In 2016, the International Code Council (ICC) formally began to explore the feasibility of adding provisions for tall mass timber buildings in the U.S. model building codes. The ICC Tall Wood Building (TWB) Ad Hoc Committee has since reviewed voluminous materials regarding tall mass timber buildings, including domestic and international research.  The TWB developed a comprehensive set of technically substantiated code changes. In January 2019, most of these code changes were approved by the ICC membership, including provisions for permissible building heights and areas, number of stories, and fire requirements.  This presentation will provide a brief oversight of the new U.S. model code provisions for Tall Wood Buildings.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify applicable standards used in qualification and performance evaluation of mass timber products.
2. Recognize US model building code provisions for mass timber construction.
3. Differentiate which design standards and material standards are referenced within US model building codes for the purpose of mass timber design.
4. Examine the various processes by which code provisions are adopted and the current status of adoption of mass timber code provisions throughout the US.

Funding provided in part by the Softwood Lumber Board.