Researchers studied the fire behavior of cross-laminated timber panels under realistic conditions
On November 5, researchers from the Faculty of Safety Engineering (FSE) at VŠB-TUO, together with the Energy Lab of REFRESH, carried out another large-scale fire experiment at the DIAMO experimental facility in Chlebovice. The test focused on the fire behavior of CLT panels and followed up on an earlier experiment conducted in May. The aim is to improve predictions of how timber structures behave during fires, refine computational models, and support the safer use of modern timber buildings.
“The experiment focused on a comprehensive assessment of the fire behavior of CLT panels in an enclosed interior space and marks the second phase of full-scale experimental research into the fire performance of these structures. The objective is to characterize the process of thermal degradation, the rate of charring, the onset and consequences of delamination, as well as the conditions that lead to self-extinguishment or reignition,” explained Eva Šopíková from the FSE.
The central part of the experiment involved a full-scale test simulating a fire in an enclosed space, allowing researchers to observe the interaction between the fire and the structure under conditions closely resembling real-life scenarios. The data collected will help improve fire safety design procedures, support the safer application of modern timber structures, and validate advanced numerical models. The academic team conducted the experiment in cooperation with Vesper Frames.
The Faculty of Safety Engineering contributes to this research through the Laboratory for Research in Safety and Energy Efficiency of Building Systems, which is one of the units forming Energy Lab. Energy Lab aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for achieving energy self-sufficiency and resource independence in the Moravian-Silesian Region and across the Czech Republic, with global implications. This mission is pursued through research and development of methods, materials, and technologies for modern, low-carbon, and sustainable energy systems.
