[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6722-6723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3289]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No. 030110008-3008-01]


Proposed Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-02 ``Performance 
Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels''

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) is distributing a proposed revision of 
Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-92, ``Performance Standard for Wood-
Based Structural-Use Panels.'' This standard, prepared by the Standing 
Committee for PS 2, establishes criteria for assessing the 
acceptability of wood-based structural-use panels for construction 
sheathing and single-floor applications and provides a basis for common 
understanding among the producers, distributors, and the users of these 
products. Interested parties are invited to review the proposed 
standard and submit comments to NIST.

DATES: Written comments regarding the proposed revision, PS 2-02, 
should be submitted to the Standards Services Division, NIST, no later 
than April 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy (an Adobe Acrobat File) of the proposed 
standard, PS 2-02, can be obtained at the following Web site http://ts.nist.gov/ps2revision. This site also includes an electronic copy of 
PS 2-92 (the existing standard), a summary of significant changes, and 
a form for submitting comments. Written comments on the proposed 
revision should be submitted to Ms. JoAnne Overman, Standards Services 
Division, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2150, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-
2150. Electronic comments may be submitted to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. JoAnne Overman, Standards Services 
Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, telephone: 
(301) 975-4037; fax: (301) 975-5414, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-02 
establishes criteria for assessing the acceptability of wood-based 
structural-use panels for construction sheathing and single-floor 
applications. Structural-use panels include: plywood, wafer board, 
oriented strand board (OSB), structural particle board, and composite 
panels. The standard provides performance requirements, adhesive bond 
performance, panel construction and workmanship, dimensions and 
tolerances, marking, and moisture content of structural-use panels. The 
standard classifies panels by exposure durability and by grade. It 
provides test methods, a glossary of trade terms and definitions, and a 
quality certification program whereby agencies inspect, sample, and 
test products for qualification under this standard. Information 
regarding industry practices for reinspection is provided in an 
appendix.
    The proposed revision to the standard ``Performance Standard for 
Wood-Based

[[Page 6723]]

Structural-Use Panels'' has been developed and is being processed in 
accordance with Department of Commerce provisions in Title 15 Code of 
Federal Regulations part 10, Procedures for the Development of 
Voluntary Product Standards, as amended (published June 20, 1986). The 
current standard, PS 2-92, was published in 1992.
    The Standing Committee for PS 2 has the responsibility for 
maintaining, revising, and interpreting the standard. The Committee is 
comprised of producers, distributors, users, and others with an 
interest in the standard. Considerable research and review has gone 
into completing this revision; much of the work was performed by the 
document's sponsor, APA--The Engineered Wood Association.
    In addition to format, terminology updates, and general 
clarification, this revision makes several substantial changes to the 
standard, including: (1) Revision of bond performance criteria and 
methods for oriented strand board (OSB); (2) revision of linear 
expansion criteria and methods; (3) revision to structural performance 
descriptions; and (4) deletion of requirements and methods for Exposure 
2 and stability index.
    OSB Bond Performance/Exposure 1--APA began evaluation of quality 
assurance test methods in 1992 at the request of APA members to 
identify a more appropriate test. The 1''x5'' specimen was viewed as 
being too small, having an inappropriate orientation (tested on edge), 
and being poorly related to manufacturing processes and product 
applications. Several mill trials resulted in the adoption of a 
flatwise, simple static bending test based on Method D of ASTM D-3043 
``Methods of Testing Structural Panels in Flexure.'' This test has been 
added to PS 2 in section 7.6, Small static bending test.
    Products sampled on a quarterly basis were evaluated for structural 
performance, and resulting properties from the same panels were used to 
develop industry quality assurance property levels (dry properties in 
Table 7) for the various roof and floor spans covered in PS 2 and PRP-
108 ``Performance Standards for Structural-Use Panels.'' Cycled 
strength properties for Exposure 1 were established based on a cold-
water vacuum soak.
    Additional development work was completed in 1998-2000 to update 
the Exposure 1 criteria. The update was based on industry comments that 
adding heat to the cycle would be preferable to differentiate among 
resin modifications. Again, quarterly samples were benchmarked for both 
structural and Exposure 1 bond performance to establish updated 
Exposure 1 criteria for small static bending samples after cycling 
using hot water, vacuum soak, and oven drying (Test 7.16, Moisture 
cycle test for bond performance). The updated Exposure 1 criteria can 
be found in Table 6, and the application of the test and criteria are 
shown in sections 5.3.3.1.b and 6.2.4.1.b of PS 2.
    Revisions to the linear expansion method were made based on a need 
to reflect industry performance and serviceability requirements. 
Industry samples were benchmarked for linear expansion, and a suitable 
cycle and criteria were evaluated. The criterion was established at an 
average level, which is common for serviceability applications. The 
cycle was based on equilibrium at 50% relative humidity, which is 
viewed to be more representative of installed conditions than the oven-
dry condition. Industry surveys were conducted and reviewed to 
determine acceptable performance using the revised criteria and test 
methods. Verification of the methods was conducted on a representative 
subset of products. The criteria and application are updated in 
sections 5.3.2.1 and 6.2.3. The test method revisions are reflected in 
section 7.8.
    General comments on the structural performance sections indicated 
the need for improvement in the instructions. Concerns were expressed 
about applying structural performance criteria to daily mill quality 
assurance evaluations. Additionally, there were questions about the 
linearity of deflection requirements for a given increase in spans. The 
following changes were made:
    (a) Revisions to these sections spell out the test provisions more 
clearly. Each possible scenario is described independently. The actual 
percentage resulting in passing results is spelled out for each test 
and criterion explicitly.
    (b) Where appropriate, a clause was added to each performance test 
stating that the average of the tests should meet the designated 
requirement.
    (c) For cases such as Single Floor 32oc, where the deflection 
requirement is more stringent than a straightforward linear analysis 
would predict, it was explained that the linear analysis results in 
excessive movement under typical floor loading conditions.
    The Exposure 2 rating for bond performance has become obsolete. 
There are no known producers using the Exposure 2 rating. There is also 
no reason to believe the rating will become necessary for future 
production. Therefore, performance requirements related to the Exposure 
2 rating have been deleted.
    The stability index, although applied to product qualifications, 
was demonstrated to not be a very robust test in that panels evaluated 
never failed to meet the requirement. It was agreed by the Standing 
Committee that there is little value in retaining the stability index 
in the standard.
    The dead weight stiffness test was added as a non-mandatory test in 
Section 7.20. As part of the guidance for using the test, Table 8, 
Typical pre-loads and test loads, was included.
    Concurrent with this Federal Register Notice, the proposed 
Voluntary Product Standard PS 2-02 is being distributed by the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology to national experts and other 
interested parties for review and comment, in order to ensure that the 
standard constitutes acceptable industry practice. All public comments 
will be reviewed and considered. The Standing Committee for PS 2 and 
NIST will revise the standard accordingly.

    Dated: February 4, 2003.
Arden L. Bement, Jr.,
Director.
[FR Doc. 03-3289 Filed 2-7-03; 8:45 am]
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