News Releases and Briefs
CONTACT: Jessica McFaul 202-463-2587, jmcfaul@awc.org
2012 National Design Specification® and 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual Now Available from the American Wood Council
December 2, 2011
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LEESBURG, VA – The American Wood Council’s (AWC) 2012 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings are now available for purchase in electronic format (PDF) from the AWC website.
The NDS was approved Aug. 15, 2011 as an American National Standard and is designated ANSI/AWC NDS-2012. The WFCM was approved Nov. 29, 2011. Both documents are referenced in the International Code Council’s 2012 International Building Code.
Designers may begin using provisions of the new standards pending approval by the authority having jurisdiction.
“Most code officials will allow for the use of newer standards even if they are not referenced in older editions of the building code, especially those developed through a consensus process,” said AWC Vice President of Codes and Regulations Kenneth Bland.
Available as a package, AWC’s 2012 NDS, 2012 NDS Supplement: Design Values for Wood Construction, and 2008 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) are currently available for purchase as a set in electronic format. Purchasers of the 2012 NDS and Supplement will also receive the 2012 NDS Commentary and other documents that make up the 2012 Wood Design Package (WDP) in electronic format at no additional charge once completed. Similarly, once the WFCM Commentary is completed, those who purchased the WFCM will receive an electronic copy of the Commentary for free. Printed copies of all new standards will be available sometime in 2012.
If there were to be a change to lumber design values in 2012, affected AWC design standards and design aids would be amended accordingly. Once amended, purchasers of electronic versions of AWC’s 2012 design standards would receive those documents in electronic format at no additional charge.
To purchase any of the new standards, visit http://www.awc.org. For more information, contact Lacey Merriman at 202-463-2766 or lmerriman@awc.org.
American Wood Council Applauds House Passage of Bi-Partisan EPA Regulatory Relief Act
Approval of Senate Legislation Now Needed to Protect U.S. Manufacturing Jobs
October 13, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement regarding House approval of H.R. 2250 – the EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011.
“I applaud the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 2250 and thank Reps. Morgan Griffith and G.K Butterfield for their leadership in proposing this bipartisan bill. By voting in favor of this legislation, our elected representatives are helping to protect tens of thousands of jobs that would be in jeopardy due to the high compliance costs associated with the current proposed Boiler MACT rules.
“This bill provides EPA the time it needs to write a more affordable and reasonable set of regulations. As the economy continues its struggle to gain footing, employers across the country need assurance that their capital investments are well placed.
“The passage of H.R. 2250 is a step in the right direction, and we now encourage the Senate to pass the EPA Regulatory Relief Act to move us further down the path of regulatory certainty.”
American Wood Council Statement on Study Showing Job Impact of Boiler MACT Rules on Forest Products Industry
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council (AWC) President Robert Glowinski issued the following statement regarding the American Forest & Paper Association’s (AF&PA) release of a new study focused on the economic impact of pending air regulations.
Conducted by Fisher International and incorporating cost analyses from URS Engineering, the study reveals direct pulp and paper industry job losses exceeding 20,000, with 36 mills across the country at risk for closure.
“The impact on job losses reflected in this new study is cause for great concern throughout the forest products industry. Although the AF&PA study focused on job losses in the pulp and paper sector, we anticipate that jobs in the wood products sector would also be impacted. Because our facilities are much smaller in size and less able to absorb new capital costs, job losses could be at even greater rates. Under the current Boiler MACT rule, our initial total compliance costs would top $1 billion and could triple if the bio-based fuels we use are classified as waste under the related Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials rule.
“As the housing market struggles to gain footing, it would be difficult for our businesses to come up with the capital necessary to afford these excessive costs, putting tens of thousands of jobs in the wood products sector at risk. Wood products industry employment has already plunged 43 percent since early 2006, and many rural communities across the country rely on the remaining, well-paying jobs that our industry provides. In order to maintain jobs in this sector, environmental regulations need to be developed in a way that allows our businesses to survive and compete.”
AWC Statement on Senate Legislation Introduced on Boiler MACT Rules
July 20, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement on legislation introduced in the U.S Senate to provide for achievable Boiler MACT rules.
“The bill that the Senate introduced today will provide EPA with the time they need to make necessary improvements to the Boiler MACT rules. EPA has indicated that they were not satisfied with the rule as published, and although we believe that progress has been made toward a reasonable set of rules, our industry continues to have issues with certain aspects of what is currently proposed. Legislation is the path by which those changes can be made.
“We commend Senators Susan Collins (Maine) and Ron Wyden (Ore.), as well as Senators Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Mark Pryor (Ark.), and Patrick Toomey (Pa.) for introducing legislation that will provide for a regulation that protects jobs and the public health. We will continue to work with EPA as they work toward enabling sound, reasonable Boiler MACT rules through the legislative process.”
AWC Statement on EPA's Guidance Document
on the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule
July 12, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement addressing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Comparable Contaminant Guidance Concept Paper for the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials (NHSM) rule that would have EPA issuing "guidance documents" to determine which alternative materials might qualify as fuels.
"It is apparent the NHSM rule has significant issues to be addressed, and while we appreciate that EPA recognizes these serious problems, the substance of the rule must be corrected. We remain concerned that without legislation, the wood products industry will be unable to reasonably implement what has been proposed. Diverting millions of tons of biomass to landfills will force us to significantly increase our fossil fuel consumption at the environment's expense and put thousands of American jobs in jeopardy.
"Using guidance documents to amend the regulation lacks the clarity that businesses need to plan and invest millions of dollars necessary for long-term operational security in their facilities. While we will continue to work with EPA toward improving these rules, it is increasingly apparent that legislation is imperative to address these issues that continue to be discovered within rules that were hurried to meet the court deadline. Legislation remains as the sensible solution to allow for regulation that protects both the environment and jobs as our country's unemployment rate rises again. We urge Congress to pass H.R. 2250, staying implementation of the rule, clarifying that biomass residuals are not waste, and granting EPA the time they need to get it right."
Forest Products Industry Leaders Visit Capitol Hill, Urging Congress to Protect Jobs from Unaffordable Regulations, and to Keep American Businesses Competitive
June 22, 2011
WASHINGTON – Forest products industry leaders from across the country are visiting Members of Congress today to represent the priorities of the more than one million workers in their industry - protecting jobs from unaffordable regulations like EPA’s Boiler MACT rule, and keeping American business competitive globally. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the American Wood Council (AWC) are co-hosting the fly-in.
“As one of the top manufacturing sectors in the American economy, it’s important for our companies to have a direct dialogue with Members of Congress about how federal regulations and legislation impact our ability to compete globally,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “In addition to the issues directed at us, we will take this opportunity to apprise our elected representatives of the proactive steps our industry is taking, such as our new sustainability initiative, titled Better Practices, Better Planet 2020: industry-wide goals announced earlier this year which capture the social, environmental and economic aspects of sustainability.”
The CEOs and senior executives from 40 companies representing AF&PA and AWC will participate in over 70 meetings with Members of Congress and their staffs. Their priority issues will include the need to ensure the proper time and parameters for EPA to construct an affordable and achievable Boiler MACT rule, and issues of competitiveness from trade and transportation, to building energy codes and green building policies.
“Our members look forward to representing the issues before our industry, and highlighting the positive contributions we make to the lives of everyday Americans,” said AWC President Robert Glowinski. “The wood products industry continues to be a vital part of achieving the American dream of homeownership, and the companies that make those products deserve equal opportunity in policies concerning building products. We look forward to speaking with our representatives on the issues concerning the more than 300,000 men and women of the wood products industry.”
AWC Statement on New Legislation Introduced on Boiler MACT Rules
June 22, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement on legislation introduced in the U.S House of Representatives to provide for achievable Boiler MACT rules.
“The legislation introduced today will allow EPA to have the time they need to make necessary improvements in the Boiler MACT rules. EPA earlier signaled that they were not satisfied with the rule as published, and our industry continues to have issues with aspects of the rules. I applaud Congressmen Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), as well as Representatives John Barrow (D-GA), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Pete Olson (R-TX), Mike Ross (D-AR), and Steve Scalise (R-LA) for their leadership on this very important issue.
“We have and will continue to work with EPA, while also supporting efforts to pass this legislation to enable sound, reasonable Boiler MACT rules that protect jobs, many of which are in rural communities, and the environment.”
AWC Statement on Request for EPA to Stay the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule
May 18, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement regarding the request of industry coalition for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stay the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials rule.
“The Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials (NHSM) rule is what determines whether a source is regulated under Boiler MACT as a fuel or under the Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerator (CISWI) rule as a solid waste. Having just stayed those two rules, we believe it is prudent to stay the NHSM rule as well, which is set to become effective May 20.
“The Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials rule has issues that must be addressed in tandem with the other two rules, as it currently would classify many biomass residuals such as resinated wood as solid waste under CISWI. This creates huge costs as businesses shift to less-environmentally friendly fuel options, and has environmental impacts resulting from landfilling these biomass materials.
“This NHSM rule should be stayed as well, as it is intertwined with the Boiler MACT and CISWI rules that have now been stayed -- it defines under which of these a given source would be regulated. We will continue working with EPA on these matters.”
Click here to view the request.
AWC Statement on EPA Decision to Stay Boiler MACT and CISWI Rules
May 16, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to stay the Boiler MACT and CISWI rules.
“We applaud EPA’s granting of the stay request of the Boiler MACT and CISWI rules. This is an important first step in moving forward in a constructive way that will allow for the needed time and due deliberation necessary to make appropriate improvements in these rules. Issues remain that will have dramatic economic impact on businesses, and most-importantly jobs. Before businesses can make any significant investments in additional boiler controls, they must have more certainty on any new standards.
“Further, given the complexity of the proposed multiple control requirements, including some that may not be achievable at the present, this stay to permit additional work on the rules will give companies better lead times for proper design and implementation. However, much effort is still needed to make these rules more achievable, and we look forward to working toward those changes with EPA during the reconsideration process.”
AWC Statement on Petition to EPA for Reconsideration of Boiler MACT Rules
May 9, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement regarding the industry coalition petition for reconsideration of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology rule for Industrial Boilers (Boiler MACT), Generally Achievable Control Technology for Industrial Boilers (Boiler GACT), and Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units (CISWI).
“We join our coalition partners in filing for reconsideration of the Boiler MACT rules so that complex, and in some cases unachievable, provisions in the rules may be corrected and improved upon. EPA has already indicated there are a number of areas they plan to address in reconsideration. We have identified 18 separate issues that need to be addressed in the reconsideration process.
“Issues remain that will have dramatic economic impact on businesses, and most-importantly jobs. Before businesses can make any significant investments in additional boiler controls, they must have more certainty on the new standards.
“Left with a short timeframe to finish the Boiler MACT rules, there are obvious areas that need to be addressed and substantive changes EPA must make for these rules to be achievable. We will continue to work with EPA on this issue toward constructing more realistic rules.”
AWC is also part of the coalition that has requested EPA stay the Boiler MACT rules.
The full petition can be read by clicking here.
AWC Statement on Request of EPA to Stay Boiler MACT and CISWI Rules
April 27, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement following a broad coalition of manufacturers’ request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stay the Boiler MACT and Commercial Industrial Solid Waste Incinerator (CISWI) rules.
“AWC and its fellow coalition members believe strongly that EPA should stay both the Boiler MACT and CISWI rules, while issues with them are addressed. EPA has within its power to stay the rules, and we’re requesting that they do so.
“EPA itself has identified several areas of the rules they plan to reconsider, so companies trying to comply with rules that will certainly change becomes a futile exercise. We feel that staying both rules is in the best interest of everyone so that work can continue toward making much needed improvements in the rules.
“Given the complexity of the rules with multiple control requirements, including some that may not be achievable, competition for qualified engineering firms and control providers, as well as lead time for capital acquisition, permitting, and installation, will necessitate that companies have three full years to devise and implement very complex compliance plans.
“We look forward to working with the EPA, and feel staying the rule is an important next step in the process toward achieving the necessary changes to it.”
American Wood Council Statement on USDA Green Building Policy
March 31, 2011
WASHINGTON - American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement to promote the use of wood as a Green Building material.
"Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a three-part strategy that recognizes the role wood plays in construction as a green building material. I commend the Secretary and the Forest Service for its development and implementation, and for the leadership they are providing in recognizing the environmental advantages offered by wood. Wood is the perfect green building material because it is renewable, stores carbon that reduces greenhouse gases, and is energy efficient in both manufacturing and use.
"In addition to their use in all types of construction, wood products also provide for the American dream of home ownership. They have gotten it right by recognizing through science-based lifecycle analysis that harvesting, transporting, manufacturing and using lumber, panels, and engineered wood products yields fewer greenhouse gas air emissions and as part of thermally-efficient wall systems uses less total energy to produce than other commonly used construction products. I further commend USDA for recognizing Green Globes and the National Green Building Standard as appropriate rating tools to use in evaluating the environmental impact of buildings.
"We appreciate the efforts of Secretary Vilsack and USDA to develop this new plan to promote wood as a green building material, and we applaud his designation of wood and a preferable product for construction of Forest Service buildings. The wood products industry employs 360,000 people, and USDA's pro-wood policy will not only help retain those manufacturing jobs, but make possible job growth as well. We look forward to working with them in this initiative."
American Wood Council Statement on Boiler MACT Final Rule
February 23, 2011
WASHINGTON - American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski commented on today’s announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its final rulemaking on the Maximum Achievable Control Technology for Industrial Boilers (Boiler MACT) and other related rules.
“The Boiler MACT rules released today are better than those initially proposed, but there is certainly room for improvement.
“We are pleased that some concerns have been addressed, especially relating to the Boiler Generally Achievable Control Technology rule (Boiler GACT), by allowing cost-effective boiler tune-ups rather than mandating unachievable limits. This will require certain wood product manufacturers to make adjustments to existing equipment that will reduce emissions, but at the same time facilitate cost-effective production practices and continued employment for thousands of wood products industry workers in many American communities. We are also pleased that EPA recognizes that resinated wood residues are valuable fuels and not wastes.
“The improvement thus far is encouraging, but there is a need for more change. We look forward to working with EPA in the months ahead to improve the rule to address additional industry concerns.”
American Wood Council Statement on Freshman House Letter to EPA
February 16, 2011
WASHINGTON –American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today commented on the letter sent by 61 Freshman U.S. House Members to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reiterating concerns outlined in other congressional letters to EPA regarding final rulemaking on the Maximum Achievable Control Technology for Industrial Boilers (Boiler MACT).
“We commend these newest members of the House for their recognition of bipartisan concerns that the EPA’s final Boiler MACT rule has the potential to vastly affect thousands of American workers and the communities they inhabit and support. We believe the House members are rightly disappointed by both the lack of adequate time for EPA to get the rule right, as well as the lack of attention paid to President Obama’s recent Executive Order on regulation to balance protection of public health and the conditions for economic recovery.
“We are deeply interested in the final rule which EPA is due to issue shortly, and hope that the concerns of many congressional members and citizens have been taken into account.”
American Wood Council Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address
January 27, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement in reaction to Tuesday's State of the Union address delivered by President Obama.
"We are heartened by the message of competitiveness, exports and jobs delivered by the President in his State of the Union address. This, combined with his announcement last week pledging to evaluate regulations through the lens of job creation and economic growth, is cause for optimism. Now, the regulators must adhere to those pledges.
"American businesses are at the heart of a strong U.S. economy, and the President's commitment to streamline processes and remove barriers to businesses' success is a step in the right direction. Our country needs the types of manufacturing jobs that the wood products sector provides. Regulations such as Boiler MACT and Wood MACT, which is before EPA currently, have tremendous potential to impact how companies do business and their ability to employ hard-working Americans.
"The wood products industry employs 360,000 people and makes products that are essential to everyday life. Our products are a renewable resource and are environmentally beneficial as they store carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
"The coming year is sure to have many challenges, and we stand ready to work with policymakers in Congress and the Administration to represent the men and women who work in the wood products industry."
American Wood Council Response to EPA Release Regarding Boiler MACT Deadline
January 21, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today commented on Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) statement regarding the US District Court for the District of Columbia decision to grant a one-month extension for the final rulemaking on the Maximum Achievable Control Technology for Industrial Boilers (Boiler MACT).
"We are encouraged by EPA's pronouncement that the rule to come out next month will be far different from that which they proposed in April, 2010. We hope that real-world feasibility is incorporated into the final product, yielding a reasonable rule.
"The court's decision yesterday is not what we had hoped for, but EPA's stated intention to provide for further public comment is a positive step, and they are to be commended for taking such steps.
"The American Wood Council will continue to work with EPA to achieve a balance that protects jobs and the environment."
American Wood Council Statement on D.C. Court Ruling to Grant One-Month Extension on Boiler MACT Rule
January 20, 2011
WASHINGTON – American Wood Council President Robert Glowinski today issued the following statement regarding the US District Court for the District of Columbia decision to grant a one-month extension for the final rulemaking on the Maximum Achievable Control Technology for Industrial Boilers (Boiler MACT).
"We are very disappointed in today's ruling by the Court to grant only a one-month extension of the Boiler MACT rulemaking process.
"EPA had clearly stated that they received a much greater than normal response in the comment period and in that process gathered data they had not previously had when drafting the initial rule. Given the volume of comments and data received, EPA made the sound decision to ask for more time. It is disappointing that the Court did not see fit to grant EPA's request for a 15-month extension, forcing EPA to quickly put out a rule.
"The American Wood Council worked diligently to help EPA achieve a sound regulation, and we hope EPA is able to issue a final rule that protects jobs and the environment."
Releases
- 2012 National Design Specification® and 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual Now Available from the American Wood Council (December 2, 2011)
- American Wood Council Applauds House Passage of Bi-Partisan EPA Regulatory Relief Act (October 13, 2011)
- American Wood Council Statement on Study Showing Job Impact of Boiler MACT Rules on Forest Products Industry (September 7, 2011)
- AWC Statement on Senate Legislation Introduced on Boiler MACT Rules (July 20, 2011)
- AWC Statement on EPA's Guidance Document on the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule (July 12, 2011)
- Forest Products Industry Leaders Visit Capitol Hill, Urging Congress to Protect Jobs from Unaffordable Regulations, and to Keep American Businesses Competitive (June 22, 2011)
- AWC Statement on New Legislation Introduced on Boiler MACT Rules (June, 22, 2011)
- AWC Statement on Request for EPA to Stay the Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Rule (May 18, 2011)
- AWC Statement on EPA Decision to Stay Boiler MACT and CISWI Rules (May 16, 2011)
- AWC Statement on Petition to EPA for Reconsideration of Boiler MACT Rules (May 9, 2011)
- AWC Statement on Request of EPA to Stay Boiler MACT and CISWI Rules (Apr, 27, 2011)
- American Wood Council Statement on USDA Green Building Policy (May 31, 2011)
- American Wood Council Statement on Boiler MACT Final Rule (Feb 23, 2011)
- American Wood Council Statement on Freshman House Letter to EPA (Feb 16, 2011)
- American Wood Council Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address (Jan 27, 2011)
- American Wood Council Response to EPA Release Regarding Boiler MACT Deadline (Jan 21, 2011)
- American Wood Council Statement on D.C. Court Ruling to Grant One-Month Extension on Boiler MACT Rule (Jan 20, 2011)
Briefs
- Adopt-a-University Program
- International Association of Building Officials Launched
- ANSI has accredited the American Wood Council as a Standards Developing Organization
- Cross-Laminated Timber Symposium
- New FAQ on Wood Use in Non-Combustible Construction
- 2011 Wood Engineering Achievement Award Nominations
Archives
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Adopt-a-University Program
October 28, 2011
Idaho Forest Group and Plummer Forest Products are sponsoring the Fall Structural Timber Design class at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington by donating 70 copies of the 2005 Wood Design Package for this class. Dr. J. Daniel Dolan has requested a guest speaker from one of the companies to spend a couple of hours with the class talking about wood products from the industry’s perspective. He says:
“Donations of design standards are very important to students. With tuition increasing at double digit rates, many students are finding it more and more difficult to justify the cost of purchasing design manuals. The result is that the student takes the course and shares a design standard with other students and their work quality suffers. In addition, students are left with the better impression that timber is an important material for engineered structures and our economy.”
International Association of Building Officials Launched
A June 15, 2011 announcement to ICC chapters across the country indicated that a new organization, the International Association of Building Officials (IABO), has been incorporated and is seeking support. Provisionally governed by a "launch board" of building officials from six states, it seeks to promote the profession, strengthen participation by code officials in the code development process of ICC, and enhance response to natural and manmade hazards in buildings.
IABO denies that it will promulgate new codes, seeking rather to increase building official influence in the ICC code development process. At a recent meeting, the Region 9 ICC Chapter Board of Directors (representing Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi) voted to publicly endorse IABO in response to what they perceive as the diminished influence of building code officials in the ICC code development process. Their new website is www.iabohome.org.
ANSI has accredited the American Wood Council as a Standards Developing Organization
ANSI has accredited the American Wood Council as a Standards Developing Organization, effective March 29, 2011. The accreditation for AWC standards was formerly under the American Forest & Paper Association. Standards such as the 2012 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, both due out this fall, will contain the new ANSI/AWC designation.
Cross-Laminated Timber Symposium
AWC staff recently participated in a comprehensive two-day symposium on Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) organized by the Wood Enterprise Coalition of BC - Wood WORKS! BC, FPInnovations, and BC Wood Specialties Group. Major design issues related to the use of CLT panels were discussed including structural design, manufacturing, seismic resistance, connections, fire safety, acoustics, floor vibrations, durability, and environmental performance. Also presented were case studies of the use of CLT panels in Austria and the United Kingdom. AWC Vice President of Engineering Brad Douglas is co-chairing a North American technical task group to evaluate research and coordinate standards development for CLT, and AWC has notified ANSI of its intent to develop a consensus design standard for CLT as a new chapter of the National Design Specification® for Wood Construction.
New FAQ on Wood Use in Non-Combustible Construction
In response to designer requests, AWC recently developed a new "frequently asked question" and response for the website.
Question: Is wood allowed in buildings classified as non-combustible per the IBC?
Answer: Even in noncombustible construction types (Types I and II), many elements of the building, such as floor coverings, windows and doors, interior finishes, and roof structures can be wood. Permitted combustible building elements in noncombustible buildings are conveniently listed in Section 603 of the IBC. This list also includes structural elements that are constructed of fire retardant treated wood (FRTW) or heavy timber. Although FRTW is not considered noncombustible by the building code definition, it is often permitted to be used in place of noncombustible materials. For instance, FRTW can be used in place of noncombustible materials in exterior walls of Type III and IV buildings, and in roof structures of low-rise buildings of Types I and II construction. Untreated heavy timber can be used for roof structures of Types I and II buildings where the required rating does not exceed 1 hour.
A table has been developed which summarizes where fire-retardant treated wood and untreated heavy timber is allowed to be used in place of noncombustible materials in roof structures. For more information, go to: www.awc.org/helpoutreach/faq/faqFiles/wood_roof_systems.html
2011 Wood Engineering Achievement Award Nominations
This Forest Products Society award sponsored by AWC recognizes excellence in the discipline of wood engineering, including structures, structural elements, building codes, consensus standards, design procedures and education. It is intended to honor achievements and innovations. This year the award honors a young (aged 40 or under) engineer for their past contributions and future potential in the field of wood engineering. Deadline is April 1, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit your nomination.