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llt HAT happens when an order lU of lumber arrives at your yard? Do the yard men unload it and put it in stock or do they check it carefully against the purchase order and invoice to be sure it is the lumber that was ordered?

You'll prevent mistakes and lost dollars if you train each new hire and make certain that all present employees can identify and verify the material ordered by species, size, moisture content and grade stamp. The Western Wood Products Association, which teaches the basics in seminars for retailers, recommends the following steps.

First determine the size classification. Lumber is divided into three size categories based on nominal thickness: boards are generally one inch thick; dimension, two to four inches thick; timbers, five inches and thicker. Most of the lumber in dimension and timber categories is considered structural.

' All lumber used structurally is required by the building codes to be identified, usually by a grade stamp. The code also requires that the grade stamp be of an approved grading or inspection agency. An approved agency is one that's certified by the American Lumber Standards Committee. Each official grade stamp contains the same five basic parts.

The stamp must contain the logo ofan approved grading agency, such as the Western Wood Products Association. All agency logos are registered trade marks, indicated by an "R" in a small circle next to the logo. If it doesn't have the logo, it is not a valid grade stamp.

Mill identification will appear on every grade stamp in the form of a mill name or number. Using this information, the lumber can be traced to its origin if necessary.

The official grade name or number to give positive identification of the grade of the lumber is also part of the stamp as is a species mark to

Story at a Glance

How to check in lumber de- liveries how to identify species, size, grade, moisture content procedures for questions gettingareinspection.

identify the species or species grouping.

The stamp also will indicate the degree ofseasoning. One ofthree industry moisture content designations will indicate how dry the lumber was without grade stamps if specified for appearance reasons on a large job. Since the codes require that all lumber be identified, special arrangements must be made through the inspection agency for an inspection certificate which certifies the grade of the material without it having been stamped. The certificate must remain with the shipment until it has been approved by a building inspector. at the time of surfacing: S-GRN, above 190/o; S-DRY, maximum of l9o/o', MC- 15, 150/o maximum. Southern pine is the only species for which the designation "KD," standing for kiln dried, is used on the grade stamp.

If, for any reason, the lumber received appears to be not the grade, species or moisture content ordered, there is a right under the grading rules to call for a reinspection. Before calling for a reinspection, however, a careful check of the lumber against the purchase order, mill acknowledgement and invoice should be made. These three documents take precedence over the purchase order. After collecting all the information from the grade stamp, purchase order and invoice, you should call your wholesaler first to resolve the situtation.

If any single element of the grade stamp is missing, or if it looks odd or unusual in any way, a yard man should immediately question it and bring it to his supervisor's attention. Otherwise, building officials may end up rejecting lumber the store has sold, causing contractor customers to go elsewhere.

Structural lumber can be shipped

Most problems and misunderstandings are taken care of at this point, but if you still can't get it resolved to your satisfaction, call the inspection agency. If a reinspection is called, a lumber inspector from that agency, not from the mill, will visit the yard to reinspect the lumber.

Reinspections, however, are rare occurrences. As a rule, the lumber you receive will be the size and species ordered with the correct moisture content and proper grade stamp. However, it is necessary to be sure that those handling it are able to identify and verify this. Mistakes can lose both customers and dollars.