Tall Wood Building Project
Alejandro Medina
Xiao Li
Dr. George Hadjisophocleous
Andrew Harmsworth
Christian Dagenais
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Building Façade
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Exterior Cladding
 The exterior cladding must conform to NBC 3.1.5.5 and
pass the CAN/ULC S-134 which provides an assessment
of the fire spread characteristics of non-load bearing
exterior walls.
 Current façade set up with the concrete balcony slab
extending pass the building serves as a flame
deflecting mechanism by breaking up the vertical wood
cladding channel.
 Wood cladding is mostly used at balconies where it is
most desirable by occupants.
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Connection Details
 Maintain all connections protected
• If a member is exposed without gypsum protection the
connection must have a minimum wood protection of 91
mm in addition to thickness required to carry the connection
depthembedment  d char  d heat  d required
mm 

 time f   o   7 mm  120 min 0.7
  7 mm
min 

• Protecting connections with gypsum board increases the fire
resistance as follow:
• (a) 15 min for 1 layer of 12.7mm (1/2 in) Type X gypsum board
• (b) 30 min for 1 layer of 15.9mm (5/8 in) Type X gypsum board
• (c) 60 min for 2 layers of 15.9mm (5/8 in) Type X gypsum board
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Fire Resistance of
Structural Elements
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Fire Resistance of Structural Assemblies
The fire resistance of the structural elements has been
calculated using the following standards.




CAN/CSA O86
CLT Handbook
Wood Design Manual
Other References
A 1-dimensional heat transfer model that has been
developed and could be used to validate results of fire
resistance calculations of CLT/LVL walls and floors.
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Fire Resistance of Structural Assemblies
WALLS
COLUMNS
BEAMS
Structural wood assemblies used on this building
Assembly
Span/Height (m)
GL 215 x 342
4.40
-
kN/m
GL 215 x 532
7.65
-
kN/m
GL 215 x 646
5.57
-
kN/m
GL 215 x 532
8.80
-
kN/m
GL 365 x 418
3.00
-
kN
GL 730 x 418
3.00
-
kN
Elevator Core
LSL 267mm (3x89mm)
Moment Frame
LSL 267mm (3x89mm)
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Load
3.00
-
kN/m
3.00
-
kN/m
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Reduced Cross-section Method
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Fire Resistance of Structural Assemblies
Charring rate of wood
One dimensional
charring rate
𝜷𝟎
One dimensional
notional charring rate
𝜷𝒏
Solid Sawn Timber
0.65
0.80
Glued-Laminated Timber
0.65
0.70
Cross-Laminated Timber
0.65
0.70
Structural Composite Lumber
0.65
0.70
Heated, zero-strength zone
𝒕 < 𝟐𝟎𝒎𝒊𝒏
Depth of Heated Zone (mm)
𝑑𝑜 =
𝑡
× 7𝑚𝑚
20𝑚𝑖𝑛
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𝒕 ≥ 𝟐𝟎𝒎𝒊𝒏
𝑑𝑜 = 7𝑚𝑚
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Fire Resistance of Glulam Beams
For 120 minutes fire exposure with no Gypsum board protection
Original
Dimensions
Modified dimensions Modified dimensions
after 2 hour Fire
after 2 hour Fire
(3 side exposure)
(4 side exposure)
BEAMS
GL 215 x 342
215 x 342
33 x 251
33 x 160
GL 215 x 532
215 x 532
33 x 441
33 x 350
GL 215 x 646
215 x 646
33 X 555
33 X 464
FACTORS – Douglas Fir-Larch 24f-E
ɸ
kD
kH
ksb
kSV
kT
1.00
1.15
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
kFi
Short term duration kx
kL
System factor
fb
Service conditions
fv
Service conditions
No treatment
1.35 For Glued-Laminated timber
1.00 Curvature factor
1.00 Lateral stability factor
30.6 MPa Bending strength
2.0 MPa Shear strength
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Fire Resistance of Glulam Beams
For 120 minutes fire exposure with no Gypsum board protection
Original
Dimensions
GL 215 x 342
GL 215 x 532
GL 215 x 646
GL 215 x 532
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(3 side exposure)
Width Depth Span
Mfactored
Mresistance
I (mm4) S (mm3)
(mm)
(mm)
(m)
(KN*m)
(KN*m)
33
251
4.40 4.3E+07 3.5E+05
16.46
33
441
7.65 2.4E+08 1.1E+06
50.82
33
555
5.57 4.7E+08 1.7E+06
80.48
33
441
8.80 2.4E+08 1.1E+06
50.82
Original
Dimensions
GL 215 x 342
GL 215 x 532
GL 215 x 646
GL 215 x 532
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(4 side exposure)
Width Depth Span
Mfactored
Mresistance
I (mm4) S (mm3)
(mm)
(mm)
(m)
(KN*m)
(KN*m)
6.69
33
160
4.40 1.1E+07 1.4E+05
32.01
33
350
7.65 1.2E+08 6.7E+05
56.25
33
464
5.57 2.7E+08 1.2E+06
33
350
8.80 1.2E+08 6.7E+05
32.01
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Fire Resistance of Glulam Columns
For 120 minutes fire exposure with no Gypsum board protection
Original
Dimensions
Modified dimensions Modified dimensions
after 2 hour Fire
after 2 hour Fire
(3 side exposure)
(4 side exposure)
COLUMNS
GL 730 x 418
418 x 730
236 x 639
236 x 548
GL 365 x 418
365 x 418
183 x 327
183 x 236
FACTORS – Douglas Fir-Larch 24f-E
ɸ
kD
kH
kSC
kSV
kT
E
1.00
1.15
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
13100
Short term duration
System factor
Service conditions
Service conditions
No treatment
MPa
kFi
kx
kL
kZV
fC
fb
1.35 For Glued-Laminated timber
1.00 Curvature factor
1.00 Lateral stability factor
1.00 Size factor for shear
30.2 MPa // Bending strength
30.6 MPa // Compression strength
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Fire Resistance of Glulam Columns
For 120 minutes fire exposure with no Gypsum board protection
Original
Width
Dimensions (mm)
GL 730 x 418 236
GL 365 x 418 183
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(3 side exposure)
Depth Height
Pf
Pr
Mr
Total e
(mm)
(m)
(kN)
(kN)
(KN*m)
(mm)
115.7
639
3.0
4249.5 763.0
327
3.0
1577.1 154.9
111.5
Pf/Pr +
Mf/Mr
Original
Width
Dimensions (mm)
GL 730 x 418 236
GL 365 x 418 183
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(4 side exposure)
Depth Height
Pf
Pr
Mr
Total e
(mm)
(m)
(kN)
(kN)
(KN*m)
(mm)
70.2
548
3.0
3644.3 561.1
236
3.0
1138.2
80.7
68.7
Pf/Pr +
Mf/Mr
Eccentricity is greater on columns exposed from 3 sides than from
all 4 sides.
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Fire Resistance of LSL Wall Panels
1-dimensional charring rate of 0.65mm/min will be used as there
is no corner rounding to account for in Wall assemblies
LSL 267
(3 x 89)
Original Wall
Thickness
(mm)
Thickness after
2 hour fire
(1 side exposed) (mm)
COLUMNS
Thickness after
2 hour fire
(2 sides exposed) (mm)
267
182
97
FACTORS – 2.1E LSL Panel
ɸ
kD
kH
kSC
kSV
kT
E
1.00
1.15
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
14480
Short term duration
System factor
Service conditions
Service conditions
No treatment
MPa
kFi
kx
kL
kZV
fC
fb
1.35 For Glued-Laminated timber
1.00 Curvature factor
1.00 Lateral stability factor
1.00 Size factor for shear
36.05 MPa Compression strength
44.6 MPa Bending strength
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Fire Resistance of LSL Wall Panels
For 120 minutes fire exposure with no Gypsum board protection
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(1 side exposure)
Original
Thickness Height
Pf
Pr
Mr
Total e
Pf/Pr +
Dimensions
(mm)
(m)
(kN) (kN/m) (KN*m)
(mm)
Mf/Mr
LSL 267
87.7
182
3.0
6469.0
353.9
(3 x 89)
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(2 side exposure)
Original
Thickness Height
Pf
Pr
Mr
Total e
Pf/Pr +
Dimensions
(mm)
(m)
(kN) (kN/m) (KN*m)
(mm)
Mf/Mr
LSL 267
46.8
97
3.0
1248.9
100.5
(3 x 89)
Eccentricity is greater on walls exposed from 1 side than from
both sides.
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Fire Resistance of Composite Deck
Beams spaced at 0.8m on center
Original
Dimensions
GL 532 x 175
Modified dimensions and resistance after 2 hour fire
(3 side exposure)
Width Depth Span
Mfactored
Mresistance
I (mm4) S (mm3)
(mm)
(mm)
(m)
(KN*m)
(KN*m)
532
175
1.7E+07 4.1E+05
19.5
Each beam on the composite deck can support a moment 19.5 kN*m
after a 2 hour fire. Adding the composite action of the concrete
providing the compressive strength increases the overall load
capacity of the deck.
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Fire Resistance of Steel Beam
ASTM E119 T=1010 C at 2 hours. A real fire could reach higher
temperatures
At such temperatures the strength and stiffness of the steel are
reduced
Steel beam section: S5x10
This steel I-joist used to connect the LSL walls to the LSL Core
must meet the 2 hour fire resistance specified for all structural
elements.
Options to protect the steel section could include one or a
combination of the following.
• Gypsum board encasement
• Spray foam protection
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Fire safety during
construction
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Fire safety during construction
Buildings are at most vulnerable state during
construction due to lack of fully operational life
safety systems such as
 Sprinklers
 Fire alarms
 Fire compartmentalization
Section 5.6, Division B of the BC Fire Code
requires a Construction Fire Safety Plan (CFSP)
prior to construction, renovation or demolition of a
building.
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Fire safety during construction
 Existing Standards
 Section 2.8, 5.2 and 5.6 “Construction and Demolition Sites”, Division B of
the 2012 BC Fire Code
 Part 8, Division B “Safety Measures at Construction and Demolition sites”
of the 2012 BC Building Code
 Office of the Fire Commissioner of BC, OFC Bulletin
 Standata Fire Code Interpretation FCI-09-03
 Further Resources




NFPA 1, Fire Code
NFPA 101, Life Safety Code
SFPE Engineer Guide to Fire Risk Assessment
City of Vancouver
o City of Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL) 2007, Division B, Part 8
o City of Vancouver Fire By-law (VFBL) 2000, Section 2.14 and 5.2
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Fire safety during construction
The minimum requirements for fire safety are highlighted in the BCFC,
Div B, 5.6.1.3 / 2.8.2.1 are as follows:
 Designation of personnel responsible for carrying fire safety
duties
 Establishing emergency procedures such as
 Fire Alarms. Procedures once alarm sounds
 Notification of fire department and definition of fire
fighting procedure
 Documentation of type, location and operation of fire
emergency systems
 List of response numbers as well as names, addresses and
telephone numbers of personnel to be contacted during and
after working hours in case of emergency

Fire Safety Training

Enforcement
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Fire safety during construction
 Leading cause of fires in buildings under
construction are:




Incendiary or suspicious
(40%)
Open flame, embers or torches (21%)
Heating equipment
(10%)
Smoking on site
 Ignition Sources:
Oxygen
(Can’t be
controlled)
Ignition
Source
Fuel
 Fuel Sources:
 Reduce the need for “hot work”
 Separate heating equipment from
structure under construction
 Constant vigilance
 House keeping. Limit the amount of
fuel on site
 Proper storage of combustible waste
on site and the removal of such as
often as possible.
 Strict control on storage of
flammable liquids and gases
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Fire safety during construction
 Features that need coordination before construction







Unobstructed stairs at each level
Early installation of water pumps
Management of temporary heating equipment
Maintaining high housekeeping standards
Fire department access to site at all times
Fire watch during hot works operations
Fire alert warning systems
Active standpipe
Active sprinkler
system
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Fire Hydrant
Portable fire
extinguishers
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