Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705621
40 • august 2016 • world fence news AWPA clarifies wood treatment guidelines Sunbelt Forest Products said it is pleased that the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) has reaffirmed Ecolife and Copper Azole Type C (CAC) as effective treatments for use with above-ground outdoor wood applications, including joists and beams. "The recent modifications to the AWPA standards for treated wood components considered 'difficult to replace' had caused some confusion in the industry," said Ken DelleDonne, president of Sunbelt Forest Products. "Some retailers and wood treat- ment producers appear to be under the mistaken impression that all treat- ed wood used in outdoor applications must meet ground contact standards. This could unnecessarily drive up costs of outdoor building projects," he said. "During the AWPA annual meet- ing held in early May, the technical committee clarified its treatment guidelines by component part. The committee identified above ground (UC3B) treated wood standards for deck joists, support beams, decking, railings, fence pickets and similar out- door projects, reaffirming UC3B as an acceptable and effective treatment in most outdoor uses," DelleDonne said. Certain producers and suppliers are forcing their retail and contrac- tor customers to switch to all ground contact wood because they say it is re- quired by the AWPA revision, he not- ed. When only ground contact wood is available, retailers and contractors are forced to pay higher costs not only for the more heavily treated lumber, but also for the more robust fasteners re- quired with such wood. There are also potential environmental concerns, since ground contact lumber contains more copper sulfate. "We're seeing treaters forcing their customers to all ground con- tact products, which are also being accompanied by a 15% or greater increase in retail price. Also, since most ground contact preservatives are copper-based, forcing consumers to all-ground contact is exposing the en- vironment to higher levels of copper sulfate than is necessary to achieve product performance levels," he add- ed. "But the AWPA's technical stan- dards committee has made it very clear that the treatments currently used for above ground standard deck joists and support beams, decking, railings, fence pickets and similar out- door projects are still acceptable and effective in most uses," he said. "We want to be sure that our customers – building supply stores, contractors and specifiers – as well as building code officials know that Sunbelt Forest Products' current treat- ments remain IRC and IBC compliant for all above ground uses," DelleDon- ne added. Sunbelt Forest Products, of Bar- tow, Fla., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PalletOne, Inc., is one of the larg- est pressure treaters in the Southeast. Operating three locations in Alabama and Florida, Sunbelt's manufacturing capabilities exceed 300 million board feet of pressure treated wood per year. For more information, call 800- 330-5678, e-mail sales@sunbeltfp. com or visit www.sunbeltfp.com. AFA University offers four schools in one week The American Fence Associa- tion reminds the industry that AFA University is scheduled for Nov. 6-11, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. AFA University is a one-week event which includes four schools and the opportunity to earn four certifica- tions. Schools include: • Automated Gate Systems Design School (AGSD) • Operator Installer School (OIS) • Sales Training School (STS) • Fence Installation School (FIS) Certifications include: • First aid & CPR training • Certified Automated Gate Sys- tem Designer (CAGSD) exam • Certified Automated Gate Ope- ator Installer (CAGOI) exam • Certified Fence Professional (CFP) exam "AFA University's comprehen- sive schools, certifications and other training programs offer excellent op- portunities to improve your skills, ad- vance your career, and be recognized for your commitment to professional growth," the association stated. "The purpose of AFA University's education and certification programs is to enable individuals in the fence and access control industry to demon- strate a high level of professionalism and further differentiate themselves in today's highly competitive market- place." AFA noted that members of IDA (International Door Association), NOMMA and DASMA may register at AFA member rates. For more information, visit the web site americanfenceassociation. com/afa-university.