As The International Code Council prepares for a vote on new code provisions that would allow wood-framed structures up to 18 stories high, concerns and opposition are still strong.
For instance, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) sponsored an online survey resulting in 75% of respondents saying they did not believe raising the allowable height of wood buildings was prudent. Their reasons included concerns over the strength and maintainability of wood, the danger of fire, and vulnerability to disasters.
Some members of the ICC's Ad Hoc Committee on Tall Wood Buildings shared some of those concerns. Proponents of wood-framed high rises point to research indicating that charring of heavy timber allows wood structures to maintain up to 90% of their strength during a fire.
Oregon recently became the first state to enact codes for high-rise, wood-framed buildings. The ICC will hold a public comment hearing on the issue after its annual conference in October. Later, online voting on the new code provision will be held over two weeks.
Related Stories
| Jun 5, 2012
HP Labs aims for net-zero energy data centers
Building sustainable data centers is one of the goals of HP Labs, and it believes technology, combined with the right building techniques, could result in the construction of energy-efficient data centers.
| Jun 5, 2012
USGBC delays LEED 2012; renames it LEED v4
In response to concerns by LEED users, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that it will delay the ballot on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013.
| Jun 5, 2012
Baltimore officials vow to block $1.8 billion urban renewal project
Baltimore officials want to block a $1.8 billion urban renewal project until more neighborhood residents and minority contractors are hired and displaced residents can benefit from the revitalization.
| Jun 5, 2012
OSHA launches campaign to warn of heat dangers in outdoor work
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a campaign to warn outdoor workers about the dangers of heat exposure.
| Jun 5, 2012
AGC’s Safety and Health Conference focuses on regulations, legislation
More than 150 industry professionals and other attendees will participate in the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC’s) safety and health conference July 11-13 in Washington, D.C.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
Proposed change in Michigan’s building code would hurt innovation, say critics
Legislation pending before the Michigan Senate would change the law that calls for building codes to be updated every three years to require an update only every six years.
| May 31, 2012
Natural gas industry opposes federal carbon-neutral construction rule
The natural gas industry and some allies are working to block a federal green building rule that was expected to be a national model for carbon-neutral construction.