As you’re likely aware, mass timber has received incredible attention in the last year. With interest in mass timber and its use spreading throughout the United States construction industry, the American Wood Council (AWC) and International Code Council (ICC) are working together to educate building and fire officials, designers, and engineers on all facets of building with this new and innovative product. This Fall, AWC and ICC are launching a six-part educational series covering different components of mass timber, its qualities and uses, including requirements from the upcoming 2021 International Building Code that will allow up to 18-story mass timber buildings. Registration for the webinars is available on the ICC website Learning Center webpage, search “mass timber.” The full series of webinars will be offered monthly beginning in November 2019 and will be repeated over a six-week period beginning in May 2020.
Module 1 - Mass Timber Construction: Intro to Mass Timber
Webinars: November 4, 2019; May 11, 2020
Mass timber products include any products that are currently allowed for use in Type IV construction, such as cross-laminated timber, structural composite lumber, glue laminated timber, nail-laminated timber, and large section sawn timber. This module will discuss the sustainable qualities that mass timber products possess, along with their structural and fire protection characteristics. Attendees will be able to identify code acceptance of mass timber products, describe advances in technology and standards, and recognize the unique fire resistive characteristics that these products possess.
Module 2 - Mass Timber Construction: What’s New in 2015-2018 for Mass Timber Construction
Webinars: December 16, 2019; May 18, 2020
Get an overview of changes to the 2015 and 2018 International Building Code (IBC) related to mass timber construction. Participants will be able to identify Type IV construction, recognize new mass timber products, describe new provisions in the 2015 IBC as it relates to mass timber, and summarize new provisions regarding Type IV construction as specified in the 2018 IBC.
Module 3 - Mass Timber Construction: Background and Overview
Webinars: January 13, 2020; June 1, 2020
This is the first of four modules that will look at the 2021 IBC as it relates to tall mass timber construction. It will provide a background and overview of Tall Mass Timber code change proposals, including creation of ICC’s Tall Wood Building Ad Hoc Committee, the process used to reach consensus on the code change proposals, inherent differences between the new types of construction as compared to existing wood building types in the International Building Code, and evaluation of fire resistance requirements for tall mass timber building elements.
Module 4 - Mass Timber Construction: Heights and Areas and Construction Fire Safety
Webinars: February 24, 2020; June 8, 2020
Part two of the four-part look at the 2021 IBC approved provisions for tall mass timber will cover the new allowable heights and areas, along with construction fire safety. Participants will be able to describe the development process for allowable heights, areas, and stories permitted for tall mass timber types of construction, evaluate new fire barrier requirements, recognize provisions for construction site fire prevention, and understand owner responsibilities for fire resistance elements.
Module 5 - Mass Timber Construction: Fire Safety
Webinars: March 23, 2020; June 15, 2020
Part three dives into fire safety as related to the 2021 IBC. This section will cover fire safety provisions, including sealants at abutting edges and intersections, fire blocking material, and water supply. It will also discuss new provisions for concealed spaces, membrane structures, and fire districts for existing Type IV construction. Participants will be able to identify fire safety provisions for new Type IV-A, Type IV-B, and Type IV-C construction.
Module 6 - Mass Timber Construction: Fire and Connection Design and Special Inspection
Webinars: April 8, 2020; June 22, 2020
The final module will take a deep dive into the fire design of mass timber building elements and assemblies, and protection of connections. Participants will be able to understand the principles of fire design provisions for mass timber and assemblies for Types IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C, learn how to design fire protection for mass timber connections, and recognize new code provisions for special inspection of tall mass timber structures.
This series will not only walk attendees through the most up-to-date codes and standards regarding mass timber and fire safety, but it will also introduce what’s on the horizon. With its durability and sustainability characteristics, there is no question as to why mass timber is quickly on the rise. That’s why it’s important for building and fire officials, designers, and others to understand codes as they relate to mass timber, and what’s to come in 2021.
More information on mass timber is available on awc.org/tallmasstimber or woodaware.org/tall-mass-timber.