Report on Efforts to Secure FHA Acceptance of New Engineered Lumber Sizes

After more than three years of effort a simplified and standardized system of lumber grades and sizes has been developed and is being supported by a substantial number of quality lurnber producers throughout the nation.

The purpose of the new system of lumber grades and sizes is twofold: First, to make lumber easier and more economical to specify, purchase and use; and secondly, to effect a general improvement in overall lumber quality and conformance to standards,

A significant provision in the new system' particularly from the standpoint of im' proved and more economical construction has been the development of new engineered dimensions for studs, joists, rafters and other light framing which will apply at en average moisture content of fSlo. While the thickness of the new lumber has been reduced slightly ftom l5/8" to the easier fraction ot ll/zt', widths have been maintained at 35/8t', 5r/2", 'll/r",91/2tt, at lhe I5/o average moisture content condition. This means, according to U.S. Forest Products Laboratory data, that lumber produced to the new sizes at l5/o is equal or superior to the substantial volume of lumber which is presently surfaced to l6/e" in thickness and subsequently shrinks after installation.

Alsc Proposat

The more efficient ly2" dry lumber thick' ness and a new economiealS/gil board thickness were proposed to the American Lumber Standards Committee at the May, 1962 meeting for acceptance as standard dimensions. In proposing the new dimensions, it was pointed out that the new dry size would also remove a disparity in green and dry Iumber sizes which has existed for a number of years; i.e., that dry lumber, although stronger and stiffer than green lumber, is produced to significantly larger dimensions than the green counterpart when both are measured at the same moisture condition.

At the January 25, 1963, meeting of the Special Subconhittee of the American Lumber Standards Committee to discuss proposed new sizes for green and dry surfaced lumber, the Subcommittee recommended that the I5/o average moisture condition be used to equate green and dry lumber sizes and, despite submittal of private research data on wood shrinkage, designated the U.S. Forest Products [,aboratory as the official source for shrinkage in- formation upon which the new sizes were to be based. Although there was strong opposition from green lumber producers and from the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, the AIS Subcommittee, including the consumer, specifier and engineer members, also displayed a significant majority preference for the l\z" dry lumber thickness as the basis for developing new sizes for lumber surfaced at the green condition.

Foriiat Nequest To Fha

In order to make the new engineered dry lumber sizes available to the designer and builder as quickly as a substantial portion of lumber industry production could be converted to this size, a formal request was made to FHA on October 5, 1962, for acceptance of the new ll2" dry lumber as a non-standard size stamped in accordance with present American Lumber Standards procedures. Subsequently, technical discussions and data were presented at numerous meetings with FHA technical personnel to substantiate the adequacy of the new dimensions over present FHA spans for joists and rafters.

On November 29, 1962, a second letter was written to FHA explaining the ade' quacy of the new dry lumber size and asking for FHA acceptance to permit produc' tion of lumber to the new size by January l, 1963. Following the November 29th ler ter, a letter.of approval'of the new lumber size was actually drafted by FHA and acceptance of the new size was promised, provided that the adequacy of the new lumber over present FHA spans would be veri' fied by the Forest Products Laboratory in accordance with FHA procedures.

Promptly, Dr. Locke, Director of the Forest Products Laboratory, assured FHA in writing that the new Wzt' dry size was equal or superior to the l5/g" green lumber which has been accepted by FHA for many years. Dr. Locke stated further that the Laboratory would have no objection to the use of the new ll/r" lumber over present FHA spans.

Upon receipt of Dr. Locke's letter, FHA technical personnel then introduced certain questions relative to lumber shrinkage which required additional clarification. After further delay, these questions were resolved by a second letter from the Forest Products Laboratory, reafrrming the FPL shrinkage data used in the original lumber calculations. The second FPL letter also re- iterated the adequacy oI Lr/2" dry Iumber over present FHA spans and its strength and stifiness superiority over green lumber.

More than four months have now elapsed since initial negotiations with FHA for acceptance of the new lumber sizes. Hundreds of dry lumber producers have been standing ready to provide the new It/2" lumber and are still awaiting FHA acceptance. Discussions with officials at FHA make it apparent that the continuing delay in granting acceptance has been due not to technical considerations but rather has resulted from objections raised by certain green lumber producers and distributors and by the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau. Such objections, of course, are not technically substantiated and are at variance with the technical informati,on presented by the U.S. Forest Produats l,aboratory. Therefore, they must be attributed solely to competitive interests.

The National Lumber Manufacturers Association represents quality producers of both green and dry lumber who have recognized the present inconsistencies in our lumber size standards. It has been to standardize the sizes of green and dry lumber on a technically equivalent basis that the ne* W2" dry size has been developed.

oPPOSTTTON VOTCED

It is understandable that any new development which would improve the quality of dry lumber and make it more economically competitive with green lumber would be opposed by green lumber manufacturers and distributors who have little or no interest in the production and use of dry lumber. It is significant to note, however, that the lumber produced and distributed by the green lumber opponents of the new dry size does not and has not complied with FHA Minimum Property Standards.

The objection voiced by the Southen Pine Inspection Bureau to a proposal which would improve the efficiency and economy of dry lumber, particularly when this agency only grades dry lumber, is somewhat more difficult to understand. Here again, however, competitive interests are involved in that it has been suggested that the slight reduction in freight charges for the new 1l/r" dry dimension might be more significant to those who have a greater distance to ship their material to rnarket; i.e., the dry producers in the West.

These, basically, are the issues at hand.

"A dependable reputation for quality has made West Coast Lumber outstanding in the years I have been engaged in the retail lumber busincss. Now, with componcnts becoming more popular with builders, it is easy for a dealer to establish his own fabrication plant and use the West Coast Lumber from his inventory to build trusses and wall sections. West Coast Lumber adapts easily to the trcnds in building."

An increasing number of retail lumbel dealers arc cntering the component building field to serve their buildel and farmer customers better: and more profitably. This step is made easy because the basic material for components is taken from their inventory of standard sizes and grades of West Coast Lumber'.

reports L. G. EVERITT, Board Chairman, Everitt Lumber Co., Ft. Collins, Colo., and President, National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association

WEST COAST DOUGLAS FIR 2"x4",2',x6,, and 2" x 8" framing lumber.

WEST COAST HEMLOCK used in the manufactured trusses.

They have nothing to do with the technical adequacy or acceptability of the new engineered lumber size in relation to Present FHA design criteria. In fact, it is questionable whether those who are urging FHA not to gccept new ll2" lumber are actually aware of the technical considerations which must govern the FHA decision and which have been verified by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory.

The request for FHA acceptance of a non-standard lumber size is not unusual. FHA presently accepts | 9/Ig',3/nt', and ll/lg'lumber, all of which are non-standard sizes manufactured by both green and dry producers. It seems most unusual, therefore, that FHA would recognize the opposition of those who cannot or do not wish to produce the new lL/2tt dry lumber, in contrast to the best efforts of those who desire to produce in accordance with high standards of quality and in the hest interests of the builder, specifier and the homebuying public.

At a recent meeting of leaders in the lumber manufacturing industry with key members of the National Association of Home Builders, builders indicated they would welcome the more efficient new dry size and would specify such material as soon as FHA acceptance was granted. Many lumber producers are standing ready to manufacture the new drv lumber size. The

ALS Subcommittee presently considering new lumber sizes has indicated a prefer' ence for the ll,!' dry lumber dimensions as the basis for developing new larger green sizes. It is, therefore, most difficult to un' derstand FHA hesitancy to accept lumber produced to the new dimensions and rnore definitive moisture content.

If FHA Minimum Property Standards are to be of greatest benefit to the home' buyer, they must be based upon sound technical data and not be influenced by competitive producer interests. For if it is possible for producers of one type of lum' ber to prevent the acceptance by FHA of another lumber product, then it seems also logical that political pressures applied by competitive materials, such as aluminum, steel, concrete, etc., might also have an effect upon FHA acceptance of lumber, plastics and other building products.

The FHA Minimum Property Standards have come to be regarded as model regulations for good construction, despite minor objections from builders, specifiers and producers. It is inconceivable, therefore, that future acceptability of new materials and methods designed to provide for better and more economical home construction could be influenced by objections from manufacturers of competitive products. Yet the unwarranted delay in gaining approval of a slightly modified lumber size, over a four- month period, should serve as a warning to all groups who recognize the importance of sound, unbiased construction requirements for FHA guaranteed homes.

Chonge of Rote Bosis on lmported Hordwood Plynrood Shipments

Preliminary information has been received by the Imported Hardwood Plywood Association, San Francisco, that the Hong Kong/Pacific, and Honk Kong Atlantic and Gulf Conferences are in the process of changing the rate basis on imported hardwood plywood shipments to surface measurement.

This follows recent action taken by the Japan-Atlantic and Gulf Freight Conference, and the Trans-Pacific Freight Conference of Japan, both of which recently adopted the simplified surface measure method of determining freight rates on plywood.

Eric Wagner, newly elected president of IHPA and chairman of the IHPA committee recommending these changes, expressed gratification that the conferences had accepted this simplified rate method.

The initial adoption of plywood and ve neer rates on a surface measure basis by the conferences was the result of several years of study and recommendations by the IHPA to the Conferences.

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