Beginning on June 1, the design values for certain types of visually graded Southern Pine lumber will be reduced, according to a Jan. 11 decision by the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC). 

After receiving information that some pieces of lumber tested lower than the values assigned, the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) began reviewing the design values in 2010 and submitted a proposal to the ALSC to alter the values in October 2011. 

ALSC decided on Jan. 11 to reduce the design values of visually graded Southern Pine lumber No. 2 2x4 and all lower grades of that size. On Jan. 12, the committee released a supplemental ruling clarifying parts of the initial decision. Both rulings are available in PDF format. 

The SPIB is still testing other sizes and grades of the lumber and the ALSC expects the findings to be released in the Fall of 2012. 

A questions-and-answers document created by the Southern Forest Products Association contains additional information on the design value changes of Southern Pine lumber. 

For more information, contact Lauren Williams, ABC legal and regulatory affairs assistant, [email protected].