New F. H. A. Requirements in Southern Calilornia

The Federal Housing Administration, Los Angeles, has announced that the l97o moisture content provision for framing lumber on F.H.A. jobs will become effective April 15 in the Southern California district.

Following are the new moisture content regulations:

1. The moisture requirement will be enforced beginning April 15, 1940.

2. Moisture will be checked on the job at time of framing inspection.

3. Not over L9% moisture permitted in %)% of pieces, up to 22/o moisture in remainder of pieces.

4. It is recommended but not required that joists be sized after drying.

5. Houses which do not pass moisture inspection will be helcl up until sufficiently dry. If required to wait more than 15 days the house frame must be entirely renailed.

The West Coast Lumbermen's Association, Los Angeles, has been making a study of moisture content during construction in the metropolitan Los Angeles area. Tests made of seven houses on February 14 show moisture content averages of l7r/2, l8%., l9%,21, 16, l2l and 19 per cent. None of the houses were enclosed but some were roofed or partly roofed. A light rain was falling. Lumber was from various mills and yards.

A second series o[ tests was made by the Association from March 13 to March 15 in houses taken at random in different subdivisions. The frames were open, except one, which was sided with building paper. Some were roofed; others only stripped with shingles. Length of time under construction, one to four weeks. Following are the results of the second series of tests:

House No. l-Erected 9 days. 2x4 studs registered 11 to l7/o;2x6 ceiling joists ll to 25%.

House No. Z-Erected 7 days. 2x4 studs registered 14 to 16%;2x4 ceiling joists 13 to 17%;2x4 raftets 1l to 17%; 4x4 headers 14 to 16%.

Ifouse No. 3-Erected 4 days.2x4 studs registered 12 to 25/o;2x6 ceiling joists 14 to 26%;2x6 headers 16 to23%.

House No. 4-Erected 8 days.2x4 studs registered 9 to 2$/e ; 2x6ceiling joists 15 to 22/o ; 2x4 rafrers LO to 15%.

House No. S-Erected 6 days. 2x4 studs registered 1O to 26%; 2x4 ceiling joists 1l to l8%i 2x4 taftets 13 to 24%.

House No. 6-Erected 6 days. 2x4 studs registered 12 to 25%;2x4 ceiling joists ll to l9%;2x4 headers 11 to 2l%; 2x4 rafters 14 to 23% 2x6 subfloor (plank) 10 to 16%.

House No. 7-Erected 8 days. 2x4 studs registered 9 to 25%;2x4 ceiling joists 13 to26/o;2x4 taftets tl to l3%.

House No. &-Erected 12 days. 2x4 studs registered 13 to 23%; 2x4 ceiling joists 13 to l9/o; 2x4 rafters 13 to 18% ; 2x4 headers ll to 25%.

Ifouse No. 9-Erected 10 days. 2x4 studs registeted 12 to l77o; 2x4 ceiling joists 12 to l7%; 2x4 taf.tets 11 to 16%.

House No. l0-Erected 30 days. 2x4 studs registered 12 to 16%; 2x6 ceiling joists L0 to 16%;2x4 rafters 11 to l7%. This house was roofed and the studs sheathed in building paper.

The Association's report states they had no accurate knowledge as to the rnoisture content of this lumber when it left the dealer's yard, most'of it was undoubtedly green' also tlrat the pieces showing more than 23% were only a small percentage and are such pieces that never dqy in unison with the majority of the shipment.

The moisture content tests were made by A. A. Kayser, Association grade supervisor.

Sacramento Club To Hear Safety Talk

W. A. Huggins, of the State Department of Motor Vehicles, will give a safety talk entitled "Wake Up, California !" at the regular monthly dinner meeting of Sacramento Hoo-Hoo Club No. 109 to be held at the Elks Club, Sacramento, on Wednesday evening, April 17, at 6:39.

Carl Zamlock of the Signal Oil Company will entertain with sleight of hand tricks.

Offers Painter Kit for Hardware Week

Landon P. Smith, Inc., Irvington, N. J., announces a special low-priced "Red Devil" painter kit as a feature of the company's 1940 national hardware open house program. The makers of the Red Devil line of painters' and glaziers' tools and other equipment point out that the painter kit will retail at a price showing a saving of nearly forty per cent during open house week from April 25 to May 4.

Identified as the No. 193, the painter kit contains a wood scraper, flexible wall scraper, glass cutter, razor blade holder and paint and glass scraper, and a flexible putty knife. Each article is snugly fitted into the partition designed for it in the attractive gold and red box with cellophane window.

Further information on the painter kit may be obtained from local Red Devil dealers or by writing to Landon P. Srnith, Inc., IrVington, N. J.

New \(/eyerhaeuser Publication

The Weyerhaeuser Sales Company has just issued Volume No. 2 of its publication "Genuine White Pine News." It has a circulation of 10,000 copies, and reaches all the +SQUARE dealers and their key employees.

Each issue carries a feature article on some important subject in connection with Genuine White Pine. The "Listenin' fn" column presents comments of 4-SQUARE Iumber dealers about Genuine White Pine and Genuine White Pine advertising. The editorial plays up some point in connection with the need for up-to-date merchandising methods for lumber in general and Genuine White Pine in particular. Page 3 carries reproductions of White Pine advertising which is appearing in various publications, and also an article merchandising the White Pine Advertising. Page 4 is largely devoted to the illustration and explanation of the type of display material and dealer help that is available to increase the sale of Genuine White Pine.

The illustrated display section is in the form of an insert in each issue of "Genuine White Pine News." This display section has a two-fold purpose. It is interesting and informative for the 4-SQUARE dealer, and also provides him with an excellent display for his yard office.

The comments ftom 4-SQUARE dealers so far have been very favorable, both in regard to the merchandising information contained in "Genuine White Pine News" and its value in helping them increase their sales of Genuine White Pine.

PARAMOUNT BUILT-IN-FIXTURE CO. MOVES

Paramount Built-in Fixture Co. has moved to its own new building at 5107 Broadway, Oakland. The new telephone number is Pledmont 8400.