As the voice of the industry, NHLA strives to provide its members with the tools they need to succeed within a global economy. One very important tool which define and distinguish North American hardwoods are the NHLA Grading Rules.
2011 Rules Change Proposals to be Placed on Ballot
Proposed changes are reflected in bold:
1. Change the “97% rule” on page 16, rule 63 to read:
“Admits also, pieces 6” and wider of 6’ to 12’ surface measure that will yield 11/12 (91 2/3%) in two clear-face cuttings of any length full width of the board.”
Chief’s Note: The current “97% rule” requires pieces to yield 11.64/12 (sm x 11.64) to achieve the grade of FAS. The proposer thinks this rule is now too hard for boards to make FAS and instead proposes that if a piece will not yield 10/12 or 11/12 in 5 foot long cuttings, then try for two cuttings full width/any length as the current NHLA “97%” rules require, but to yield only 11/12 (sm x 11).
Proposal #1: Change the rules for the "97% Rule" - did not pass
2. Change the first line of the chart on page 17 under No. 1 Common, rule 74 to read:
Surface Measure of Piece |
Required Yield |
Number of Cuttings |
1’ |
12/12 (sm x 12 or 100% clear) |
1 |
Chief’s Note: The current chart in No. 1 Common on page 17 does not permit any cuttings for a 1’ surface measure board, so all boards this size need to be 100% clear. This new proposal will only require 12 units, or 100% clear.
Proposal #2: Change the rules for all 1' surface measures for the Standard Grade of #1 Common - passed
3. Add to the rule for measuring tapered lumber on page 9, rule 17:
“Tapering lumber in standard lengths shall be measured one-third the length of the piece from the narrow end for surface measure and to record footage on length and width tallies.”
Chief’s Note: Where an inspector determines the surface measure for grade now (which is 1/3rd the length from the narrow end of the piece on a tapered board) that is where the footage should be tallied regardless if tallying by surface measure or by length and width. The width of a board is still determined at its narrowest point in the standard length, that doesn’t change. If an NHLA national inspector is resolving a dispute and the lumber is to be tallied by width and length, this is how we will tally tapered lumber for footage.
Proposal #3: Clarify how tapered lumber is to be tallied by length and width - passed
4. Change the definition of a Cutting as written on pages 10 & 87 to read:
“A portion of a board or plank obtained by crosscutting or ripping or by both. In all grades, a cutting must be flat enough to surface two sides to standard surface thickness after being removed from the board (for skip limitations, see page 60 under the “Clear-Face” Cutting Grade). Diagonal cuttings are not permitted.”
Chief’s Note: This will eliminate the section in the definition where it now requires “In the grades of Select and Better, the entire board must surface two sides to standard surface thickness”. Since FAS requires at least 10/12 clear wood from the poor side of the board to begin with (rough lumber), this proposal will still require large areas to surface two sides to standard surface thickness.
Proposal #4: Change the wording in the definition of a Cutting regarding surfaced lumber - did not pass
5. Add a note to the FIF Walnut rules on page 29:
“Note: When specified, 6’ and 7’ FAS Walnut may be inspected using the Cutting Unit Method as described for 8’ & longer FAS Walnut, except in pieces with 2’ surface measures shall yield 11/12 (sm x 11) in one cutting.”
Chief’s Note: The original proposal deleted the 6’ and 7’ FAS/FIF Walnut defect grading rules and substituted those rules with the rules for 8’ & longer FAS/FIF Walnut. This proposal keeps coming up each rules change year, and in the spirit of compromise, the Rules Committee worked with both sides of this issue to come up with a compromise rules change proposal. If passed, this new note will be included in the FIF Walnut grading rules and will give buyers of Walnut an either/or option to buying 6’ and 7’ FAS/FIF Walnut on either a defect grading basis or on a Cutting Unit Method basis.
Proposal #5: Add compromise Walnut rules proposal to existing 6' & 7' FIF & Better Walnut rules - did not pass
6. Change the Import Species grading rules to read as follows:
Change the Title of the species on page 50 from Tropical American (Genuine), African Mahogany and Spanish Cedar to read: Tropical Hardwoods
Delete the next sentence on page 50 that states: “Honduran, Mexican, Nicaraguan, Guatemalan and other Central and South American and African Mahoganies”
On page 50, change the wording that currently reads: “In the grades of FAS sapwood which does not exceed in the aggregate one-third the width of the piece is admitted on either or both faces. Any part of the sapwood allowed may be included in the cuttings” to read “Sapwood is not allowed in the cuttings on both faces in all grades”
On page 50, delete the Counters Grade
On page 50, under the grade of Select change the widths to read: Widths: 4” and wider allowing 10% 4” and 5” of which a minimum of one half must be 5”
On page 51, under the grade of No. 1 Common, delete the chart (it is the same chart already stated in the standard grade of No. 1 Common on page 17)
On page 51, under the grade of 2B Common: delete the name Mahogany from the rule that reads: “All the requirements for No. 2A Common Mahogany shall apply except cuttings to be sound as defined in Sound Cutting”
On page 51, delete all rules regarding “Tropical American, African Mahogany and Spanish Cedar FAS 6’ to 7’-11” long (When Specified)”
On page 51 and 52, delete all rules regarding “Pin Wormy Mahogany”
On page 52, delete the name Mahogany from “Mahogany Shorts”
On page 52, under Mahogany Shorts Grades, delete the reference to Pin Wormy Shorts
On page 52, delete the name Mahogany from “Mahogany Strips”
On page 52, under Mahogany Strips, delete the all rules regarding the grade of Wormy
Delete pages 54, 55, 56, 57 entirely (these pages currently list Philippine Mahogany, Pin Wormy Philippine Mahogany, Philippine Mahogany Shorts and Strips, Flitches, Ribbon Stripe, etc.)
Chief’s note: There are several changes in this proposal that affect the current “mahogany” grading rules in the rules book (starting on page 50). The first change will be allowing these rules to basically apply to all tropical import species, not just the few described in the current rules. This proposal will also delete the mentioning of mahogany throughout these rules and will delete the mention of Philippine Mahogany (isn’t cut anymore), as well as other species and products (pages 54-57). As far as grade changes in this proposal, the grade of Counters is being deleted, the minimum size board for Select is proposed to be 4” & wider, and sapwood will be a defect in the cuttings in all grades (but not on the entire board).
Proposal #6: Change Import Grading rules - passed
These rules do not become effective until January 1, 2011 and as we get into late summer or early fall next year NHLA will further remind everyone of the coming changes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mark Horne, Chief Inspector at 901-399-7568.