In Durham, North Carolina, Laurel Street Residential planned the build of two Type III multifamily units that stood six stories high. Ian Shelton, a project manager for Neighboring Concepts, partnered with Progress Carolina and UFP Construction to frame the structure with ProWood FR fire-retardant wall assemblies. Ian spoke to the goals that were set for this project:
“The 300 East Main affordable housing project is a collaborative effort between the development team and Durham County to provide affordable living in the heart of downtown Durham... In addition to residential units, the ground floor of the housing component includes indoor and outdoor amenities as well as provisions for a future childcare space intended to serve the local community…”
Why ProWood FR?
ProWood FR fire-retardant treated products for Type III construction projects are an affordable option compared to other noncombustible materials, benefiting the economy in the area. Ian Shelton noted, “Type III construction allowed us to maximize the number of housing units on a tight urban site while meeting the projects budget constraints [and it] met the non-combustibility requirements of the building code for Type III construction while providing a more cost-effective alternative to metal stud framing.”
ProWood FR products are highly acclaimed in the industry, having received several awards, including Building Design + Construction Top Products. These reliable products are widely available and backed by a 50-year warranty. As detailed in the ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. ESR-4373, ProWood FR products meet all major model building code requirements. Additionally, they are UL-Classified with an FR-S Rating, ensuring flame spread and smoke development values of 25 or less.
ProWood FR Product Offering
BACKER BLOCK
These pre-cut blocks are used to support the installation of interior cabinets, vanities, shelving, grab rails, trim and more. And because they’re made from ProWood FR pressure-treated dimensional lumber, the holding strength is much greater than plywood.
DIMENSIONAL LUMBER and SHEATHING
ProWood FR fire-retardant-treated wood has a Class A Flame Spread Index of 25 or less, the best rating for fire-retardant building products. Flame spread rating was achieved through the ASTM E84 30-minute test. ProWood FR pressure-treated lumber and plywood have also been tested by independent accredited laboratories, following industry standards ASTM D5564 and ASTM D5516, to develop strength design factors for various use conditions.
1-HOUR WALL PANEL
ASTM E119 Tested, the 1-hour wall assembly is load bearing rated from one side (interior side only). For details refer to ESR Report 4373.
2-HOUR WALL PANEL
The code-compliant ProWood FR V343 2-hour wall assembly is manufactured under the independent third-party inspection of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the largest and oldest independent testing laboratory in the United States. This wall assembly is fully code-compliant and meets the highest available standard, carrying UL’s FR-S designation.
The use of ProWood FR fire-retardant treated products in the construction of the two 6-story multifamily units in Durham, North Carolina, has proven to be a strategic and beneficial choice for Laurel Street Residential and its partners. By opting for ProWood FR, the project successfully met the stringent fire safety requirements while remaining within budget constraints, thereby maximizing the number of affordable housing units in a densely populated urban area. The collaboration between the project team and Durham County has resulted in a housing initiative that not only addresses the need for affordable living spaces but also provides valuable community amenities, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on downtown Durham.
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023
California building electrification laws could prompt more evictions and rent increases
California laws requiring apartment owners to ditch appliances that use fossil fuels could prompt more evictions and rent increases in the state, according to a report from the nonprofit Strategic Actions for a Just Economy. The law could spur more evictions if landlords undertake major renovations to comply with the electrification rule.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023
Underused strip malls offer great potential for conversions to residential use
Replacing moribund strip malls with multifamily housing could make a notable dent in the housing shortage and revitalize under-used properties across the country, according to a report from housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 21, 2023
Renters value amenities that support a mobile, connected lifestyle
Multifamily renters prioritize features and amenities that reflect a mobile, connected lifestyle, according to the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and Grace Hill 2024 Renter Preferences Survey.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 15, 2023
Average U.S multifamily rents drop $3 to $1,718 in October 2023: Yardi Matrix
Multifamily fundamentals continued to soften and impact rents last month, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report. The average U.S. asking rent dropped $3 to $1,718 in October, with year-over-year growth moderating to 0.4%, down 40 basis points from September. Occupancy slid to 94.9%, marking the first decline in four months.
MFPRO+ News | Nov 1, 2023
Washington, D.C., Queens, N.Y., lead nation in number of new apartments by zip code
A study of new apartment construction by zip code showed Washington D.C., and the Queens borough of New York City are the hottest multifamily markets since 2018, according to RentCafe.
Adaptive Reuse | Nov 1, 2023
Biden Administration reveals plan to spur more office-to-residential conversions
The Biden Administration recently announced plans to encourage more office buildings to be converted to residential use. The plan includes using federal money to lend to developers for conversion projects and selling government property that is suitable for conversions.
Mass Timber | Oct 27, 2023
Five winners selected for $2 million Mass Timber Competition
Five winners were selected to share a $2 million prize in the 2023 Mass Timber Competition: Building to Net-Zero Carbon. The competition was co-sponsored by the Softwood Lumber Board and USDA Forest Service (USDA) with the intent “to demonstrate mass timber’s applications in architectural design and highlight its significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.”
Smart Buildings | Oct 27, 2023
Cox Communities partnership levels up smart tech for multifamily customers
Yesterday, Cox Communities announced its partnership with Level Home Inc., a provider of next-generation smart IoT solutions for multifamily customers.
Student Housing | Oct 25, 2023
Pierce Education Properties acquires Penn State student housing
The two communities offer a wide range of amenities, including swimming pools with sun decks, study rooms with complimentary printing services, fitness centers, tennis court, and sand volleyball courts.
Giants 400 | Oct 23, 2023
Top 115 Multifamily Construction Firms for 2023
Clark Group, Suffolk Construction, Summit Contracting Group, Whiting-Turner Contracting, and McShane Companies top the ranking of the nation's largest multifamily housing sector contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all multifamily buildings work, including apartments, condominiums, student housing facilities, and senior living facilities.
