The Timber Innovation Act will soon be presented to President Donald Trump for his signature, Construction Dive reports. The act is part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, more widely known as the Farm Bill. According to Construction Dive, the act will provide a wide array of research and education toward the use of wood products in building construction.
The Timber Innovation Act provides for research and development, education, and technical assistance to increase the use of innovative wood products in the U.S. wood building industry. The innovative wood products covered by the act include those in the category of mass timber: cross-, nail-, and glue-laminated. The category also includes laminated strand and veneer lumber. The act also prioritizes analyses of tall wood construction material safety and how wood construction impacts the environment and wildlife.
This bill, according to Construction Dive, will address concerns related to the safety aspect of building high-rises made from wood materials. Criticism for the International Code Council’s proposed code changes mainly center around fire safety implications of tall wood construction, such as whether it is safe to build with wood above a fire department’s reach.
