The 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) will likely include regulatory language for mass timber buildings up to 12 storeys. A new type of construction will be introduced: Encapsulated mass timber construction. To achieve an encapsulation rating of not less than 50 minutes, there are several options, but stone wool stands out as a high-performance solution for protecting structural elements.

Well-suited to protect wood buildings, third-party testing confirms stone wool products do not ignite, burn, or release flammable vapours—all desirable characteristics when a product is exposed to a fire. Additional benefits found during testing included improved acoustic and moisture-resistance performance.

Tall wood construction has strong and growing support within Canada’s architectural and design community, and for good reason. Mass timber offers all the benefits of traditional wood construction, but with highly engineered strength that compares to concrete and even steel.