Mass timber buildings coming
Anita Sthankiya - Aug 23, 2019 - Okanagan Biz

Photo Credit: BC Gov

City Council is expected to adopt an initiative that will allow mass timber buildings in Kelowna to increase in size from six storeys up to 10 storeys at Monday’s council meeting.

City staff will present the information to council in advance of federal National Building Code changes that will come into play in 2020. By proactively adopting the building code changes, it is believed that it will encourage innovation through value-added wood products, helping to grow local and global markets.

Mass timber building is where the primary load-bearing structure is made of either solid or engineered wood. Encapsulated mass timber is where the mass timber components are surrounded by fire-resistant materials like drywall.

Mass timber buildings can be one-fifth the weight of comparable concrete buildings, while still meeting performance standards for safety, structural resilience and fire protection.

According to City staff, the provincial initiative is feasible as the City’s building department currently employees 11, Level 3 certified Building Officials as Building Inspectors and Permit Coordinators, which is the highest number of competency level per capita throughout BC.

If the policy is adopted by council, the bylaw would allow for the potential for 10 storey wood framed buildings without variance on select parcels in the downtown, midtown, and capri-landmark urban centres.


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