155-A:15 Use of Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) Lumber and Spruce-Pine-Fir-South (SPFS) Lumber. –
I. For purposes of the state building code, spruce-pine-fir south (SPFS) lumber harvested and milled in New Hampshire and graded either by a grader permitted under RSA 426:18 or by an American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) accredited agency shall be accepted wherever spruce-pine-fir (SPF) is specified.
II. Structural design and inspection shall use the published SPFS design values for the grade and size provided.
III. Where a code evaluation report, product listing, or manufacturer's installation instructions differentiate allowable loads or limitations by lumber species group, the allowable loads corresponding to the installed species group shall be used. When SPFS lumber is installed, the values for SPFS shall govern. This requirement shall apply, but not be limited to, structural connectors, hangers, fasteners, truss plates, adhesives, and proprietary systems.
IV. Municipalities shall accept either a native lumber certificate pursuant to RSA 426:18 or an ALSC grade stamp as sufficient proof of grade.
V. Nothing herein shall prevent a licensed architect or engineer from specifying higher strength materials if required for safety and structural integrity of a structure. Licensed architects and structural engineers shall also consider and shall provide alternative options of construction utilizing SPFS lumber.
VI. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the use of SPF lumber graded by an ALSC accredited agency.