Timber-frame apartment buildings are coming

Ministry of the Environment wants to simplify building regulations in order to increase use of timber in multi-storey construction

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By Jarmo Huhtanen
     
      Finland’s Ministry of the Environment is in the process of simplifying considerably the fire regulations regarding the construction of wooden apartment buildings.
      The aim is to better facilitate the use of wood when building multi-storey apartment buildings.
      The Ministry is preparing new building regulations, according to which wood-frame apartment buildings up to eight storeys high could be planned based on tabulated values.
      This would enable lower fire safety planning costs for wooden apartment buildings.
     
Hitherto, Finland has had probably the tightest legislation in Europe governing wooden buildings (see article from 2009), in spite of having no shortage of the raw materials.
      Whereas in France or Italy it is possible to build up to eight-storey blocks without major restrictions such as sprinkler systems, anything here that is over two floors high has required some very special dispensations and fancy footwork.
      In the case of three- and four-storey wooden apartment buildings on the University of Helsinki's Viikki campus, fire safety requirements have been seen to through strict regulations, and individual apartment fire alarms use mains electricty (rather than batteries) to ensure they work.
      As the balconies are also of wood, there is an absolute rule of no burning anything, not even decorative candles.
     
The Building Code will also be changed in such a way that the adding of wooden facades to concrete buildings will become easier.
      In practice this means that the outdated look of old concrete buildings can easily be changed just by equipping them with a facelift of timber cladding.
      Furthermore, it will become possible to erect an additional wooden storey on top of stone or brick buildings.
      With this additional floor, building cooperatives could finance for example the acquisition of new elevators, rather than having to dip into the pockets of the owner-shareholders.
     
The code amendments that are being prepared follow the suggestions by the timber construction working group that was set up by Minister of Housing Jan Vapaavuori (National Coalition Party) last year.
      The group handed in its report at the beginning of December.
      Vapaavuori has promised that the new regulations will come into force even during the current government term of office, in other words by next spring, before the elections.
     
The use of timber when constructing apartment buildings has been promoted for years.
      The results have nevertheless been rather thin on the ground.
      Since 1990, only just over 30 wood-frame apartment buildings have been erected in Finland.
      According to managing director Mikko Viljakainen from the Finnish Timber Council (Puuinfo), an organisation that promotes the use of timber in the domestic construction branch, there is a long list of wooden construction projects at various stages.
      The renewal of the Building Code will play a vital role.
      “For us the amendments are like manna from heaven. This is a chance for our field to show what we are capable of doing.”
     
Viljakainen points out that even previously the fire regulations have technically allowed for the construction of multi-storey buildings with a timber frame.
      “All the same, the current regulations have led to such difficult arrangements that no-one has been interested in taking on the task. The renewal will do away with such difficulties. “
     
Town planning architect Annukka Lindroos from the Helsinki City Planning Department says that there is plenty of interest in increasing the use of timber in multi-storey construction. So far only a couple of timber apartment buildings have been erected in Helsinki.
      “It has been a difficult art form in the confines of the Finnish jungle of regulations”, Lindroos summarises.
     
Helsinki has not dictated in the detailed plans that the construction material has to be timber, even if in principle this would have been possible.
      “We have always been very circumsepect and careful not to make the detailed plans too restricting when it comes to the structure of a building.”
      Development engineer Ifa Kytösaho from the City of Helsinki Economic and Planning Centre points out that the present timber structure apartment buildings are “stick stuff”.
      “Their timber frames have been built on-site. The aim is to take a quantum leap towards prefabricated building. That will increase timber’s competitiveness vis-a-vis concrete.”
     
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 12.12.2010


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Wood is used for rollercoasters and apartment buildings everywhere - except in Finland (14.4.2009)

Links:
  Finnish Timber Council (Puuinfo)

JARMO HUHTANEN / Helsingin Sanomat
jarmo.huhtanen@hs.fi