Following the announcement in the October member bulletin of our intention to introduce a mandatory requirement for members to only supply structural timber systems that have proven fire resilience, I can now share with you the outcomes from the Technical Conference Workshop.

Following the workshop, STA have completed the consultation process where a number of issues were raised. A key issue that was highlighted centred around the use of ‘system’ in the original commentary to describe the proven fire performance of components supplied.

Also, the question of liability of a proven fire resilience was also raised. Specifically, any demonstrable evidence of fire resistance is likely to include components and products that may not be provided by the STA member and therefore there is liability for compliance responsibility gap.

Please click the below link to read the full outcome from the Technical Conference.

Following two years of involvement in the working group we welcomed the launch of the Timber in Construction (TiC) Policy Roadmap, released on 11 December by DEFRA. The document is the culmination of many months of collaboration between Government and industry, focused on identifying the important steps that need to be taken to encourage wider adoption of timber as a construction material. The document outlines the opportunities and barriers to the use of timber in construction in England, centred around seven priority themes:

1. Improving data on timber and whole life carbon
2. Promoting the safe, sustainable use of timber as a construction material
3. Increasing skills, capacity, and competency across the supply chain
4. Increasing the sustainable supply of timber
5. Addressing fire safety and durability concerns to safely expand the use of engineered mass timber
6. Increasing collaboration with insurers, lenders, and warranty providers
7. Promoting innovation and high performing timber construction systems   

STA have publicised the Roadmap across the construction media and this will continue through the year as the Roadmap forms a large part of our marcomms strategy. We will be focusing on each theme to look at what the structural timber industry and indeed the STA can do to support the delivery of the Roadmap. To help us to share the message to a wider audience please follow STA LinkedIn page and share our posts.

Thursday 11 April – Delta Hotels St Pierre Country Club, Chepstow

A reminder that our yearly conference is fast approaching and it’s important for you to attend to keep up to date with the STA’s plans and strategies for 2024 as well as the up and coming regulation and legislation changes.

The agenda will concentrate on the Government’s Timber in Construction (TiC) Roadmap published in December, focussing on the external reasons and internal measures on the key topic areas that affect our industry. In each case an invited ‘external’ speaker will outline the case for what our clients/customers need and why, and our internal speakers will outline what the STA is doing to meet those needs and how our members could/should engage with the Roadmap. We are hoping also to secure the attendance of Minister Rebecca Pow, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

We are considering organising a mini golf tournament on Friday 12 April, please email andrew.carpenter@structuraltimber.co.uk if you are interested in taking part.

Keep a look out for the launch of our new STA Installer Training program due to be launched in the next few weeks offering a state-of-the-art learning platform with clear guidance provided to all users.

Please note: If you have TFCAS dispensation, you will be contacted as to when this will expire.

If you have any queries, please contact tony.batchelor@structuraltimber.co.uk.

Structural Timber Association Ltd
The e-Centre, Cooperage Way Business Village, Alloa, FK10 3LP
Tel: 01259 272140

Email: office@structuraltimber.co.uk
www.structuraltimber.co.uk

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