What fire load does timber construction add to a building?

Exposed structural timber adds to the permanent fire load of a building. However, this is accounted for in fire engineering assessments and does not prevent timber buildings from meeting fire safety requirements.

Exposed structural timber adds to the permanent fire load of a building. However, this is accounted for in fire engineering assessments and does not prevent timber buildings from meeting fire safety requirements. The fire load from timber structure is typically 400–800 MJ/m² depending on the proportion of exposed timber. This is comparable to the contents fire load in many occupancies (offices: 420–570 MJ/m², residential: 600–900 MJ/m²). Encapsulation with plasterboard reduces the contribution of structural timber to the fire load.

Why this matters

This question relates to Fire Resistance of Structural Timber: Charring Rates & Eurocode 5, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Fire Resistance of Structural Timber: Charring Rates & Eurocode 5

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About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia.