Western Hem-Fir

Grading Agencies

Softwood Export Council (SEC) member grading agencies include:

	Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB)
	Redwood Inspection Service (RIS)
	West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB)
	Western Wood Products Association (WWPA),

All of these agencies are accredited by the American Lumber Standard Committee, Inc., under the U.S. Department of Commerce. Their grading rules are as follows:

PLIB       Export R-List Grading & Dressing Rules
RIS        Standard Specifications for Grades of California Redwood Lumber
WCLIB    Standard Grading Rules for West Coast Lumber
WWPA    Western Lumber Grading Rules

RIS, WCLIB and WWPA are accredited rules-writing agencies whose grading rules are certified as conforming to the American Softwood Lumber Standard PS-20. This U.S. product standard provides a mechanism for timber to be of the size, grade and design values indicated by its labelling. PLIB’s Export R-List Rules are used primarily for export timber.

All four agencies are certified to provide grading and inspection services for structural products under the National Grading Rule for Dimension Lumber. PLIB, WCLIB and WWPA are also accredited by the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board to provide grading inspection services under the Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber published by the National Lumber Grades Authority of Canada (NLGA).

Oregon’s Forest Practices Act celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1996. It has been a national model for forest protection since it was passed by the State Legislature in 1971. This Act influenced State Forest Practices Acts in Washington and California, the Best Management Practices in Idaho, and the evolving forestland management strategies which are now in effect throughout the Hem-Fir region. These progressive environmental regulations foster a variety of forest values, ensuring the continued availability of Western timber products.

All Hem-Fir species are light in colour. Subtle variations occur as the colour gradually shifts from the creamy white of the springwood to a light, reddish brown in the summerwood.

International Services

All SEC member grading and inspection 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. Member agencies are listed on page 2 and described further on the SEC website, http://www.softwood.org and in the SEC publication, Western Softwood Species and Grades.

Upon request, these agencies 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 Re-inspection Services anywhere in the world to resolve disputes. Certificates of Kiln Drying certifying a moisture content of less than 20% are also available. In addition, these agencies are approved to prepare documentation for individual companies in preparation for acquisition of the USDA Phytosanitary Certificates that are required by specific destination countries.

All four agencies are accredited by American Lumber Standard Committee, Inc. to supervise grading under the National Grading Rule and provide 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.

Moisture Content

The term “dry” can be confusing in timber terminology, but it does have precise meaning in U.S. grading rules. S-DRY can mean kiln dried or air seasoned, while KD specifically means kiln dried.

For 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. Such timber is typically stamped S-DRY; however, some mills that are kiln drying choose to use the KD mark. Hem-Fir is generally seasoned to below 19% MC before surfacing. Any timber surfaced at a MC level of 15% or below may be stamped MC15 or, if kiln dried, KD15. Approximately 80% of Hem-Fir structural framing products are manufactured either S-DRY or KD15.

In appearance-grade products, “DRY” is defined in grading rules as a maximum of 15% MC in the high-end, clear and nearly clear timber, i.e. the Clears, Industrial Clears, Selects & Finish grades. Timber manufactured to this criteria is typically stamped MC15; however, it may be stamped S-DRY. In the knotty grades for appearance products, i.e. the Board, Merchantable & Common grades, DRY allows for a maximum of 19% MC. Such timber is typically stamped S-DRY; however, some mills that are kiln drying choose to use the KD mark.

For remanufacturing or glued products, Hem-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.

Moisture content definitions and designations may vary in other countries. For example, in Australia, any timber with moisture content above 15% is considered unseasoned.

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 (nominal 5" x 5") and larger, contain the following five basic elements:

Certification Mark
The ALSC-certified grading agency’s registered mark. Attests to quality control supervision.
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.
Grade Designation
Grade name, number or abbreviation.
Species Identification
Indicates species by individual species or species combination.
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 a piece of wood, grade information for appearance products may be included in accompanying documentation rather than stamped directly onto the piece.