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Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
February 2025 #17307 Page #37
What is the Risk of Using Incorrect Lumber? By Glenn Traylor
W
hat is at risk when we fail to use the correct lumber? If you are not careful, it could cost you your business.
Several years ago, I received a call from a client searching for a solution to a problem. Unfortunately, their purchasing department got a “great deal” on some lumber, but in the process, there was considerable misunderstanding as to how this would impact their final product. First of all, Section 3.4.1 in ANSI/TPI 1–2014 states, “Truss lumber shall be the size, species and grade specified on the truss design drawing.” If substitutions are made, lumber must be substituted per Section 3.4.2. This requirement means the substituted lumber must meet or exceed 8 specific values. As a great reference, Timber Products Inspection has compiled design value comparison tables for several popular species and species groups. This is a helpful tool for truss manufacturers to determine if a lumber grade and/or lumber species substitution satisfies the original truss design. These charts are included in the April 2023 article by David Conner, “Truss Design Value Comparison Tables.” One example of non-conformance would be using non-graded lumber. The lumber in the first photo has a “stamp,” but this is not a lumber grade stamp. It simply states that this lumber has been heat-treated. The stamp lacks a grade with species/species grouping. Unfortunately, these alternative lumbers are being used in the manufacture of components – even though they shouldn’t be. In this case, the truss manufacturer has used this non-graded lumber in the floor webs. Importantly, the lumber does not have a grade value. Even so, the fabricator is using the lumber where graded lumber is required.
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