“All new buildings, whether they are timber frame, steel frame or brick and block, have areas of vulnerability before they are complete,” the UKTFA said.
“However, such incidents on timber frame sites are thankfully rare, and once completed, timber frame buildings are very robust and durable and actually perform extremely well when it comes to fire resistance.”
Several local councillors, including Brian Coleman, the deputy chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, have publicly questioned the safety of timber frame construction following the fire.
Mr Coleman told the Evening Standard that “serious questions will need to be asked about the wisdom of using wood for this large apartment block”.
The blocks, manufactured by Prestoplan, were being constructed at developer St George plc’s Beaufort Park site in Hendon when the blaze broke out on July 12. A 200m cordon was implemented because of gas cylinders on site.
No injuries were reported but a Middlesex University hall of residence adjoining the site was also damaged.
The UKTFA, said it regarded such incidents “very seriously”, adding that it could not comment further until specific details on the fire were available. It intends to communicate any recommendations from the investigation to the wider timber frame industry.
“St George is now waiting for a full report from the London Fire Brigade before making any further comment on the situation,” developer St George, part of the Berkeley Group, said in a statement.
