The goal of the proposed research programme is to help lift the most critical technical and scientific barriers associated with the use of timber in situations that might be exposed to fire. The programme is also based on professional experience obtained directly by stakeholders working ‘in the field’.
The programme is made up of four technical units.
- Feedback from ongoing and recently completed research projects carried out in France and internationally to study the fire behaviour of timber structures
- International exchange with experts (Canada, Sweden/Norway, Switzerland), particularly those involved in drafting EC5, in order to analyze changes to the regulations on works built with timber (strategies for ensuring safety, differentiation of building typologies, etc.)
As part of unit 1, a workshop entitled ‘Feedback on changes in fire regulations for international timber structures’ was organized on the 28th of February 2025 at the Forum International Bois Construction.
- Natural fire tests on exposed linear timber components (5 configurations envisaged)
- Optimization of passive protection solutions and comparison of regulatory documents (EN 14135 and EN 13381-7)
- Testing of couplings and interfaces (validation of arrangements)
- Testing of socket boxes and penetrations in walls, floors and ceilings (validation of arrangements)
- Creation of a full-scale demonstrator of an 80-m² home (3 configurations envisaged).
- Test protocol and testing with two AWFSS technologies for homes
- Design of works with AWFSS.
- Provision of robust design tools and professional guides
- Creation of a website for distributing all deliverables (test reports, data files) and organization of workshops
- Drafting of generic ‘Laboratory Appraisals’ certifying the safety of designs.
Project timetable
