Oregon has become the first state to approve the use of science-based building code requirements for tall mass timber buildings under its Statewide Alternate Method (SAM).
The State of Oregon Building Codes Structures Board recently approved and the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) adopted code language providing for construction of taller wood buildings in the state. The approval allows owners, developers, contractors, and designers to have additional choices in construction. According to BCD, this move provides an assurance that if state standards are met, local governments will recognize these buildings.
National building code committees are not expected to recognize taller wood construction until 2021, however…
