The Transition Accelerator/ L’Accélérateur de transition reposted this
Great to see Ontario recognizing the opportunity for mass timber to help accelerate residential construction with code changes - part of the key priority actions in the Mass Timber Roadmap from The Transition Accelerator/ L’Accélérateur de transition, Forest Products Association of Canada, and Canadian Wood Council https://lnkd.in/gPKVGhNm
Exciting developments for the future of mass timber in Ontario! The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has announced key amendments to Ontario’s 2024 Building Code (Ontario Regulation 163/24), set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Amendments include expanded new technical provisions for Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction (EMTC), allowing buildings up to 18 storeys high and expanding the range of occupancy types where EMTC can be used as the primary structural material. Encapsulation requirements have also been eased; 8-storey buildings can be unencapsulated (other than exits and shafts), and 100% exposed wood ceilings are allowed in units for buildings up to 12 storeys. These changes will give architects and builders more flexibility to take advantage of mass timber’s natural fire-resistant properties while preserving its cost-effectiveness, aesthetics, and sustainability benefits. This marks a significant step forward, opening new doors for innovation and sustainability in our industry. By embracing wood as a viable option for large-scale residential construction, these updates align our code with leading European practices, creating new opportunities to scale mass timber in Ontario. #MassTimber #SustainableConstruction #BuildingCodeUpdate #OntarioBuildingCode #InnovationInConstruction #GreenBuilding #EncapsulatedMassTimber #LowCarbonBuilding #ModernConstruction #SustainabilityInDesign