Why you can count on quality

VERY dealer wants to be able to assure his customers that he is offering the best quality products on the market.

In the case of pressure treated wood, a dealer can count on quality if the wood carries the American Wood Preservers Bureau quality mark. Charles E. Thomas Jr., president of the AWPB in Springfield, Va., explains the work of his association.

"When it comes to pressure treated woodthat green stuff - all the customer, be he architect or do-ityourselfer, wants is assurance that the product meets standards and will perform."

Story at a Glance

How quality standards for pressure treated wood are established and maintained. .. the problems and responsibilities of assuring that the consumer will get products that perform.

The insurance system developed by the lumber and pressure treated wood industry is an overview concept of certifying the inspection agencies. "More simply put," Thomas points out, "inspecting the inspectors. It may be simple to say, but it takes more to put it together."

First, it takes the fundamental integrity of the volunteer plant requesting to be inspected by an equally honest inspector plus the entire program must be overviewed by dedicated people. Thomas stresses, "The American Wood Preservers Bureau is not an inspection agency. We do not certify or code qualify treated wood products. We do not place labels or stamps on any treated wood products. "

The AWPB is an overview organization whose purpose is to certify independent inspection agencies assuring the quality of pressure treated wood to specifiers and purchasers.

The AWPB does this by maintaining the best possible laboratory capability with what is considered to be the best production laboratory in the country. "Some 20,000 plus samples are analyzed annually in addition to two yearly industrial round robin samples sent to about 25 key wood preservation laboratories around the country," Thomas adds.

The AWPB also conducts random statistical surveys of certified agencies; makes continuous destination inspections in market areas, researches treated wood field problems and maintains an industry presence in consensus standard writing through the American Wood Preservers Association.