What does R.E.D. mean?

By Jrmc W. Shcrnr Vice President, Member Relations Southern Pine lnspection Burcau Pcnsacola, Fl.

HAT IS radius edge UU decking? lf this question hasn't been asked of you yet, it most certainly will be this year.

The intent of this article is to update and inform you on the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau's new "special Product Rules for Radius Edge Decking." In the hope that, through the course of Your reading, you will be better equipped to determine if this product could be used in your particular market situation.

To begin with, radius edge decking is a special product designed for a specific end market: namely, the CCA treated decking market. Manufacturers, specifiers and users of Southern pine lumber have traditionally used SPIB standard grading rules for the sale and purchase of Southern pine for general use. As new and special end-use products have been developed, these have been incorporated as supplements to the SPIB rule or issued as sPecial standards for the product.

Through the marketing feedback

Story at a Glance

Radlus edge decklng is new to market. .special rules govern grading. .Grade marks indicate special characteristics and uses.

from some of the bureau's treating subscriber customers, it was determined that the treated decking market needed a product to better suit their needs.

To meet this need, the first "Special Product Rules for Radius Edge Decking" were written and promulgated in 1983 by the bureau. In 1984 the rules were updated by the board of governors in order to incorporate additional input bY both producers and consumers.

Marketing feedback indicated that knots were salable for this use, but needed to be separated by a grade. With this information, the two grades of standard and premium were developed.

Wane on the face was not salable for the particular end use. The larger radius of %" +/- l/16' was initiated to 6lp reduce this defect.

Splinters for this application needed to be reduced, {nd this was accomplished by the additional rounding of the edge. (Note: the rounding of the edge and the reduction of wane and splinters helped to broaden the product's usage for patio furniture, benches, stair treads, etc.)

Spans also needed to be assigned to encourage better construction practices and product usage. (No spans are recommended for the common board grades in our 1977 rule book.)

The special product rules also utilize two of the primary advantages of Southern yellow pine. One of the strongest available wood species, it is the most readily abundant, treatable wood in the United Statcs today. In fact, it is truly the mainstay of the treating industry.

Some of the specific highlights of the new rule are: (f) The product rule provides for a standard pattern in three widths finished S4S. (2) The product has been graded for its strength as well as its naturd beauty. (3) The standard grade allows larger knots and more natural defects, while the premium grade has smaller and fewer allowable knots. ln both

R.E.0.l([15@ grades wane has been limited to the same amount. (4) A sloPe of grain requirement has been included to achieve the recommended spans of ?A" on center for all widths and grades with the exception of Standard 4" which will only span 16" on center. (5) The finish manufacture is Standard E with only medium stain allowed for both grades. (O The product can be grade stamPed to identify it in the market place.

FACSIMItES ol Southern Pine Inspection Bureau grade marks for premium and standard grades ol radius edge decking. 0nly products graded by an approved grading agency under the SPIB special product rules can be graded with R.E.D. marks.

The foregoing highlights are onlY part of the total rules. If you feel that this particular product would be of interest, you may obtain a copy of the"special ProductRules forRadius Edge Decking" bysending $1.50for each copy to the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, 4709 Scenic Highway, Pensacola, Fl. 32504.