Southern Pine Council issues preservative and treatment standards guidance

Wendy Lisney

KENNER, L.A. , November 12, 2008 (Southern Pine Council) – The Southern Pine Council has published an update to its specification guide, Pressure-Treated Southern Pine. The guide now features a comprehensive table listing the commercial trade name under which each preservative is marketed, and for the specifier who wants even more information, a corresponding product web site.

The 16-page, full-color booklet gives design/build pros a concise, up-to-date digest of preservative and treatment standards for all Southern Pine end-use commodities.

“This marks another year of breakthroughs for wood preservation science,” said Richard Kleiner, director of treated markets, Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA). “Formulations are now being marketed that are addressing green building concerns, and more earth-friendly products will be introduced as technology advances.”

Added to the guide are five new code-approved preservatives. These include three new micronized (or dispersed) copper formulations, which reduce impact on aquatic or terrestrial environments and are less corrosive to fasteners. And for above-ground use outdoors, another new “carbon-based” non-copper preservative is now available, as is a new fixated borate formulation.

Preservatives listed are code approved for use with Southern Pine, either by reference through the American Wood Protection Association (formerly the American Wood-Preservers’ Association) or directly through the International Code Council Evaluation Service. Specifiers will find AWPA Use Category (UC) listings for sawn products, posts, crossties, poles, piling,
composites and marine applications.

Glulam timbers have been added to the list of marine (salt water) end-use products in conformance with the American Institute of Timber Construction preservative treatment standard (AITC 109-2007). Guidance on when to specify Southern Pine “dried” after treatment and a discussion of the appropriate uses of surface barrier treatments are also included.

The unique cellular structure of Southern Pine permits deep, uniform penetration of preservatives without incising, making it a preferred species for pressure treatment. Some 85 percent of all pressure-treated wood produced in the U.S. is Southern Pine.

Request a free hard copy or download a PDF copy of Pressure-Treated Southern Pine at www.southernpine.com. Copies can also be requested by e-mailing info@southernpine.com or calling 504/443-4464 (ext. 207) and request publication #300.

The Southern Pine Council (SPC) is a joint promotional body supported by members of the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA).

Both associations represent manufacturers of Southern Pine lumber. Design-build professionals and consumers rely on SPC for accurate, unbiased information on Southern Pine products.

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