Geor ge J. Silbern agel, f ne.

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"It's pretty obvious how the fabricator benefits from PFS membership. A product with known properties is easier to sell than one with a lot of question marks, especially if it's something that's going to hold up a roof, for instance," Page points out.

For the architect and his clier-rt it means clepenclability for the structttral and styling innovations in a building. It ' (Continued on Page 51)

An important backstop to PFS expansion is accelerated research in the components field by DFPA laboratories.

A major project has just been completed on stressed skin panels and two studies are underway now. Ohe involves new types of box beams and the other a brand new development described as a "space plane." These units take advantage of the diaphragm action of plywood and involve the fabrication of high-strength roof shells with a number of intersecting planes.

A number of space planes already have been tested and built, but general design data still is needed.

Design specifications set up by PFS are based on clata gathered in DFPA and U. S. Forest Products Laboratory tests.

Most of the separate components are members of four general families : stressed skin panels, plywood box beams, panel vaults and trussed rafters. Fabricators are qualified by PFS to produce the various types of components on the basis of equipment and experience.

"The component idea isn't new," Page explains. "There have been lots of them used. But the difficultv alwavs has been in their production. If the component is t6 rneet design specifications, it's got to be put together to precise standards under rigidly controlled conditions."

Page emphasizes the importance of keeping the confidence of lending agencies and building code officials, who are learning that a PFS grade-trademark means adherence to rigid specifications.