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A scricsof six marinc constnrctionscminer isbcingheld in rcuthcastern coastal citicg to promotc thc usc of fcated wood in docks, bulkheads, boathouscs, and foun&tion projects.

Sponsorcd by thc Southcrn Pine Markcting Council, the half-day scminars arc aimcd at engincers, architccts, specificrs, conbacton and dealen. Spcakcn inclu& a marine structurc dcsigrcr with represcntatives from thc trcating industry, inspection agcncics, National Timber Piling Council and SPMC. Futurc dates includc Savannah, Oa., July 14; Norfollq Va., Aug. 25, and Mobile, Al., Sept. 8. Others are planned for 1993.

A Houslon, Tx., meeting attacted 105 people. Hosted by William Plant of Houston Woodtcch, it emphasized the importance of specifying and receiving matcrial heated with the p,roper amount of preservative for marine use.

This advice is especially pertinent to Galveston Bay and other waterways where pollution has been reduced. Cleaner water increases fish and undesirable shipworms and marine borers, resulting in damage to inadequately treated wood.

Annual marine use of treated southern pine totals 350 million board feet. The following treatment standards have been established for marine applications by the American Wood heservers' Association.

Lumber: fresh water immersion, .40 pcf*; saltwater splash, .@ pcf; saltwater immersion, 2.50 pcf. Piling and columns: foundation or freshwater immersion, .80 pcf; saltwater immersion, 2.50 pcf.

*pcf = pounds per cubic foot of preservative oxide retained in the wood afier trcatment.