6. EXAMPLE BUILDINGS
This chapter focuses on illustrative examples of different types of mass timber commercial buildings, demonstrating how the design principles and risk mitigation strategies discussed earlier in the Guidebook can be applied in practice. It explores how the use of mass timber affects overall risk profiles, helping design teams determine the appropriate fire and durability measures for each building. The example fire measures have been developed by the authors of the Guidebook, based on the 10 Fire Principles, after the conclusion of the workshops held with the fire panel of consultants and academics. To illustrate the interventions required as risk profiles increase, we have provided examples for four building types at different scales:
1. Full timber offices below 18 meters, up to 4 storeys. 2. Full timber offices between 18 and 30 meters, up to 15 storeys. 3. Hybrid offices between 18 and 30 meters, up to 15 storeys . 4. Hybrid offices over 30 meters or over 15 storeys.
The example buildings considered are based on Approved Document A disproportionate collapse consequence classes and consequence-based guidance for mass timber buildings from STA guidance document Structural timber buildings fire safety in use guidance, Volume 6 – Mass timber structures; Building Regulation compliance B3(1).
Each example building appraisal assumes a competent and qualified design team has implemented all mandatory fire and durability risk mitigation measures, including:
– Undertaking a Qualitative Design Review (QDR) from early design stages, identifying stakeholders’ goals and fire hazards specific to the project. A QDR is needed for buildings falling outside the remit of prescriptive guidance, as is the case for mass timber buildings where the structure is exposed and contributes as a source of fuel. – Comprehensive fire strategy by competent professional following the 10 Fire Principles. By addressing these 10 principles, it is proposed that the adequacy of the fire safety design of a mass timber building can be demonstrated Each example building outlines potential risk mitigation interventions, but these are not exhaustive. Each building will require appropriate measures which may differ from those listed. All risk mitigation guidance provided here should be reviewed, verified and approved by the designers responsible for the project. The example buildings are assessed using the FPA RICS Authority Building Risk Evaluation Tool (FPA RICSA BRET), which includes 26 parameters to help define the insurance risk profile of a project. If new features not included in the examples, like balconies or electric vehicle (EV) charging points, are added to a design, the designers must specifically address and plan for the specific challenges these features present. This Guidebook is intended for the preliminary design of buildings and structures. The use of the guidelines provided in the example building appraisal does not replace the need for design and calculations by responsible designers (including, but not limited to, structural, fire or building physics experts).
Example Buildings
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