The report reviewed a set of 11,875 fires in residential buildings of five broad construction types that were re- ported to the B.C. Office of the Fire Commissioner be- tween October 2008 and October 2013. The 11,875 fires were divided into five construction type categories for comparison purposes: • Unprotected wood construction – exposed wood joists and trusses • Protected wood construction – wood joists and trusses protected by plaster or gyprock • Heavy timber construction • Unprotected steel construction – exposed steel joists and trusses • Protected steel or concrete construction Overall, the report shows that the fire safety of build- ings has more to do with effective fire safety systems, such as working smoke alarms and complete automatic sprinkler protection, than with their construction materi- als. The report goes on to show that the presence of a working smoke alarm reduces the death rate for all con- struction types, while the presence of a sprinkler system brings the death rate to zero for all types. The data also shows a reduction in injuries across the board for all con- struction types with sprinkler systems, but an increase, except for heavy timber construction, when smoke alarms are the only fire protection system. “Canada’s wood products industry continues to work with organizations like FPInnovations and the National Research Council of Canada to develop innovative build- ing products and improved building systems that are de- signed to meet rigorous standards for fire safety performance, which is why the National Building Code of Canada permits the use of wood in a wide range of buildings types,” says CWC president and CEO Michael Giroux. Several proposed changes to the 2015 National Build- ing Code of Canada specific to mid-rise wood construc- tion will include enhanced fire protection measures that can further reduce fire risks. These include: • Increased use of automatic sprinklers in concealed areas in residential buildings; • Increased use of sprinklers on exterior balconies; • Greater water supply for firefighting purposes; • Non-combustible or limited combustible exterior cladding of fifth and sixth floors; and • 25 per cent of the exterior perimeter of the sprinklered building must face a street or streets. To read the full report, go to the Reports and Publications section at www.ufv.ca/cjsr. HOTEL DIRECTORY Reach key decision makers in the CDCR Hotel Directory to attract construction crews, executives and extended stay guests with your hotel listing! Basic listings start at $195 and comprehensive listings are $495 which gives you at least 6 issues a year. Register your properties by January 31st and get a bonus online banner ad for one month! For more de- tails on directory listings or general advertising con- tact Chase 905-228-1151 or email chase@cnrgp.com Super 8 Winnipeg 1485 Niakwa Road East Winnipeg, MB R2J 3T3 Phone: 204-253-1935 Fax: 204-254-7019 Quality Inn Winkler 851 Main Street Winkler, MB R6W 4A4 Phone: 204-325-4381 Fax: 204-325-9656 Motel 6 Headingley 4400 Portage Avenue Headingley, MB R4H 1C6 Phone: 204-896-9000 Fax: 204-896-9200 Days Inn Steinbach 75 PTH 12 North Steinbach, MB R5G 1T3 Phone: 204-320-9200 Fax: 204-320-9222 The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Spring 2014 – 15