Macdonald Report

NLGA Annual Meeting

The National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA) held its annual meeting in St. Johns Newfoundland from September 10 - 12, 1998.

The NLGA Grades Committee agreed to recommend for the NLGA Director’s proposal as follows:

Ø       The NLGA will publish one edition with both Canadian and U.S. Design values for Canadian lumber.

Ø       A new paragraph 116 for B&Btr, which will be, extracted form Para.117 as a stand-alone grade.

Ø       Revision to Para.108 Industrial Clears to include current industry application to grade rule such as 3 pin holes or 3 very small pockets in B&Btr Clear, pin hole provision to C Clear, and holes one small 1/4” on face, two 1/2” on back.

Ø       Grade stamp identification for North species may be shortened to “N Species”

These proposals were presented to the NLGA Directors Meeting on Sept 12^th and were approved.

Other activities of the NLGA Grade Committee included ratification of staff responses, which is a review of NLGA responses to inquires for clarification of the NLGA Grade Rule or their Interpretations.

The NLGA Standards Committee Chairman submitted his report for acceptance of changes to the NLGA Standards on MSR and Fingerjoined Lumber.

Among the changes are:

Ø       Acceptance of Greenweld adhesive in SPS – 1

Ø       Interpretation of white speck to include 100% acceptance on one side of the joint if the other side of the joint has none

For more information on NLGA grade or standards changes call the NLGA office at  (604) 524-2393 or contact the office of Macdonald Inspection Services.

Other business discussed at this meeting included a presentation of the Canadian Wood Council by Eric Jones on proposed a Lumber Design Values testing program as required by ASTM for ongoing acceptance of Canadian softwood species in the US.  A task group was assigned to monitor and advise the Canadian Wood Council to carry out its assignment.  Rob Finch, President of Macdonald Inspection is included on this task group.

CLSAB Annual Meeting

The Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB) held its annual meeting in St. Johns, Newfoundland on September 12, 1998.  The annual meeting is usually held in conjunction with the NLGA meeting, as all the grading agencies are members of both CLSAB & NLGA.

Reports were given by CLSAB, Executive Director Nils Larrson, Industry Canada’s Operations Committee CLSAB Chairman Jeff Serveau, and Bob Sloat the CLSAB Think Tank Committee Chairman.