Download a Fast Facts on HRA finger-jointed lumber
WWPA finger-jointed lumber mills will soon be changing grademarks to meet new requirements established by the American Lumber Standard Committee, Inc. (ALSC) for lumber joined with heat-resistant adhesives.
Under the new requirements, finger-jointed lumber joined with qualified heat-resistant adhesives will be marked with the designation HRA (Heat-Resistant Adhesive). The HRA mark, which will be incorporated into the gradestamp, indicates the lumber is suitable for wood frame assemblies where a fire rating is required.
U.S. building codes require fire-rated assemblies in multistory/multifamily structures between living units or common party walls in commercial buildings. Detached single-family houses under current codes do not require one-hour fire-rated assemblies.
Finger-jointed lumber made with adhesives that are not heat resistant will be marked as Non-HRA. WWPA mills are expected to add the new marks to all finger-jointed lumber in the coming months. Finger-jointed lumber without the HRA and Non-HRA marks are assumed to be not suitable for use where a fire rating is required.
The new labeling system was established following fire tests conducted by Forintek Canada and the American Forest & Paper Association's American Wood Council.
In late December 2006, the American Wood Council informed the International Code Council (ICC) about the fire tests. The ICC sent a notice in January to building code officials throughout the country and a number of jurisdictions began to ban the use of finger-jointed lumber.
WWPA was instrumental in developing the new labeling system, which was accepted by the ALSC Enforcement Subcommittee in early February. ALSC formally approved the HRA and Non-HRA labels on Feb. 23, 2007. The ALSC labeling requirements reference an American Wood Council test protocol which has been adopted to qualify adhesives as heat resistant.
WWPA has developed product support materials to help mills explain the new HRA labels on finger-jointed lumber and the appropriate uses for such products. The Fast Facts entitled "Heat-Resistant Adhesives (HRA) and Finger-Jointed Lumber" show the new HRA and Non-HRA marks on gradestamps for finger-jointed lumber and explains how these products should be used in construction.