The Nordic company, which is behind a growing number of CLT buildings in the UK, including multi-storey Bridport House, had the tests done by Finnish and UK-based fire engineering and fire safety design consultants Markku Kauriala Ltd.
The report is based on analysis of tests conducted using version 5 of the globally applied Fire Dynamics Simulator software system. This models and measures the action and flow of fire in different scenarios.
The system itself was developed by Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. These tests were supported by 80 “scientific references” which, says Stora Enso, are widely accepted in the fire engineering profession.
The research reinforced the evidence that CLT structures maintain structural integrity well in a fire because of the slow charring rate of the dense timber.
“The study provides detailed technical information concerning fire safety of wooden multi-storey buildings in general and scientific evidence of the performance in fire of massive wood products, such as CLT, including during construction,” ” said Mika Kallio, Stora Enso Building and Living senior vice president.
“We decided to invest in this report to help specifiers understand the inherent properties that make CLT a valuable material for future construction,” said Wayne Probert, Stora Enso Building Solutions UK sales manager.
“Simulation enables us to model entire buildings full scale and evaluate multiple fire scenarios. This research will prove invaluable to anyone building in CLT.”
Stora Enso added that, as with all construction methods, fire is a hazard during construction and standard precautions need to be followed to prevent a blaze and ensure that people can escape to safety if one occurs.
