The staff outside the payroll

rlloR hundreds of dealers across the -[ nation. the familiar APA logo means more than just a product certification stamp. The mark that appears on plywood, concrete forms, OSB, LVL, I-joists, rim board and glulam means access to training, complaint resolution, and market development. And the number one feature of all APA services-they are free of charge to dealers, distributors and other industry professionals. APA services are underwritten by APA's approximately 160 member mills.

Wayne Mangan, sales manager for BMC West, is a 29-year veteran with the multi-faceted corporation that distributes framing materials, doors and millwork, assembled components and integrated construction services. The company has sold engineered wood products for more than 30 years. With a menu of capabilities designed to save time and reduce risk for the builder, Mangan and his staff have relied on APA to help them achieve high standards for customer service.

"APA provides technical support and expertise that building departments, architects and engineers deem as unbiased factual data," Mangan said. "We use all of APA's services." Those services are extensive. It starts with the front-line, 2O-person Field Services Division (FSD). This group of wood scientists, architects, engineers and market development specialists are located in the top markets throughout the U.S. and eastern Canada. They serve the individuals along the entire project chain-developers, designers, engineers, distributors, retailers, contractors, framing crews, and inspectors. For example, FSD reps provide fast solutions for red-tagged jobs to resolve code official and specifier misunderstandings.

Mangan uses APA field staff for "Lunch and Learns"-contractor training on topics such as moisture control, wall bracing and proper engineered wood product installation.

Employee Training Online

APA continues to see hundreds of companies using Engineered Wood Basics, an online training course for employees new to EWP. The five-unit course is part of wooduniversity.org, APA's continuing education program:

UNIT 1 - Understanding Engineered Wood Products introduces the EWP family: categories, characteristics and quality standards.

UNIT 2 - Selling Engineered Wood explains EWP features, as they relate to system applications.

UNIT 3 - Structural Wood Panel Grades & Applications explains the information shown in the APA trademark and how it relates to floor, wall, and roof construction. Also explains APA Performance Rated Panels, sPan ratings, exposure durability, grades and specialty panel definitions.

V!,''lUNIT 4 - Glulam Basics,a Primer on glued laminated timber, explains specification and application of APA EWS trademarked glulam.

UNIT 5 - APA Performance Rated I-Joist Basics is a primer on the composition, specification and application of APA Performance Rated I-Joists. It takes approximately five hours of "classroom" time to complete the selfpaced course. Registration is free, and employees receive a certificate. Other online courses include Design of Wood Connections and Wall Bracing. Wooduniversity.org is but one aspect of APA's online presence. Its main website, apawood.org, is where companies like BMC West turn for everyday information. Mangan and his team access technical Iiterature, CAD details, installation guides, and product reports. With more than 500 titles online, nearly every commercial or residential contingency involving

EWP is covercd. APA's u,cbsite tamily includes:

. Apawoocl.ors - Access to publication libran. ntenrbcr clirectort,. product infirrnration. apltlicltions. APA new's. ancl all othcr ucbsitcs. ALrclicncc: lLll constrLrction protcssionuls. Apucucl .orl Morc than 100 CAD dctails lirr both contntcrciul uncl rcsiclcntial rlcsign 1'ront APA's ntost popular ltublicutirtns. sor-tcd bt ltroclLtct ancl constfuction loltic. Auclicncc: clcsign prolcssionuls.

. Wallbracing.org - Wall blacing is onc ol' thc ntost intpurtant stnlctural elenrcrrts of anv house. bLrt it can also be onc of the ntost confusing. This site is cleVoted to unclcrstanclin-q IRC bracin-e requirenrcnts. APA's Narrou, Wall Bracing Mcthod \\'as approvecl at thc last cocie hcalings for use over raised wood t-loors. seconcl stories. and in all seismic ciesisn cate-gorics. Dealers u,ill discovcr r.r'hv builclers prcfer this method over costlv prefab shcarwall panels. ALrcliencc: contractors. clesi_gn 1'lt'ofessionals. clcalcrs. hor.ncorr ncrs. BLrilclubettcr-hontc.org Prrtvicles constnrclion guiciclincs nccclcrl to l)ro- tetl lltrrt)r'. tr.llrittrl rllrttlirLirtl t|()i\lU|e inl'iltlltion trnd cr.rcoLr rugcs bcttcr builclins prircticcs litl thc kcr clcntcnts ol' a resiclcntial structurc: mctf. u alls. lirLrrrclation. Aud iencc: colttrrctors. fritnrcrs. dcalcrs.

. Frccl'nrnrrrrolrl.org Plot,ides irn lunnuirl insl-rcc{ion ancl rrroisturc prc \\'rlti')n t'erirttert lirt lr ltrrrtte'. ittlr'r'itrt' ancl cxterior. Auclience: horneowners.

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