| | ISANTA Tackles Corrosion Resistance
And CCA Substitutes
La Grange, Illinois
July 2, 2003
ISANTA
Tackles Corrosion and CCA Substitutes
Corrosion is complex. The International Staple, Nail And Tool
Association (ISANTA) is striving to develop better ways for specifiers to
deal with it. The recent changes in treated wood illustrate this well.
Observations suggest that attention to corrosion resistance may be more
important for the newest generation of treated wood. There is
immediate interest because producers of treated wood are shifting away from
CCA due to a voluntary agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency
and the producers of CCA. This agreement prevents the use of CCA
treated wood for consumer uses such as play structures, decks, picnic
tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios, walkways, and
boardwalks.
All of the affected industries are researching the corrosion resistance
question: preservative manufacturers, treaters, fastener manufacturers.
These industries are continuing to develop new products to improve
performance and compatibility. No test has been selected as THE best test to
predict long-term corrosion resistance of fasteners used with treated wood.
The manufacturers of the different preservatives generally recommend hot dip
galvanized or stainless steel fasteners, as was recommended for CCA.
(Recommendations typically do not specify a coating weight or thickness of
zinc and the stainless steel type is not usually specified, although some
preservative manufacturers have published lists of recommended fasteners.)
Major model building codes, such as those written by organizations like
BOCA (National Building Code), ICBO (Uniform Building Code),
ICC (I-Codes - International and Residential) and SBCCI (Standard
Building Code), generally prescribe hot dip galvanized, stainless steel,
silicon bronze or copper fasteners for preservative treated and
fire-retardant-treated wood. Building officials can approve other fasteners
based on findings that the alternate is satisfactory, complies with the
intent of the code, and is at least the equivalent in performance of that
prescribed in the code. Evaluation reports issued by the model code
organizations document such findings. Some preservative manufacturers have
evaluation reports which require that fasteners be hot dip galvanized,
stainless steel, or of triple coated zinc polymer materials. Fastener
manufacturers can be consulted for information on fasteners.
On a broader scale, ISANTA is striving to overhaul the standards that
have been used to control corrosion resistance. It hopes to substitute a
system of performance tests for the list of specifications in current
standards. Performance tests can be applied to both established and new
coatings, and can be used to rank performance in different environments. For
example, a salt spray test will likely be recommended for coastal
construction. Test results will then indicate any coating’s level of
protection with respect to established levels of performance. Just as the 8d
common nail is great for attaching sheathing - but too short for framing and
not well suited for shoe molding - each fastener’s corrosion resistance
will be able to be matched to appropriate uses and the desired levels of
protection.
As for treated wood, a task group from the American Wood-Preservers’
Association is working with ISANTA to develop the most appropriate test
method for fasteners used in the newest generation of treated wood.
ISANTA has nineteen members: Atlas Steel and Wire Division of Gerdau
Ameristeel, Campbell Hausfeld, DePoan, DeWalt, Dubai Wire, ITW (Duo-Fast and
Paslode), Falcon/Specialty Fasteners, Fasco/Beck, Hitachi, ISM Fastening
Systems, Makita, Master Fasteners, Max USA, Pentair Tools Group
(Porter-Cable and DeVilbiss Air Power), Prebena, PrimeSource, Senco, Stanley
Fastening Systems, Tree Island/Golden State/Halsteel.
The association concentrates in the areas of fastening recommendations,
product and safety standards, and safety programs for fasteners and
fastening tools used in: residential and commercial construction,
remodeling, manufactured housing, furniture, vehicles, pallets and
containers, picture frames and other industrial markets.
INTERNATIONAL STAPLE NAIL AND TOOL ASSOCIATION
512 West Burlington Avenue, Suite 203, La Grange, Il
60525-2245
Telephone - (708) 482-8138. Facsimile - (708) 482-8186.
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