Question About Pressure Treated Lumber

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ed Carr

Senior Member
Location
way upstate NY
I was wondering are there any directives concerning the practice of clamping emt, mc or even stapling romex to pressure treated lumber? Thanks,Ed
 
(Amd) 2304.9.5 Fasteners in preservative-treated and fire-retardant-treated wood. Fasteners and weight-bearing connecting devices used for pressure preservative and fire-retardant-treated wood shall be of stainless steel, silicon bronze, copper, G185 galvanized steel or shall be hot-dipped galvanized after fabrication. Fastenings for wood foundations shall be as required in AF&PA Technical Report No. 7.
Exception: One-half-inch diameter or greater steel bolts in normally dry locations
 
I am aware of the requirements for the fasteners in ptl. My question is what about the effect of ptl on the materials mounted to it,emt, mc and romex?
 
Master Ed, scroll down for the fastners.

Master Ed, scroll down for the fastners.

Home <http://www.sutherlands.com/default.htm> > Resources
<http://www.sutherlands.com/resources.htm> > The FAQ's of ACQ

ACQ Lumber Has Replaced CCA Treated Lumber.

*Why is CCA lumber no longer being sold?*
In early 2004, Sutherlands, along with most other retail lumber dealers
in the United States, began phasing in *ACQ* (Alkaline Copper
Quaternary) lumber to replace CCA & Wolmanized? treated lumber, which
are no longer being manufactured for residential use. The Preservative
manufacturers are voluntarily taking this action based on negative
public perception of CCA, media coverage and growing consumer interest
in using an alternate wood preservative.

*What is ACQ Lumber?*
ACQ is a copper based preservative system that is the most
cost-effective alternative to CCA. ACQ has been researched and tested
since the late 1980's. It was introduced commercially in 1992. ACQ
provides dependable performance and is building code compliant (Acrobat
Reader Required <http://www.bocai.org/boca-es/pdf/628.pdf> NER 628
<http://www.osmose.com/wood/usa/preserved/naturewood/ner_report/628.pdf>).
It treats a wider range softwood lumber species, and is quality assured
by a third party (TPI <http://www.tpinspection.com> or SPIB
<http://www.spib.org>). Like CCA, it is treated against decay and insect
damage.

*What is ACQ lumber approved for?*
ACQ is ideal for structural uses, sill plates, outdoor furniture,
playground equipment, patios, decks, garden edging and landscaping
structures. The preservatives in ACQ products meet American Wood
Preservers Association standards.

*Are there different grades of ACQ lumber?*
Yes. The same formula used for CCA lumber applies to ACQ treated lumber
for the following applications:

* Above Ground (.25)
* Ground Contact (.40)
* Fresh Water Contact (.40)

*Can I use the same metal fasteners used for CCA lumber?*
The chemicals used in ACQ will corrode ordinary galvanized fasteners,
therefore special consideration must be taken when working with ACQ
lumber. *Hot dipped or stainless steel fasteners MUST be used with ACQ*.

The two most important things to remember when selecting deck fasteners,
framing nails, decking nails or screws are: (1) holding capacity, and
(2) resistance to corrosion. Using the wrong fasteners can compromise
the appearance, longevity, and safety of an outdoor project.

Many fasteners traditionally used with treated lumber are no longer
recommended for this application. Dacrotized, electroplated, brass, and
aluminum fasteners should not be used in treated lumber when the
appearance of rust or the likelihood of corrosion is unacceptable.

*Hot Dipped Galvanized* - Fasteners galvanized to meet ASTM A 153 class
D are acceptable for use with treated lumber. It is important to point
out that galvanized fasteners are rust-resistant and not rustproof;
there is no guarantee that these fasteners will remain rust-free.

*PrimeGuard +10-Coated* ? This is a patented coating that carries a
10-year guarantee against rust and corrosion when used with treated
lumber. For maximum performance we suggest PrimeGuard
<http://www.grip-rite.com/primeguard.asp> Plus Stainless Steel or
PrimeGuard Plus coated fasteners. PrimeGuard Plus Exterior Fasteners are
a complete line of premium fasteners for all outdoor projects, and
available at most Sutherlands retail locations. All PrimeGuard Plus
fasteners are guaranteed not to rust or corrode.

*The following products are available at most Sutherlands locations for
use with ACQ products. Manufacturers recommend these lines of product to
be used with ACQ treated lumber:*

* Simpson Strong-Tie <http://www.strongtie.com/> - ZMAX
<http://www.strongtie.com/productuse/coatings.html> (G185) Hot-Dip
Galvanized or Stainless steel fasteners. Read Simpson's Treated
Wood FAQ <http://www.strongtie.com/productuse/ptwoodfaqs.html>
* USP <http://www.uspconnectors.com/> Structural Connectors - Triple
Zinc <http://www.uspconnectors.com/pdfs/TearPad.pdf> G-185 Connectors
* PrimeSouce <http://www.primesourcebp.com/> Fastening Systems -
PrimeGuard Plus <http://www.grip-rite.com/primeguard.asp> - Coated
Fasteners Read PrimeSource's Treated Lumber Notice
<http://www.grip-rite.com/articles.asp?Action=5>

*Please note: One-half inch (12.7mm) or greater steel bolts are
acceptable and do not require special coatings.*

*Aluminum should NOT be used in direct contact with ACQ preserved wood.*
Spacer materials or some other physical barrier are recommended to
prevent direct contact. A poly barrier is recommended for any
applications where ACQ will meet aluminum flashing. Do not use aluminum
fasteners.

*Will ACQ lumber look the same as CCA?*
When purchased, freshly treated ACQ is normally a green color like CCA.
It will weather to a tan/brown color in months and eventually weather to
gray over time.

*For more information about ACQ lumber, check these other resources:
*WolmanizedWood.com <http://www.wolmanizedwood.com/>
Universal Forest Products <http://www.ufpi.com/product/prestret.htm>
Naturalselect.com (Wolmanizedwood.com) <http://www.naturalselect.com/>
USA Today
<http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-12-29-treated-lumber_x.htm>
Simpson Strong-Tie <http://www.strongtie.com/productuse/coatings.html>

Please read our Terms of Use <http://www.sutherlands.com/termsofuse.htm>
regarding outside links.
 
Good post ramsey.
It brings to mind a job I did last spring.
The carpenter had used galvanized flashing for the termite shield between the pressure treated sill and the concrete block foundation.
During construction, a piece of the sill had to be cut out and when the flashing was exposed it was severely corroded.
This corrosion happened in a matter of a few weeks.
The galvanized was specified on the construction drawing, as was the PT sill.
There was definitely a contradiction somewhere on the choice of materials.
steve
 
Ramsy thanks for the excellent post. You did hit on briefly what I am getting at. My concern is what damage the ptl can inflict on emt,mc,romex and what ever else we are laying against it.After reading your post I also am concerned about fastening methods especially where I personally have used standard lag screws to fasten meter sockets as well as disconnects to this ptl.Thanks,Ed
 
Ed, the only wood allowed in the structural member construction of buildings in Hawaii is treated lumber, due to the prevalence of Formosan underground termite colony infestations. To my knowledge, the fastener issue has not caused much notice around here. It doesn't seem to be much of a problem when using standard fasteners, mounting emt direct to the wood, or other issues raised here. The use of nail guns is pretty standard. I am unaware of whether or not those nail gun nails are treated specially for use with treated lumber, but I suspect not. They seem to hold up quite well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top