Western Woods Special lssue wood seminaKi prcduce pros

showing them the advantages of building with wood. The retailer handles the local details, such as renting the room where the seminar will be held and sending out the personalized announcements which are provided. Instructors and materials are supplied.

The seminar begins with an introduction to the basics of lumber manufacturing, manufacturing standards, and the best uses ofdifferent species. A discussion of seasoning, intended to minimize crooking, warping and shrinkage problems follows. This concludes with information about structural lumber grading and recommended uses.

Story at a Glance

Sessions educate retail personneland customers... two different programs available WWPA, APA, SFPA, NLBMDA do the work dealer benefits.

Next the complete structural panel story, from tree selection through final use, is told, helping take guess work out of material selection and application. A section about non-structural lumber includes learning the actual grades as well as slang terminology. Also included are proper siding and paneling procedures.

A discussion ofpressure treated lumber is followed by a practical presentation of structural basics, design values and applications, live and dead loads and code requirements, with a workshop session to learn the use of a span computer. Participants learn the basics necessary to work out spans based upon design values.

The seminar concludes with discussions and reviews of three specific construction systems, Plen-Wood, the Permanent Wood Foundation and PIRF (Perimeter Insulated Raised Floors).

The seminars are valuable not only for contractors. but for members of in-house design teams, material buyers and job loremen as well. Participants receive a binder filled with data on lumber and structural panels including the span computer. Promotion information which can be used in marketing to customers is included as well. As one participant said last year, "The publications and span computer alone were worth the price of the seminar."

Sponsoring retailers are charged $15 each for the binders. They can charge a registration fee for seminar attendees or consider the binder charge as part oftheir sponsorship costs.

The professional builder and contractor seminars are put on by the Western Wood Products Association and the Southern Forest Products Association (in southern locations) with the cooperation of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association. The retailer seminars are sponsored solely by WWPA. Complete information about both can be obtained through Vic Riolo, Western Wood Products Association. 1500 Yeon Building, Portland, Or. %2M.