ALSC to police treated quality

RADE stamps of agencies such exposed to the weather when used structurally. lmproperly identified treated wood can be rejected by building inspectors.

as the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, Timber Products, Florida Lumber Inspection Service and other similar "third party" independent inspection agencies are familiar to dealers. Not so familiar, however, is the long standing overview role of the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) which has long verified mtreated lunber grades.

As of Jan. 14, the ALSC overview role of policing the inspection agencies has been extended to treated wood. ALSC has assumed the quality control overview functions formerly provided by the American Wood Preservers Bureau, which has ceased operations. The AWPB clover leaf quality mark is being replaced by the grade stamps of agencies certified by the ALSC for supervisory and lot inspection of pressure treated wood products.

To avoid selling improperly identified treated material to their customers, dealers should stock only pressure treated wood bearing the quality mark of an app'roved independent testing agency. Tbe stamp must indicate compliance with standrds of the American Wood Preservers Association and bear the identification of an approved agency. ALSC conducted a rigorous procedure before accrediting these independent agencies even thougb most had been fomrerly accredited by AWPB.

Section 2505 of the Uniform Building Code requires that preservative treated wood be identified by the quality mark of an approved testing agency in accordance with UBC Strndard 25-12. This Standrd states that the pressure treated wood "shall be subjected to qudity control carried out by both the treater and the control agency."

The new program to accredit and monitor quality control agencies for the inspection and analysis of pressure treated wood products is significant because the successful use of pressure treated wood depends on properly Eeated wood. The Unifomr Building Code nnndates that properly treated wood be used wben wood is in contact with the ground or Year

How does a dealer make srne pressure treated wood is properly treat€d and in conpliance with applicable code requirements? He should insist upon the following ftom a suppliec

(1) Require all pressure treated

Accredited Agencies

The following agencies have been accredited by the Board of Review of the American Lumber Standards Committee for supervisory and lot inspection of pressure treated wood products.

Bodc lrycdoqInc.

[:tc Oswego, Or. Crtfomir Lumbcrl4cdio Scrvicc (CLIS)

San lose, Cafloridl Lombcr lupc<doo Scrvicc (FLrS)

Perry, Ft. Lmde[ Inrycct'on, h. Minnapolis, Mr. McCotchrn lrpcctioo, Inc.

Pmlan4 Or. PfS Corp.

Madison, Yfi. Sodhen Pim lrpcctftrn Burceu (sPrB)

Pensaola Fl. Timber Producis (TP) Conyers, Ga WenoctHcncy

Coquidarq BC

W6t Cost Imbcr lrpcCion Borcro(WCLI8) wood to be identified by the mark of an approved independent inspection agency operating under ALSC overview.

Portland" Or.

(2) Require Oe quality mark ro state "Above Ground" or'Ground Contact" use as applicable. Some agencies may include the LP referene, long used to indicate the CCA ot AQ,A waterborne treatment, for 'Above Ground" LY2 or "Ground C-ontacf'LY22usr..

(3) Require Oe quality mark to indicate Oe correct retention level specified in AWPA Standards.

Story at a Glance

Tips for making sure your treated wood products arc in compliance as ALSC begins its role as industry's quality policeman ... 1O agencies certified to inspect treated wod prodrcts... new names and quality marks that dealers need to recognize.