In the design stage designers can decide together with the customer the fire resistance rate that glulam structures must have: R30’, R45’, R60’, R90’, R120, and so on.
High temperature does not alter the load capacity of the structures. In case of fire, the flames penetrate wood at a certified speed of 0.7 mm/min. This means that increasing the beam section, it is possible to increase its fire resistance rate. It has also to be said that after 30 minutes of fire, the carbonized surface layer acts as heat shield, as it does not allow the oxygen to penetrate the wood, thus slowing down the combustion.
Increasing the beam sections, the use of chemical insulating varnish or expansive false ceilings is avoided, guaranteeing at the same time a suitable fire resistance.
