Citing Grenfell, UK moves to limit mass timber construction

Despite the fact that mass timber testing has consistently shown that the material performs better than required in fire and structural situations, the government of the United Kingdom is considering imposing new height limitations for mass timber structures in the aftermath of the Grenfell tragedy.  The BBC reports that UK government officials are considering new regulations that would cap the height of these structures at 11-meters, or roughly three to four stories. Application of the mass timber technologies would still be allowed "in floors," BBC reports, but not along exterior walls. In most other countries that allow mass timber construction, structures are allowed to rise six stories or more. The proposal has been initiated, according to reports, in an effort to limit the potential for the spread of fire along exterior cladding as occurred in the Grenfell fire when an insulation layer situated within the concrete tower's composite aluminum cladding caught fire, allowing flame...