Design Values – Background
Resources
Design Values – Effective June 1, 2013
The current design values for all sizes and grades of visually graded Southern Pine dimension lumber became effective June 1, 2013. These design values apply only to new construction; (permitted after June 1, 2013); the integrity of existing structures designed and built using design values meeting applicable building codes at the time of permitting does not change.
The RESOURCES listed above provide links to these design values, as well as comparisons with other species and updated span tables.
Click here for free downloads of SFPA’s updated publications.
The American Wood Council (AWC) has also revised its standards and design tools, and developed addenda to assist with building code enforcement.
Southern Pine’s strength and stiffness is comparable to other softwood species used in residential and commercial construction. Southern Pine users have many available product options including visually graded dimension lumber and an increasing supply of mechanically graded lumber. From framing a house to building a deck, Southern Pine continues to be a dependable product with superior treatability against decay and termites.
These easy-to-use tables were compiled by the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) as a service to design/build professionals and other Southern Pine users.
Reference design values are for normal load duration under the moisture service conditions specified. SFPA does not grade or test lumber, and accordingly, does not assign design values to Southern Pine lumber. The design values contained herein are based on the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau’s Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber and modified as required by the American Wood Council’s National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Accordingly, neither SFPA, nor its members, warrant that the design values on which the span tables for Southern Pine lumber contained herein are based are correct, and specifically disclaim any liability for injury or damage resulting from the use of such span tables.
The conditions under which lumber is used in construction may vary widely, as does the quality of workmanship. Neither SFPA, nor its members, have knowledge of the quality of materials, workmanship or construction methods used on any construction project and, accordingly, do not warrant the technical data, design or performance of the lumber in completed structures.