Tall Timber Model Code Proposals Closer to Adoption

Mass-timber elements of the four-story Albina Yard office building in Portland, Oregon, serve as both structure and interior finish material. Read more about this project by Portland-based LEVER Architecture in our Continuing Education story.

Photo © Jeremy Bittermann

The International Code Council (ICC) has announced that the 14 tall mass timber code change proposals unofficially passed the ballot for inclusion in the 2021 International Building Code. The voting results will not be final until early 2019 after the validation process is complete, according to the ICC, which publishes the IBC.

The primary tall timber proposal, called G108, and the 13 other related proposals would create three new types of construction (Types IV-A, IV-B and IV-C), set fire safety requirements and allowable heights, areas and number of stories for taller mass-timber buildings than are currently allowed in the model code. The provisions would allow mass-timber framing in residential and office buildings as tall as 270 feet.

Read this full story on ENR.com.