CSA O322-15 (R2020)

Preface:

This is the third edition of CSA O322, Procedure for certification of pressure-treated wood materials for use in permanent wood foundations. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2002 and 1976.

This Standard provides for certification of treatment plants and identification of certified lumber and plywood for use in permanent wood foundations. Adoption and use of the Standard ensures that treated lumber and plywood are marked clearly to indicate that the quality of its preservative treatment has been tested and certified.

The primary change in this edition includes the increase of the number of charges for initial qualification from two to five. In addition, all references to other Standards have been updated to the latest version in effect at the time of publication.

Scope:

1.1
This Standard outlines procedures for the certification of treatment plants and the identification of certified lumber and plywood for use in permanent wood foundations (PWF).

1.2
This Standard does not transfer any responsibility for the quality of the treated product from the manufacturer to the certification agency.

1.3
This Standard does not cover the grading of lumber or plywood nor the fabrication or installation of permanent wood foundation materials.

1.4
It is recognized that some field-cutting of permanent wood foundation materials might be necessary at the time of erection and/or installation. The special application of field-cut preservative is not covered by this Standard.

1.5
In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.