Kerto LVL: safety, strength, and scalability

Fire safety in wood construction  

Fire safety is a critical consideration in modern wood construction. While wood is a combustible material, its behavior in fire is highly predictable and that predictability is the foundation of safe design.

Structural fire design calculates charring depth, effective thickness, and residual strength using Eurocode 5 standards. Proper detailing, protection layers, and veneer orientation ensure predictable performance even after 90 minutes of fire exposure.

How wood performs in fire?

• Char layer protection
  When wood burns, it forms a char layer on the surface. This layer acts as thermal insulation, slowing down combustion and protecting the remaining cross-section. Result: predictable performance and calculable fire resistance.
• Engineered for compliance
  Fire resistance of LVL is predictable and can be calculated according to the structural fire design specifications of Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-2) and its National annexes. Additional protection layers can be made from e.g. gypsum plasterboard or mineral wool insulation.

Building tall with engineered wood is reality

High-rise construction with wood is no longer a concept, it’s proven practice. Metsä Wood’s Kerto® LVL has been successfully used in multi-story buildings up to 18 floors, meeting structural and fire safety requirements. Engineered for scalability and efficiency, Kerto LVL enables faster construction while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions compared to traditional materials like concrete and steel.

Proven strength for demanding structures

Can engineered wood match the strength of steel and concrete? Kerto LVL has been designed for exceptional load-bearing performance. By optimising structural performance with Kerto LVL there can be  achieved minimal material use, reduce waste, lower environmental impact, and support faster, more cost-effective project delivery.