EllisDon’s Building and Materials Sciences team has successfully executed the largest fire demonstration test in the organization’s history.

The team, along with our partners DIALOG and FPInnovations, set the innovative, patent-approved Hybrid Timber Floor System (HTFS) ablaze to demonstrate how it burns under different conditions.

This test is the culmination of years of hard work and earlier small-scale testing. EllisDon partnered with DIALOG in 2021 to develop a low-carbon, long-span alternative to concrete and steel. This prototype system combines cross-laminated timber with post-tensioned concrete to unlock a 40ft exposed timber span. This demonstration test is the latest in a series of tests to validate the performance of the hybrid panel and is in line with EllisDon's ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of what people believe to be possible with mass timber construction.

The method was simple: the team positioned a prototype floor panel above a controlled burn and placed 37,890 lbs of concrete blocks on top, equivalent to the weight of 7 Ford F150 trucks. Controlled fires, monitored by firefighters, were lit beneath the panel to test its capacity and structural integrity in the event of a large-scale fire. Crucially, and despite the immense load, the panel remained structurally sound and did not collapse during the test.

“It was an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate to code officials, firefighters and the broader industry the response of mass timber in a fire event,” said Mark Gaglione, Director, Building and Materials Sciences, EllisDon. “It’s our goal to really showcase the strength of mass timber. The results we’re seeing challenge the perceived limits of mass timber construction within both the industry and public perception.” 

EllisDon continues to lead the way in advancing the use of mass timber, championing its potential as a sustainable and innovative building material. The continued testing paves the way for industry trust and a broader adoption of mass timber across a variety of projects. These efforts not only showcase our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility but also position EllisDon as a leader in driving the future of mass timber construction.