The provision of Moisture Control and Management Guidelines for Mass Engineered Timber Buildings in Ireland

Description

The increasing adoption of Mass Engineered Timber (MET) buildings, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam), in Ireland presents exciting opportunities for design practitioners and developers to create sustainable, innovative, and aesthetically compelling buildings that meet modern performance standards. While the advantages of these innovative materials and building systems are undeniable, ensuring their longevity and performance requires a comprehensive understanding of moisture management over the full life cycle of the building. Current best practice guidelines for traditional forms of construction may not adequately address the specific moisture management needs of mass timber. This absence of tailored guidance may pose a risk to the structural integrity, health of occupants and long-term performance and durability of these building types if the timber is exposed to prolonged moisture. Developing comprehensive moisture control and management guidelines specifically tailored for MET buildings in Ireland has become a critical need. These guidelines should serve as a vital resource for design professionals and construction operatives, promoting best practices in moisture management across all life cycle stages of MET projects. They should comprehensively address the design, construction and sectional handover phases, providing guidance on protecting timber elements, maintaining optimal drying conditions, removal of water and preventing moisture-related issues. Ongoing long-term monitoring of water ingress, leak detection from services and other reasons for elevated internal relative humidity should also be addressed. Such measures are essential to safeguarding the structural integrity and long-term performance of MET buildings, ensuring their successful and sustainable adoption in Ireland. In addition to developing the moisture control guidelines, it is essential to create supporting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training material derived from the content. The provision of supporting material will foster widespread understanding and adoption of moisture control strategies, ultimately supporting the successful and sustainable use of MET in Ireland. The guidelines should take account of the requirements of the Building Regulations, and in particular Part C Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture and relevant Health and Safety Construction Works Regulations. The guidance should also take account of the forthcoming recommendations by the Timber in Construction Steering Group (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/timber-in-construction-steering-group/) in relation to moisture content and Mass Engineered Timber in Ireland. The aim of this work is to develop moisture control and management guidelines for MET buildings in Ireland plus supporting CPD training material. The study will examine international best practices in moisture control and management in mass engineered timber buildings and adapt them specifically for MET buildings in Ireland. The study will include a knowledge transfer plan targeting the most relevant stakeholders.