American Wood Council Tall Mass Timber Code Changes Get Final Approval

Leesburg, Virginia (December 21, 2018)—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).

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

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, visit awc.org/tallmasstimber.