Advancing Fire and Acoustic Performance for Mid- to High-Rise Wood-Frame Construction in Korea
From July 13 to August 21, 2026, Canada Wood Korea worked with KCC, Space Factory and ITCC-Dankook on a series of full-scale fire-resistance and acoustic tests for wood-frame wall and floor systems.
The program is intended to support applications for seven two-hour fire-resistance certifications and two acoustic performance certifications from the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT). The work addresses two of the main technical challenges facing wider use of wood construction in Korea’s multi-family and mid-rise market: fire resistance and sound performance.
Fire-Resistance Testing
In July, six full-scale fire tests were completed at KTR for three floor systems: 2×10 solid-sawn joists, I-joists and 2×8 nail-laminated timber (NLT). Two tests were conducted for each system, and all three achieved the targeted two-hour fire-resistance performance.
A further eight tests were conducted at FILK in August for four load-bearing wall systems: 2×6 exterior and interior walls, a 2×4 staggered-stud wall and a 2×4 double-stud wall.
The 2×6 interior wall and both 2×4 wall systems achieved the targeted two-hour performance. The 2×6 exterior wall, which used one layer of 11 mm oriented strand board (OSB), reached approximately one hour and 56 minutes before exceeding the permitted temperature on the unexposed face. Structural deflection remained within the allowable limit.
The exterior-wall assembly has since been revised, including the use of two layers of 11 mm OSB, with retesting planned for later in 2026.
Acoustic Performance
Four full-scale acoustic tests were also completed at KOMERI for 2×4 staggered-stud and double-stud party walls. Both assemblies achieved the targeted acoustic performance.
The next phase will turn to floors. Heavy-weight floor-impact sound testing is planned for the Samga-dong five-storey multi-family demonstration project in early 2027.
This is particularly relevant in Korea, where floor-impact sound is a major consideration in multi-family housing and has historically made it difficult to introduce lighter wood floor systems.
Developing Assemblies for the Korean Market
The test assemblies used gypsum wallboard manufactured by KCC, one of Korea’s major suppliers of gypsum board.
Canada Wood Korea worked with KCC, other industry partners and Dr. Steve Craft of CHM Fire Consultants Ltd. to develop assemblies suited to Korean construction practice and testing requirements. Dr. Craft also provided on-site technical support during the floor fire-resistance testing at KTR from July 20 to 24.
The aim is to establish tested assemblies that can be used with Canadian SPF lumber and OSB in Korean multi-family construction.
The work is also relevant to Korea’s longer-term interest in wood buildings of up to 12 storeys, where two-hour fire resistance and acoustic performance become important design and approval considerations.
KICT is now reviewing the test results, with certification decisions expected later in 2026. If approved, the assemblies will add to the technical options available to Korean architects, engineers, builders and prefabrication companies considering wood-frame construction for larger residential projects.