A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Identifying Research Needs for Canadian Wildfire Building Code Development
In Canada and around the world, the number and severity of wildfires are increasing, due to the combined effects of global warming, historical fire suppression strategies, and increased interactions between humans and the wildland. Since 2011, Canada has averaged approximately 5700 wildland fires resulting in 2.6 million hectares burned annually. Canada’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) accounts for approximately 3.8% of its land area and a population of over 4.1 million people, and is expected to expand due to growing populations, increased urbanization, and seasonal increases due to recreational activities. In response to the growing wildfire risk to Canadian communities, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) developed Canada’s first National Guide for Wildland-Urban-Interface Fires. This guide was developed based on existing international wildfire reference documents, such as codes, standards, and guidelines. However, as Canada does not have its own wildfire code, much of the guidance followed other countries familiar with wildfires, such as the United States. However, wildfire data is not always regionally transferrable due to differences in climate, vegetation, infrastructure, and materials. This study conducted an exploratory literature review of the effectiveness of wildfire codes, regulation, and/or guidance that should be considered in a future Canadian wildfire building code. The objective of the literature review was to (1) identify existing research and knowledge gaps in wildfire code development studies and (2) prioritize potential research needs to inform the development of a Canadian wildfire code. Studies found that combustible materials were more likely to lead to building damage, however, building features such as windows and eaves which provide openings for firebrands also posed a large wildfire hazard. Additionally, vegetation and landscape management play a large role in building survival. However, these studies were largely conducted outside of Canada revealing a need for Canadian data. There is also a gap in existing research regarding Indigenous communities and their unique needs, nor did they considered the quality of existing buildings or those which may be difficult to modify such as heritage properties.
Identifying Research Needs for Canadian Wildfire Building Code Development
In Canada and around the world, the number and severity of wildfires are increasing, due to the combined effects of global warming, historical fire suppression strategies, and increased interactions between humans and the wildland. Since 2011, Canada has averaged approximately 5700 wildland fires resulting in 2.6 million hectares burned annually. Canada’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) accounts for approximately 3.8% of its land area and a population of over 4.1 million people, and is expected to expand due to growing populations, increased urbanization, and seasonal increases due to recreational activities. In response to the growing wildfire risk to Canadian communities, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) developed Canada’s first National Guide for Wildland-Urban-Interface Fires. This guide was developed based on existing international wildfire reference documents, such as codes, standards, and guidelines. However, as Canada does not have its own wildfire code, much of the guidance followed other countries familiar with wildfires, such as the United States. However, wildfire data is not always regionally transferrable due to differences in climate, vegetation, infrastructure, and materials. This study conducted an exploratory literature review of the effectiveness of wildfire codes, regulation, and/or guidance that should be considered in a future Canadian wildfire building code. The objective of the literature review was to (1) identify existing research and knowledge gaps in wildfire code development studies and (2) prioritize potential research needs to inform the development of a Canadian wildfire code. Studies found that combustible materials were more likely to lead to building damage, however, building features such as windows and eaves which provide openings for firebrands also posed a large wildfire hazard. Additionally, vegetation and landscape management play a large role in building survival. However, these studies were largely conducted outside of Canada revealing a need for Canadian data. There is also a gap in existing research regarding Indigenous communities and their unique needs, nor did they considered the quality of existing buildings or those which may be difficult to modify such as heritage properties.
Identifying Research Needs for Canadian Wildfire Building Code Development
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Desjardins, Serge (editor) / Poitras, Gérard J. (editor) / Carton, Hannah (author) / Gales, John (author) / Kennedy, Eric B. (author)
Canadian Society of Civil Engineering Annual Conference ; 2023 ; Moncton, NB, Canada
2024-10-01
13 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
Wildfire Resilient Building Design Guidelines for Canadian Locations
| Springer Verlag | 2024
WILDFIRE WATCH - Why planning for future development needs to account for wildfire risk.
| Online Contents | 2013
Recent developments in Canadian Building Code calibration
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 2001
Building code implications of new Canadian seismic hazard results
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996