbon of buildings, it’s imperative the construction industry – which contributes 39% of global carbon emissions, 11% of which is embodied carbon alone – looks to adopting more sustainable materials quickly. For England, the road to 2050 does not allow for as much adoption time as one may think, and the urgency of increasing the use of timber in construction cannot be understated.

For Scotland, the timescale is even tighter, with a target set by the Scottish Government of 2045 for achieving net zero and a pressing target of cutting emissions by 75% by 2030. They also stated that any new homes applying for a building warrant from 2024 will lead the way in meeting these new standards and targets; constructing homes that no longer contribute to climate change.

In stark comparison to other materials, timber is the standout performer when it comes to embodied carbon. The carbon sequestration characteristics of timber mean that as a construction material it is the most environmentally beneficial to support the drive to net zero. The versatility of timber makes it the ideal material for offsite construction, increasing the speed of build while also reducing the negative carbon impacts of onsite construction.

The STA’s overarching mission is to enhance quality and drive product innovation through technical guidance and research, underpinned by our STA Assure programme. The STA have decades of experience and continues to implement this knowledge towards promoting the adoption of timber in construction. In addition to seminars and events, the STA invests heavily in the research and testing of structural timber systems and associated products to alleviate any concerns and misconceptions about the material and its use in construction.

For more on the STA, their members or becoming a member yourself visit: www.structuraltimber.co.uk

COME & SEE US AT

FFSITE EXP

For more details on Fire Safety: Approved Document B visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

HUNDEGGER ANNOUNCE OPENING

OF SNETTERTON SERVICE CENTRE

Hundegger UK is pleased to announce the opening of its New UK service centre in Snetterton Norfolk. The service centre is the first step to support Hundegger’s many UK customers on a local level with the supply of parts and services.

Daniel Blades has been appointed the Managing Director of Hundegger UK and said: “I am excited to be part of the continued growth of Hundegger. Hundegger have always offered machines and servicing of a world class standard and I aim to bring the same level of continued commitment and support to our customers both new and old around the UK and Ireland.”

Hundegger has a population of more than 150 machines in the UK and Ireland, in applications from processing cut components for timber roof trusses and timber frame, to I-Joists, glulam, Kerto and many machines installed for the machining of green oak structures.

Chris Osborne Head of Sales for UK and Ireland added: “Hundegger have had a remarkable run of sales since the beginning of 2020 confirming more than 80 machines throughout the UK and Ireland in this time. Many users are now owning multiple machines in their networks. This is some testimony to Hundegger technology and the positive difference we are making to our customer’s businesses.”

Hundegger are happy to show potential customers how the Hundegger Cambium software can present real life results from their production files. The results will provide the volume of material to be used, time taken and importantly with high timber prices, the % of waste and timber yield, and how the number of timber lengths will be reduced – all powerful information to understand how your timber cutting is performing.

www.hundegger.com or email: service.uk@hundegger.com

HUNDEGGER TURBO-Drive

THE SUPERCHARGED TIMBER COMPONENT CUTTING

Me and my Hundegger! Never change a winning team!

Cutting Machine TURBO-Drive

hundegger.com

The most versatile truss and frame component cutting machine in the UK market

• Impressive 450 x 160 mm cutting capacity • Cutting timber dimensions in 5 axis • Excellent for the high production of roofing trusses,and timber framing • Seamlessly links to all the main CAD software suppliers • In built Board-Stretcher • Yields more and waste less timber • Fast, accurate, flexible and affordable

Hundegger UK Ltd. Daniel Blades Snetterton Park, Harling Road Snetterton, Norfolk NR16 2JU Office: +44 (0)1953 660 331 Mobile: +44 (0)7940 714 599 d.blades@hundegger.com