The Wood Protection Industry includes many stakeholders who are involved in the protection, performance and longevity of sustainable wood products from our most treasured natural renewable resource, our forests.
Have you ever seen how wood is pressure-treated? Watch how the process works in the video below.
Want more information? Industry resources are listed below.
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The American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC), is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Maryland. The ALSC, comprised of manufacturers, distributors, users, and consumers of lumber, serves as the standing committee for the American Softwood Lumber Standard (Voluntary Product Standard 20) and in accordance with PS 20, administers an accreditation program for the grademarking of lumber produced under the system. That system, the American Lumber Standard (ALS) system, is an integral part of the lumber industry economy and is the basis for the sale and purchase of virtually all softwood lumber traded in North America. The ALS system also provides the basis for acceptance of lumber and design values for lumber by the building codes throughout the United States.
As the voice of the U.S. standards and conformity assessment system, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) empowers its members and constituents to strengthen the U.S. marketplace position in the global economy while helping to assure the safety and health of consumers and the protection of the environment.
The Institute oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more. ANSI is also actively engaged in accreditation - assessing the competence of organizations determining conformance to standards.
In 1976, a group of visionary home inspectors with the common goal of building consumer awareness and enhancing the professionalism of their field established the American Society Of Home Inspectors (ASHI) . This not-for-profit professional association for home inspectors made its first order of business to establish and advocate high standards of practice and a strict code of ethics for the member community.
Recognized by EPA as the industry's voice, American Wood Council (AWC)'s Environmental Regulation Program engages federal and state government agencies to provide credible data and policy recommendations that ensure the wood products industry's interests are understood and respected and if necessary, advocated in litigation. The industry's unified engagement in the Environmental Regulation Program has been the key to its success over the past decade. In addition, AWC's strong relationships on the Hill provide leverage and oversight of EPA to ensure more balanced policies.
American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) is a non-profit organization responsible for promulgating voluntary wood preservation standards. AWPA Standards are developed by its technical committees in an ANSI accredited consensus-based process that involves individuals from all facets of the wood preservation industry and AWPA’s Standards are universally specified for wood preservation in the United States and are recognized worldwide.
ARCAT is the leading online resource of FREE building product information. No registration is required. ARCAT offers a wide variety of tools for the AEC community. We have the most extensive and up to date specification library. Our CAD detail library has over 7000 details` in DWG and other formats. SpecWizard is a valuable tool for any spec writer. It automatically configures a complete CSI 3-Part formatted specification in just minutes. ARCAT green reports LEED credits for the building project and materials.
ASTM International—Standards Worldwide (ASTM) - Over 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Defined and set by us, they improve the lives of millions every day. Combined with our innovative business services, they enhance performance and help everyone have confidence in the things they buy and use.
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) is a national association of more than 8,000 professionals. CSI members are experts in building construction and the materials used therein and are dedicated to improving the communication of construction information.
Forest Products Society (FPS) is an international not-for-profit technical association founded in 1947 to provide an information network for all segments of the forest products industry. Learn about the Society's history. Membership is open to all interested individuals and organizations.
Society members represent a broad range of professional interests including private and public research and development, industrial management and production, marketing, education, government, engineering and consulting. The Society convenes technical conferences, produces several journals including the peer-reviewed Forest Products Journal and publishes books on topics of relevance to the forest products industry.
The Forest Products Society also functions as the distributor for the technical publications of the American Wood Council, which constitutes an invaluable information resource on wood construction for engineers, architects, builders and building code regulators. Topics include engineering data, state-of-the-art design technologies and construction standards.
The Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC©) mission is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world's forests.
Green Building Initiative (GBI) - Ready to make positive changes for improved building operations, occupant comfort and the climate? Green Globes® identifies opportunities and provides effective tools to achieve success. A nationally recognized green rating assessment, guidance and certification program, Green Globes® works with you to realize sustainability goals for new construction projects, existing buildings and interiors.
Intermountain Roundwood Association (IRA) represents firms engaged in the harvesting, production and marketing of roundwood and associated products, materials and supplies. Through education and training, IRA helps members and consumers stay current on industry trends and new advancements in wood products technology.
The International Code Council is a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. ICC develops the codes and standards used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.
The International Research Group provides a forum for scientists to present and publish their works related to wood preservation. Annual meetings are held to allow wood preservation scientists to discuss the latest information and research findings.
The National Association of Home Builders is a trade association that helps to promote the policies that make housing a national priority. NAHB serves its members, the housing industry, and the public at large. NAHB has a long history in the housing industry and NAHB’s various internal groups analyze policy issues, work toward improving the housing finance system, and analyze and forecast economic and consumer trends.
Membership in the National Association Of The Remodeling Industry (NARI)is an investment in your company’s success. NARI is the only association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry: contractors, builders and supply chain partners. NARI’s core purpose is to advance and promote the remodeling industry through professionalism, programs and education.
National Association Of Women In Construction (NAWIC) originally began as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas. Sixteen women working in the construction industry founded it in 1953. Knowing that women represented only a small fraction of the construction industry, the founders organized NAWIC to create a support network. Women in Construction of Fort Worth was so successful that it gained its national charter in 1955 and became the National Association of Women in Construction. Today, NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more.
National Lumber And Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) represents its members in the national public policy arena, with emphasis on efforts to 1) promote the industry and educate legislators and public policy personnel; and 2) assist legislative, regulatory, standard-setting and other government or private bodies in the development of laws, regulations and policies affecting lumber and building material dealers, its customers and suppliers.
North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) is made up of deck builders, inspectors, manufacturers, dealers/distributors, lumberyards, wholesalers, retailers, and service providers to the deck and railing industry. By working together we can be one voice for the industry and deliver a clear message to the consumer and the code development bodies. NADRA serves as a trade association with an emphasis on safe building practices, and deck safety.
North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) members are dedicated to growing and nurturing every aspect of the lumber industry, from the careful stewardship of forest resources, to the harvesting and distribution of lumber products, to championing wood’s role in a greener economy and a healthier planet.
Since our founding in 1893, NAWLA has been at the very heart of the industry– longer than any other lumber organization in America. We represent the best interests of wholesalers, manufacturers, and service provider companies, from the planting of seedlings, to the selling of building materials and wood in all of its many forms.
The North American Wood Pole Council (NAWPC) is an independent council representing the producers of wood poles and crossarms in North America. The Council is supported by member companies from the Western Wood Preservers Institute, Southern Pressure Treaters' Association and Wood Preservation Canada. Visit the NAWPC website, woodpoles.org.
Technical Bulletins:
Estimated Service Life of Wood Poles
Performance of Utility Poles in Wild Fire Hazard Areas
Preserved Wood Poles and the Environment
Wood Pole Design Considerations
Preservative-Treated Wood Poles, Engineered by Nature. Enhanced by Technology.
Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NLMA) is the rules-writing agency for Eastern White Pine lumber and the grading authority for Eastern Spruce, Balsam Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPFs) grouping, and other commercially important eastern softwood lumber species. In addition, NELMA is a leading agency for export wood packaging certification and the marketing voice for the wood products industry in the Northeast.
The purpose of the Railway Tie Association (RTA) is to promote the economic and environmentally sound use of wood crossties. The Association is involved in research into all aspects of the crosstie industry and ongoing activities dealing with sound forest management, conservation of timber resources, timber processing, wood preservation, and safety of industry workers.
Ron Blank - Depending on your state board requirements and credentials, most design professionals must earn a number of continuing education credits to maintain their licenses and association memberships each year. Ronblank.com offers a variety of avenues to help you meet those CE requirements conveniently in a learning style that is comfortable for you. This includes online courses accessible 24/7, scheduled webinars, and scheduled in-firm lunch-and-learns.
We work closely with a network of knowledgeable building product manufacturers and subject matter experts to bring you relevant education so you can stay current with what's trending, best practices, HSW (health, safety & welfare) and new technologies and innovations.
Whether you are an architect, interior designer, landscape architect, engineer, or even contractor, you will find a variety of engaging course topics in our course catalogs to choose from. Check back often as our course offerings are continuously growing.
The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) is an industry-funded initiative established to promote the benefits and uses of softwood lumber products in outdoor, residential and non-residential construction. Programs and initiatives supported by the SLB focus on increasing the demand for softwood lumber products in the U.S.
Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA) - In 1962, 46 lumber manufacturers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina gathered to discuss lack of organized representation of southeastern lumber manufacturers. This group agreed to form a new regional association to be named the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association.
Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) - SFPA’s mission is to advance the Southern Pine lumber industry, promote the use of member products in domestic and international markets, and facilitate the exchange of information and ideas.
Southern Pressure Treaters' Association (SPTA) Pressure treated wood poles and wood crossarms form the backbone of the electrical and telecommunications system that delivers electricity, phone, cable and internet to our homes and workplaces allowing us to experience a standard of living unparalleled in the world.
The Southern Forest Products Association is one of the foremost trade organizations in the forest products industry and represents Southern Pine lumber manufacturers from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Southern Pine Awareness Network (SPAN), the funding organization for Wood. It’s Real., was founded in January of 2005 with the goal of raising the awareness of Southern Yellow Pine as a leading building material. Led by funding from members of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA), SPAN is designed to be an information clearing-house for homeowners.
The Treated Wood Council serves companies that harvest and saw wood, manufacture wood preservatives, produce pressure-treated wood products, or serve the treated wood industry. The Council monitors and responds to legislation and regulatory activities related to the treated wood industry.
Underwriters Laboratories is an independent product safety certification organization that has been testing products and writing standards for safety for more than a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products, components, materials and systems annually with 20 billion UL Marks appearing on 66,000 manufacturers’ products each year. UL’s worldwide family of companies and network of service providers includes 68 laboratory, testing and certification facilities serving customers in 102 countries.
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities.
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that:
Western Wood Products Association - Supported by Western lumber manufacturers, WWPA delivers lumber grading, quality control, technical, business information and product support services to sawmills as well as those who use Western softwood lumber products throughout the world.
The Western Wood Preservers Institute is a nonprofit member trade organization that represents the preserved wood products industry throughout western North America. The primary activities of the WWPI include regulatory and market outreach programs aimed at sustaining a viable western North America preserved wood industry.
Wood it’s Real - The Southern Pine Awareness Network, the funding organization for Wood. It’s Real., was founded in January of 2005 with the goal of raising the awareness of Southern Yellow Pine as a leading building material. Led by funding from members of the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA), SPAN is designed to be an information clearinghouse for homeowners.
Wood Preservation Canada (WPC) is the industry association that represents the treated wood industry in Canada. WPC operates under Federal Charter and serves as a forum for those concerned with all phases of the pressure treated wood industry, including research, production, handling and use and the environment. WPC members are committed to producing safe, quality products in an environmentally sound and progressive manner.
Wood University - Whether you're an architect, engineer, builder or student, Wood University puts engineered wood product training at your fingertips. Fueled by APA – The Engineered Wood Association's extensive resources, Wood University's goal is to expand your understanding of engineered wood products and applications through an easy-to-navigate web format.
Wood Preservative Science Council (WPSC) - Welcome to the site of the Wood Preservative Science Council. On this site you will find sound, scientific information on the wood preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and the suitability of CCA-treated lumber, plywood, poles, piling, and timbers for a range of common applications. The data support that CCA-treated wood is safe when used as recommended.
Wood Works provides free technical support as well as education and resources related to the code-compliant design of non-residential and multi-family wood buildings. WoodWorks field teams have expertise in a wide range of building types, from schools and mid-rise/multi-family, to commercial, office, retail, public, institutional and more. Our objective is to make it easier to design, engineer and construct wood buildings at less cost.