In a continued commitment to best practice in timber construction, the Structural Timber Association (STA) has an extensive bank of technical guidance available, to support design excellence in the key areas of fire safety and moisture management.

For standard timber frame buildings with a floor area above 600sq m, ‘Design guide to separating distances during construction, Version 3.3 for timber frame buildings’, introduces risk categories and enhanced mitigation strategies for different building configurations and site conditions. Product Paper 5 Guidance for structural timber frame buildings below 250sq m in total floor area expands on the separating guidance for smaller buildings and those on housing development sites.

Meanwhile, ‘Design guide to separating distances during construction, Part 4 for CLT Buildings’, which has been developed with support from KLH and binderholz, establishes fire-resilient design parameters based on robust testing and industry feedback, offering detailed tables to guide safe site layouts and planning.

Taken together, they offer critical guidance for designers, contractors, developers, construction managers and insurers on managing the risks of fire spread during the construction phase, a period when timber buildings can be more vulnerable. Intended for use during the design and pre-construction phases of a project, the guides support the development of the site fire risk assessment plan and optimisation of the risk mitigation process.

Aligned with regulatory expectations and supporting compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and HSG 168 guidance, the guides support the STA’s broader Site Safe strategy, which is mandatory for members and underpins risk mitigation through clear responsibilities, technical protocols, and quality assurance.

In addition, the STA has released the latest update to the STA Volume 1 Pattern Book: Structural timber buildings fire safety in use, which provides clarification of performance on different timber frame systems.

The publication, which has been peer reviewed by experts at BRE Global, demonstrates the fire resistance performance of a range of timber frame wall and floor constructions used commonly in the UK. By streamlining the process of demonstrating compliance for designers, manufacturers and regulators, the STA provides simple, clear instructions on what component parts within each construction element can be changed.

When it comes to moisture management, the STA has developed a straightforward, stage-by-stage guidance that is aligned with the RIBA Plan of Work and breaks moisture management into seven simple steps. Each step assigns clear responsibilities and practical actions to prevent moisture from becoming a problem. Here’s how it’s structured:

Step 1: Set responsibilities
Make it clear who is accountable for moisture management from the outset.

Step 2: Outline a strategy
Build moisture control into the design and build plan from day one.

Step 3: Identify the risks
Develop a checklist of what could go wrong and how to prevent it.

Step 4: Lock in technical details
Finalise the design and confirm how risks will be handled.

Step 5: Site-level controls
Create an audit trail and check moisture levels before enclosing timber elements.

Step 6: Handover and maintenance
Pass on a clear care plan and maintenance schedule to the client.

Step 7: Long-term monitoring
Ensure moisture management continues once the building is in use.

The result is fewer surprises, stronger buildings and peace of mind for all involved.

“As the Government continues to champion timber through the Timber in Construction Policy Roadmap and housing pledges, ensuring that construction best practice keeps pace is vital,” says Andrew Orriss, the STA’s CEO. “Safety during construction remains a top priority for the timber sector as it is with other build systems. These guides are grounded in scientific data, thorough testing and practical site experience, ensuring stakeholders can make informed decisions to mitigate risks during the build phase and discharge their legal obligations in line with the CDM regulations 2015.”

With over 950 members, the STA continues to spearhead innovation, safety, and sustainability in the structural timber sector. These publications form part of the STA’s portfolio of technical guidance and affirm its role in shaping safer, greener construction practices across the UK.

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