Fire Resistance of Structural Composite Lumber

Structural composite lumber (SCL) products, including laminated veneer lumber (LVL), parallel strand lumber (PSL), laminated strand lumber (LSL), and oriented strand lumber (OSL), are engineered wood materials increasingly used in modern construction for headers, beams, and other structural applications. Understanding how these materials perform under fire conditions is essential for safe building design and code compliance.

This publication is designed for: engineers, architects, designers, building code officials

This technical publication addresses the fire resistance characteristics of SCL products, their char rates, and their application in fire-rated construction assemblies.

Key sections include:

• Fire performance of SCL

• Char rate

• Fire design for SCL structural members

• SCL for use in type IV heavy timber construction

• Table providing a summary of minimum dimensions to be classified as “Heavy Timber” based in International Building Code (IBC)

• References

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.