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NRC promotes tall wood buildings

Dec. 6, 2013, Toronto - To adapt to Canada's constantly changing construction landscape, industry is seeking safer, more energy-efficient and affordable construction materials and technologies, as well as more effective decision-making tools. In response, the National Research Council of Canada launched new research programs to help the construction industry develop, validate and facilitate the market adoption of new products and systems.

"Canada is on track to become one of the largest urbanization markets in the world by 2020," said Dr. Morad Atif, General Manager of the Construction portfolio at the National Research Council, to manufacturers, builders, building owners and engineering firms at Construct Canada in Toronto. "At NRC, we provide an agile business environment and research and technology-based solutions to address the industry's specific needs for high performance buildings and infrastructure."

Among other initiatives, the new research programs will make it possible to construct economical and safe 5- to 12-storey wood buildings.

The National Research Council plays a leading role in the development and deployment of building regulations and building product evaluations. One of the new programs will increase market access and intensify collaboration with provinces, territories and industry to facilitate the implementation of regulations resulting from the National Model Construction Codes.

Efforts are focused around client-driven research and development, and demonstration and validation projects. Clients and collaborators have access to multi-disciplinary technical expertise, product evaluation services and state-of-the-art national laboratories.

Mid-Rise Wood Buildings

The National Research Council is partnering with construction product manufacturers and building owners to develop technologies in order to support an increasing demand for wood buildings between 5 and 12-storey in height. NRC will provide clients with technical solutions to create wood-based construction products with improved durability, fire safety, acoustic performance, cost-effectiveness, and speed of construction.

For more information, go to http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/solutions/collaborative/mrwb.html

December 6, 2013  By Marketwired