1. Overview of FPInnovations’ New Mid-Rise Handbook
59th Ontario Building Officials Association Conference
M. Mohammad, P.Eng., PhD Kenneth Koo, P.Eng.
FPInnovations
October 5-7, 2015, Toronto

2. Background & Motivation
The urban geography is changing
Population, demographics, sustainability …
Light industry being pushed outside urban centres - lower revenue for municipalities
Land value increasing – demanding higher value buildings
Cost of building and maintaining municipal infrastructure is increasing

3. Background & Motivation
Densification lowers cost of providing services (e.g. utilities, transit)
Conversion of single family to townhouses or multi-family
Mixed uses to provide services close to residences

4. Background & Motivation
There is a need for densification but there is resistance to densification
Municipal governments attempt to minimize effects of increased density & provide benefits through
Planning, zoning, architectural features
Incentives to developers
Access to amenities, mixed occupancies
Range of incomes and age groups

5. Reality Check: Needs
Up to 3 billion people will need a new home in the next 20 years (4 out of 10 people)
In 40 years 75% of people will live in the cities (currently it is 50%)
Cities are built from steel and concrete
Steel and concrete contribute 8% of World’s GHG emissions

6. Urban Densification
Provide building solutions that meet the evolving demands due to macro changes in demographics
Source: businessimmo

7. Wood is GREEN As construction material, wood is
Cost effective & efficient - meet the code requirement for safety & performance
Versatile and flexibility - wide range of building types and applications
Light weight, strong yet with ductility
Wood is good insulator
Wood is warm with natural beauty
Why is light weight important ? Building foundation Forces in an earthquake are proportional to the structure’s weight and wood is substantially lighter than steel or concrete.
The fact that wood buildings tend to have numerous nail connections means they have more load paths, so there’s less chance the structure will collapse should some connections fail. This is also why they have inherent ductility, which allows them to dissipate energy when faced with the sudden loads of an earthquake or high wind event.
Why is ductility important? Seismic event Wood’s high strength-to-weight ratio, high energy-absorption capacity and ductile behaviour make it a building material of choice for seismic performance.
It is less heat-conductive and when charred, wood retains strength and permit slow combustion for evacuation

8. Wood is GREEN
Wood is the only renewable and sustainable construction material
Canada rate of deforestation is zero for over two decades (United Nations FAO State of the World’s Forests report issued in March 2007).
Canada retains more than 90% of its original forest area (more than other countries) [Source: World Resources Institute Data Tables, ]
Sustainable Forest Management through 3rd party certification
CSA Canadian Standards Association
FSC Forest Stewardship Council &
SFI Sustainable Forestry Initiative
CSA Canadian Standards Association, FSC, Forest Stewardship Council & SFI Sustainable Forestry Initiative

9. Midrise Wood Frame Construction in Canada: The Story
2009: BC Building Code revised to increase height limit for wood-frame construction from 4 to 6 storeys
2015: Quebec Building Code
2015: Ontario Building Code
2015: Alberta Building Code
2015 National Building Code of Canada
Kamloops, BC
Photo Courtesy of BC WoodWorks!
Expecting 1000’s of midrise buildings in Canada next few years!!

10. Modern Mid-rise Wood Frame Construction (Residential - C)

11. Mid-rise WF Construction with Concrete podium (mixed occupancy – Group C & D)

12. Historical Tall Wood Buildings in Canada
Before 1941, before the 1st NBCC…
Vancouver, up to 9-storey, ~1900s
Toronto, up to 8-storey, ~ 1890s
Montreal, up to 7-storey, ~1860s
Heavy timber
Brick & Masonry

13. Unfortunately… Modern Building Codes
Construction of such buildings stopped mainly due to the introduction of modern building codes (NBCC 1941)
Limits on wooden building height & areas were introduced (i.e., combustible vs. non-combustible construction concepts)
However, wood is making a comeback!!

14. Rediscovered Taller Wood Buildings
The Landing
Vancouver, 1905
Height: 30 m
NBCC 1941 (7)
National Building Code
NBCC 2015 (6)
NBCC (4)

15. Expanding Wood Use in Mid and High- rise Buildings
Over the last 10 years, significant efforts by federal & provincial governments and industry to expand wood use in the non-res. and mid & high rise construction sectors
Examples:
FPInnovations (TT Next Generation Building Systems and Products); CLT handbooks, TWB Guide, Mid-rise WFC Guide
CWC/WoodWORKS! initiatives
Universities (NEWBuildS – Investment in the Forest Sector)
NRC/CWC/FPI mid-rise project – fire, acoustic and building envelope research to support mid-rise code changes

16. 2012 OBC and Mid-rise WF Code Provisions
OBC prescribes the min technical reqs. for the design & construction of new buildings in ON
OBC objectives are safety, health, accessibility, property protection, resource conservation, environmental integrity and conservation of buildings
2012 Edition of OBC came into effect on January 1, 2014
Several amendments made to the Code since then including “Mid-rise” wood frame provisions (approved in )

17. Overview of Mid-rise Code Provisions for in OBC
Provisions that permit or prohibit wood as a construction material are given in Parts 3 & 9
Part 9 is applicable to “small” buildings up to 3 storeys & up to 600 m2 in area with restrictions on occupancy type
Part 3 is applicable to any building larger than this, and a building of any size that contains assembly, care, or high hazard industrial occupancies
Parts 4, 5 & 12 generally do not explicitly require or prohibit wood but rather set out the required performance criteria for structural, envelope and energy elements that every building must meet

18. 2012 OBC and Mid-rise WF Code Provisions
Previously, the max. height of a building of wood construction in OBC was 4 storeys (in-line with the 2010 and older editions of NBCC)
As of January 1, 2015, the OBC permits wood construction for residential, business; and office services occupancies with a max. height of 6 storeys
Intent is to provide opportunities/options for designers & builders to develop innovative, flexible and affordable new mid-rise buildings

19. Amendments to Ontario’s Building Code Allowing Mid-Rise Wood Frame Buildings
Buildings may include other “mixed use” occupancies below the 3rd floor, specifically, “Group A-2” and “Group E” (e.g., restaurants, grocery stores, etc.)
 New Articles ( A & A) introduced and prescribes the construction reqs. and area limitations for mid-rise buildings of combustible construction
A can be applied to buildings less than 5 storeys in height but with larger building areas
(Ref: 2015 Reference Guide by MH, 2015)

20. Overview of Mid-rise Code Provisions in OBC
Additional safety provisions not currently required in 4 storeys WF buildings will be applicable to mid-rise WF buildings: 
Enhanced automatic sprinklering to the NFPA 13 standard
Sprinklering of all balconies over 610mm deep
Building height limits including height limits to the fire access route
Exterior cladding and roof covering be NC or combustion-resistant
Additional compartmentalization for large sprinklered spaces (e.g., attics)
At least 10% of bldg perimeter within 15m of a fire safety access route
Exit stairwells have a 1.5 hour FRR & be of NC
Designed for higher seismic loads than similar NC buildings 
More robust occupancy permit requirements

21. Overview of Mid-rise Code Provisions for in OBC: Structural
Restrictions on irregularities (Sentence (4))
For medium and high seismic zones (IEFaSa(0.2)>=0.35), Type 4 or 5 Irregularities not allowed in 5 or 6 storeys of continuous wood construction
(Source: Wang, CWC, 2014)

22. Overview of Mid-rise Code Provisions for in OBC: Structural
Only for seismic design
Increased static design force level (Sentence (11))
If period is determined using methods other than the empirical code period, static base shear shall be increased by 20%, but need not exceed the max.
Increased dynamic design force level (Sentence (12))
Period determined using methods of mechanics other than the empirical code period, the base shear shall be the larger of dynamic design force and 100% of static design force

23. OBC Mid-rise WF Provisions: Group C Residential Construction Reqs
OBC Mid-rise WF Provisions: Group C Residential Construction Reqs.: Fire
4-storey: max building area of 2250 m² is permitted
Prior to the 2015 amendments, a 4- storey WF area was limited to 1800 m²
Similar max area limits increased for 1- to 3-storey buildings
5-storey WF, max. area of 1800 m² & 1500 m2 for a 6-storey
1-hr FRR for floor, roof and mezzanine assemblies (fire separations)
If roof level is > 25m, require roof to be NC or FRT wood
Allow NC roof be supported by combustible structural elements
Curtsey of MH 2015 Reference Guide

24. OBC Mid-rise WF Provisions: Group D Office Buildings Construction Reqs
OBC Mid-rise WF Provisions: Group D Office Buildings Construction Reqs.: Fire
5-storey: max building area of 3600 m², while 3000 m2 for a 6-storey
4-storey: max area of 4500 m². Prior to the 2015 amendments, a 4- storey wood building would be limited to 3600 m² in area
Similar max. area limits increased for 1- to 3-storey buildings
Similar reqs. to Group C for floor & roof fire separations (i.e., 1-hr FRR)
If a firewall is used to separate a building into 2 or more bldgs and the required FRR of the firewall is 2 hrs (rating based on occupancies of the buildings), the firewall is not required to be constructed of NC material provided the buildings on each side of the firewall are sprinklered
Curtsey of MH 2015 Reference Guide

25. The MWFC Initiative Mid-rise Wood Frame Construction (MWFC)
Natural extension to 3-4 storeys wood frame
Builds on current capacity and supply chain
Addresses the move to higher density zoning and mixed residential/mercantile
In areas formerly zoned single family (SF)
Surrounding areas can continue to be SF

26. The MWFC Initiative
CWC / WoodWORKS! were instrumental in initiating the move to MWFC
NRCan, the Gov’ts of BC, ON and Quebec, and provincial agencies
FPInnovations working with partners, namely CWC, NRC, RBQ

27. WoodWORKS! 2015 Reference Guide on Mid-rise Wood Construction
Published by ON Wood WORKS!
Guide documents the application of the ON Building Code (OBC) for use of wood in mid-rise construction
Guide identifies required features, conditions or restrictions based on new OBC’s mid-rise wood construction provisions
Developed by Morrison Hershfield Limited (MH) and released early in 2015

28. FPInnovations’ Mid-rise Wood Frame Construction Handbook

29. FPI Mid-Rise Wood-Frame Handbook
Handbook aims at providing guidelines for properly designing and detailing wood-frame construction in agreement with national and provincial building code provisions

30. FPI Mid-Rise Wood-Frame Handbook
Focus on mid-rise (5- and 6-storeys) light- frame wood construction
In accordance with NBCC provisions and CSA O86-14

31. FPI Mid-Rise Wood-Frame Handbook
Multi-disciplinary handbook involving a broad range of industry, research & design experts
FPInnovations, CWC, NRC and practitioners
Peer-reviewed
Complimentary to other existing manuals (CWC, NRCC, etc.)
To be released in Nov. 2015

32. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Structural Products
Chapter 3: Structural Design
Chapter 4: Floor Vibration Control
Chapter 5: Vertical Differential Movement
Chapter 6: Fire Safety Design
Chapter 7: Noise Control
Chapter 8: Durable & Efficient Building Enclosure
Chapter 9: Elevator Shafts and Stairwells
Chapter 10: Prefabricated Systems

33. Overview of Structural Wood Products
Structural Wood Products and Components
Dimensional lumber, FJ lumber, panels, I-joists, trusses, glulam, SCL, CLT
Structural Assemblies
Conventional floor/roof/wall, mid-ply shearwalls

34. Structural Design Design provisions Design analysis
Determination of building period
Deflection of stacked multi-storey shearwalls
Dynamic analysis
Diaphragm flexibility
Capacity-based design method

35. Structural Design: As Per CSA O86-14

36. Structural Design
High-capacity diaphragms and shearwalls including FPI’s Mid-ply shearwall system
Force transfer around openings in walls
Design for podium structures (seismic)
Also discussed under fire safety

37. Structural Design FPI’s Mid-ply Shearwall System
Nails work in double shear thus increasing the lateral load capacity
Greater edge distance - panel chip out failure is reduced
Nail head away from panel surface - nail pull through failure is prevented
Capable of accommodating additional sheathing
As nails in MIDPLY wall works in double shear, the lateral load capacity of the nail joint can be greatly increased.
In addition, because panels are nailed to the wide face of the studs, the distance of nails from panel edge is greatly increased. Increased edge distance reduces the possibility of panel chip-out failures and makes it easier for framers to nail the panels to the studs.
Also, the nail heads are kept away from the panel surface, therefore nail pull through failure at the panel is prevented.
For MIDPLY walls, additional exterior panels can also be added. This will further increase the lateral load capacity of MIDPLY walls.
Typical shearwall
Single shear plane
Mid-ply shearwall
Nail in double shear

38. Structural Design FPI’s Mid-ply vs. Standard Shearwall System
2x4 studs
16”
Sheathing
Drywall/Sheathing
38  89 mm lumber stud spaced at 406 mm o.c.
1.22  2.44 m wood-based panel
Sheathing fastened to the narrow face of framing members
MidplyTM shear wall
Drywall/Sheathing
Cladding/Sheathing
Sheathing
1.22  2.44 m wood-based panel at the center of the wall
38  89 mm lumber stud rotated 90 degree to those in standard shearwall
Sheathing fastened to the wide face of framing members

39. Floor Vibration Fundamentals (why, how and what)
Review of existing design methods/gaps
New design method
Worked examples
Field control and remedy
System approach
Curtsey of sound proofing company

40. Vertical Differential Movement
Causes of vertical differential movement
Predicting vertical movement
Solutions to reducing and accommodating vertical differential movement
Recommendations
Address a key design concern with mid-rise platform frame buildings
Improve movement prediction methods by comparing with real-world measurement results
Provide design solutions to reduce and mitigate differential movement
Images: HPO 2011

41. Vertical Differential Movement
Wood shrinkage (major cause)
Primarily contributed by horizontal wood members
Amount depends on MC change and shrinkage coefficient
Loading (relatively small cause)
Closing of gaps between members (settlement, bedding-in)
Elastic compression
Time-dependent deformation (creep)
All influenced by loads and wood MC
Longitudinal

42. Vertical Differential Movement
Always design to allow certain differential movement
Detailing for major interfaces provided in the chapter
Measures to reduce/accommodate wood shrinkage and differential movement
Use and maintain drier wood in construction
Use engineered wood for floor joists
Good construction sequencing to reduce wood wetting, encourage drying, and allow settling before enclosure

43. Fire Safety Design Fundamentals Combustibility of materials
Fire separations
Penetrations in fire separations
Fire-resistance
Firewalls

44. Fire Safety Design Service spaces and Service facilities
Interior finish
Safety between floor areas
Performance-based fire design
Fire safety during construction

45. Fire Safety Design
Fire separations

46. Image : STI Fire Stop inc.
Fire Safety Design
Penetrations in fire separations
Image : STI Fire Stop inc.
Image : Hilti

47. Fire Safety Design Fire safety during construction
Through proper construction site management/strategies
No more!

48. Fire Safety Design Other considerations Podium structures
Firefighters’ assumptions
Elevator shafts and Exit stairs

49. Fire Safety Design Podium structures (small and large)
Photos: G. Triggs

50. Fire Safety Design
Elevator shafts and Exit stairs

51. Noise Control Fundamentals (why, how and what)
Review of the NBCC requirements
Design for occupants satisfaction (2015 NBCC requirement for ASTC)
Flanking, FSTC, FIIC
Strategy for noise control
Noise control through design
After C. Benedetti 2010, “Timber buildings”

52. Noise Control Noise control through construction
Workable and cost effective solutions for mid-rise wood walls and floors
Sound insulation of wood elevator shafts and stairwells
Curtsey of sound proofing company

53. Durable & Efficient Building Enclosure
Current energy codes and requirements
Environmental loads
Durability
Thermal efficiency
Building enclosures
Natural durability and preservation treatments

54. Elevator Shafts & Stairwells
Code provisions
Shrinkage, lateral loads and deflection, connections, fire separations, acoustic
Non-combustible shafts
Wood-based shafts
Hybrid

55. Prefabricated Systems
Wall, floor and roofing panels
Certification standards
CSA A277 (under revision)
Qualification of prefabricated systems
Transportation
Future trends
More details provided by Ken Koo

56. Summary of the Overview
Multi-disciplinary handbook involving a broad range of industry, research & design experts
Handbook aims at providing guidelines for properly designing and detailing light-wood frame construction in agreement with provincial and national code provisions

57. MWFC Handbook

58. Acknowledgments Natural Resources Canada (through TT program)
Government of BC
BC Forestry Innovation Investment
Government of Alberta
Gouvernement du Québec (MFFP)
Partners
Canadian Wood Council
National Research Council

59. Challenges: Mid-Rise Wood Frame (MRWF)
Multiple / mixed occupancy
High degree of engineering required
Increased vertical live and dead loads and lateral wind and seismic loads
Higher fire resistance ratings for fire separations
Higher acoustic ratings between units
Differential movement between materials
Wood; cumulative shrinkage & compression perp.
Fire Safety During Construction Guidelines (Ontario)

60. Prefabricated Systems
Assembling components in factory and transport completed assemblies or modules to site
Factory environment: material protected and not affected by weather
Accuracy in cutting and assembly
Quality in assembly and structural integrity
Control over building process and project schedules
Cost control for builders
Examples:
Components: truss, I-joist
Panelized systems: wall and floor panels
Modular systems (volumetric system)
Photo: H+ME Technology
Photo: Maple
Leaf Homes

61. Panelized Systems: Site
Photo: Walsh Construction

62. Panelized Systems: Design
CAD Design
Structural design software - confirm and optimize structural framing
CAD program – AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, - develop 3D building model to validate and resolve structural and architectural conflicts
BIM enabled Macros / add-on software - create machine language data for automation in manufacturing machinery, - detailed information on OSB, nails and cutting, wall plates, studs
Various degrees of automation at automated or semi-automated panelized plants
Building Information modeling
Photo: H+ME Technology
Photo:
ACQBUILT

63. Panelized Systems: Manufacturing
Automated machinery
Computerized input from CAD / BIM programs
Computer controlled production machinery
Laser guided grid lines
Quality Assurance checks
Material specifications
Procurement and receiving
Manufacturing quality control checks
Photo:
Randek Bau Tech
Photo:
Weinmann

64. Panelized Systems: Wall & Floor Panels
EWP for floor applications
Max 12’ by 48’ floor panel sizes with pre-drilled plumbing holes and openings for hoisting at sites
Vertical and lateral blockings
Shearwall designs based on engineered specified nail type and spacing
Penetrations, beam pockets
Photo:
ACQBUILT
Photo:
H+ME Technology
Photo:
Barrette Structural

65. Panelized Systems: Transportation and Installation
Scheduling software will sort the stacking order for loading the trailers for unloading at the site
Transportation regulations will govern maximum shipment load, dimensions (over-sized), licensing and permits
Installation, crane and site procedures to be coordinated with the site supervisors and workers (specifically MRWF)
Photo:
ACQBUILT
Photo:
H+ME Technology

66. Panelized Systems: Quality Assurance
Need to establish Quality Assurance Program for the public, industry and building officials for Prefabricated Panels
Industry and Associations update CSA A277–08 to 2015
Minimize liability and inspection for AHJ with 3rd party QC assurance
CSA A277– 15 Procedure for certification of prefabricated buildings, modules and panels - available fall 2015

67. Panelized Systems: Future Challenges:
Acceptance by building officials and industry: Quality Assurance Program
Energy Efficiency Requirement: Open panels  Closed panels
Field / Site Connection: fast, efficient, locking mechanism & facilitates de- assembly at end of life
Exterior finish, weathering and building envelopes
New product – natural wood fibre insulation boards, multi-functional wood panels
Photo:
ACQBUILT
Photo:
STEICO

68. Thank you! M. Mohammad & Kenneth Koo
Research Leader and Industrial Advisor