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Is timber frame construction safe ?

Posted: 28/01/2010

Timber based construction is usually seen as a green building option, but following a serious blaze in a timber framed building in Peckham, South London, there have been calls for the UK to abandon timber frame construction as unsafe.

As a person with a considerable knowledge of the industry, plus an interest in promoting it, Geoff Arnold, chairman of the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA), was called upon to offer his opinion on the subject of fire safety in wooden structures. He said “Timber frame construction is now very well established in the UK and trusted by Government, housing bodies, inspectors, insurers, homebuyers and the whole development community.”

He added: “But no one can be complacent or superior about the fire and health and safety risks in construction. We keep repeating: What matters most is good site security and site management, particularly on all large urban projects and regardless of what method of construction is used.”

Incidents of the severity of the recent fire remain unusual, and timber frame has been seen as a safe, durable and reliable way to build over many years, with a quarter of all new homes in the UK built using timber frames. The UKTFA also points out that in the drive to provide high quality affordable homes with excellent environmental performance, timber frame construction has a significant role to play.

However, less serious fires during the construction of timber framed structures are more common. The UKTFA has itself launched its Site Safe scheme in response to safety concerns, with a 16-step guide to fire safety on timber frame construction sites. This good practice guide includes advice on the importance of a fire safety plan and a fire safety co-ordinator for the site, and a rigorous regime of testing and inspection to ensure that all steps to guard against fire are being taken.

The onus is on developers, contactors, and their clients to make sure that their site is safe, and that lives and neighbouring properties are not put at risk.

It should be remembered that completed buildings that meet all current UK Building Regulations and fire standards – including completed timber frame homes – are entirely safe. However, it is true that all sites under construction, whichever method of construction is used, are potentially vulnerable to criminal incidents, accidents or malicious acts of damage.
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