Taller timber buildings approved in National Fire Protection Association code

The new National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code have Allowances for larger and taller mass timber buildings.

“The addition of tall mass timber provisions to NFPA 5000 and NFPA 101 ensures compatibility with the International Building Code, thereby furthering the market opportunity for tall mass timber buildings,” said American Wood Council (AWC) Vice President of Codes & Regulations Kenneth Bland, P.E., in a news release. “NFPA’s recognition of tall mass timber furthers the availability of a low-embodied carbon alternative compared to traditional building materials.”

The new code is the result of a three-year process to review mass timber. Several NFPA Technical Committees with responsibility for building construction provisions developed new tall mass timber provisions.

The new provisions are intended to eliminate conflicts that can occur when compliance with both the IBC and NFPA 101 is required. The updated NFPA codes are expected to be available later this year.