In January 2019, the International Code Council (ICC) approved a set of proposals to allow tall wood buildings as part of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). Based on these proposals, the 2021 IBC will include three new construction types—Type IV-A, IV-B and IV-C—allowing the use of mass timber or noncombustible materials. These new types are based on the previous Heavy Timber construction type (renamed Type IV-HT) but with additional fire-resistance ratings and levels of required noncombustible protection. This presentation will take a detailed look at the new code provisions and methods of addressing the new requirements. Topics will include tall-wood specific high rise and sprinkler requirements, methods of demonstrating fire-resistance ratings, fire design for penetrations, connections and abutting panels, allowances for exposed timber, exterior walls, concealed spaces and more.


Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, participants will be able to: Explore the three new tall wood construction types and discuss related code provisions such as allowable heights and fire-resistance ratings; Discuss code-compliant options for exposing mass timber, where up to 2-hour fire-resistance ratings are required, and demonstrate design methodologies for achieving these ratings; Review code requirements unique to tall wood buildings, focusing on items such as sprinklers, shaft construction and concealed spaces; and highlight design options for addressing topics such as fire stops at penetrations through mass timber assemblies and exterior walls fire-resistance in tall timber.


Speaker: Terry Pattillo, AIA - Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council


Credits: 1.0 HSW|LUs