The AWC protected market access for wood products in wildfire zones through its engagement on wildfire-resilient construction standards.

Over the past two years, the International
Code Council’s Multi-Hazard Resiliency for Residential Construction Standards Committee has been developing the ICC 605 Standard for Residential Construction in Regions with Wildfire Hazard. Early in the process, the AWC raised concerns that ICC
605 would overlap significantly with the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC), which risked causing confusion and creating contradicting requirements.
At that time, ICC staff stated that ICC 605 would be independent from the IWUIC. 

However, after two years of work and a draft standard in hand, the ICC Board reversed course in late 2025, ending the formal development of ICC 605 because it would have included conflicting and competing provisions with the IWUIC. This outcome aligns with the AWC’s initial concerns that ICC 605 would conflict with the IWUIC. 

Throughout the process, the AWC worked to ensure that draft provisions remained performance-based, technically sound, and free from unjustified material restrictions. With the ICC Board’s ruling, the draft provisions in ICC 605 have now been given to the ICC Fire Code Action Committee to review for potential inclusion in the IWUIC. As an FCAC member and participant in the initial ICC 605 development, the AWC is well positioned to continue guiding how the IWUIC evolves and to ensure the performance of lumber is recognized and protected.

The IWUIC, along with other codes and standards related to wildfire resilience, are critical areas for the AWC to continue to stay involved in, as these codes and standards directly affect the use and acceptance of wood products and influence public perception of safe construction.

MARKET IMPACT

• Ensure wood products have a strong, science-based footing in future code development.

• Protect market access for wood products in wildfire zones.