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Timber‑industry engineers press SBCC to keep 2024 IBC CLT thicknesses and avoid a state rollback
Summary
Engineers and standards representatives told the council a proposed Washington amendment would undercut corrected 2024 IBC requirements for CLT heavy‑timber thickness and requested the state adopt the 2024 model code language and PRD320 updates rather than a relaxation of MSR requirements.
Multiple technical witnesses told the council that proposed Washington amendments could reverse a corrective change in the 2024 International Building Code and weaken fire and structural safety requirements for cross‑laminated timber (CLT).
Hans‑Erik Blomgren, a registered instructional engineer and member of the PRG320 CLT Standards Committee, said the 2024 IBC corrected a 2021 error by specifying that heavy timber thicknesses in Chapter 23 should be actual (not nominal) measurements. "The 2024 IBC corrected that, and they have indeed changed," he said, and asked SBCC to remove the state's CLT thickness amendment so the 2024 model code language is maintained.
Eric Gu of APA Technical Services raised related concerns about a proposed relaxation of the minimum machine stress‑rated (MSR) requirement for longitudinal layers in CLT (PRD320). He argued that lowering the MSR lower bound would permit lumber that fails certain visual grading criteria, potentially compromising airtightness, fire containment and thermal performance. "We respectfully urge disapproval of this amendment to ensure continued safety and rigorous compliance with the model code adopted consensus‑based standards," Gu told the council.
Both speakers submitted written attachments and asked the council to rely on updated consensus standards (NCAPA PRD320) and model‑code corrections rather than adopt state‑specific relaxations that could leave no third‑party enforcement path.
The council accepted testimony and written comments; no vote occurred at the hearing.
