The American Wood Council, on a roll after it succeeded in getting new provisions into the 2015 International Building Code that allow heavy-timber structure within exterior walls, is proposing even bigger changes for the 2018 IBC, currently under development. The proposal would allow two- or three-hour-rated heavy timber to “safely serve in diverse structures” as tall as 100 ft, said Paul D. Coats, Southeast regional manager for the American Wood Council (AWC), at the 2015 American Institute of Architects Convention, held on May 14-16 in Atlanta.
AWC has put forth two proposals: One would allow a maximum nine-story residential building at no more than 100 ft above grade. The other would allow a three-hour fire-rated podium made of heavy timber that could support a wood frame above it.