International Services
SEC member grading agencies are approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to issue
Heat Treatment Certification Using a Kiln Facility as well as
Certificates of Debarking and Grub Hole Control, as required by EU and other countries.
Upon request, they will provide Inspection Certificates that attest to the accuracy of the grades and tallies shipped by their member companies. If any disagreement should arise, all SEC member-grading agencies are able to provide services anywhere in the world to help resolve disputes.
In addition, these agencies are approved to prepare documentation for individual companies in preparation for acquisition of the USDA
Phytosanitary Certificates or other similar documents that may be required by specific destination countries.
All four agencies are accredited by ALSC to supervise NGR-based grading and grade marking services on structural products for Japan. Under the Japanese Ministry of Construction, these SEC agencies are approved to provide grading services for machine stress-rated timber products under
JAS 702 and for structural dimension timber under JAS
600. The Japanese government further grants approval to WWPA to certify qualifying mills to place
JAS grade marks on structural products to be shipped directly to Japanese construction sites.
Grade Stamps
Because structural timber has assigned design values (numerical indications of strength and performance properties for engineering and construction), building codes and other regulatory entities require structural timber products be clearly marked with an approved, registered grade stamp.
Most grade stamps, except those for heavy members 127 mm x 127 mm and larger, contain the following five basic elements: |
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1. Certification Mark
The ALSC-certified grading agency’s registered mark. Attests to quality control supervision.
2. Mill Identification
Reveals the manufacturing mill’s identity. It may be a name or assigned mill number.
Grading agencies may be contacted to identify an individual mill whenever necessary.
3. Grade Designation
Grade name, number or abbreviation.
4. Species Identification
Indicates species by individual species or species combination.
5. Moisture Content & How Seasoned
Indicates the moisture content/condition of seasoning when timber was surfaced at the mill (KD indicates kiln dried):
MC15 or KD15 --- 15% maximum moisture content;
S-DRY or KD --- 19% maximum moisture content;
S-GRN --- over 19% moisture content (unseasoned).
To avoid marring the beauty of the wood, grade information for appearance products may be included in documentation rather than stamped directly onto a timber piece.
Moisture Content
S-DRY can mean either kiln dried or air seasoned, while KD specifically means kiln dried. The meaning for “DRY” is defined by the grading rules.
In structural grades, DRY indicates a product was either kiln or air dried to a moisture content (MC) level of 19% or less prior to surfacing. Most species are seasoned below 19% MC before surfacing.
For international markets, Douglas fir framing timbers 38 mm and less in thickness are generally shipped after seasoning at the mill to a moisture content of 19% or less; indicated by S-DRY or KD. However, because Douglas fir has the ability to season well in position, framing products are sometimes shipped unseasoned (S-GRN) for use by local markets.
In clear and nearly clear appearance-grade products, i.e. the Clears, Selects & Finish grades, DRY is defined in grading rules as being a maximum of 15% MC, and under WWPA rules, 85% of these items will be shipped with a MC of 12% or less. In the appearance grades for knotty products, i.e. the Board, Merchantable & Common grades, DRY allows for a maximum of 19% MC.
For remanufacturing or glued products, Douglas fir is seasoned in temperature and humidity-controlled kilns or stacked and air dried until its MC reaches the appropriate level for an intended purpose, or as specified for individual grades, or through buyer/seller agreement.
Products
Douglas fir is exceptionally versatile because it is both strong and of fine appearance. It is widely available in structural, appearance, remanufacturing, and industrial grades. International grades and sizes specific to the needs of destination countries are manufactured unseasoned or kiln dried (KD) and shipped under the supervision of RIS, PLIB, WCLIB and WWPA. Many products are available through buyer/seller agreements. Those products manufactured and graded specifically for export include, but are not limited to:
Baby Squares, J Grade, and Scantlings. |
