Engineering & Testing

SBCA has updated its engineered use guidance for implementing the reduced Southern Pine lumber design values that went into effect on June 1st.

Both ALSC and SPIB have responded to SBCA's requests for further information regarding lumber testing data and methodology regarding Southern Yellow Pine lumber.

A new collaborative Q&A has been issued for Registered Design Professionals regarding SPIB's Supplement No.9 to the 2002 Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber, which provides new design values effective June 1, 2012. SFPA has also issued summary press release

At this inaugural “Lumber Summit,” 71 participants, including key lumber industry leaders, the top five lumber producers in North America, and component manufacturers representing approximately 700 million board feet of U.S. structural lumber purchases, were in attendance. 

SBCA recommends that all component manufacturers consider customizing and sending out SBCA’s template letter to all customers, potential customer, specifiers and building officials, disseminating it through every communication channel you can.

The International Code Council (ICC) has issued a response SBCA’s May 10th letter, indicating it was taking essentially a “hands off” position with respect to implementation of lumber design value changes.

SBCA has drafted an engineering policy regarding the transition to lowered Southern Pine lumber design values effective June 1, 2012, and has sent a letter to the ICC requesting their plan of action.

Little used until just recently, the HERS rating system is gaining traction as the building industry’s equivalent of mpg.

SBCA has submitted a letter to ALSC requesting further information regarding Southern Pine lumber monitoring data previously collected by SPIB. 

The American Wood Council (AWC) has revised several of its standards and design tools in response to upcoming changes to Southern Pine design values.