Does glulam perform better than solid timber in fire?

Glulam has a slightly lower notional charring rate (0.70 mm/min vs 0.65 mm/min for solid softwood) due to the effect of adhesive lines, but the difference is small. The main advantage of glulam in fire design is that larger cross-sections are readily available, providing more sacrificial material.

Glulam has a slightly lower notional charring rate (0.70 mm/min vs 0.65 mm/min for solid softwood) due to the effect of adhesive lines, but the difference is small. The main advantage of glulam in fire design is that larger cross-sections are readily available, providing more sacrificial material. A 240 × 600 mm glulam beam has substantially more fire resistance than a 47 × 250 mm solid timber joist simply due to the greater mass available for charring.

Why this matters

This question relates to Fire Resistance of Structural Timber: Charring Rates & Eurocode 5, which covers the broader topic in detail. Understanding this specific aspect helps architects, builders, and timber dealers make informed specification decisions.

For full context and additional technical detail, see our comprehensive guide:

→ Fire Resistance of Structural Timber: Charring Rates & Eurocode 5

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About this answer

This answer is part of the PuurModulair Knowledge Base — comprehensive timber specification guidance for architects, builders, and dealers across the UK, EU, and Scandinavia.