Fire Performance of Tall Buildings Using Combustible Construction

SPEAKERS:

Lindsay Osborne, M.A.Sc.
Scientist, Serviceability and Fire
FPInnovations

Lindsay Osborne holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University (2007) and a Master’s degree in Fire Safety Engineering from Carleton University (2011). Since graduating, Lindsay has worked as a scientist at FPInnovations where she conducts fire research of wood products for use in advanced building systems. As part of the serviceability and fire group, her recent projects have mainly been focused on assessing the fire performance of cross-laminated timber, supporting the initiative to realize mid-rise and tall building combustible construction in Canada and developing guidance for performance-based fire engineering design.

Randal G. Brown, P.Eng., PE, FSFPE
President
Randal Brown & Associates Engineering Ltd.

Randal G. Brown is the President of Randal Brown & Associates Engineering Ltd. and has been President of the firm since 1984. Randy chaired the National Research Council Task Group on Mid-Rise Combustible Construction and is currently Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Fire Protection. Mr. Brown is a designated Consulting Engineer in Ontario as well as a registered Professional Engineer. In addition to the National Building Code Committees, Mr. Brown is also a member of the NFPA 14 “Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems”, and the SFPE Standards Making Committee on Calculating Fire Exposures to Structures and the SFPE Guide for Fire Safety in Very Tall Buildings.

SYNOPSIS:

Historically in Canada, tall buildings were constructed with wood, some of which are still in use. However, over time building regulations evolved and eventually these structures were no longer permitted by the prescriptive solutions in most building codes. Today, there is growing demand to be more environmentally conscious, which is supporting a resurgence of renewable wood materials as structural building elements in tall buildings. Innovative developments in the wood industry have led to new products which are facilitating the construction of these buildings. Mid-rise combustible construction, up to six stories, has recently been adopted in Ontario, but there is a desire to build even higher.

Ms. Osborne will focus on design considerations for the fire performance of tall wood buildings as well as current FPInnovations research such as fire resistance, flame spread, and fire stopping of mass timber elements. Mr. Brown will provide a brief summary of the upcoming Ontario Building Code amendments with respect to the allowance for mid rise wood framed buildings.

ITINERARY:

DRESS CODE:

Business Attire or Jacket and Tie

MEETING NOTICE:

For a printer friendly copy of our event, please see our meeting notice.