Wood Frame Construction Training

Introduction to Wood Frame Construction Training

The Russian Federal Government and the Government of Canada have long recognized the potential for the widespread adoption of Canadian-style wood frame construction methods in Russia. In addition to the 'Natural Resource-based Economic Development' project in the Nanaiski Raion, CIDA supported two other projects focused on the wood frame housing sector:

Project RU z10647 'Introducing Canadian Housing and Technology to the Russian Far East' (1999 to 2001), which established 3 wood frame model homes in Khabarovsk, Vladivostok and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and
Project RU z10646 'Transition to Market-based Housing' (1998 to 2001), which introduced the Canadian building code for wood frame housing into the Russian national building code by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

These previous initiatives familiarized Russian stakeholders with Canadian wood frame housing technology and have enabled wood frame construction to be officially certified as an energy efficient and affordable alternative to traditional masonry construction within Russia. The Russian single family building code was the result of collaboration between Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the National Committee of Russian Federation for Construction and Municipal services (Gosstroy of Russia). The Russian single family building code for wood frame is based on the National Building Code of Canada and has been adapted for use in Russia since February of 2002. A more complete description of the new code can be found in English at CMHC, click here to access code description

Relevant reference sections within the Russian building code include:

SP 31-105-2002---Design and Construction of Energy Efficient Wood Frame Single Family Residential Houses

SP 31-02-2001---Single Family houses--Standardization and Normalization Methods in Construction

SP 31-106-2002--Design and Development of Mechanical and Electrical Systems of Single Family Dwelling Units

This project aimed to bring wood frame training down to the technical level by training professional carpentry instructors at the Khabarovsky krai Department of Professional Education. The project initially targeted instructors with established carpentry skills but who lacked skills in wood frame technology. Canadian specialists from the College of New Caledonia worked with their Russian counterparts to combine theory in the classroom with practical skills in the shop. The Department has now integrated the training into their carpentry curriculum across the state network of trade and technical schools. By embedding this training program into the established state professional education system, a lasting mechanism for the facilitation of wood frame housing development in the RFE has been created.

Canadian styled wood frame houses are being widely adopted. Several earlier Canadian styled wood frame houses have now been built in the Nanaiski Raion. These earlier projects have proven the suitability of this style of construction in the RFE and several wood frame housing starts have now occurred near Khabarovsk city. Currently there are many wood frame houses being built near Moscow and St. Petersburg and other parts of western Russia. And this method is also starting to become recognized and accepted more broadly in the RFE as well. There are currently large subdivisions of wood frame style single family homes being built in the Nahodka and Vladivostok areas. Recently a number of Russian builders have formed a National Agency of Low Rise and Cottage buildings to promote and understand the use of the new Russian wood frame Building Code. www.namiks-rf.ru

The project's construction training component has potential for positive environmental impact over the longer term. Wood frame buildings have proven to be dramatically more energy efficient than traditional concrete structures; therefore, the wider adoption of wood frame housing could help reduce greenhouse gases. Wood frame technology also encourages the use of renewable local forest resources as the basis for erecting new residential and non-residential buildings. The project has the potential to indirectly impact forest use in the Khabarovsk region by stimulating local demand for dimensional lumber wood and developing a domestic market, thus decreasing dependence on export of round logs.

The curriculum in this website has been provided by the College of New Caledonia and has been in use for training Canadian students for many years. It is part of a much larger curriculum used for carpentry in Canada. For further information contact the College of New Caledonia trades department at 1-250-562-2131 local 804.