Mass timber on the rise

Photo: BC Gov

Kelowna city council is expected to adopt an initiative that will allow mass timber buildings in the city to increase in size from six to 10 storeys at Monday's council meeting.

City staff will present the information to council in advance of federal National Building Code changes that will come into play in 2020. By proactively adopting the building code changes, it is believed that it will encourage innovation through value-added wood products, helping to grow local and global markets.

Mass timber building is where the primary load-bearing structure is made of either solid or engineered wood. Encapsulated mass timber is where the mass timber components are surrounded by fire-resistant materials.

Mass timber buildings can be one-fifth the weight of comparable concrete buildings.

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