On Tuesday, Nov. 9, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs voted to accept and adopt the mass timber provisions outlined in the 2021 International Building Codes into the Georgia state minimum building codes. The decision will accelerate the timeline for builders and developers in Georgia to construct mass timber buildings up to 18-stories tall. The new mass timber codes will become effective on January 1, 2022.
“We thank the Board of the Department of Community Affairs and Commissioner Chris Nunn for their favorable vote and adoption of key mass timber provisions in Georgia,” said Andres Villegas, President & CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association. “This important vote is the culmination of over two years of work that started in the Georgia General Assembly, and it will enhance the sustainability of our cities and Georgia’s forest economy. We are truly thankful that our elected and appointed officials are working to ensure Georgia remains the #1 Forestry State in the Nation.”
Mass timber is a new category of engineered wood products that will revolutionize Georgia’s skyline. Commonly referred to as cross laminated timber, nail laminated timber, dowel laminated timber or gluelam, mass timber is comprised of multiple solid wood panels nailed or glued together, which provide exceptional strength and stability. Mass timber provides a safe, strong, low-carbon alternative to concrete and steel.
- Learn more about mass timber and its benefits at https://www.thinkwood.com/mass-timber
- Learn about mass timber provisions in the 2021 International Building Code at https://awc.org/tallmasstimber