In Maryland, an attack on wood

The American Wood Council believes a proposal being considered by the Maryland state legislature could curtail wood construction.

The group’s Northeast Regional Manager Matt Hunter testified March 8 in opposition of Maryland House bill HB 1472, “Fire Safety Construction Act of 2016.”

[Read the full testimony here.]

The legislation was introduced to address incendiary fires that occurred in and around Baltimore last year. HB 1472 would prohibit a multi-family dwelling from being constructed using wood-frame construction in municipal jurisdictions exceeding a specified population density. In less dense population centers, although permitted, the use of wood frame construction would be severely limited, according to the AWC.

“AWC opposes HB 1472 and we believe it will result in no improvement in building or firefighter safety, will negatively affect the economy, jobs, and established code development processes, and have long standing impacts on the built and rural environments,” Hunter told legislators.

He added that the proposal would also bring to the residents of Maryland higher construction costs, more expensive housing, and higher rents in a market seeking affordable housing.