Final answer:
The statement requiring non-combustible exterior walls for heavy timber construction is false. Heavy timber utilizes large wooden beams and columns with specific fire resistance standards, but the exterior walls can be made of combustible materials under certain conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that heavy timber construction requires exterior walls of non-combustible materials such as masonry or concrete is false. Heavy timber construction, also known as Type IV construction, characteristically uses large wooden beams and columns for structural support, which must meet specific minimum dimensions. The exterior walls can be made of combustible materials provided they meet the necessary fire resistance and protective covering requirements.
Notably, historical construction, such as pier-and-beam and post-in-ground methods, utilized materials at hand, like wood, mud bricks, or stone, with the load-bearing walls strong enough to support a building's weight. Innovations in construction materials over the centuries have led to the introduction of more durable and fire-resistant materials such as brick, steel, and concrete, offering better thermal protection and overall longevity of buildings.
However, in modern heavy timber construction, the emphasis is on the ability of large wood members to retain structural integrity under fire conditions for a defined period, rather than on exterior wall material's combustibility.