This standard kit of parts can be configured to offer a broad range of building products without limiting design ambition.
This is a problem as connections cannot be relied on geometrically and presents a challenge particularly for DfMA solutions and other situations where small tolerances are required.. Our response is to:.- Transport and store timber in waterproofed flat stacks.. - Engage early with contractors to produce an on-site maintenance plan with special attention to timber elements.. - Enable sufficient drying periods within the project programme.. - Use preservative natural treatments to prevent woodboring and avoid the use of toxic chemicals such as chromium, chlorophenols or arsenic.. - Use preservative natural treatments on all sides to prevent water ingress.
Oil based primers penetrate wood better than latex or water-based primers, providing greater resistance and are less likely to be scraped off during construction.. - Consider design details to prevent water ingress during construction and use.. Fire and insurance.Since the Grenfell tragedy, public policy has shifted towards a zero-combustibility approach in certain higher risk buildings, making the use of engineered timber more complicated.This has increased insurance costs for mass timber construction.
It is common practice to solve the problem by enclosing timber for increased fire protection.Unfortunately, this generates additional carbon emissions and waste.. Another issue with glulam and CLT is the debonding of layers during a fire.
The glue can start evaporating at a relatively low temperature causing engineered timber to fall apart even before it burns.
If the timber only chars, it might remain stable but may not be suitable for compartmentation as smoke can break through at joints.. Our response is to:.At Bryden Wood, we have over 25 years’ experience applying all types of MMC solutions to a huge range of projects.
Our industry-leading approach to MMC has developed over the years to consider ways to maximise the productivity of both off-site and on-site construction works to achieve better project outcomes for our clients.. Much of our thinking has been published on our website, particularly in our series of books about Construction Platforms, including the recently updated.Delivery Platforms for Government Assets.
The concept of a platform approach to DfMA (P-DfMA) has been adopted by the UK Government, particularly the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA), who have said they will mandate construction platforms by 2023 for all social infrastructure..The pre-manufactured components of platform construction (P-DfMA) systems are specifically designed to be standardised and mass-produced by a wide supply chain, like the mechanical components of a car, to deliver the greatest possible factory efficiency and economies of scale..