Information for Building Code Officials

Building code officials are required to have in-depth knowledge of all types of construction methods and thousands of different products used in modern buildings.  The International Code Council's committees recognize AWPA as the authority on treated wood and have directly referenced AWPA Standards in the International Building Code and International Residential Code in applications where preservative treated wood is required.

How do I make sure the treated wood on the jobsite meets code?
AWPA's standards are the only standards for treated wood directly listed in the IRC and IBC, so the first thing to do is look for "AWPA U1" on the end tag.  It's also important to look for the preservative code and retention (amount of preservative retained in the wood), for example, "ACQ-D" or "CA-C".  On wood intended for applications subject to building codes, there will be a "checkmark" logo and the "quality mark" of an ALSC accredited agency.  You should also look for the appropriate AWPA Use Category for the application, such as UC3B or UC4A.  Note that in most cases, wood treated to a higher Use Category may be used for applications in a lower Use Category.  For example, sill plates are a UC2 application, but you may use wood treated to UC2 requirements or higher, such as UC3B.  A listing of AWPA Use Categories is found below:

We have also developed an infographic that will assist you in determining the appropriate preserved wood for your particular project.  You can download the Use Category infographic here.

Do all end cuts need to be field-treated with preservatives?
When wood is pressure treated with preservatives, it is absorbed in varying amounts by the sapwood, but only a small amount of preservative penetrates the heartwood, juvenile wood, and some of the wood surrounding knots.  Therefore, all drilled holes and cut ends must be treated with a preservative.  Boron-based preservatives such as Bora-Care, Pena Shield, or a saturated solution of borax and/or boric acid in hot water are specified for interior uses.  Oxine copper products like WOODguard or Outlast Q8 Log Oil are used treatment of exposed cuts and holes in exterior above ground applications.  For wood products used outdoors and in ground contact, copper naphthenate in products such as Copper Green, CopperCoat, or QNAP are used to treat cut ends and drilled holes.  Copper naphthenate may also be found online on websites such as Poles, Inc., under the brand name "Tenino".

How can I get wood tested to see if it has been pressure treated and to determine the amount of preservative in the wood?
AWPA’s Analytical Standards include several standard methods for detecting the presence and amount of preservative elements in wood.  Several of the wood treatment inspection companies can also inspect the wood, take the necessary samples and run the analytical procedures to determine if the wood has been treated and ascertain the remaining amount of preservative in the wood.  Some of the companies are sponsors of AWPA and can be located by going to our "Suppliers and Sources" page.

The builder did not use pressure treated wood in locations required by the code.  Is there a preservative that can be applied to make it comply with AWPA Standard U1?
Unfortunately, no.  Except for dip-treated millwork or composite wood products with a preservative incorporated with the wood strands, fibers, or chips during the manufacturing process, Standard U1 requires pressure treatment for all other products.  Some surface-applied preservatives might provide some degree of protection, but it would not be as effective as pressure treatment, which forces the preservatives deep into the wood.