A significant hurdle in fire protection design revolves around the specification and positioning of connectors. It is customary for designers to first determine member sizes before delving into the specifics of connections or defining the connectors. Mandated in the Technical Report No. 10 by the American Wood Council in 2021, the inclusion of a sacrificial wood cover around the connector’s perimeter is critical for achieving the desired fire-resistance rating (FRR). However, this requirement imposes restrictions on available space for placing a suitable beam hanger—an aspect often overlooked during the initial sizing of beams and columns.

Designers are strongly advised to prioritize selecting an appropriate beam-hanger system for capacity before progressing to the design of timber members. This paper outlines a step-by-step procedure for this approach, which allows for optimizing member cross-sections to accommodate the chosen connector, ensuring a sufficient fire rating and avoiding potential high costs associated with late-stage redesigns. Designers are encouraged to select and collaborate with their connection supplier from the outset of the design phase.