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By Sheldon Spackman - Pattison Broadcasting

WOOD FRAME CONSTRUCTION

Alberta firefighters want input on Building Code review

Feb 1, 2020 | 9:50 AM

RED DEER — Alberta’s professional fire fighters are urging the province to hit the pause button on allowing 12-storey wood frame structures, at least until the current National Building Code review is done.

Brad Readman, president of the Alberta Fire Fighters Association (AFFA), says in a letter shared Wednesday that while firefighters certainly support a vibrant wood products industry and economic opportunities for forestry workers, mid-rise and high-rise combustible wood frame buildings are unique structures that have come on scene very rapidly with little or no consultation with the firefighting community.

“It’s important for us to be involved, not only to protect the safety of our members, but to protect the safety of the residents in the buildings that people will be residing in,” says Readman. “We feel that firefighter safety and occupant safety from our perspective haven’t been addressed within the National Building Code. So we’re looking to have a seat at the table nationally through the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).”

As part of Red Tape Reduction Awareness Week, Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu announced on Jan. 24 that Alberta will soon allow for the construction of wood frame structures as tall as 12 storeys.

Other jurisdictions in Canada, such as British Columbia, already allow for 12-storey wood construction. Current Alberta and national building codes allow wood-building construction for up to six-storeys.

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According to government officials, the next edition of the National Building Code – anticipated for publication at the end of 2020 – will allow for the use of tall wood construction with fire-resistant material for up to 12 storeys.

Alberta will then issue a notice to allow early use of tall wood or mass timber construction for up to 12-storeys, using fire-resistant material in time for the upcoming construction season.

Readman says frontline firefighters need to be a part of the National Building Code review

We’d like to see safety measures put into place while under construction because that’s when most of these buildings do tend to burn down, as well as once they’re occupied, and in the event of emergency,” he explains. “When we go into a fire, we evacuate people. The safety measures right now aren’t taking into account that time period where we’re still in their doing searches of these buildings and making sure everyone’s out safely.”

Government officials say advancements in fire-protection and wood-product technology are allowing for the construction of taller wood buildings without compromising safety.

The building codes are said to require tall wood buildings to be built as encapsulated mass timber construction, where the solid or engineered wood has been surrounded by fire-resistive material.

Buildings of mass timber construction will also be fully sprinklered.

Readman notes specific safety requirements the AFFA would like to see in the National Building Code as well.

“The buildings being sprinklered, reinforced, making sure that the burn time is there and it’s appropriate for us to be able to get in to do our jobs,” he explains. “We’ve been lobbying on a federal level for the last number of years to be a part of that fire building code discussion through our Ottawa office. Usually when the National Building Code comes out, provincially they’ll follow suit, and we’ve lobbied provincially as well to be a part of the discussion.”

The AFFA is also proposing that the Alberta Building Code should require municipalities that grant permits for 12-storey wood frame structures to provide specific training and have specific emergency response plans on file, backed by an adequate number of fire department personnel and vehicles available.

In addition, the AFFA wants to see the Building Code spell out requirements for regular inspection of tall wood structures and the enforcement of safety rules.

Readman hopes to arrange a meeting with Alberta’s Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu, regarding the National Building Code review.