Washington, DC — At a time when engineers, designers and builders must find solutions for a resource constrained environment, new wood technology, materials and science are accelerating efforts to enhance safety and structural performance. International Building Code requires all building systems, regardless of materials used, to perform to the same level of health and safety standards. These codes have long recognized wood’s performance capabilities and allow its use in a wide range of low- to mid-rise residential and non-residential building types. Moreover, wood often surpasses steel and concrete in terms of strength, durability, fire safety, seismic performance and sustainability – among other qualities.