On January 29, 2021, the Maine Technical Codes & Standards Board unanimously voted to incorporate the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) code provisions related to tall mass timber construction into the current version of the Maine Uniform Building & Energy Code (MUBEC) via an amendment. The amendment process could take upwards of 90 days to finalize language and accommodate a public comments period before the code change becomes official.
The implications of adopting these provisions are significant for those looking to utilize cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other mass timber materials on new projects. Three (3) new construction types will be available (Type IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C) allowing for mass timber buildings of up to 18 stories tall. There are several considerations relative to fire protection, life safety, and construction materials that require careful consideration early in the design process. This is especially important when the aesthetically pleasing mass timber elements are desired to be architecturally exposed. Designers now have an ‘as-of-right,’ prescriptive code compliance path at their disposal which is a game changer!
Code Red Consultants has endeavored to remain on the forefront of the mass timber movement and construction technologies, including the greatly expanded options introduced by the 2021 IBC. Please reach out to us at info@crcfire.com if we can be of assistance on your mass timber projects.