Mass timber construction continues to gain momentum across Canada largely because it is eco-friendly and extensive research has validated the fire safety of the material for taller buildings. That’s the opinion of Shawn Keyes, executive director of WoodWorks BC, and Marc Alam, senior manager, codes and standards – fire and acoustics, at the Canadian Wood Council (CWC). …Statistics show the number of mass timber projects across Canada has steadily risen. So far, 689 have been completed, 76 are under construction and 67 are in the planning stages. Of the 832 mass timber projects, B.C. leads the way with 355 followed by Quebec at 221 and Ontario at 151. …The use of mass timber received a boost recently with the release of findings from large-scale mass timber demonstration fire tests… showed that even in rare worst-case fire scenarios where sprinklers have failed and fire fighters are unable to reach a blaze, mass timber buildings perform similarly to noncombustible construction.