<b><b>Are firms coping with increased demand for frame construction? Tim Palmer looks at a sector that is increasing in popularity day by day</b></b><br><b>Timber frame construction has increased massively in popularity with housebuilders, nursing home operators and hotel chains over the past five years. Reasons include changing regulations, labour shortages and increased general awareness of environmental advantages that the construction brings. </b><br><b><b>Growth</b></b><br> Bob MacFarlane, Timber Frame Industry Association (TFIA) chairman, says: &amp;"Everyone in timber frame is extremely busy - tangible proof that the benefits of timber frame construction, much vaunted in recent press, are being taken up at a practical level. In Scotland timber frame has long been the new build choice with around 60% market share. The change is in England and Wales where growth is more markedly, though by no means exclusively, in social housing.&amp;" <p></p><p><b><br> <b>Quality Control </b></b><br><b>Various initiatives aim to ensure timber frame maintains growth potential. Timber and Brick Consortium administers an independent third party accredited Quality Assurance Scheme called Q-Mark, to which standard all timber frame design, manufacturer and on-site erection companies must comply as a membership condition. </b><br><b>TRADA's frameCHECK enables specifiers to call on an independent, specialist quality check for design evaluation, structural engineering, assessment …