Wood is a High Performance Building Material

Wood products have a proven track record in construction demonstrated in both historic and modern timber buildings. Increasingly, engineered wood products are being recognized for their fire-resistant properties, often meeting or exceeding fire safety requirements.

Building codes worldwide are acknowledging wood as a high-performance material due to its versatility and natural strength. Additionally, wood's ability to absorb and regulate moisture helps maintain stable indoor humidity levels, promoting healthier living environments.
 

• “Wood’s proven track record of seismic performance: Wood’s natural elasticity, strength and lighter weight give it an advantage during an earthquake. The natural ability for wood buildings to flex and return to their original shape in the event of an earthquake has made them a popular choice for centuries in regions prone to seismic activity. In some instances, historic centuries-old wooden buildings have remained nearly intact after strong earthquakes, while modern reinforced concrete buildings have endured significant damage, or even collapse. Following earthquakes in Asia, reports indicate that wood structures best maintained their structural integrity and contributed least to injury and loss of life. And recent testing is showing that mid-rise light-frame wooden buildings up to six stories can endure a 7.5 magnitude seismic test with little damage.”

  Reference: Wood's Resilience | Building & Construction | naturally:wood

   

• “Today’s building codes coupled with advances in wood science and building technology have expanded the options for wood construction. Building codes recognize wood’s safety and structural performance capabilities and allow its use in a broad range of applications, from the light-duty repetitive framing common in small structures to the larger and heavier framing systems used to build larger and taller buildings—including high-rises, arenas and factories. “ 

  Reference: Design, Engineer and Construct Code-Compliant Wood Buildings - WoodWorks | Wood Products Council
   

• “Mass timber has inherent fire resistance. During fires, exposed mass timber chars on the outside, which forms an insulating layer protecting the interior wood from damage. Mass timber construction can meet and even exceed fire safety requirements in the Canadian building codes.”

  Reference: Mass timber buildings are sustainable, safe and healthy
   

• “As a hygroscopic material, wood has the capacity to absorb moisture, which helps moderate indoor relative humidity, resulting in lower ventilation demand. This variation in moisture content in wood means that it could hold potential for contributing to the building's energy balance.”

  Reference: Timber and healthy buildings: indoor air quality