More apartments are under construction right now in Charlotte, N.C. than ever before, and many of them are wood-framed mid-rise buildings that have prompted concerns over fire safety.
Developers are gravitating toward wood-framed apartment structures that are less costly to construct than steel-framed structures. North Carolina’s building code, patterned on the 2009 International Building Code, limits wood-framed apartments to four floors.
Advocates for mid-rise wood-frame construction say sprinkler systems and other life-safety measures required by codes make the buildings safe. But the National Fire Protection Association has warned firefighters that buildings made with trusses and engineered wood could fail and collapse more quickly than other types of buildings in a fire.
After a major fire in a wood frame apartment structure in New Jersey, a lawmaker in that state introduced a bill in 2015 to add new requirements to the state building code, including limits on height based on sprinkler type and requirements for more separation or firewalls between units. A North Carolina’s state fire marshal office told the Charlotte Observer that the proposals in New Jersey are “cutting edge” and any such changes in North Carolina likely wouldn’t be considered until 2018 or later.
Related Stories
| Sep 23, 2022
High projected demand for new housing prompts debate on best climate-friendly materials
The number of people living in cities could increase to 80% of the total population by 2100. That could require more new construction between now and 2050 than all the construction done since the start of the industrial revolution.
Mass Timber | Aug 30, 2022
Mass timber construction in 2022: From fringe to mainstream
Two Timberlab executives discuss the market for mass timber construction and their company's marketing and manufacturing strategies. Sam Dicke, Business Development Manager, and Erica Spiritos, Director of Preconstruction, Timberlab, speak with BD+C's John Caulfield.
Building Materials | Aug 3, 2022
Shawmut CEO Les Hiscoe on coping with a shaky supply chain in construction
BD+C's John Caulfield interviews Les Hiscoe, CEO of Shawmut Design and Construction, about how his firm keeps projects on schedule and budget in the face of shortages, delays, and price volatility.
Building Materials | Jul 20, 2022
LP Building Solutions celebrates 50th anniversary at NYSE ceremony
LP Building Solutions celebrates 50th anniversary at NYSE ceremony.
Building Materials | Jun 20, 2022
Early-stage procurement: The next evolution of the construction supply chain
Austin Commercial’s Jason Earnhardt explains why supply chain issues for the construction industry are not going to go away and how developers and owners can get ahead of project roadblocks.
Sponsored | Wood | Apr 21, 2022
PDX Gets Back to its Roots with Engineered Wood
Evoking the serenity of a Pacific Northwest forest, this massive airport redesign features glulam timber and mass plywood panels from local manufacturers.
Wood | Apr 13, 2022
Mass timber: Multifamily’s next big building system
Mass timber construction experts offer advice on how to use prefabricated wood systems to help you reach for the heights with your next apartment or condominium project.
Contractors | Mar 28, 2022
Amid supply chain woes, building teams employ extreme procurement measures
Project teams are looking to eliminate much of the guesswork around product availability and price inflation by employing early bulk-purchasing measures for entire building projects.
Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2022
The Beam on Farmer, Arizona’s first mass timber, multi-story office building tops out
The Beam on Farmer, Arizona’s first mass timber, multi-story office building, topped out on Feb. 10, 2022.
