Timber frame construction has continued to gain popularity across the UK residential and commercial sectors due to its lower environmental impact and precision manufacturing advantages. However, one persistent misconception is that timber frame buildings present a higher fire risk compared to traditional masonry ones.
This perception is outdated, with modern timber frame systems being highly tested and regulated in line with the UK Building Regulations to ensure fire safety standards. Correctly detailed timber frame systems are found to be no more susceptible to fire than other common structural systems when they are designed and constructed in accordance with these regulations.
How Fire Resistant is Timber Frame?
Timber frame buildings aren’t just exposed timber structures, but instead layered, compartmentalised systems that are specifically designed to manage fire performance.
Typically, timber frame wall or floor build-up achieve fire resistance through a variety of ways. Protective linings, made up of multiple layers of fire-rated plasterboard and compartmentation limit fire spread. Timber also has predictable charring behaviour which means structural members can be designed with sacrificial layers to maintain load-bearing capacity for a defines period under fire exposure.
Industry testing has demonstrated that standard timber frame assemblies can achieve 30-60 minutes fire resistance, aligning with the evacuation and life safety requirements set out in UK Building Regulations.
UK Fire Standards
Fire safety in England and Wales is governed by Approved Document B (ADB) of the Building Regulations, which sets functional requirements for fire safety in buildings. ADB defines the performance criteria that all structural systems must meet, regardless of material.
The STA’s 16 Steps to Fire Safety is a program the STA introduced to ensure fire safety during building. Alongside the Building Regulations for fire safety, these rules set the standards as a minimum.
Compliance is achieved through system design and certification, which places emphasis on manufacturers and engineers to demonstrate tested performance and controlled insulation.
The perception that timber frame buildings present a heightened fire risk does not reflect how modern construction systems are designed or regulated. Today’s timber frame solutions are engineered for predictable fire performance and rigorously tested to meet defined fire resistance periods. Full compliance with Approved Document B, Building Regulations for fire safety and the STA’s 16 Steps to Fire Safety should be adhered to.
At FrameTech, we always follow requirements and appropriate procedure to reinforce fire safety assurance. We have extensive experience building quality timber frame buildings for a range of clients. Get in touch with us today if you have any further questions, or to speak to our team about a project.
