LEESBURG, Va. - The American Wood Council (AWC) and WoodWorks have released the public beta version of the Heights & Area Calculator app which calculates the maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings of various occupancy classifications and types of construction. The updated app is based on the provisions in the 2015 and earlier editions of the International Building Code (IBC).

 

“The app makes heights and areas calculation more accessible for design teams looking for ways to maximize the value of their buildings,” said Bill Parsons, WoodWorks vice president of operations. “It can be especially useful for designers dealing with mixed occupancies or looking to increase the size of their mid-rise projects.”

 

With a basic version that limits building input to a single occupancy and equal floor areas for the entire building, and an advanced version that permits multiple occupancies and different floor areas, users can input the proposed building height and area and the app will show allowable types of construction.

 

“Determining allowable heights and areas for building code compliance can often be a tedious and time-intensive task for designers, builders, and code officials,” said Kenneth Bland, AWC vice president of codes and regulations. “We developed this updated app to help make the process more user-friendly and to streamline the process for identifying compliant types of construction.”

 

Based on initial user input, final mobile versions and a Windows desktop version are expected later this year. The public beta version of the app is currently available on iOS and Android devices.

 

The AWC represents over 75 percent of the woodworking industry. AWC advocates for balanced government policies that affect wood products and its members make products that are essential to everyday life from a renewable resource that absorbs and sequesters carbon.