Wood-Frame Construction Fire Risks: Safety Protocols for Multifamily Developers in 2026

Wood-frame construction remains a dominant, cost-effective method for building multifamily housing across the United States. However, recent high-profile fires during the construction phase have highlighted significant vulnerabilities. The core risk exists between the structural framing completion and the installation of critical fire safety systems like sprinklers and interior wallboard. This article examines the causes, the current safety standards, and the enhanced protocols developers are adopting to mitigate these risks in 2026.

What Makes Wood-Frame Construction Vulnerable to Fire During Building?

The primary advantage of wood-frame construction—its speed and affordability—can become a liability during the building process. This building method, often classified as Type V construction under the widely adopted International Building Code, uses wood for the structural frame. During the crucial phase after the wooden skeleton is erected but before protective systems are installed, the site is exceptionally vulnerable. Fire safety officials describe such a site as a "vertical lumber yard" with limited protection. The construction process itself introduces hazards, including sparks from tools and hot equipment exhaust, which can easily ignite exposed, combustible wood. Without active systems like sprinklers or passive barriers like drywall, a small ignition can rapidly become a catastrophic blaze.

How Do Current Building Codes Address Fire Safety?

The International Building Code (IBC), which forms the basis for most local building regulations in the U.S., sets specific parameters for wood-frame construction. The code typically permits wood-framed buildings up to five stories tall when built on a fire-resistant, concrete podium base. The code mandates the use of fire-retardant-treated wood in specific applications to slow combustion. Importantly, these codes are designed to ensure the safety of the completed structure, which includes operational sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and compartmentalization through finished walls. The period of highest risk occurs before the building is brought into full compliance with these final occupancy requirements. Based on our experience assessment, this regulatory gap during the construction phase is a focal point for new local ordinances.

What Are the Primary Causes of These Construction Fires?

The causes are often a combination of accidental and intentional factors. Authorities have determined several major fires to be the result of arson. Furthermore, the inherent activities on a construction site present numerous accidental ignition sources. A fire department assessment of one incident cited a hot generator exhaust pipe built too close to combustible material as the cause. Other potential causes include fireworks, as suspected in one case, and electrical issues. The common denominator in all severe fires is the absence of the building's final defense systems. While security measures can deter arson, managing internal site activities is equally critical for risk mitigation.

What Safety Protocols Are Developers Implementing in 2026?

In response to these incidents, developers and municipalities are strengthening on-site safety protocols beyond the minimum code requirements. Key measures gaining traction include:

• Enhanced Security: Implementing 24-hour on-site security patrols or watchmen to monitor for trespassing and potential arson, especially during evenings and weekends.
• Strict Ignition Control: Enforcing stricter protocols for the use and placement of heat-generating equipment like welders and generators, maintaining clear distances from wooden structures.
• Early Fire System Activation: Exploring ways to activate temporary sprinkler systems earlier in the construction timeline, where feasible, to provide some level of protection during the most vulnerable stages.
• Improved Fire Department Coordination: Proactively engaging with local fire departments to conduct pre-planning visits, ensuring firefighters are familiar with the site's layout and potential hazards.

The decision to rebuild with wood-frame construction after a fire indicates its continued economic necessity for creating affordable housing. However, the industry's approach is evolving to prioritize construction-phase safety as a fundamental part of the project budget and timeline.

What Is the Future of Wood-Frame Multifamily Construction?

Despite the risks, wood-frame construction is unlikely to be replaced for low-to-mid-rise apartments. According to recent data, it remains the most viable method for building rental units that are affordable to market-rate tenants. The focus in 2026 is not on abandoning wood but on managing the known risks more effectively. This involves a collective effort from developers, contractors, and code officials to implement and enforce rigorous site-specific safety plans. The total cost of a major fire—including rebuilding, delays, and potential injury—far outweighs the investment in proactive risk mitigation strategies.

The vulnerability of wood-frame buildings is a known and manageable risk during construction. While building codes ensure the safety of finished buildings, the responsibility for protecting a project from groundbreaking to completion falls on the development team. Adopting enhanced security, strict ignition control, and early coordination with fire officials are now considered essential best practices for any multifamily project using this construction method.