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30 | J U N E 2 0 2 3 Engineered Wood Products were consumed. The structure was equipped with 400 thermocouples and radiation sensors to monitor the fire development, which helped researchers gain more insight into the nuances of fire safety in mass timber construction. The findings have raised confidence levels in occupants, owners, and developers, confirming that mass timber can perform well even in rare cases where the sprinkler system fails and the fire depart- ment is unable to respond. "As old as the timber industry is, it feels like mass timber has just been invented," says Lema. As the interest in mass timber continues to esca- late, International Timberframes – a leading timber frame and DLT mass timber manufacturer celebrat- ing 20 years in business – recently announced the building of a new head office and mass timber pro- duction facility in Golden, B.C. With support from the Government Green Construction through Wood Program, the new facility will be the timber framing workshop and production facility of 100 percent wood dowel lami- nated timber (DLT). DLT panels are being used as roof, floor, ceiling, and wall panels in modern mass timber construction. The production facility will also feature a new DLT press prototype that was manufactured in B.C. Built to passive design principles and with geo- thermal and photo voltaic power, the facility will target net-zero carbon and implement a "whole wood" approach. In fact, 80 percent of the con- struction materials for the new facility will be wood-based, harvested within the Columbia Valley, reducing up-front embodied carbon and transpor- tation related carbon emissions. Commodity lumber will be milled for structural DLT panels, wood fibre board will be used to insulate the building, and wood siding and bark cladding will be the pro- tective outer layer. "We are extremely proud to be championing the production of this innovative sus- tainable DLT product right here in Golden," says Sigi Liebmann, founder. Francisco Villarroel, project and sales manager at Edmonton-based ACQBuilt Inc., says that while the first quarter of 2023 has been slower than usual for his company in Alberta, things are slowly beginning to pick up again. "The Edmonton construction market really dropped in the first half of the year. There was a reduction of about 40 percent in business compared to last year, however, we saw it coming and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Demand from the rental market is picking up in Edmonton and that is pushing to offsite construction. We are also working on a lot of townhome community projects as well as four and six-storey buildings," says Villarroel. ACQBuilt's innovative building process uses state-of-the-art technology and robotic machines. This construction process eliminates issues associ- ated with outside elements, helps reduce long-term issues, and eliminates any errors before arriving on the jobsite. It also speeds up the process. However, Villarroel says there is a misconception that less time equals less money. "Everyone wants to do things quicker and quicker, but at what cost? With offsite construction, while it is faster, there are additional costs – it won't necessarily be cheaper. We build 3.5 houses a day and put a house up in one day, backframe it in one day, and by the third day it's being shingled – it's lockup stage; it's secure and weather-tight." CURRENT CHALLENGES Despite the bid cycle's continued prolonged dura- tion, Jason Beamish, owner of Beam Craft believes it "is something we learn to live with. The challenge that it presents specifically for the mass timber market is that wood fibre pricing is subject to price changes. This makes bidding on projects with long validity periods particularly risky for all parties including the owner [client], the general contractor, and the supplier. Cost certainty on input fibre for projects that are 12 to 18 months away from produc- tion and installation is elusive." Moreover, Beamish highlights that Western Canada is facing a limited supply chain for glulam and mass timber panel production, which can deter clients from pursuing building with mass timber due to the difficulties in navigating niche markets with a relatively small number of producers that are in high demand. Despite these challenges, and in an effort to combat the concerns over lack of certification for mass tim- ber installers in this sector, Beam Craft is currently in the recruiting process as they take on additional mass timber projects in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Beam Craft is also in the beginning stages of a mass timber project at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby. The First Peoples Gathering House is a hybrid build incorporating glulam columns and beams, Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT) roof panels, light wood framing, and log poles. "We are thrilled to begin a new relationship with Scott Construction [Burnaby, B.C.] as they are the construction man- ager for the project," says Beamish. SOUND ADVICE The importance of acoustic comfort in engineered wood buildings is on the rise, and AcoustiTECH has noticed a significant increase in customer awareness of this issue. According to Andre Rioux, co-owner at AcoustiTECH, they receive calls every week from people seeking help to provide more value to their clients and gain a better understanding of acoustics. "This is exciting and motivating. Acoustics is slowly but surely top of mind, as it should be," says Rioux. To respond to the increasing demand for acous- tic solutions, AcoustiTECH has launched a new line of products designed to address vibration prob- lems in areas such as gymnasiums, indoor pools, mechanical rooms, and elevators. This new line complements the company's existing range of prod- ucts that target airborne and impact noise. "We have also partnered up with a Canadian com- pany [Artopex] to offer two models of a customizable Mutebox for people to use in workspaces and com- mon areas," explains Rioux. The innovative product offers compact, acoustically optimized booths that can be integrated anywhere in an open area. To simplify the often confusing world of acoustics in wood buildings, AcousticTECH has introduced a new way for developers, architects, property man- agement companies, condo board members, and consumers to truly experience the sensory differ- ence between ratings and different assemblies. "For the first time, people will have the proper tools to make decisions rather than relying on numbers which can too often be misleading," explains Rioux. "Too often professionals and developers assume condo owners or renters are not interested or will- ing to pay to enjoy a more comfortable acoustic environment. This is not our experience. We often hear people tell us they wish they would be either offered a choice or would have paid a little more if it meant better acoustic comfort. This means not only being at peace at home but also being able to freely use your own space without being worried of dis- turbing your neighbours," says Rioux. PROTECTION When it comes to protecting engineered wood prod- ucts, Sansin wood coatings remains a top choice as it provides U V protection and water repellency for beauty with durability, all in a low VOC formula. One popular product is Sansin ENS, a durable two-coat finish that can be applied to virtually any surface, from windows, doors, and railings to siding and decks – and even to improve the performance of other coatings. ENS is a tough, flexible finish resistant to wear, doesn't discolour over time, and provides some of the toughest U V protection available. The excep- tional adhesion characteristics of ENS – in natural, semi-transparent, and solid stains and finishes, as well as solid hide paints – raises engineered wood products to a new standard of beauty and durability. One project that utilized this product was the Smart VMC Bus Terminal in Vaughan, Ontario, which features a sustainable, innovative design that uses wood to offer a warm welcome to passen- gers. All of the structure's exposed glulam beams and CLT are protected with Sansin's environmen- tally friendly wood protection – one coat of KP-12W followed by two coats of Sansin ENS – adding to the project's sustainable profile. A Smart VMC Bus Terminal, Vaughan, ON P H OTO G R A P H Y BY TO M A R BA N P H OTO G R A P H Y I N C /CO U RT E S Y T H E SA N S I N CO R P O R AT I O N

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