May 29, 2015
Update on the NLGA Hem-Fir (N) Species Group Lumber Properties Monitoring
Background:
- As reported in January 2014, the 2013 Hem-Fir (N) monitoring study yielded results that could not support with a reasonable degree of certainty that a downward shift in bending properties compared to the same grade/size cell (NO. 2 grade, 2 by 4) in the original In-grade Program had not occurred.
- In March 2014 NLGA initiated a verification study by re-sampling the NO. 2 grade, 2 by 4, Hem-Fir (N) grade/size cell in accordance with the proposed monitoring protocol of ASTM D1990 to verify whether a change had actually occurred.
Results:
- NLGA found that the 2014 Hem-Fir (N) verification study supported the statement that “there is no reason to believe that there has been a significant downward shift in the MOE or MOR properties of NO. 2 grade, 2 by 4, Hem-Fir (N) dimension lumber”. This statement was accepted by the American Lumber Standard Committee, Incorporated (ALSC) Board of Review on April 30, 2015.