After a massive five-alarm fire destroyed a partially constructed five-story, 241-unit, $51 million apartment building in Raleigh, the safety of wood-frame construction came under scrutiny.
The blaze also caused minor damage of a neighboring wood-framed, multi-family building and forced the evacuation of its residents. The Raleigh News & Observer subsequently published an extensive report on the pros and cons of wood-framed structures, interviewing professionals in the design and construction industry and developers.
The building, a pedestal structure with a poured-concrete first level and four stories of wood-frame construction above, was about 40% complete—making it vulnerable to fire. The president of Raleigh’s firefighter union told the newspaper that wood-frame buildings are safe once finished and after sprinklers installed. Before then, the structures are like a four-story lumber yard, the firefighter told the News & Observer.
North Carolina adopted a change to the national building code in 2009 that increased the number of wood-frame stories that can be built on a pedestal or slab from four to five.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 8, 2017
National Fenestration Rating Council’s new U-factor standard open for public comment
Member-approved ballot change to NFRC 100 comments to close on May 28.
Codes and Standards | May 4, 2017
Millennials’ views on sustainability could influence the workplace
Nine out of ten say it is important that they work for a company committed to sustainability.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2017
New York State extends design-build authority
The legislation includes eight additional projects.
Codes and Standards | May 2, 2017
U.S. announces preliminary tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber
The rates range from 3% to 24% per producer.
Codes and Standards | Apr 28, 2017
New York man alleged to have posed as licensed architect faces possible prison time
He is charged with defrauding construction companies, business owners, and local governments.
Codes and Standards | Apr 27, 2017
Extensive list of plug load efficiency utility incentives available for free download
The Dept. of Energy resource is a state-by-state compilation with hundreds of listings.
Codes and Standards | Apr 26, 2017
Chicago commits to 100% renewable power for all city buildings
In doing so, it becomes largest U.S. city to make such a pledge.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2017
Concerns over increased construction costs following Trump executive orders
‘Buy American’ requirement and revised H-1B visa restrictions could raise prices on supplies, labor.
Codes and Standards | Apr 24, 2017
‘Staggering delays, exorbitant costs’ in New York City library, cultural building construction
Study finds significant problems with how city manages capital projects.
Codes and Standards | Apr 20, 2017
California lawmakers have had little success in attracting sports stadiums
Only one of several attempts has had an impact in recent years.
