American Wood Council Releases Results on Timber Code Change Proposals

Press Release Summary:

Original Press Release:

AWC: Tall Mass Timber Code Changes Get Final Approval

LEESBURG, VA. – The International Code Council (ICC) has released the unofficial voting results on code change proposals considered in 2018, including passage of the entire package of 14 tall mass timber code change proposals. The proposals create three new types of construction (Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C), which set fire safety requirements, and allowable heights, areas and number of stories for tall mass timber buildings. Official results are expected to be announced during the first quarter of 2019. The new provisions will be included in the 2021 International Building Code (IBC).

“Mass timber has been capturing the imagination of architects and developers, and the ICC result means they can now turn sketches into reality. ICC’s rigorous study, testing and voting process now recognizes a strong, low-carbon alternative to traditional tall building materials used by the building and construction industry,” said American Wood Council (AWC) President & CEO Robert Glowinski.

The three new types of construction that will be included in the 2021 IBC are:

• Type IV-A – Maximum 18 stories, with gypsum wallboard on all mass timber elements.
• Type IV-B – Maximum 12 stories, limited-area of exposed mass timber walls and ceilings allowed.
• Type IV-C – Maximum 9 stories, all exposed mass timber designed for a 2-hour fire resistance.

“The addition of tall mass timber to the International Building Code provides a comprehensive set of safety standards for these new types of construction. This vote caps off several years of scientific research and testing, and verifies that mass timber meets the robust performance standards called for by our nation’s building codes,” said AWC Vice President of Codes & Regulations Kenneth Bland, P.E.

ICC’s code development cycle continues through 2019. Additional structural requirements for tall mass timber buildings will be considered, with final approval of 2019 proposals expected to occur in late October. The 2021 IBC is expected to be released in late 2020, along with the full set of 2021 I-codes.

Find more information about tall mass timber buildings here: awc.org/tallmasstimber.

The American Wood Council (AWC) is the voice of North American wood products manufacturing, an industry that provides almost 450,000 men and women in the United States with family-wage jobs. AWC represents 86 percent of the structural wood products industry, and members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon. Staff experts develop state-of-the-art engineering data, technology, and standards for wood products to assure their safe and efficient design, as well as provide information on wood design, green building, and environmental regulations. AWC also advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products. www.awc.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

Heather Stegner

Vice President, Communications

202-463-4756, hstegner@awc.org