Building Inspectors Get lnstruction in Lumber Grading at Annual Meeting

Convention Also Hears Talk on Model Termite Control Ordinance

Much interest was shown by building inspectors in the lumber grading symp,osium and lumber grading contest conducted by A. C. lforner, 'Western manager of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association at the annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Building Officials Conference held at the Whitecotton Hotel,,Berkeley, October 5 to 10.

The symposium was held on the first day of the conference. A pamphlet entitled "IJnit Working Stresses for Lumber" had been prepared by the Western offi'ce of the National Association for use in the Uniform Building Code and distributed to all the inspectors before the meeting. This pamphlet ,contained the proposed revision of se,ctions 2503 and 2504 of. the Code, and a lot of ,carefully prepared information for the instruction of building inspectors as to the methods of applying in practice the fundamental principles for selecting lumber according to its safe load bearing capacity in building construction.

Mr. Horner's talk dealt with the factors influen'cing the strength of and working stresses for lumber and timber, and while time only permitted him to give the highlights of this big subject, his explanation of many points in the pamphlet was of great assistance to the building inspectors in their study of the fundamentals of grading.

Jason McCune, of Los Angeles, field representative of the West Coast Lumbermen's Association spoke briefly on grade-marked lumber and American Lumber Standards.

Reuben W. Smith, of the California Redwood Association, San Francisco, told of the development of structural grades by his asso'ciation.

Professor Emanudl Fritz, associate professor of forestry, University of California, Berkeley, gave a short explanation of charts exhibited by him, one of which illustrated the wearing resistance and greater strength of summer wood, and another which showed the progress of decay of lumber which had only been three years in a new building, owing to lack of ventilation, s,craps of lumber piled around the foundations, and other violations of every principle of good building.

Albert Hermann, resear.ch engineer of the Western Pine Association, Portland, also gave a short talk.

C. D. Wailes, Jr., 1st vice-president of the Conference, chief building inspector of Long Beach, told of the use of grade-marked lumber in Long Beach. Most of the lumber specified by ar'chitects now, even in residential construction is grade-marked lumber, he said.

More than.50 pieces of lumber of sizes used commonly in construction were placed on exhibition in a building just across the street from convention headquarters. where building inspectors were invited to examine and grade them at their convenience during the convention. fnspectors Hear Tal,k on Termites

Other exhibits in this building were samples of Weyerhaeuser 4-Square Guide Line Framing; an exhibit of No. I Grade Perfections, 5X and Royals, Red Cedar Shingles; exhibit of various grades of Ponderosa pine, larcli, Idaho white pine and Douglas fir, rrranufactured by mills of the Western Pine Association; a large Douglas fir plywood panel, 8l feet by 12 feet, manufactured by Harbor Plywood Corporation, and exhibited by Davis Hardwood Co., San Francisco.

Earl Bowe, exe,cutive secretary of the Termite Investigations Committee, addressed the meeting on "Model Termite Control Ordinances Suggested by the Termite Investigations Committee," on October 7, and answered many questions on the subiect of termite control.

Citrus Belt Hoo Hoo Club Meet

Oct. 17 at San Bernardino

The Citrus Belt Hoo Hoo Club will hold irs annuirl meeting at the San Bernardino Country Club, San Bernardino, on Saturday, October 17. The program includes a golf tournament in the afternoon starting at 12:3O p.m.; business meeting and election of officers at 5:30 p.m.; dinner and dance at 7:@ p.m. A large attendance is expected.

Agricultural Paper Publishes \. Special Redwood lssue

'The Agricultural News, only agricultural newspaper in Cblifornia, published at Petaluma, made its September 30 issue a special Redwood number. A feature of the issue rvas a special article by Max E. Cook, farmstead engipeer, manager of the Redwood Farm Structures Bureau, California Redwood Association, entitled "Development of Better Farm Structures for a Secure fnvestmenl". ffhis ar.ticle was illustrated by designs of poultry houses, 6a.ns, septic tanks and other structures designed by Mr. Cook, and told the poultryman and fariryier of the free plan service made available to them by the Bureau through their local lumber dealer.