Manufacturers of building products may voluntarily go through testing processes with industry testing bodies such as ASTM (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials), or Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for example. These organizations do technical evaluations of building products, components, methods, and materials. If it is found that the subject of an evaluation complies with existing code of standards requirements, then a report to that effect is published and made available to the public. The reports are intended mainly to help agencies that enforce building code, by assisting them to determine code
compliance.

Local building code sets forth the acceptable building materials for that jurisdiction. Often, materials which have gone through certain testing processes are required. If a product has successfully gone through an evaluation process, or meets code requirements (American
Wood-Preservers'Association Standards (AWPA), for example), it is usually labeled as such.

Note that most cities and townships adopt their own building codes. Most include all or part of International Code Council (ICC) model codes: International Building Code (IBC), the International Residential Code (IRC), International Fire Code (IFC) for example. In general, each city or township is free to adopt code, and/or modify it, as they see fit, however a few states have adopted statewide code.

Enforcement is generally at a local level, through the work of building inspectors. Since requirements vary so much it is important to check out what is required in the location you are working in - Be Smart - Know Your Code!

 

 

NADRA in Boise, Idaho!

 

Your Administrative director, Diana Hanson, attended the Fall Technical Meeting of the American Wood Preservers Association (AWPA), in her home town of Boise, Idaho.  NADRA attends these meetings in an effort to promote the decking industry and to encourage the production of the kinds of materials needed by deck builders.  NADRA also hopes these efforts will expand the variety of decking material manufacturers and dealers exhibiting at DeckExpo (March 4 - 7, 2008 in Orlando, Florida).

Board member Ken Trainor of BASF was also in Boise with his BASF colleagues, several of whom traveled from Germany for the meetings.

As a result of this conference, NADRA was able to learn much about both current and developing methods of treatment for both wood and composite materials.

Your trade association is undertaking a project to produce a document which describes the various treated wood products available, as well as their stated uses.

NADRA expects to have this document ready for members by DeckExpo in March 2008. If you would like to participate in the development of this information piece, please contact Diana Hanson at Diana.Hanson@gmail.com or call NADRA at 1.888.623.7248.   

 

folks from Hanley Wood have worked together to create

the best educational program in the industry.

 

         

      

NADRA CONFERENCE PROGRAM

 

Deck Framing Connection Seminar

 

 

 

 

Date: Wednesday, March 5
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Description: NADRA's 4th Annual Meeting will include the election of new board members. Awards will be presented. See and hear the "Year in Review" to learn about the state of the industry and your trade association's involvement. Find out projections for continuing programs such as Deck Safety Month and the Merit Award. All are welcome. It will be an exciting time, so please plan on attending!

2nd ANNUAL NADRA OPEN - GOLF OUTING