Canadian SPF CLT Achieves Two-Hour Fire Resistance in China Test
Full-scale fire resistance tests in China have shown that CLT wall and floor assemblies manufactured with Canadian SPF lumber can meet a two-hour fire-resistance requirement under standard fire-test conditions.
The tests were conducted by the Tianjin Fire Research Institute of the Ministry of Emergency Management, using CLT assemblies made with imported Canadian SPF dimension lumber. The wall and floor specimens were exposed to fire for 121 minutes while carrying structural loads. All tested assemblies maintained structural integrity, insulation performance, and load-bearing capacity for no less than two hours.
The result provides important technical evidence at a time when China is refining its approach to mass timber construction. China’s updated fire-code framework has created new opportunities for timber buildings, including potential mid-rise applications. However, detailed fire-resistance design solutions for CLT load-bearing walls and floor systems are still under development. For engineers, regulators, and manufacturers, tested assembly data is essential before CLT can be applied more broadly in code-compliant projects.
The tests also provided practical findings for future CLT standards. Assemblies using heat-resistant PUR adhesive showed limited lamination fall-off after charring, while assemblies using conventional PUR adhesive experienced more visible delamination and higher charring rates. This information is directly relevant to future provisions on adhesive performance, charring calculations, fire protection systems, and factory quality control for CLT manufacturing.
For Canadian industry, the significance goes beyond the individual fire test. Product acceptance in China depends on whether Canadian species and grades are recognized in local product standards and design codes. Without that recognition, Canadian lumber can face limitations in specification and manufacturing, regardless of its technical suitability.
Canada Wood has been closely involved in China’s CLT product standard and structural design code revision process. Through technical engagement with Chinese standards bodies, research institutes, and industry partners, Canada Wood has successfully supported the recognition of Canadian No.2 SPF and Hemlock in China’s CLT manufacturing requirements. This helps establish a clearer pathway for Canadian lumber to be used in compliant CLT production and future mass timber applications.
China’s CLT market remains at an early stage, but adoption of engineered wood products is accelerating in selected commercial and public building applications. These projects require more than product availability; they depend on tested assemblies, clear design guidance, and code-recognized materials.
Canada Wood is currently supporting a shopping mall project in China that uses CLT panels at a large scale. This reflects a shift from demonstration-level interest toward practical commercial adoption. In this context, the two-hour fire test provides timely technical evidence for Canadian SPF CLT assemblies and supports the continued development of code-compliant mass timber applications in China.