Page 67 - Build 161

Fire-safe timber linings
How much unprotected timber can be safely used in the interior of a building? BRANZ is conducting experiments and modelling the results to nd the answer.
BY GREG BAKER, BRANZ SENIOR FIRE RESEARCH ENGINEER
OFTEN THE COMBUSTIBLE contents in buildings are seen as the major fire safety hazard, whether they are products stored in commercial premises or furniture in homes.
While there is no doubt that combustible contents in buildings have a signi cant impact on re safety, the actual material from which the building is constructed can be just as important. An example is where combustible materials are used as wall and ceiling linings inside buildings.
Lots of timber linings in buildings
Many New Zealand buildings have plasterboard as the internal lining material, but this provides virtually no fuel for a re.
Timber linings are a common combustible material used in New Zealand. These include materials such as plywood, medium-density breboard, particleboard, solid timber boards, cross-laminated timber, laminated veneer lumber and similar.
Options are available for timber-based materials to be treated or protected to reduce their contribution to a possible re to a safe level, but this can cost extra and change the aesthetics.
There are also situations where a quantity of exposed, untreated and unprotected timber lining is perfectly safe – the key question is what is a safe quantity? Trying to answer this question forms the basis for a current BRANZ re research project, Fire-safe use of timber construction.
How much timber lining is re safe?
Fire safety
Build 161 — August/September 2017 — 65
FEATURE SECTION