yes, these codes are strict due to the chicago fire, but wood burns slowly, at 0.02 inches per minute which allows for more time to get out of a building on fire than say, if it were made out of metal. wood chars on the outside first, which SEALS the interior in some cases and protects it from damage. the project also was designed with chicago in mind in order to prove that the look of HEAVY, MONOLITHIC, GRIDDED buildings that the city loves so much can be achieved using wood and not only unsustainable materials.
