LEESBURG, VA. – 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).

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President & CEO Robert Glowinski issued the following statement regarding today’s final passage of the 2019 Farm Bill. The bill includes the Research Title and Wood Innovation Grant language from the Timber Innovation Act (S.538/H.R. 1380), and separately a clarification on what constitutes a “USDA Certified Biobased Product” under federal procurement guidelines. AWC partnered with the National Alliance of Forest Owners and Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association.

LEESBURG, VA. – American Wood Council's (AWC) Vice President of Codes & Regulations Kenneth Bland, P.E., issued the following statement regarding the approval of the 14 tall mass timber code change proposals during the International Code Council (ICC) public comment hearings today in Richmond, Va. The proposals will now be subject to ICC’s online voting, which is scheduled to begin in November. The final outcome of the tall mass timber code change proposals is expected in December.

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski issued the following statement in response to Vicki Christiansen’s appointment as the 19th Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service. Christiansen has been serving as the Interim Chief since March.

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski issued the following statement in response to James (Jim) Hubbard’s confirmation as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Hubbard worked for the Colorado Forest Service for 35 years and served as the state’s chief forester for the last 20 years.

LEESBURG, VA. – Oregon has become the first state to approve the use of science-based building code requirements for tall mass timber buildings under their statewide alternate method (SAM). The SAM program is unique to Oregon, allowing early technical consideration and approval on a statewide basis.

The American Wood Council, the National Alliance of Forest Owners and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association responded in a joint statement to the introduction of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, otherwise known as the farm bill.

WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski issued a statement following Governor Jay Inslee signing SB 5450, which directs the state of Washington to enact the tall wood building code changes when adopted by the International Code Council. The move will help jump start mass timber construction in the state.