Mass timber is reshaping the way buildings are designed and constructed. As of 2025, more than 2,500 projects are either completed or underway in the U.S., according to WoodWorks, demonstrating the rapid shift from niche to mainstream adoption of the material. It is now a common choice for multifamily, commercial, and institutional projects.
The market outlook reinforces this momentum. Grand View Research values the U.S. timber construction market at $4.46 billion in 2025, with growth projected to reach over $9 billion by 2033. Globally, the market is forecast to expand from $990 million in 2024 to $1.3 billion by 2030 (GlobeNewswire).
Mass timber’s sustainability profile, strength, and aesthetic warmth are driving its popularity. Yet as adoption accelerates, so does the need to meet fire and smoke safety codes, especially in buildings with open layouts, tall atriums, and exposed wood surfaces.
Navigating Code Requirements in Timber Buildings
Mass timber design introduces unique challenges that differ from conventional steel-and-concrete construction. Atriums, shafts, and large open spaces can allow smoke to spread rapidly, creating risks for egress and occupant safety. Since smoke (not flames) is the leading cause of fire-related fatalities, controlling its movement is a top priority for building officials and design teams.
Codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and standards from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provide the framework for compliance. Depending on the building’s use and design, projects may require smoke-only curtains (UL 1784) or fire + smoke-rated systems (UL 10D + UL 1784) to meet both compartmentation and smoke control requirements.
Design Challenges for Compliance
Project teams must balance life safety, code compliance, and architectural intent. Common considerations include:
- Exposed wood surfaces that influence smoke and heat behavior
- Open layouts that require discreet, deployable barriers
- Movement from seismic activity, wind, or thermal expansion
- Strict performance requirements under the International Building Code (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards
Curtain Systems That Support Compliance
Smoke Guard offers vertical and perimeter curtain systems—available in smoke-only and fire + smoke-rated models—that help meet these code requirements.
These systems provide:
- UL-tested performance for smoke containment and, when required, fire protection
- Seamless integration with timber-forward aesthetics
- Flexible deployment for open-plan designs
- Full compatibility with IBC and NFPA standards
Whether used in atriums, elevator lobbies, or corridors, these systems support code compliance without compromising design.
The Payoff of Early Integration
Integrating smoke and fire containment strategies early in the design process offers clear benefits:
- Fewer redesigns and field corrections
- Smoother code approvals
- Systems that protect occupants without disrupting design intent
- Confidence in long-term building performance
Moving Forward with Mass Timber
As mass timber continues to expand in the U.S. and globally, smoke and fire safety needs to remain central to planning and design. By addressing these requirements alongside structural and aesthetic goals, project teams can deliver buildings that are beautiful, resilient, and code-compliant.
Smoke Guard supports architects, contractors, and code officials with early design consultations, BIM/CAD resources, and code expertise. Proactive collaboration helps reduce rework, streamline approvals, and deliver safer buildings that meet both performance and design expectations.
Learn more about Smoke Guard’s fire + smoke containment solutions