Specifications

Over 50 Years Combined Expertise In Development And Production Of Engineered Wood Products

Training and cooperation from:

• Training and cooperation from IFT Rosenheim Institute, located in Rosenheim, Germany

• JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard)

• SPIB (Southern Pine Inspection Bureau)

• AITC (American Institute of Timber Construction)

These products have been developed to provide a structural wood column option that is much stronger than traditional solid sawn timbers without the natural splitting, twisting and movement experienced with a solid timber. Prime Columns are pressure treated to .23 pounds per cubic foot using a micronized copper azole  wood preservative. The .23 retention is recommended by the ESR-2240 ICC Evaluation Report as the retention for "Critical Structures" and is a much higher treatment level than typical pressure treated products. Additionally, the treated wood is Kiln Dried after treatment to provide stability, durability and an aesthetically handsome structural wood column option.

*Rounded Down To Nearest Thousandth

PRESSURE TREATMENT

The AWPA has developed a set of use categories for specifying treatments and retentions. Specifically with regards to the treatment on MCA, there are two retentions for ground contact. They are 0.15 pounds per cubic foot and 0.23 pounds per cubic foot. These retentions are further defined by use. The 0.15 retention uses the designation UC4A which is described as “Ground Contact General Use”. These are listed as Non-Critical components. The 0.23 retention used the designation UC4B which is described as “Ground Contact Heavy Duty” and are further described as Critical Components or Difficult Replacement. I believe in the case where columns are supporting porch roofs and other “critical components”, the prudent choice would be the 0.23 retention.

Tim Borris

Hoover Treated Wood Products, Inc. - VP Operations