Mass Timber: New Technology Drives a New Construction Class

Presenters: Xiaochuan (Lydia) Shi, PhD, CFPS, Kevin Kuntz, PE, CFPS, MIFireE, UL-CRP - Property, Kenneth Lowery, CFPS

May 15, at 2 p.m. ET

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and mass timber construction are rapidly gaining popularity in the United States following their approval in the IBC model code. As developers embrace the environmental, aesthetic, and economic advantages of these materials, insurers must understand both the benefits and potential risks to accurately assess and rate this emerging building type. Join us for an insightful webinar that explores these critical considerations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover the environmental, aesthetic, and economic benefits driving the adoption of timber as a construction material
  • Understand the definitions and distinctions between mass timber materials and mass timber construction methods
  • Learn about the 2021 IBC requirements that govern mass timber construction projects
  • Explore underwriting considerations related to building performance during fire and water exposure
  • Assess specific risks associated with mass timber buildings, particularly regarding fire and wind events
  • Preview Verisk's upcoming solution in the revised Specific Commercial Property Evaluation Schedule (SCOPES), launching in Q1 2025
 
REGISTER NOW



Not a member? Join or Renew your membership now for free, unlimited access to all CPCU Society webinars.

Note: You must wait 24 hours after joining or renewing before you are able to register for any upcoming Society webinars at no cost.

Join or Renew Today


Xiaochuan (Lydia) Shi, PhD, CFPS

Sr. Risk Control Engineer

Verisk
 

Dr. Xiaochuan (Lydia) Shi serves as senior risk control engineer with Underwriting Solutions at Verisk, where she specializes in property and community risk evaluation methodology for fire, wildfire, wind, and water perils. As a certified Fire Protection Specialist, she has led engineering efforts addressing emerging issues like mass timber construction and freeze damage, publishing industry white papers and serving on multiple NFPA and ASTM technical committees.

Prior to joining Verisk in 2018, Dr. Shi earned her B.S. in aeronautical engineering and both M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Her career includes postdoctoral research at WPI's Department of Fire Protection Engineering, where she led government-funded fire research projects, and work as a scientist for the Fire Research Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology focusing on Wildland-Urban-Interface fire.

 

Kevin Kuntz, PE, CFPS, MIFireE, UL-CRP - Property

Vice President, ISO Chief Engineer

Verisk
 

Kevin Kuntz is a vice president and chief engineer with Underwriting Solutions at Verisk, leading the risk engineering and technical training groups. He serves as the lead technical resource and director of national policy on a variety of technical subjects. Kevin has more than 45 years’ experience in insurance industry risk control and has been with Verisk for 17 of those years. He is nationally recognized fire service leader serving on numerous national committees and advisory boards. Kevin has over 50 years of volunteer fire service experience and served as fire chief for the North Brunswick (NJ) Fire Department. He presently serves as an active firefighter with the Gettysburg (PA) fire department.

Kevin received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with structural design emphasis from Tulane University. Professional designations include Professional Engineer (Fire Protection from Pennsylvania), Certified Fire Protection Specialist from NFPA, and a Certified Risk Professional–Property from Underwriters Labs. He also holds the designation of MIFireE from the Institution of Fire Engineers and is a licensed fire official and high hazard inspector in the New Jersey.

 

Kenneth Lowery, CFPS

ISO SCOPES Manager;

Verisk
 

Kenneth Lowery, technical manager with Underwriting Solutions at Verisk, currently managing the SCOPES Team. He has spent his entire 37-year career at Verisk Analytics, where he excelled in various roles with growing responsibilities. He has expertise in core property characteristics for primary and secondary perils, including fire, flood, and wind. He has experience in product development, including working both as a product owner for two order management and data collection systems, and as a subject matter expert for technical product development of Verisk ISO underwriting products. Ken is a NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS). He sits on several NFPA technical committees. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance and Insurance, from Georgia Southern University in 1987.