Episode #71: The next hot topic – Robin Urquhart, RDH Building Science

Episode #71: The next hot topic – Robin Urquhart, RDH Building Science

From Fenestration Conversations by Fenestration Review

May 9, 2025 · 48 min · Episode 73

About this episode

Robin Urquhart discusses the potential for new Canadian building standards for wildfire resistance in urban areas affected by wildfires.

High-profile wildfires doing substantial property damage to urban areas in B.C. and Alberta have spurred NRCan to look at creating Canadian building standards for wildfire resistance. The consultation process has just begun, but it seems likely that some day soon we may see new codes requiring resistant windows, doors and other components in wildfire-prone areas. What might these rules look like? How do we determine if a product is sufficiently resistant to external fires? And what is the science behind making frames and glass that resists fire and prevents heat transfer to the home interior? Robin Urquhart has worked on rebuilding communities destroyed by wildfires and joins the Conversation to share his deep knowledge of this topic.

People in this episode

Guest: Robin Urquhart

Topics covered

  • wildfire resistance
  • building standards
  • property damage
  • fire-resistant materials
  • consultation process

Keywords

  • wildfires
  • building codes
  • fire resistance
  • windows
  • doors
  • heat transfer
  • urban areas
  • consultation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NRCan

Places: B.C., Alberta

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