In this episode of the Neutral Podcast, Nate sits down with David Barber, a leading fire safety engineer, during a live three-hour fire test for the Edison Project—a groundbreaking 31-story mass timber tower in downtown Milwaukee. With the roar of the furnace in the background, they unpack what it means to push timber to new heights. David explains why this test matters, what it takes to meet the elusive 3-hour fire rating, and how fire codes are adapting to the rise of mass timber. They also explore jurisdictional hurdles, the city of Milwaukee's role, and what the future holds for hybrid construction.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction from the fire testing site
02:00 - David Barber on the Edison Project and mass timber's potential
10:00 - What it takes to earn a 3-hour fire rating
18:00 - Challenges in updating building codes for timber
26:00 - The collaboration behind Edison and jurisdictional hurdles
34:00 - Safety systems, code classifications, and hybrid construction
42:00 - Research, evolution, and the future of tall timber buildings
52:00 - Final thoughts on innovation, testing, and what’s next
