Log Grading Services

RobPickett &Associates, LLC

Providing technical services since 2001

Visual Stress Grading

The Log Homes Council (LHC) Grading Program was inspired by calls from local building officials for grademarks on structural materials in the 1970’s. Although no standard for grading of non-rectangular shapes existed, the call for grading became so prevalent that it was seen as a barrier to the log home industry. The first step was to establish a consensus standard for visual inspection of logs such that the strength and quality of the piece can be accurately estimated. A lengthy process of developing a new ASTM standard began with the D07 Committee on Wood. In 1980, ASTM D-3957 Standard Practices for Establishing Stress Grades for Structural Members Used in Log Buildings was published.

The LHC quickly acted to develop an operations manual and establish a training program. By 1984, the Grading Program was up and running. In 1994, the importance of grading was emphasized by the LHC when it became a mandatory requirement for membership in the Council.

After a lengthy renewal process, the International Accreditation Service (IAS) published AA-698 (pictures, right), an update of the former National Evaluation Service (NES) QA-154. First approved in 1984, these reports recognize the LHC as having demonstrated compliance with ISO/IEC Standard 17020, General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection, and has been accredited, commencing July 1, 2007, to provide inspection services in the approved scope of accreditation — grading of logs for

Log Homes Council Log Grading Program

A sawn round timber beam being graded — measuring a knot is one criteria for assessing strength.

LHC Log Grading Program Clients

Rob & the LHC Grading Program

► Moisture Content Task Force — Participant in the development and implementation of moisture content certification under the LHC Log Grading Program, 2006-2008.

► LHC Grading Program Design Stress Values & Structural Tables (Load Tables, Wall-Log Span Tables, Sawn Round Timber Beam Span Tables), 2004, revised 2005, 2007

► Log Grading Committee Chair— 1993 to 1998

► Training & Certification of Participants — Log Homes Council of the National Association of Home Builders contracted Steven Winter Associates, Inc. to provide its Grading Program initial training sessions in Albany, NY, Missoula, MT, and Knoxville, TN. Rob organized and taught these sessions in 1984.

► Log Homes Council Grading Program Training & Operations Manual; Log Homes Council of the National Association of Home Builders contracted with Steven Winter Associates, Inc. to create a grading program. This document was developed by Rob for SWA and was first published in 1984.

Contact Info

P.O. Box 490

11 Stimpson Hill

Hartland, V 05048

Phone & Fax: 802-436-1325

E-mail: robpickett@vermontel.net

This site was last updated

October 7, 2011

structural use.

The LHC Grading Program is similar to other visual stress grading programs in that all visible surfaces of all logs are inspected relative to an established set of grading criteria. Graded logs may bear a grademark or may be color coded as noted on a Certificate of Inspection (COI). A COI is to be sent with each shipment with a copy provided for the building official. One copy is also maintained at the manufacturing facility and is inspected by the Quality Supervisory Agent (QSA)—the independent third-party who insures the program is properly administered at the grading facility.

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