Groding Rules Estoblished for Redwood Studs

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Grading rules for redwood studs have been established by the California Redwood Association. Ralph Talvola, chief inspector for the CRA's Redwood Inspection Service, antrounced \Lay 17 that two new redwood stud grades have been adopted. This makes the first time that stud manufacturers will be able to mark redwood studs with redwood names and redwood grade marks, he said.

Prior to the establishment of the new redwood stud grades, redwood studs had been graded according to standards selected by local ordinances, or according to standarcls for redwood yard grades.

Two Star Redwood Studs is the designation for the top grade. This grade is expected to be the standard redwood stud for use in any class of construction.

Since the specifications state only the minimum qualifications, Talvola said, many individual pieces are certain to be of higher quality.

One Star Redwood Studs are serviceable studs of a somewhat lower quality than Two Star, although many pieces will be alrnost equal to the higher grade. In structures that require Two Star Studs for certain load-bearing walls, One Star Studs may be permitted for use in non-bearing walls, and for blocking and cripples.

Individuals mills that qualify under the newly-established RIS stud rules may receive permission to grade-mark redwood studs with their mill identification under a special grade-marking agreement with the Redwood Inspection Servrce.

Standard redwood 2x4's.will continue to be manufactured under the yard grades of Clear All Heart, A-Grade, Select Heart, Construction F{eart, Sap Common and Merchantable redwood, and under the Special Purpose Grade of Economy Redwood. Many of these may also be used as studs.

Specifications for the new stud grades, furnished by Louis L. Ehling, Agencies Supervisor, are:

REDWOOD STUDS

333. Size: This specification shall be applied only to redwood which has nominal dimensions ol 2 inches by 3 inches and 2 inches bv 4 inches. and which does not exceed 10 feet in length. Dressed widths and thicknesses shall be ft inch less than the corresponding nominal widths and thicknesses.

334. Two Star Redwood Studs are suitable for use in any class of construction. The grade permits:

Sapwood and,f or stain not limited

Short splits (equal in length to width of piece)

Seasoning checks

Shake-fine through

Wane-tf thickness by I width (occasional piece)

Edge Crook-fu inch

Skips-hit and miss surfacing

Knots and/or holes from any cause face width 3" 4n approx. l,/+t' l%"

Spike knots equivalent

335. One Star Redwood Studs are serviceable studs of a'somewhat lower quality than Two Star. Many pieces will be almost equal to the next higher grade and are not included therein simply because of one or more disqualifying limitations. In structures that require Two Star studs for certain load bearing walls, One Star studs may be permitted for use in non-bearing walls and for blocking and cripples. This grade permits:

Sapwood and/or stain not limited

Splits-approx. l/6 length of piece (occasional piece)

Seasoning checks lcfephoncs: