AWPA Fall Technical Meeting Update

The American Wood Protection Association recently held its Fall Technical Meeting in San Antonio, TX on September 11-15. A number of the proposals considered at this meeting were significant issues for the industry. While we have not attempted to summarize all of the meeting activity, below is a summary of those topics that will impact you as producers.     

All actions of the AWPA Technical Committees made during this Fall meeting were to authorize letter ballots on the issues described below. Letter ballots will be made in the following months and then the AWPA Executive Committee will have final approval at its meeting in early 2017. At that same meeting, the Executive Committee will determine the effective date of all changes. In recent years, the effective date has been the date of publication of the Book of Standards (expected late Spring 2017) but previously, it was typical that changes were effective immediately upon review by the Executive Committee.

Micronized Copper Azole Approvals

At the AWPA meeting in Spring 2016, two systems of Micronized Copper Azole (Type B and Type C) were approved by the appropriate P (preservative) committee. At that time, the definition of each preservative system was established but no minimum retention recommendations were sought or obtained. The Type B version (designated MCA) was presented by Koppers Performance Chemicals and the Type C version (designated MCA-C) was presented by Lonza.  

At the Fall meeting, data packages showing results from years of laboratory efficacy studies and field performance tests were presented to the P committee to obtain minimum recommended retentions. These minimums were then proposed to multiple T (treatment) committees who approved the following retentions for each product:

The approved species and commodities vary. Please contact your sales representative if you have questions about a specific product.  

Lonza’s approved retentions for MCA-C under our ICC-ES Report differ from the retentions approved at AWPA. Our current ICC-ES Report is effective until May 2017.  We intend to renew the report for at least one additional year (through May 2018) to provide our customers an extended transition period and an additional option for production of a code-compliant product. We are currently evaluating whether to renew the report thereafter. Your sales representative will discuss these changes with you.  

Please note that you may not switch to AWPA end tags until the changes are effective and you conform to the updated retentions. We will notify you when the changes are effective. 

New Use Category UC3C

Numerous proposals to create a new Use Category, UC3C for Critical Above Ground Use, were presented in Spring 2016 and did not pass. Similar proposals were on the agenda in Fall 2016, but were withdrawn.  A task group will continue to evaluate this topic.

Revision to Use Category UC4A 

The technical committee approved revisions to two conditions describing situations that require UC4A treatment for Sawn Products (Standard U1, Section 2, Note 1). The added language is italicized and underlined below.  

UC4A treatment is required:

The changes were intended to clarify the language that was approved in Fall 2015. No impact to the treater or consumer is foreseen based on these revisions.

Changes in Quality Control Procedures

Two proposals to require photographic records of penetration testing for quality control were not successful. At the moment, photos of stained cores are not required.

A proposal to reduce the assay zone for thin sapwood species passed (Standard T1, Section A, Table 11). The assay zone for sawn products will change from 0 – 0.6”, in most cases, to 0 – 0.4” for material less than 5” thick, matching the required penetration depth. For material that is at least 5” thick, the assay zone will be 0 – 0.5”, again matching the corresponding penetration depth. Species included are Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Western White Spruce, Englemann Spruce, Sitka Spruce, SPF West, SPF, Coastal Douglas-fir, Hem-Fir, Hem-Fir North, Eastern Hemlock, and Alpine Fir.

Please contact your sales representative if you have any questions regarding the recent AWPA activity and how it may impact your business.  
 

AWPA is a voluntary, consensus-based standards setting organization. AWPA standards are recognized by building codes and used by specifiers of treated wood. AWPA standards determine what products are available, how they are made, their quality, and how they can be used. They help protect the performance, reputation, and viability of our industry.  

These standards are all created by AWPA’s members, including academics, treaters/producers, suppliers and end users. We are encouraged to see the recent increase in membership and participation of dealers, coops, big box retailers and wholesalers who recognize the impact the standards have on our industry. Increased involvement by you and your customers benefits both you and our industry.

By actively participating in AWPA, you can influence the requirements that most significantly affect how you operate and what you can manufacture or sell. You have a unique and valuable experience and perspective that you bring to the table.  

You understand the technical needs and basis for changes and approvals as well as the practical impact of proposed actions on your business. You do not have to be a passive recipient of the industry activity and decisions; your voice can make a difference.  

By being involved in AWPA, you also ensure that you are well-informed of all of the issues affecting your business and can hear first-hand the arguments for and against different proposals, making you a more informed leader in your business.  Another step towards keeping your company and your customers informed of the standards that govern the manufacture and use of your treated products is to always keep a current copy of the AWPA Book of Standards on hand. 

Become a member of AWPA or apply to join a technical committee. If you are already a member, join us at one of the upcoming meetings.