Through the coordinated initiatives of industry and the Provincial and Federal governments, Canada has made significant progress in the acceptance of Canadian wood products and wood-frame construction in the codes and standards of China, Taiwan and South Korea. Technical input to support favourable revisions to the codes and standards in these countries has been spearheaded by Forintek staff, with support from representatives from various national organizations in Canada and the US. In this process, Forintek also has established a network of experts in these countries, which Canada can use in addressing potential future technical barriers.
The effort has resulted in changes to the Chinese quality inspection code (GB 50206) and the timber design code (GB 50005). The GB 50206 was released in July 2002. The inclusion of North American wood frame construction and products has helped speed up inspection for wood frame construction in China.
The GB 50005 was released in January 2004. The newly enacted code allows local engineers to design North American platform frame construction and specify North American species groups of structural lumber that are graded to rules that are compatible with those in Canada. Fire protection regulations have also been revised to position wood frame construction on the same playing field as buildings made of concrete and steel: for example, wood frame construction can now be built up to three storeys, and spatial separations can be as close as 4 m.
Progress has also been made in Taiwan. The revised Taiwanese timber design code approved in 2003 contains engineering and pre-engineered designs adopted from North America standards. The submission of technical comparisons of the Canadian and Taiwanese standards to the Taiwanese government will help the Canadian forest industries to obtain Taiwanese regulatory recognition that Canadian wood products in compliance with Canadian standards will meet the pertinent Taiwanese standards. This recognition will give Canadian suppliers a head start in establishing a share of the Taiwanese market.
The effort in 2003-04 builds on the successful working relationship established with the various codes and standards committees in China and Taiwan to assist them in introducing the North American wood frame construction system. Although it is understood that there are still a number of technical and market support items to address, this program ensures that a coherent infrastructure is developed to support the use of Canadian wood products in the Far East markets.
Building construction - Specifications - China
Building construction - Specifications - Taiwan
Building construction - Specifications - South Korea
Structural engineering - Specifications - China
Structural engineering - Specifications - Taiwan
Structural engineering - Specifications - South Korea