Leadership when chance occurs the effects Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership when chance occurs the effects - Essay Example â€Å"A leader is a person who has a vision, a drive and a commitment to achieve that vision, and the skills to make it happen† (Reh, 2010). Given the enormous demerits of the conventional practices worldwide that have resulted into unsustainable development, pollution and global warming, people require a change and leadership addresses their concern. Very few people are actually accoutered with adequate knowledge of what leadership is, what to talk of the number of people who actually practice it! A vast majority of people confuse leadership with management. In fact, the former is an effort towards change, and the latter, towards sound administration of what already exists. One of the biggest hurdles in the way of effective leadership is lack of trust among the followers. Owing to the political upsets that have affected the contemporary society all over the world, people have lost confidence in their leaders. Their lack of confidence declines their sincerity with their leaders and ultimately, this results in lack of compliance with the instructions and guidelines provided by the leaders. Followers’ lack of trust in their leaders has also got a severely negative influence on the economic stability and strength of a nation. For example, let’s look at this matter in the context of an organizational setup. When subordinates do not have confidence in their leader, they tend not to trust him/her. In such circumstances, when a leader passes on an instruction, the followers analyze the instruction with respect to all possible repercussions before acting according to it because they are not sure if the leader was watchful of all possible consequen ces that could be unfavorable for the followers in any way. The followers’ analysis of the leader’s instruction consumes time and the process experiences delays. All this time goes unproductive and the organization incurs additional administrative and management costs

Film Review on The Sixth Sense Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Film Review on The Sixth Sense - Essay Example This is in addition to the fact that the movie made an important contribution in the film industry in terms of cinematography on the basis of the Academy Awards nominations (Kennedy, Marshall, Mendel, and Shyamalan, 1999). The Sixth Sense can be considered to have important contributions in the manner of creating films on the basis of different points such as the story line, the plot and the issues discussed. It can be considered as a film that is not classified as an ordinary thriller film since the main character’s capability lightened the effect of the film. Although this is the case, the said factor and style of the film brought it farther from the surreal aspect and nearer to reality. The said effect made it stand out and create impression apart from other films classified as thriller. The support of the adult to developing and growing up children can be considered as one of the important issues that can be observed in the film. The issue had been presented in the support needed by one of the main character, Cole Sear, related to his gift and capability of the paranormal events regarding communication with dead people and helping them. Due to the fact that even the boy’s mother had difficulty in believing and supporting him, the need for support and care in terms of his talent had been answered by the expert assigned to cure his perceived hallucinations, the child psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe. The child himself had been changed by the support given by the doctor. He started to learn how to communicate and help the dead people he is seeing and how not to be afraid of them anymore. Basically in the process he was able to gain confidence that made the development of his character towards the positive aspect. Aside from the fact that he was able to face his fears, his relationship with his mother also improved. The whole movie can be considered to present different cases wherein the child’s development had also helped the people

The ethical problems of illegal immigration in the united states Essay

The ethical problems of illegal immigration in the united states - Essay Example al sovereignty and border protection can find themselves at odds with advocates for migration who see in it a cheap labor force and a means of preventing further outsourcing overseas. In similar fashion, ideologues of the Left can find themselves divided between those who support the interests and needs of American workers (industrial and agricultural) and those according to whom the human rights of immigrants deserve to be recognized and protected. Illegal immigration as an issue is not, however, simply a political one. It also presents a host of complex and not easily answered ethical questions. As both a nation of immigrants and one whose founding was greatly influenced by Enlightenment ideas of universal rights and dignity, the United States is sometimes hard pressed to reconcile some of its historic-philosophical values with its more immediate and typical needs regarding its national sovereignty and the rule of law. Furthermore, as a country for whom the Christian religion has long been an influential belief system, Christ’s message of â€Å"treat thy neighbor as thyself† (Leviticus 19:18) presents certain difficulties for resolving and, even more fraught with conflict, prosecuting illegal immigration. The American Constitution guarantees certain rights to all United States citizens. Included is the Thirteenth Amendment which grants citizenship to all persons born within the borders of the country. When illegal immigrants come to the United States and have a child, that child is automatically an American citizen with rights to education, health care, Social Security, and other legal protections. These services all cost money. Though this area might represent a â€Å"loophole† in the law, until changed, these newborns deserve the same treatment as anyone else born here in America. Technically the child’s parents are still illegal and have no true legal claim to any benefits or services. It would hardly be ethical or moral, however, to separate the

Article Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Article Review - Essay Example 366). That is, operational or primary teams comprise permanent workers with diversified skills organized to produce a product. Secondly, service teams are likely to be based on the need to service a particular or group of client(s) to provide particular service to a wide range of customers. Finally, cross – functional teams consist of representatives from various functions and disciplines. These tend to be set up for a particular purpose. They could be part-time or full-time for a fixed period of time. It is important to note that the organization on a whole should be committed to team work or else all efforts will prove futile. This concept of teamwork if carried out appropriately and effectively will be transferred into relationships with customers and suppliers which have been proven to be mutually beneficial. The quality of team members will make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful team. Hence, time and effort must be placed into the selection process. The findings of Dr Meredith Belbin, though theoretical, suggests that â€Å"imperfect people can make perfect teams† (p. 367) and â€Å" the roles, skills and contributions of individual members of a team are complementary† (p. 367).

The Life and Death of Stars (Astronomy) PowerPoint Presentation

The Life and Death of Stars (Astronomy) - PowerPoint Presentation Example Most prominent stars were grouped together and brightest of them all were given names. The grouping of stars also helped the astronomy to track motion and positions of other heavenly bodies .It was by this tracking that an idea came up of creating calendars where their used the motion of sun against the background stars. The widely used calendar in the world, The Gregorian Calendar, Which was based on the angle of earth’s rotational axis and the sun.How was the star formed according to the astronomys? All stars are born from collapsing dust and cloud of gases which are concentrated at temperatures for a period of years. When the protostars settles down at an average temperatures to form a main sequence star. Most of it’s life the stars uses nuclear fusion which is generated through fusion of hydrogen atoms at the core of main sequence star. The reason behind ganging up of stars in pairs or multiple around the milk way maybe because of the spinning dust and clouds of col lapsing dust causing a break up of two or three blobs. During formation of a star not all gas and dust is used up, The remaining materials becomes planets, comets, asteroids or may remain as dust. For a star to be as big as the sun it requires 50 million years from the beginning of the collapse till adulthood,where else our sun will remain in that state for 10 billion years. The helium formed in the interiors by the reaction of hydrogen fuels provides pressure which keeps the stars from collapsing under its own weight and produces energy which keeps on shinning. When the helium at the core of the star is nearly exhausted, allnatural occurring elements heavier than Hellium are formed via supernova nucleosynthesis or stellar nucleosynthesis. Supernova nucleosynthesis occurs when massive stars explode while stella nucleosynthesis occurs during their lifetimes. During the end lifetimesof the star there

Write Like a Modernist Essay Example for Free

Write Like a Modernist Essay Over the course of the next several days, you will complete a writing assignment. In the assignment, you will demonstrate your understanding of the tenets of modernist literature by rewriting a Romantic poem in a way that incorporates typically modernist qualities in terms of language, style, literary elements, and themes. The assignment is broken down into four parts. Part 1: Choose a Romantic Poem Romantic literature champions the beauty of the world and the inherent goodness of human beings, and Romantic verse is highly structured and deeply traditional. Modernism frequently defines itself as a reaction against and a rejection of romanticism. Modernist poets viewed Romantic poetry as a remnant of the nineteenth century. Modernists did not think that writing as the Romantics did in the 1800s could effectively capture their twentieth-century world or their experiences in that world. Begin this assignment by choosing a Romantic poem from the nineteenth century that you intend to rewrite in a way that incorporates typically modernist qualities. You can find numerous examples of nineteenth-century Romantic poetry on pages 83–112 of your Journeys anthology. For example, William Wordsworth’s â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,† which appears on pages 90–91 of your anthology, is a well-known Romantic poem. Note: You may not use this poem in your answer. Part 2: Briefly Explain the Romantic Poem You Chose In a single paragraph, describe the Romantic poem that you selected. Focus on the language, style, literary elements, and themes of the work. This step of the process is important because these are the aspects of the work that your modernist rewrite of it will change. Here, as an example, is a brief explanation of Wordsworth’s â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud†: Most of Wordsworth’s poem describes how a â€Å"crowd† of daffodils near a lake looked as they fluttered in the breeze. This poem uses formal language, has a fixed rhyme scheme, and employs an even meter. The speaker is very closely linked to the poet, and neither the voice nor the perspective in the piece ever shifts. The work contains a number of similes—one compares the speaker to a lonely cloud, another compares the daffodils to stars—and the flowers are personified to make the descriptions of them more vivid. Thematically speaking, the poem is about how, even long after having seen the flowers, the speaker feels comforted and happy whenever he thinks of their beauty. Part 3: Do a Modernist Rewrite of the Romantic Poem You Chose Begin your rewrite. To do so, imagine yourself as a poet in the early twentieth century, and imagine your rewrite as an attempt to update the outdated elements of the nineteenth-century work you selected. Remember that modernist poems †¢ Capture the cynicism and disappointment many people felt toward outdated nineteenth-century ideas †¢ Focus on the complexities of modern life †¢ Highlight the alienation of the individual in the modern world †¢ Break with past literary traditions and styles †¢ Employ references to diverse cultures, belief systems, and histories †¢ Use experimental language and techniques, such as drawing a distinct line between the poet and the speaker and writing from multiple perspectives and in different voices Your rewrite must incorporate at least three of the six listed characteristics of modernism. Here is an example of a modernist rewrite of the first stanza of Wordsworth’s â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud†: Part 4: Briefly Explain Your Modernist Rewrite In a response of at least two paragraphs, provide an explanation of the steps you took to rewrite the Romantic poem you selected. Your explanation should point out at least three typically modernist qualities in your work with regard to elements such as language, style, literary elements, and themes. Here, as an example, is a brief explanation of the modernist rewrite of the first stanza of Wordsworth’s â€Å"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud†: In the first stanza of my rewrite, I tried to drastically change the mood of the poem. I did so by first changing the opening simile, linking the speaker (who is most certainly distinct from myself as the poet) to a World War I flying ace looking down on an empty town devastated by war. This image not only calls to mind the destruction that people in the early twentieth century witnessed, but also the loneliness felt by the individual when witnessing such devastation. I introduced ambiguity by not identifying the nationality of the pilot to whom the speaker compares himself: He may be a man seeing the destruction of his own town, or he may be one of the men who brought destruction on the town during battle. Then I decided to change the daffodils—a symbol of the beauty of the natural world in Wordsworth’s poem—to a crumbling building on an abandoned and ugly street. I thought these images helped convey a sense of loss. I used the word crumblecracking—an invented term—to call to mind how the broken bricks of the building look. This type of experimentation with language is typical of modernist poetry. Finally, I used the word forsaken not only because it suggests abandonment, but also because it calls to mind the last words of Jesus on the cross. This allusion then quickly blends into the reference to a mythological figure, Tefnut, the Egyptian goddess of rain and fertility. This allusion hints at the possibility of remaking a new world out of the fragments of the old, yet the â€Å"sagging† hospital attests to how hard such a restoration would be. Thematically, I was trying to depict the loneliness and the alienation of the speaker in this decrepi t world.

Popularity of Timber Frame Construction

Popularity of Timber Frame Construction 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report will look at the increasing popularity surrounding timber frame construction in the construction industry. It will look at why this trend is continuing across the UK and how this form of construction can be applied to various building types. Timber frame construction is most notably used in parts of the world such as USA, Canada and Australia but it is being used more frequently throughout the UK in more recent times as well. Year on year the market share for timber frame construction has increased. Scotland is leading the way in this field by using timber frame construction much more than their neighbours. The timber sourced for this type of construction can readily be found in Scotland and this may go some way to explaining why it is indeed so popular in Scotland. 1.1 FACTS AND FIGURES; For the tenth consecutive year; the market share for timber frame construction has increased, 25% of all new houses in the UK are timber frame, As previously stated, Scotland is the most popular country for timber frame construction in the UK but even considering this; 75% of all new houses in Scotland are timber frame and that percentage continues to rise. Also, even during a recession when the construction industry has possibly been hit as hard as any other industry; timber frame construction only dropped by 26% while other construction methods dropped almost 38% in 2008. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 5 (www.timber-frame.org) The trend is also growing outside of the UK, in Ireland for example. This is endorsed by the following quote. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame homes currently account for 25% of new build homes in Irelandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) 2.0 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Timber frame construction means that the weight-bearing walls are indeed timber panels. In other buildings this could be steel or blocks for example. These timber panels are made off site to an exact size and when they are required, they are simply transported by truck from the factory to the site. They can then be installed by men using pulleys and ropes or if the panels are too large and heavy- a small crane can be used to carry out this task. The panel itself is usually made up of solid timber- to take the load of the structure and this is sheathed usually by plywood or OSB- Oriented Strand Board, which is usually sourced from Scotland. These members ensure that the panel has suitable strength and is also rigid. Once the timber frame installation is complete, the external leaf of the building can then be installed. This can be brickwork or any form of cladding or a rendered finish. There are in fact two types of panels available- namely the Open Panel meaning the panel will be dry-lined after the insulation, vapour layer and services have been installed on site. The other panel is the Closed Panel and is this case this is all done in the factory. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 11 (www.timber-frame.org) There have also been advances in the design of I-Joists in timber frame systems. There are now lighter I-Joists available but they have the greater strength and durability because the flanges are wider and the joist itself is not solid wood as has been the case in previous years- it can simply be plywood or OSB. PLATE 1; Image showing lightweight I-Joists, which are easier to handle but still strong enough to withstand the load being rested on it; due to the wide flanges. (www.framewiseltd.co.uk) 2.1 BALLOON FRAME There are actually two forms of timber frame construction. These are called Balloon Frame and Platform Frame. Balloon Frame has been superseded nowadays by Platform Frame but a brief outline is explained on both. The Balloon Frame form of construction simply means that the studs that make up the exterior wall are one long section which spans from the ground to the ceiling height of the top floor. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A balloon frame consists of two-storey height panels with an intermediate floor suspended from the formwork.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2008, p.386) Problems are obvious with this form of construction; Fire can spread easier because of the large panels Large panels may be more difficult to find Large panels will also be more difficult to handle Heating bills could be higher because there is no insulation between a room and the exterior walls Drawbacks such as these mean that the Platform Frame is more popular and is used today in preference to the Balloon Frame. 2.2 PLATFORM FRAME As previously mentioned, this is the form of timber frame construction favoured today in the UK. It differs from the Balloon Frame, as the structure is built up floor by floor. Basic sequence of events would include; Engineer calculates out sizes required by looking at the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s drawings Materials ordered and prefabricated in factory Materials arrive on site- only as required Base of the structure is marked out Timber floor joists are lifted into place using a small crane Walls are erected and positioned on top of floor joists- again using a small crane Prefabricated roof is also positioned in by a crane on top of the wall panels Cavity barriers/fire stops are installed Felt and battens are applied to roof- structure is now watertight External layer can now be can applied as well as tiles or slates on the roof Internal services can now be installed   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   PLATE 2; Image showing a floor being lifted into position by crane (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) (sketch 2 drawings from page 171 of chudley greeno) 3.0 ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FRAME Timber frame construction holds quite a few advantages over brick and block or steel frame construction; Quick to erect- can be completed faster than using brick and blocks as there is no need to wait for mortar to dry. Also, timber can still be installed in the rain; when brick or blocks canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t and is also not affected by the frost like mortar is. Easy to transport- panels, trussed roofs, timber floors etc are easily loaded on to a lorry and delivered on site as needed also ensuring the site isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cluttered up with materials that are not yet needed. Easy for the Contractor to forecast the completion date of the project- the job will run on time easier and will not be delayed due to weather as wintry conditions can delay progress on site. Cleaner site- as everything is measured to specification; there will be very little material waste on site meaning more profits, less money spent on dumping waste in landfills and less chance of an injury also. Smooth and dry- the surface is easy to decorate and also easy to render. Better quality- as the frame is fabricated off site to meet Building Regulations; there is less chance of human error. Can be installed by small crane to meet a tight deadline or by workmen as a cheaper option. Extensions can easily be incorporated, as timber and plasterboard are easier to remove than blocks. Also easier to design a building to suit the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exact taste and possibly make a building unique form others. (www.trada.co.uk) Once the shell of the building is complete- this means it is watertight and the internal works can begin. It only takes around 5 days to achieve a watertight house. 3.1 THERMAL PERFORMANCE Timber is an excellent insulator and this in turn means that timber framed buildings store heat very well. This therefore leads heating bills being reduced, which in turn also means less fossil fuels are being used- be it oil for central heating or coal for a fire. How much money can be saved on heating bills varies and bold claims are made about this. It is hard to calculate because other factors need to be considered such as the specification of the building, the occupants of that building and so on. One timber frame company called Ramstown Developments claim that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber framing is an energy saving system that cuts an average of 33% off the annual cost of heating your home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com/) How accurate these figures are will be open to debate but there is little doubt that timber frame construction does have an advantage when it comes down to thermal performance. Many different timber frame companies exist and because of this they will specify the materials and construction and installation of the components slightly differently, thus giving slightly different results. However, the UK Timber Fame Association, who represents over 85% of UK timber frame manufacture states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Using a standard timber frame system achieves U-values between 0.30 and 0.27 using readily available and standard insulation- and using higher performance insulation and insulating breather membranes can boost these figures even more.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) The keyword in the aforementioned statement is standard- meaning this is the minimum level of thermal performance that can be expected, so obviously this can be improved upon by having a higher specification. One such company is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Scotframeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? who have designed a timber frame system which has a U-value of 0.11 which is very impressive when the U-value limit for walls in 1965 was actually 1.7. The system is a closed timber-framed panel, usually includes140mm  studs sheathed both sides with Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and factory filled with Polyurethane foam insulation. The internal side of the panel has a vapour control heat reflective membrane  and an air gap is created between this and the internal wall cladding to make a service zone.  The exterior side has a breathable waterproof membrane and 50mm of  polyurethane foam cavity insulation. To prove that these panels are indeed extremely thermally efficient- they have been tested by the National Physical Laboratory who confirmed a U-value of 0.11 W/m2K; when the external cladding is taken into account. This system can be installed without the cavity insulation- but as can be expected, the U-value results will not be as good. This system from Scotframe actually meets the meets the C02 targets which have been set at intervals of 2010, 2013 and 2016- at this stage. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) PLATE 5; Image showing what the Scotframe system compromises of. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) 3.2 ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE Since timber frame performs so well in thermal performance, it isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very surprising to gather that it also performs well in the acoustic aspect also. This could be largely down to the fact that so many layers can absorb sound just like curtains and carpet absorbs sound better than an empty room with hard surfaces. In fact à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“BREs Case study TF2000 found that even a multi-storey project would out perform building regulations for acoustic insulation.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.framewiseltd.co.uk) This statement therefore echoes these thoughts and actually emphasises that it more than satisfies Building Regulations. What is even more interesting is that this is not for a small cosy dwelling- it is actually in terms of a multi-storey structure. 3.3 FIRE PERFORMANCE Timber is more susceptible to fire than materials such as concrete, bricks, blocks or steel. This however, does not mean that timber frame structures are more of a fire hazard. Timber frame structures are more likely to be burnt down during the actually construction phase, when the installation is not complete. This could be due to an accidental fire starting on site or probably the more likely case of vandalism. The HSEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s figures of 11 fires each day in the construction industry advocates this theory. Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites, page 5 highlights this, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s annual UK fire statistics show that two thirds of fires in construction industry premises are started deliberately.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org/) Fires that do start accidentally will not spread as easily once the installation has been complete, because the fire resistant plasterboard will see to this and also the external cladding will prove a difficult surface for the fire to engulf. There are of course ways in which the threat of fire can be minimised; Design out the need for hot-works, i.e. working with a blowtorch. If hot-works are required then that area should be monitored for 1 hour and again 2 ours later as a precaution. Keep the site tidy with no timber shavings or pieces of paper lying around, as these could start a fire easily (this of course would be good practice on any construction site) Ensure good site security to keep potential thieves and vandals at bay- again just like on any construction site. Fire Safety On Timber Frame Construction Sites page 10 (www.timber-frame.org) At this stage it should be stressed that timber frame construction is quick to install and because of this it is easy to reach a point when fire resistant materials are in place and the risk of fire is therefore greatly reduced. Also, cavity fire barriers will reduce the spread of fire. They are placed at openings in external walls, at corners, at each floor level, at eaves level, around pipes, cables etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ It is also worthy to mention that timber frame buildings do of course have to pass the relevant Building Regulations; as fire is a very serious matter. So if they satisfy these needs; they are as safe as any other form of construction in that aspect. 4.0 ENVIRONMENT Terms such as C02 emissions, global warming, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases are often the topic of conversation in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s world. Everyone is being urged to think about the environment and the construction industry is probably under the microscope as much as any other sector. As mentioned previously one of the advantages of timber frame construction is that it reduces the effects of burning fossil fuels- such as oil or coal. This therefore means it also minimises the greenhouse effect as well. Unlike steel or concrete- there is no need for any manufacturing, refining or extracting as timber is natural. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strength for strength, concrete uses 5 times (and steel uses 6 times) more energy to produce than timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Overall C02 emissions for timber construction (the em-bodied carbon are up to six times lower than the emissions associated with masonry construction materialsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 19 (www.timber-frame.org) That statement may not hold much relevance until the Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stance on this subject is made clear- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come October 2010, the Government will slash the level of permissible CO2 emissions generated by new builds by 30%. There is a further reduction of 30% planned for 2013 and yet another of the same amount due to come in to force in 2016à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) This further proves just how big of a concern this matter is and that the Government are acting quickly and have very clear targets in mind for the future. Some timber frame companies are also trying to convey this message to the public, as advocated by Deeside timber frame- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Raise awareness of environmental issues with our customers, suppliers and staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is listed as one of their objectives regarding environmental matters. (www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk) Also, since timber is being sourced locally; in Europe and frequently in Scotland- it means there is no long journeys to transport the material overseas as can often be the case with steel when it is in short supply. 4.1 SUSTAINABILITY Timber is a very sustainable material. This is simply due to the fact that the timber comes from managed forests and for every tree that is cut down- two are planted to replace it. As well as this; the Government also introduced a scheme titled the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2006. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 7 (www.timber-frame.org) To summarise, this basically states that the Government wants homes to be more energy efficient and that Level 3 is the basic standard expected in the average housing scheme, with this rising to a Level 6 for all new homes by 2016. Issues which affect what level the structure will be credited with depend on two things- how energy efficient the buildings fabric is and also how the material itself was sourced. Timber can achieve a good rating on both fronts because as previously mentioned; it is easy to source and doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to be transported long distances and also timber frame buildings have a very good thermal performance and can reduce heating bills. 5.0 NON-DOMESTIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PROJECTS It would be fair to say that when most people think of timber frame construction, they think of low rise buildings like domestic dwellings. However, timber frame buildings are not just bungalows and two storey houses. Timber frame buildings include hotels, student accommodation and such like. With Building Regulations always being updated and changed; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame can currently go up to 18 metres within the current regulations. This has already allowed the construction of a 7 storey building in Bedminster in Bristol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org) Further examples of surprising projects include a primary school which has over 400 children in attendance. St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Primary School in the Wolverhampton area was actually completed in 16 weeks- which was 2 weeks ahead of schedule! It cost  £5.9m to construct and was given a rating of Excellent by BREEAM. This rating was of such a high standard that it is actually the first time it has been awarded to a building in Britain. (BREEAM is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.) PATE 6; Image of St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s CE Primary School, Blakenhall Gardens UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) Other such projects include a NHS Adolescent Unit in Wales, where in this instance timber frame was ideal due to the fact that it was manufactured offsite and this meant less time onsite, making noise and disrupting the patients. A further example includes the theatre that was built on the Isle of Mull. Since this structure would be subject to winds and rain- it would be anticipated that steel or concrete would be the material of choice. However, cost of transporting these materials proved to be a huge factor, coupled with the fact that once again timber frame could be installed much quicker. PLATE 7; Image of the new timber frame theatre on Isle of Mull UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) As well as these structures, timber frame prototypes have also been erected to improve our knowledge and findings on the performance of timber frame. One such prototype is the Kingspan Lighthouse which was designed and built to show how well timber frame would or would not perform when the structure was going to be an unorthodox shape. As with all buildings, small faults were found and good feedback was received on how improvements could be made. However, a Level 6 rating under the Code of Sustainable Homes was reached- even though this target doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to be achieved until 2016. PLATE 8; Image of Kingspan Lighthouse which achieved a Level 6 rating. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 9 (www.timber-frame.org) 6.0 MOISTURE CONTENT All timber that is to be used for construction purposes will have a certain moisture content. Different timbers will have different moisture content depending on their use. For example, timber that is going to be used at junctions in the building where dampness could form will need to have a low moisture content. Kilns are used to dry timber out to a certain specification. Moisture content can be calculated by completing the following calculation; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Moisture Content %= (wet weight)-(dry weight)/ dry weight x 100%à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2007, p.175) 6.1 THREAT OF ROT Rot spreading throughout a building is the nightmare of every client and builder, as it can cause unlimited damage and mean that in the extreme cases the building cannot be repaired. However, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dry timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, which is a timber with a moisture content of under 20%, is not at risk of decay. Lyons (2007, p.105) noted that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the reduction in water content to below 20% will arrest any incipient fungal decay, which can only commence above this critical level.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This should dispel any doubts that timber is very exposed to rot. Furthermore, the timber is also sprayed with necessary preservatives before installation to satisfy Building Regulation requirements. 7.0 CONCLUSION This report has briefly looked at how timber frame structures perform in numerous fields. It has also outlined how timber frame can be used in a variety of different structures- some of which many people would not associate timber frame construction with. It is therefore clear to see that this market will continue to grow, with the market possibly accelerating more so in Ireland in the near future. This is because Ireland is possibly the country which has the most room for growth in this sector, coupled with the fact that Scotland is nearby and would prove to be a very good source for timber. This report has also addressed concerns relating to timber and the perception many people still have about using timber in construction- such as fire hazards, risk of rot, unable to be used in multi-storey buildings; to name just a few. Once people are better educated and made more aware about using timber as the structure for buildings- then these myths will soon be dispersed. After all, as mentioned in the introduction; this form of construction is used in countries such as USA, Canada and Australia. It is of course the most popular form of construction used in the developed world- meaning it can handle the hot summers in Australia and also the windy wets nights and wintry conditions in Scotland. It has taken Britain and Ireland many years to adopt this practice and some will no doubt wish to never embrace timber frame construction. However, the old adage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the times are changingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? certainly springs to mind at this point. With the Government endorsing the use of timber frame and with environmental and sustainability concerns the topic of conversation on a regular basis- this definitely seems like the route to take. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber Frame is probably the biggest single advance in building methods in recent yearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.walkertimbergroup.com) The above quote certainly is a bold one but with the facts in figures produced in this report; it is hard to argue against such a statement. 8.0 REFERENCES- Websites Source- UK timber frame association preview 2010 (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) [accessed 4th February] Source-Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) http://www.ramstowndevelopments.com/index.php?id=47 [accessed 4th February] http://www.framewiseltd.co.uk/Systems/i-joists-the-simple-framing-system.html [accessed 4th February] http://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/library/view/6BA4B8A2-79A8-451B-AB6F-474D37137B4F/Timber+frame+construction+-+an+outline/ar01s02.html [accessed 5th February] http://www.timber-frame.org/html/Building_And_Construction/Benefits_of_Timber_Frame/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk/environmental.htm [accessed 5th February] http://www.walkertimbergroup.com/walkertimber/products/products/timberframe1 [accessed 5th February] Books Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2008) Building Construction Handbook. 7th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2007) Construction Technology. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited Lyons, A., (2007) Materials for Architects Builders. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. Popularity of Timber Frame Construction Popularity of Timber Frame Construction 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report will look at the increasing popularity surrounding timber frame construction in the construction industry. It will look at why this trend is continuing across the UK and how this form of construction can be applied to various building types. Timber frame construction is most notably used in parts of the world such as USA, Canada and Australia but it is being used more frequently throughout the UK in more recent times as well. Year on year the market share for timber frame construction has increased. Scotland is leading the way in this field by using timber frame construction much more than their neighbours. The timber sourced for this type of construction can readily be found in Scotland and this may go some way to explaining why it is indeed so popular in Scotland. 1.1 FACTS AND FIGURES; For the tenth consecutive year; the market share for timber frame construction has increased, 25% of all new houses in the UK are timber frame, As previously stated, Scotland is the most popular country for timber frame construction in the UK but even considering this; 75% of all new houses in Scotland are timber frame and that percentage continues to rise. Also, even during a recession when the construction industry has possibly been hit as hard as any other industry; timber frame construction only dropped by 26% while other construction methods dropped almost 38% in 2008. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 5 (www.timber-frame.org) The trend is also growing outside of the UK, in Ireland for example. This is endorsed by the following quote. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame homes currently account for 25% of new build homes in Irelandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) 2.0 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Timber frame construction means that the weight-bearing walls are indeed timber panels. In other buildings this could be steel or blocks for example. These timber panels are made off site to an exact size and when they are required, they are simply transported by truck from the factory to the site. They can then be installed by men using pulleys and ropes or if the panels are too large and heavy- a small crane can be used to carry out this task. The panel itself is usually made up of solid timber- to take the load of the structure and this is sheathed usually by plywood or OSB- Oriented Strand Board, which is usually sourced from Scotland. These members ensure that the panel has suitable strength and is also rigid. Once the timber frame installation is complete, the external leaf of the building can then be installed. This can be brickwork or any form of cladding or a rendered finish. There are in fact two types of panels available- namely the Open Panel meaning the panel will be dry-lined after the insulation, vapour layer and services have been installed on site. The other panel is the Closed Panel and is this case this is all done in the factory. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 11 (www.timber-frame.org) There have also been advances in the design of I-Joists in timber frame systems. There are now lighter I-Joists available but they have the greater strength and durability because the flanges are wider and the joist itself is not solid wood as has been the case in previous years- it can simply be plywood or OSB. PLATE 1; Image showing lightweight I-Joists, which are easier to handle but still strong enough to withstand the load being rested on it; due to the wide flanges. (www.framewiseltd.co.uk) 2.1 BALLOON FRAME There are actually two forms of timber frame construction. These are called Balloon Frame and Platform Frame. Balloon Frame has been superseded nowadays by Platform Frame but a brief outline is explained on both. The Balloon Frame form of construction simply means that the studs that make up the exterior wall are one long section which spans from the ground to the ceiling height of the top floor. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A balloon frame consists of two-storey height panels with an intermediate floor suspended from the formwork.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2008, p.386) Problems are obvious with this form of construction; Fire can spread easier because of the large panels Large panels may be more difficult to find Large panels will also be more difficult to handle Heating bills could be higher because there is no insulation between a room and the exterior walls Drawbacks such as these mean that the Platform Frame is more popular and is used today in preference to the Balloon Frame. 2.2 PLATFORM FRAME As previously mentioned, this is the form of timber frame construction favoured today in the UK. It differs from the Balloon Frame, as the structure is built up floor by floor. Basic sequence of events would include; Engineer calculates out sizes required by looking at the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s drawings Materials ordered and prefabricated in factory Materials arrive on site- only as required Base of the structure is marked out Timber floor joists are lifted into place using a small crane Walls are erected and positioned on top of floor joists- again using a small crane Prefabricated roof is also positioned in by a crane on top of the wall panels Cavity barriers/fire stops are installed Felt and battens are applied to roof- structure is now watertight External layer can now be can applied as well as tiles or slates on the roof Internal services can now be installed   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   PLATE 2; Image showing a floor being lifted into position by crane (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) (sketch 2 drawings from page 171 of chudley greeno) 3.0 ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FRAME Timber frame construction holds quite a few advantages over brick and block or steel frame construction; Quick to erect- can be completed faster than using brick and blocks as there is no need to wait for mortar to dry. Also, timber can still be installed in the rain; when brick or blocks canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t and is also not affected by the frost like mortar is. Easy to transport- panels, trussed roofs, timber floors etc are easily loaded on to a lorry and delivered on site as needed also ensuring the site isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cluttered up with materials that are not yet needed. Easy for the Contractor to forecast the completion date of the project- the job will run on time easier and will not be delayed due to weather as wintry conditions can delay progress on site. Cleaner site- as everything is measured to specification; there will be very little material waste on site meaning more profits, less money spent on dumping waste in landfills and less chance of an injury also. Smooth and dry- the surface is easy to decorate and also easy to render. Better quality- as the frame is fabricated off site to meet Building Regulations; there is less chance of human error. Can be installed by small crane to meet a tight deadline or by workmen as a cheaper option. Extensions can easily be incorporated, as timber and plasterboard are easier to remove than blocks. Also easier to design a building to suit the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exact taste and possibly make a building unique form others. (www.trada.co.uk) Once the shell of the building is complete- this means it is watertight and the internal works can begin. It only takes around 5 days to achieve a watertight house. 3.1 THERMAL PERFORMANCE Timber is an excellent insulator and this in turn means that timber framed buildings store heat very well. This therefore leads heating bills being reduced, which in turn also means less fossil fuels are being used- be it oil for central heating or coal for a fire. How much money can be saved on heating bills varies and bold claims are made about this. It is hard to calculate because other factors need to be considered such as the specification of the building, the occupants of that building and so on. One timber frame company called Ramstown Developments claim that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber framing is an energy saving system that cuts an average of 33% off the annual cost of heating your home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com/) How accurate these figures are will be open to debate but there is little doubt that timber frame construction does have an advantage when it comes down to thermal performance. Many different timber frame companies exist and because of this they will specify the materials and construction and installation of the components slightly differently, thus giving slightly different results. However, the UK Timber Fame Association, who represents over 85% of UK timber frame manufacture states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Using a standard timber frame system achieves U-values between 0.30 and 0.27 using readily available and standard insulation- and using higher performance insulation and insulating breather membranes can boost these figures even more.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) The keyword in the aforementioned statement is standard- meaning this is the minimum level of thermal performance that can be expected, so obviously this can be improved upon by having a higher specification. One such company is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Scotframeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? who have designed a timber frame system which has a U-value of 0.11 which is very impressive when the U-value limit for walls in 1965 was actually 1.7. The system is a closed timber-framed panel, usually includes140mm  studs sheathed both sides with Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and factory filled with Polyurethane foam insulation. The internal side of the panel has a vapour control heat reflective membrane  and an air gap is created between this and the internal wall cladding to make a service zone.  The exterior side has a breathable waterproof membrane and 50mm of  polyurethane foam cavity insulation. To prove that these panels are indeed extremely thermally efficient- they have been tested by the National Physical Laboratory who confirmed a U-value of 0.11 W/m2K; when the external cladding is taken into account. This system can be installed without the cavity insulation- but as can be expected, the U-value results will not be as good. This system from Scotframe actually meets the meets the C02 targets which have been set at intervals of 2010, 2013 and 2016- at this stage. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) PLATE 5; Image showing what the Scotframe system compromises of. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) 3.2 ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE Since timber frame performs so well in thermal performance, it isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very surprising to gather that it also performs well in the acoustic aspect also. This could be largely down to the fact that so many layers can absorb sound just like curtains and carpet absorbs sound better than an empty room with hard surfaces. In fact à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“BREs Case study TF2000 found that even a multi-storey project would out perform building regulations for acoustic insulation.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.framewiseltd.co.uk) This statement therefore echoes these thoughts and actually emphasises that it more than satisfies Building Regulations. What is even more interesting is that this is not for a small cosy dwelling- it is actually in terms of a multi-storey structure. 3.3 FIRE PERFORMANCE Timber is more susceptible to fire than materials such as concrete, bricks, blocks or steel. This however, does not mean that timber frame structures are more of a fire hazard. Timber frame structures are more likely to be burnt down during the actually construction phase, when the installation is not complete. This could be due to an accidental fire starting on site or probably the more likely case of vandalism. The HSEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s figures of 11 fires each day in the construction industry advocates this theory. Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites, page 5 highlights this, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s annual UK fire statistics show that two thirds of fires in construction industry premises are started deliberately.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org/) Fires that do start accidentally will not spread as easily once the installation has been complete, because the fire resistant plasterboard will see to this and also the external cladding will prove a difficult surface for the fire to engulf. There are of course ways in which the threat of fire can be minimised; Design out the need for hot-works, i.e. working with a blowtorch. If hot-works are required then that area should be monitored for 1 hour and again 2 ours later as a precaution. Keep the site tidy with no timber shavings or pieces of paper lying around, as these could start a fire easily (this of course would be good practice on any construction site) Ensure good site security to keep potential thieves and vandals at bay- again just like on any construction site. Fire Safety On Timber Frame Construction Sites page 10 (www.timber-frame.org) At this stage it should be stressed that timber frame construction is quick to install and because of this it is easy to reach a point when fire resistant materials are in place and the risk of fire is therefore greatly reduced. Also, cavity fire barriers will reduce the spread of fire. They are placed at openings in external walls, at corners, at each floor level, at eaves level, around pipes, cables etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ It is also worthy to mention that timber frame buildings do of course have to pass the relevant Building Regulations; as fire is a very serious matter. So if they satisfy these needs; they are as safe as any other form of construction in that aspect. 4.0 ENVIRONMENT Terms such as C02 emissions, global warming, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases are often the topic of conversation in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s world. Everyone is being urged to think about the environment and the construction industry is probably under the microscope as much as any other sector. As mentioned previously one of the advantages of timber frame construction is that it reduces the effects of burning fossil fuels- such as oil or coal. This therefore means it also minimises the greenhouse effect as well. Unlike steel or concrete- there is no need for any manufacturing, refining or extracting as timber is natural. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strength for strength, concrete uses 5 times (and steel uses 6 times) more energy to produce than timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Overall C02 emissions for timber construction (the em-bodied carbon are up to six times lower than the emissions associated with masonry construction materialsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 19 (www.timber-frame.org) That statement may not hold much relevance until the Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stance on this subject is made clear- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come October 2010, the Government will slash the level of permissible CO2 emissions generated by new builds by 30%. There is a further reduction of 30% planned for 2013 and yet another of the same amount due to come in to force in 2016à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) This further proves just how big of a concern this matter is and that the Government are acting quickly and have very clear targets in mind for the future. Some timber frame companies are also trying to convey this message to the public, as advocated by Deeside timber frame- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Raise awareness of environmental issues with our customers, suppliers and staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is listed as one of their objectives regarding environmental matters. (www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk) Also, since timber is being sourced locally; in Europe and frequently in Scotland- it means there is no long journeys to transport the material overseas as can often be the case with steel when it is in short supply. 4.1 SUSTAINABILITY Timber is a very sustainable material. This is simply due to the fact that the timber comes from managed forests and for every tree that is cut down- two are planted to replace it. As well as this; the Government also introduced a scheme titled the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2006. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 7 (www.timber-frame.org) To summarise, this basically states that the Government wants homes to be more energy efficient and that Level 3 is the basic standard expected in the average housing scheme, with this rising to a Level 6 for all new homes by 2016. Issues which affect what level the structure will be credited with depend on two things- how energy efficient the buildings fabric is and also how the material itself was sourced. Timber can achieve a good rating on both fronts because as previously mentioned; it is easy to source and doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to be transported long distances and also timber frame buildings have a very good thermal performance and can reduce heating bills. 5.0 NON-DOMESTIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PROJECTS It would be fair to say that when most people think of timber frame construction, they think of low rise buildings like domestic dwellings. However, timber frame buildings are not just bungalows and two storey houses. Timber frame buildings include hotels, student accommodation and such like. With Building Regulations always being updated and changed; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame can currently go up to 18 metres within the current regulations. This has already allowed the construction of a 7 storey building in Bedminster in Bristol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org) Further examples of surprising projects include a primary school which has over 400 children in attendance. St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Primary School in the Wolverhampton area was actually completed in 16 weeks- which was 2 weeks ahead of schedule! It cost  £5.9m to construct and was given a rating of Excellent by BREEAM. This rating was of such a high standard that it is actually the first time it has been awarded to a building in Britain. (BREEAM is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.) PATE 6; Image of St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s CE Primary School, Blakenhall Gardens UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) Other such projects include a NHS Adolescent Unit in Wales, where in this instance timber frame was ideal due to the fact that it was manufactured offsite and this meant less time onsite, making noise and disrupting the patients. A further example includes the theatre that was built on the Isle of Mull. Since this structure would be subject to winds and rain- it would be anticipated that steel or concrete would be the material of choice. However, cost of transporting these materials proved to be a huge factor, coupled with the fact that once again timber frame could be installed much quicker. PLATE 7; Image of the new timber frame theatre on Isle of Mull UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) As well as these structures, timber frame prototypes have also been erected to improve our knowledge and findings on the performance of timber frame. One such prototype is the Kingspan Lighthouse which was designed and built to show how well timber frame would or would not perform when the structure was going to be an unorthodox shape. As with all buildings, small faults were found and good feedback was received on how improvements could be made. However, a Level 6 rating under the Code of Sustainable Homes was reached- even though this target doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to be achieved until 2016. PLATE 8; Image of Kingspan Lighthouse which achieved a Level 6 rating. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 9 (www.timber-frame.org) 6.0 MOISTURE CONTENT All timber that is to be used for construction purposes will have a certain moisture content. Different timbers will have different moisture content depending on their use. For example, timber that is going to be used at junctions in the building where dampness could form will need to have a low moisture content. Kilns are used to dry timber out to a certain specification. Moisture content can be calculated by completing the following calculation; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Moisture Content %= (wet weight)-(dry weight)/ dry weight x 100%à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2007, p.175) 6.1 THREAT OF ROT Rot spreading throughout a building is the nightmare of every client and builder, as it can cause unlimited damage and mean that in the extreme cases the building cannot be repaired. However, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dry timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, which is a timber with a moisture content of under 20%, is not at risk of decay. Lyons (2007, p.105) noted that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the reduction in water content to below 20% will arrest any incipient fungal decay, which can only commence above this critical level.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This should dispel any doubts that timber is very exposed to rot. Furthermore, the timber is also sprayed with necessary preservatives before installation to satisfy Building Regulation requirements. 7.0 CONCLUSION This report has briefly looked at how timber frame structures perform in numerous fields. It has also outlined how timber frame can be used in a variety of different structures- some of which many people would not associate timber frame construction with. It is therefore clear to see that this market will continue to grow, with the market possibly accelerating more so in Ireland in the near future. This is because Ireland is possibly the country which has the most room for growth in this sector, coupled with the fact that Scotland is nearby and would prove to be a very good source for timber. This report has also addressed concerns relating to timber and the perception many people still have about using timber in construction- such as fire hazards, risk of rot, unable to be used in multi-storey buildings; to name just a few. Once people are better educated and made more aware about using timber as the structure for buildings- then these myths will soon be dispersed. After all, as mentioned in the introduction; this form of construction is used in countries such as USA, Canada and Australia. It is of course the most popular form of construction used in the developed world- meaning it can handle the hot summers in Australia and also the windy wets nights and wintry conditions in Scotland. It has taken Britain and Ireland many years to adopt this practice and some will no doubt wish to never embrace timber frame construction. However, the old adage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the times are changingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? certainly springs to mind at this point. With the Government endorsing the use of timber frame and with environmental and sustainability concerns the topic of conversation on a regular basis- this definitely seems like the route to take. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber Frame is probably the biggest single advance in building methods in recent yearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.walkertimbergroup.com) The above quote certainly is a bold one but with the facts in figures produced in this report; it is hard to argue against such a statement. 8.0 REFERENCES- Websites Source- UK timber frame association preview 2010 (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) [accessed 4th February] Source-Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) http://www.ramstowndevelopments.com/index.php?id=47 [accessed 4th February] http://www.framewiseltd.co.uk/Systems/i-joists-the-simple-framing-system.html [accessed 4th February] http://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/library/view/6BA4B8A2-79A8-451B-AB6F-474D37137B4F/Timber+frame+construction+-+an+outline/ar01s02.html [accessed 5th February] http://www.timber-frame.org/html/Building_And_Construction/Benefits_of_Timber_Frame/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/ [accessed 5th February] http://www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk/environmental.htm [accessed 5th February] http://www.walkertimbergroup.com/walkertimber/products/products/timberframe1 [accessed 5th February] Books Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2008) Building Construction Handbook. 7th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2007) Construction Technology. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited Lyons, A., (2007) Materials for Architects Builders. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.