APA vs TECO testing for structural wo...

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Author Message Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 233 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 03:16 pm:    What opinions do you have about the difference between APA and TECO third party testing for structural wood panels? I specified only APA ratings, but the contractor submitted a (well known) manufacturer who only tested per TECO. I'm inclined to approve it, but just wondering if I'm missing something interesting here. Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 635 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Saturday, January 25, 2014 - 10:14 pm:    What is the underlying standard referenced in the Code? The relevant questions is do they have the capability to perform the tests and do the tests results show conformance with the reference standard? Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 235 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, January 27, 2014 - 09:46 am:    Mark, The testing is typically for DOC PS1 and PS2. Hope I don't dissapoint you, but I've never really thought much about how plywood and OSB are tested. I was wondering if perhaps TECO was created by manufacturers who didn't like APA. I'm thinking of the FSC v SFI debate. That's why I'm asking. - Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 637 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Monday, January 27, 2014 - 01:19 pm:    It could very well be that TECO represents breakaway manufacturers. It has happened before. At one time AITC certified all glulam beams. I would be flexible on this issue. Check out TECO's testing lab certification. Unless you had specifically required APA stamps you may not have a lot of flexibility. If it is a small project and all the local suppliers only carry TECO stamped product you may not have much option. I would assume that your engineer specified the sheathing. If so he should be involved in this process. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 236 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, January 27, 2014 - 03:04 pm:    Mark, Thank you for your help. Yes, I did bounce this back to the structural engineer, as she specified the sheathing. Thank you for helping me to learn more about this. - Elias Saltz, CSI, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: elias_saltz Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2009 Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 - 03:55 pm:    Is there a 'structural wood panels for dummies' type document that anyone can recommend? I have APA's PRP-108 and PS1 and PS2, but when I try to read them I get a serious case of Wandering Mind Syndrome. I obviously can't get very excited about plywood and OSB either!