More Reasons for Log Grading
Monday, December 16th, 2013 | Uncategorized | No Comments
In a previous blog I pointed out how log grades can help a prospective buyer assess the risk of future problems with his logs or give him the confidence that the long term performance of the logs will likely be satisfactory.
Let’s look at another aspect of grading—the “legal” side. The International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings is applicable to all building jurisdictions in the U.S.; exceptions are allowed when the local jurisdiction has adopted more demanding or more stringent specific code requirements. The building jurisdictions are generally the counties in each state.
Admittedly, many counties have not formally adopted the code, or have no capability to enforce it, and don’t. Here’s what the code says: “¶ R502.1.6 Structural Log Members.
Stress grading of structural log members of non-rectangular shape, as typically used in log buildings, shall be in accordance with ASTM D 3957. Such structural log members shall be identified by the grade mark of an approved lumber grading or inspection agency. In lieu of a grade mark on the material, a certificate of inspection as to species and grade issued by a lumber-grading or inspection agency meeting the requirements of this section shall be permitted to be accepted.”
What does all that mean? Simple, it means if you purchase a log package that is not graded and apply for a building permit the code enforcement official may refuse to give you the permit. Picture a worse situation where you purchased a log package that was not graded and delivered it to a jurisdiction that enforces the code, requires a building permit, but doesn’t require building plans or other pertinent details to acquire the permit. Then, after construction starts an inspector shows up and asks to see the grade mark. The next step is called a “Stop Work Order.”
Has your dream home come to an end? Probably not, you hope. You can bail out by having the grading agency send an inspector to the site to grade the logs and provide the required certificate—at your cost and hope the logs grade high enough to meet the design criteria for that jurisdiction.
Given the above, you might be asking why a manufacturer wouldn’t grade its logs. The answer is likely one of the following: cost, because grading is not free; the manufacturer knows the logs he uses are of poor quality and he doesn’t want to put a spotlight on that fact; or, he simply may not know any better.
The code was established to ensure that building material used in residential construction will meet the design requirements to withstand the loads applied in the finished building and code officials are charged with the responsibility to be sure that is the case.
Look before you leap. Let the buyer beware. These old adages clearly apply!
