Log structures shall comply...

[Don P]

That's the from first line of a new set of code rules under review. I don't know about you all...I begin to chafe when someone tells me I SHALL comply, the conversation is likely to degenerate from there  :D.
The new draft log building code is posted below, we are in the 45 day comment period. I was looking at a national map of code adoption last night. Whether enforcement is currently affecting you or not aside, 40 states have now adopted the IRC. After passing,  the log code becomes THE building code for log construction. If this affects you, now is the time  ;)

http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/standards/is-log/draft060105.html

[thedeeredude]

Why should some giant beuracracy full of fat cat, back scratching politicians tell me how I can or can't build my house? 

smiley_tom_dizzyguy02  "Errr, nope, that should be an 8ft span, not 10"  Hey inspector, what kind of wood is it?  smiley_tom_dizzyguy02 "Its from a tree, right?"

[IndyIan]

"302.2.2.1 Green. Logs shall be evaluated as
green unless graded and grade marked to
specified target moisture content."

Is this not a catch all letting you use ungraded logs as long as you assume they have the strength of a green log? 
Sounds ok for the DIYer's and is probably a good assumption anyways.

Ian

[Don P]

Back up to 302.2.1 Stress Grading...they gotcha.
That clause is at the head of every chapter in the codebook dealing with structural wood  :-\.

[Rockn H]

So under this new code the logs will have to be grade stamped? ???

[Don P]

Yes, according to the codebook, they will need to be graded. Below is the section dealing with grading. If you look at the design value tables in the draft, TPI and the Log Homes Council are the only recognized agencies able to grade logs.

The section Ian quoted comes a couple of paragraphs after what I've copied below. That section was saying that for design purposes...when you are calculating strength and shrinkage, if there is no moisture content stated in the grade stamp, the logs will be assumed to be green.

This is part of the section on gradestamping;

302.2.1 Stress Grading. All logs shall be stress
graded and identified by the grade mark or
certificate of grade issued by an accredited log
grading agency.
302.2.1.1 Log grades and design values. Log
grades and design values shall be developed in
accordance with one of the following standards:
1. ASTM D 3957
2. ASTM D 3737
3. ASTM D 245
302.2.1.2 Species. Logs shall be manufactured
from species listed with clear wood strength
values as published in ASTM D 2555.
302.2.1.3 Grade Marks. Grade Marks or
Certificates of Inspection shall include the
following information:
1. Name or registered trade mark of the
accredited grading agency
2. Name or identification number of the
manufacturer
3. Species of logs
4. Grade name or designation
5. Target moisture content at time of
grading, if target moisture content is
other than green in conformance with
Section 302.2.2.1.

[Don P]

That portion of the code dealing with gradestamping is one I've been working on at our state level. I've asked some of the higher ups to consider allowing small producers and users to grade their own structural materials for residential construction if they have some training. So far the feedback has been positive. I think those provisions are probably better adressed and modified at the level of the entire code not just in the log standards...I want to be able to grade the lumber and sheathing also.

The settlement portions of this code are correct according to our present feelings as to how a log home should be built. However a log home built like those I've restored would not be allowed under the new code. These homes served generations of families well...so I have mixed feelings there. The energy portion is also pretty tough, I'm pretty sure I'll be using 25% more wood...but I'm still trying to muddle thru that part  :-\

All in all I think its a pretty good effort, the devil is in the details, which are pretty light. The folks that started this standard moving said "Somebody is going to write a code sometime, it might as well be us".  Bottom line for me is I hate to see any new codes or laws, that isn't the way to expanding freedom in any walk of life...gently stepping down off my soapbox