2019 NHLA Rules Change Proposals
Below is a list of proposed NHLA Rules and Sales Code changes submitted to NHLA for
consideration by the upcoming Rules Committee to be held at the NHLA Headquarters in
Memphis, TN on the 7th of June beginning at 8am CST. The Committee meeting will begin with an
open forum for anyone wishing to speak in favor or against any Rules change proposed. The Open
Forum will be approximately 1 hour in duration before the Rules Committee goes into closed
session.
Anyone wishing to be present at the Open Forum should contact the Chief Inspector, Dana
Spessert at [email protected] or by phone at 901-399-7551 at least 1 week prior to the meeting
date.
Proposals for Consideration
1. The Following to be added to page 26, under the Oak species specific section:
a. In white oak for grades of Select and better on FAS face, 1 pin knot allowed which
will not affect the grade detrimentally. On the reverse side of a Select and better
board all pin knots are allowed.
2. Add Standard Grade:
a. Rustic - To grade Standard 1 com except:
i. Each cutting is required to have a minimum of 1 character feature and at
least one additional feature for each 12 units per cutting.
ii. Required character features include solid bark pockets, worm and grub holes,
mineral, streaks, gum pockets, sound knots and knots with open inclusions
up to ¾ in average diameter, bird peck and open holes or their equivalent up
to ¾” in average diameter. Unsound features are admitted that do not
seriously impair the strength of the cutting are permitted. Stain and rot are
not permitted in the cuttings.
iii. Wane is limited to ½” on either or both edges.
iv. Splits are limited to 12” in length
3. Change Walnut Rules – page 28:
a. Eliminate defect grading for 6’ and 7’ FAS, change to Standard FAS Walnut cutting
unit method.
4. Change Walnut Rules – page 28:
a. Add “standard wane limitation for F1F” to FAS 1 Face Walnut.
Proposals Continued….
5. Standard Inspection By Species
a. Aromatic Red Cedar - Page 34
i. (current wording) Variation in thickness may be 1/2” on 4/4” to 8/4”.
ii. Proposal is to delete the sentence underlined. Add the sentence in bold after:
iii. Thicknesses: Standard. (Currently Stated)
iv. Standard Miscut Lumber Rule to apply.
6. Remove from Basswood – page 24
a. Eliminate the note in basswood that says “dormant twig buds to be considered
burls”.
i. The reason is that there is no definition for a dormant twig bud in the rule
book. I feel that when a defect is identified in the rules it should be defined.
The confusion is that some inspectors actually use this note to allow pin
knots in the cuttings. According to the basswood rules pin knots are not
allowed. I think that if the rules committee keeps the note it must be defined.
7. Sound Cutting Page 10, paragraph 31:
a. Change first sentence to – “A cutting free from rot, pith, shake, wane and splits”
8. Standard Grades Change – Page 17:
a. Eliminate the standard grade of 2B com. The standard grade of “2 Com” would
designate only clear face cuttings just as “2A” does in the current Rules.
9. Standard Grades Change – Page 17:
a. Eliminate the standard grade of 2B com. The standard grade of “2 Com” would
designate only clear face cuttings just as “2A” does in the current Rules.
10. Change Walnut Rules – Page 28
a. Add “Standard” to F1F.
11. Poplar page 27:
a. No 1 Common – Remove “except slight stain is admitted.”
b. No 2A Common: Change “stain is admitted” to “slight stain is admitted”
Proposals Continued…
12. Change the NHLA By Laws Article XIII – Inspection Rules (Change to “Inspection Rules
and Sales Codes”)
a. Some wording in paragraphs 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 will need to be changes to include both
proposed changes to Inspections Rules and also Sales Codes.
13. Some wording in paragraphs 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 will need to be changes to include both
proposed changes to Inspections Rules and also Sales Codes.
14. Sales Code
a. Article X, Section 8: Replace "4% money value" with "4% quantitative total in board
footage". (4% off grade)
b. Designate footage disputes as separate from quality disputes in regards to NHLA
inspection. Specify a 2% maximum per bundle discrepancy between buyer and seller
allowed.
15. Sales Code: Article X Inspection:
a. Section 6 – Change $15.00 per M Feet to $30.00 per M feet.
b. Section 8. Should this dispute inspection result in not more than 3% deductible
difference in money value on grade and/or 1% difference in footage from the gross
amount of the invoice, the buyer is to pay all expenses of the inspection, accept all
lumber and honor the seller’s invoice in full. If the deductible difference be more
than 3% money value on grade and/or 1% difference in footage the seller is to pay
all expenses of the NHLA inspection and the labor charges at actual cost or at a rate
of $30 per M feet, whichever is less. The seller shall invoice for and the buyer shall
retain and pay for all items reported on the dispute inspection certificate of the
species and thickness ordered. All other items shall be held for disposition of the
shipper.
The 2017 Rules Committee members:
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Pillip Fischer, Maley & Wertz
Sam Glidden, GMC Hardwoods
Tony Honeycutt, Mullican Flooring
Steve Jones, Ron Jones Hardwoods
Tim Kassis, Kretz Lumber
Paul Kephart Northwest Hardwoods
David Mayfield, Mayfield Lumber
Bucky Pescaglia, Missourri Pacific
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Jim Plowman, Midwest Walnut
Bill Rosenberry, Carl Rosenberry &
Sons
Joe Snyder, Fitzpatrick & Weller
Pete Van Amelsport, Quality
Hardwoods
Tom Wright, Edwards Lumber