Structural timber buildings – avoiding fire spread risks during construction

Construction site fires can be significant events creating risks to life safety as well as causing extensive property damage. During the build process, timber-frame structures can be vulnerable to ignition, whether from a construction process, accident or arson attack. This paper describes the thinking and background behind the fire model underpinning risk-mitigation techniques used for structural timber buildings. The work has evolved from over six years of industry-based research and fire testing, which has led to the Health and Safety Executive endorsing the principles presented. Martin Milner has been the project manager and engineer representing the Structural Timber Association on this work.