The American Wood Council (AWC) and International Code Council have released a joint publication, Mass Timber Buildings and the IBC.
The document provides an overview of requirements for mass timber construction as found in the 2015, 2018, and 2021 International Building Code (IBC). It highlights historic changes beginning with the 2015 International Building Code, that allow for construction of mass timber buildings with taller heights and areas than was permitted for buildings of wood construction types (Types III, IV, and V) prior to the 2015 IBC.
The publication reviews the 2015 IBC recognition of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and the reorganization of heavy timber provisions in the 2018 IBC. It also reviews the significant changes in the 2021 IBC and International Fire Code (IFC) for tall mass timber construction.
“Given the anticipated demand across the country for taller mass timber buildings, this publication provides the building safety community with comprehensive explanations of the new regulations,” said AWC vice president of codes & regulations, Kenneth Bland.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Group proposes Carbon Use Intensity metric for new buildings
Plan would track embedded carbon on projects.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Illinois’s sweeping climate bill includes statewide stretch code, building electrification measures
Aims for zero-emissions power sector by 2045.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Cities need to step up flood mitigation efforts to save lives
Recent storms highlight climate change dangers.
Codes and Standards | Sep 21, 2021
Steps to improve ventilation for Covid can combat colds and flu
New look at airborne disease spread shows time viruses linger in air may have been underestimated.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2021
USGBC will change leaders, conduct strategic review
Aims to ensure organization is ‘well positioned to scale its work in the post-pandemic world’.
Codes and Standards | Sep 15, 2021
LEED-certified offices earn higher rents than non-sustainable properties
Are also more resilient to dips in real estate market.
Codes and Standards | Sep 7, 2021
Boston turns to developer fees to fund flood protection infrastructure
Assessments on commercial properties will help build seawall and other protective measures.
Codes and Standards | Sep 3, 2021
Low-cost methods can have substantial impact on reducing embodied carbon
Whole-building design, material substitution, and specification strategies can slash carbon by up to 46%.
Codes and Standards | Sep 2, 2021
Case for power resiliency in buildings grows with more disaster and outages
Essential businesses like data centers, hospitals are first adopters of new storage systems.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2021
UK industry group wants mandatory whole-life carbon assessments of buildings
Aims to address hidden emissions embedded in supply chains.
