Page 16 - Nov-Dec 2019 - Reporter

KNOW YOUR LUMBER

019 has proven to be an unusual year! piece? If you work in the yard, you should constructed under CMHC and USFHA
2Beginning with wet conditions that understand why and how lumber is graded requirements.
hampered construction and building and sorted as well as the processes involved. To address these requirements, the
projects, member businesses started off Using information from The Canadian Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
slow but once the warm weather kicked in, Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB), we formed a Committee of Standards for Yard
boom! Construction started up with a bang. have detailed why lumber is graded and how Lumber. The Committee met five times
Stores got busy and new employees the grading process works. between early 1959 and April 20, 1960 to
had to be hired and trained, which can be a The Canadian Lumber Standards develop the CSA Specification “0-141-1959
challenge in this economy. Lumber (that Accreditation Board (CLSAB) is the official Yard Lumber”. The result was a national
commodity staple in every building supply body that monitors the quality of Canada’s standard for the grading of software lumber
yard) was rolling in from the distributors lumber grading and identification system. in house construction. On May 19, 1960
and mills by the truckload; pressure In addition, the CLSAB provides oversight the CSA created a lumber grade marking
treated spruce, cedar, pine - all in lifts and in the delivery of specific Canadian division within the CSA known as the
in different qualities. New employees just Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Forestry Canadian Lumber Standards Committee
learning the ropes have to be shown where Directives. and appointed an Administrative Board
to store and how to store this valuable retroactive to January 1, 1960.
commodity to ensure minimum shrinkage LUMBER GRADING The CLS Committee operated until
(damage from the elements and handling). In the late 1950’s, the Canada Mortgage October 1962 before being replaced by the
The more shrinkage, the less profit; and and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Canadian Lumber Standards Administration
profit pays wages, benefits and keeps our United States Federal Housing Authority Board. This structure was reorganized in
jobs. (USFHA) decided that lumber should be February of 1982 to form The Canadian
So, when unloading lifts of lumber, grade marked under a nationally organized Lumber Standards Accreditation Board
do you ever wonder about the markings system to protect home buyers by providing (CLSAB) as a federally incorporated no-share
on those white tags at the end of each a further assurance of quality in the homes non-profit corporation.

16 LBMAO Reporter - November-December 2019 www.lbmao.on.ca