Setting Standards for tall Wood Buildings, Aug. 9

The State of Oregon Building Codes Structures Board recently approved and the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) adopted code language providing for taller wood building construction in Oregon. The Aug. 1, 2018, approval provides greater predictability for owners, developers, contractors, and designers to have additional choices in construction. Oregon is the first state to take such a step at the state level, providing an assurance that if state standards are met, local governments will recognize these taller buildings. National building code committees are not expected to recognize taller wood construction until 2021, however, BCD has been working with manufacturers, designers, contractors, fire officials, local building officials, testing labs, and universities to ensure these new provisions meet fire, life safety, and seismic standards.