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April 30, 2010

New Edition of Max Spans Publication Released

An updated version of one of the Southern Pine Council’s most popular technical guides has just been published. The 36-page Maximum Spans for Joists & Rafters compiles 46 span tables covering the most common grades of MSR, MEL and visually graded lumber. Span comparisons by species are listed along with reference design values. For the first time, the booklet also includes five joist and rafter examples to demonstrate use of the tables.

“This booklet remains one of SPC’s most-requested titles,” says Cathy Kaake, SFPA’s senior director of engineered and framing markets. “We updated some important text throughout, plus added some new information about the environmental benefits of using wood.” Other explanatory text was added to conform with the 2005 National Design Specification (NDS®). A table listing commonly produced sizes and grades was also updated.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the new Maximum Spans for Southern Pine Joists & Rafters. Requests may also be e-mailed to info@southernpine.com. Ask for publication #202.

Houston, Charlotte Campaigns Going Well

Campaigns to publicize the benefits of raised floor foundations along with promotions where a lucky homeowner can win the services of a local designer to help design his or her “dream” raised floor home are in full swing in Houston and Charlotte, N.C.

A series of six short segments has been airing weekly since April 7 on KHOU-TV’s morning talk show, “Great Day Houston,” and a similar series began last week on the WBTV-TV 5 p.m. newscast in Charlotte. Both series began with an introductory segment featuring SFPA’s Cathy Kaake, senior director of engineered and framing markets. Subsequent segments cover cost and maintenance, resisting floods, making a home hurricane-resistant and improvements to the homeowners’ landscaping and lifestyle.

All of the segments encourage viewers to visit www.RaisedFloorLiving.com, where they can enter to win the services of a local designer to create their own raised floor dream home. To date, 134 people have entered the promotion in Houston and 30 in Charlotte. The Houston-area winner will be announced live on “Great Day Houston” May 28 and will be featured on the broadcast along with the designer.  The Charlotte winner will be announced in the final WBTV segment on June 10.

Click here to visit a page about Raised Floor Living on WBTV’s Web site, where you can also view the video segments, and here to see a sample of one of the Houston segments. For more information about the segments or campaign, contact Richard Wallace, SFPA’s vice president of communications, at 504/443-4464, ext. 236, or by e-mail at rwallace@sfpa.org.

Welcoming a New Member

SFPA welcomes Texas Forest Products Inc. of Gilmer, Texas, as a new Associate member. Formerly known as Dean Lumber Company, Texas Forest Products Inc. is a family-owned business started in 1937. After selling its manufacturing facilities, the business now focuses on wholesale and export trade. Texas Forest Products supplies dimensional lumber, timbers, plywood and specialty wood products. President and CEO Steve Dean, who has served in the past on the Southern Pine Council’s treated and international committees, will represent Texas Forest Products with SFPA. He can be reached at 903/790-7435 or sawdust@texasforestproducts.com. Visit www.texasforestproducts.com for more information.

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