Fire Safety
  source:  Building Research Establishment

Fire Performance

The fire resistance of a timber frame construction is achieved by a combination of internal lining material the structure itself and the insulation material. Thirty and sixty minute fire resistance is the normal requirements for low and medium rise buildings. Plasterboard is the usual lining used due to the good fire resistance and ease of use.

Current fire regulations vary in England, Scotland and Ireland. Dwellings up to 3 stories, built in timber frame are accepted in all regions.

In addition to fire resistance it is necessary to control the potential spread of flame across the surface of walls and ceilings. Surface spread of flames ratings are based on tests to BS 476 part 7. The timber frame construction is manufactured using a solid timber treated with flame retardant chemicals.

Building Research Establishment. Information Paper
The extent to which a dwelling's fabric influences the growth and development of a domestic fire is widely misunderstood. In particular the effects of the structure are often confused or misinterpreted.

Life Safety
The fabric of the building is rarely a factor in fires that occur in dwellings. The structure used generally has no impact upon the fire once it is protected by suitable wall linings.

Field Studies
Investigations of serious spreading fires in various types of dwellings have produced a number of significant findings:

1. The most serious hazard to occupants on the floor above a fire was due to modern upholstered furniture fires in a living room with it's door open. Most occupants had 2 minutes or less upon discovering the fire in which to escape down the stairs.
2. Leaving bedroom doors open whilst asleep allows for speedier movement of gases and smoke, rising from the staircase, through the rooms.
3. Occupants in a bungalow, or on the ground floor in a room remote from the fire were better able to evacuate from the building.
4. In no case did a structural element failure increase the risk to house occupants.

The effect of thermal insulation.
Responding to energy prices and performance standards, masonry built dwellings incorporate thermal insulation in their walls by means of aerated concrete block and / or cavity fill. Timber famed homes quilts or batts between frame members. The use of plaster or plasterboard as wall linings remains almost universal. It is the thermal conductivity of these linings which has the greatest effect upon the spread of a fire.

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