#United States #Mass Timber #Building Codes #AWC #Leesburg

Updated Heights & Areas Calculator for Mass Timber Construction

In a significant advancement for the construction industry, the American Wood Council (AWC) has announced an updated version of its Heights & Areas Calculator, which now includes specifications for mass timber construction. This collaborative effort, also involving the International Code Council and WoodWorks, seeks to facilitate compliance with building standards, notably for designers and builders working with wood as a primary material.

Streamlining Building Compliance

The new version of the calculator allows users to input a proposed building's height and area to determine the permissible construction types based on various occupancy classifications. This tool aims to simplify what is often seen as a tedious and time-consuming process, providing a more efficient way for code officials, builders, and architects to establish building safety compliance.

As Phil Line, AWC Vice President of Codes & Regulations, stated, “Determining allowable heights and areas for building code compliance can often be a tedious and time-intensive task for designers, builders, and code officials.” The availability of this free app on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows, ensures greater accessibility for all construction professionals.

Key Features of the Calculator

The Heights & Areas Calculator comes with both basic and advanced options. The basic version is designed for single occupancy scenarios with equal floor areas, while the advanced functionality supports multiple occupancies and varying floor sizes. This flexibility is essential for complex projects, particularly those incorporating multiple use cases within a single structure.

Mark Johnson, Executive Vice President for Content and Services at the International Code Council, emphasized the importance of building safety, noting that the app aids professionals in understanding heights and areas in the International Building Code more effectively. In his words, “Building safety is always at the core of what we do, and we’re proud to partner on a project that helps building safety professionals accurately and quickly understand the maximum allowable heights and areas.”

Supporting Wood Construction

The updated calculator is especially beneficial for architects and designers engaged in mid-rise projects and those exploring the possibilities of mixed occupancy constructions. Bill Parsons, COO of WoodWorks, highlighted the unique advantages of wood in design, stating, “Wood construction offers distinct design advantages, and this app makes its use more accessible.”

Earlier in the year, AWC and ICC collaborated on releasing another critical resource, the 2021 Code Conforming Wood Design publication. This guide summarizes the essential provisions concerning wood utilization as outlined in the 2021 International Building Code, further supporting professionals in the industry.

To access the Heights & Areas Calculator, individuals can visit AWC’s official website, where it is available for free. This initiative reflects AWC's ongoing commitment to advocating for structural wood products and enriching the toolset available to engineers and architects across the country.

About the American Wood Council

The American Wood Council represents a significant portion of the structural wood products industry, advocating for over 450,000 professionals across the country. The organization is trusted for its expertise and continues to lead in providing education and resources that highlight the advantages of wood products, particularly in the context of sustainability and carbon footprint reduction.

Through partnerships and innovations like the Heights & Areas Calculator, AWC remains a pivotal player in the development and promotion of advanced building solutions, ensuring that wood construction remains a viable and preferable choice in contemporary design scenarios.