Commercial Timber Guidebook
Insuring timber buildings
The Commercial Timber Guidebook (CTG) is a technical resource designed to address insurance challenges for mass timber buildings, with a focus on durability and fire safety.
Developed collaboratively by industry experts from Waugh Thistleton Architects, Elliott Wood, OFR Consultants, and Lignum Risk Partners, and funded by Built by Nature along with a consortium of developers, the CTG provides comprehensive guidance on insurance durability for stakeholders interested in mass timber construction.
The need for this guidebook stems from the growing interest in mass timber as a sustainable building material, alongside a demand for clear guidance on its use. This interdisciplinary document provides detailed, evidence-based guidance on the design, construction, and maintenance of mass timber buildings. Informed by the expertise of various stakeholders within the mass timber, construction and insurance sectors, the CTG looks to dispel misconceptions about mass timber, improve its insurability, and promote its use as a primary choice building material.
For property developers, the CTG serves as a roadmap for creating environmentally responsible and financially viable buildings. By following the guidance outlined in this document, developers can improve the insurability of their projects, reduce costs, and enhance the appeal of mass timber to investors and stakeholders.
The content is structured into two main sections: Technical Guidance and Illustrative Examples.
Technical Guidance
Technical Guidance addresses key challenges related to moisture management and fire safety, providing principles and strategies for risk mitigation and remediation. It emphasises the importance of protecting timber from moisture and outlines comprehensive fire safety principles to ensure life safety and property protection. The durability section covers strategies for managing timber's hygroscopic nature and offers solutions for long-term moisture management, which is crucial for maintaining structural integrity.
Illustrative Examples
Illustrative Examples include case studies of mass timber office buildings that demonstrate the application of durability and fire safety principles across various building types and heights. These real-world applications provide actionable insights for stakeholders, showcasing how design and construction strategies can be tailored to enhance safety and performance.
The guidebook targets a diverse audience, including insurers, asset owners, designers, and developers, fostering dialogue between the construction and insurance sectors. By offering practical guidance on design, construction, and maintenance, this guidebook seeks to foster greater confidence in mass timber and pave the way for its broader adoption.
You can read the publication in full here.