Environmental and Treatment

RedBuilt™ LLC does not warrant pressure-treated I-joists and LVL unless the treating process and design values are specifically covered in a RedBuilt™ technical bulletin. Fire retardant treatment is not allowed and will not be warranted. Please visit the product literature page online for more information in the RedBuilt™ Technical Bulletins.

RedSpec™ design values assume that products are used in standard temperature ranges and dry-use conditions. The National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS�) defines standard temperatures as those where structural members will not experience sustained (i.e. permanent) exposure to elevated temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry-use conditions apply when the moisture content in service is less than 16%.

Reduction factors for glulams used in wet-use and/or high temperatures are not directly supported in RedSpec™, but are available in the latest edition of the NDS�.

Reduction factors for I-joists and LVL used in wet-use and/or high temperatures have not been developed. Therefore, RedBuilt™'s warranty for I-joists, LVL, and open-web trusses is only valid when these products are installed in dry-use conditions and standard temperatures, such as are found in typical interior applications. This includes joists over crawl spaces that are ventilated and protected by a vapor barrier.

I-Joists, LVL, and Open-Web Trusses Over Pools

Members installed in floors or roofs directly above indoor (or outdoor) swimming pools or spas are potentially subjected to high humidity, chemicals and higher-than-average temperatures. Members must be protected from these environmental factors for the life of the structure, in order to maintain dry conditions of use and prevent structural decay. Proposed solutions, which may provide initial "protection" for members in pool applications, have included ventilation, dehumidification systems and vapor barriers. The following concerns regard the integrity of these solutions over the expected life of the structure:

• Vapor barriers will likely be compromised, either during construction or in future remodels such as the installation of a recessed light, etc.

• Ventilation and dehumidification systems may be blocked, turned off or fail mechanically. Future owners may not realize the importance of these features.

If dry-use conditions are not maintained, the wood moisture content increases, resulting in decreased joist strength and stiffness and at least double the predicted long-term creep (computed with the decreased stiffness). The decreases in strength, stiffness and creep performance are significantly magnified if the moisture content fluctuates. Additionally, I-joist webs are highly optimized and contain approximately one-fourth of the wood fiber found in traditional sawn lumber joists. Consequently, a given thickness of decay removes four times the cross-section percentage, which leads to a corresponding percentage decrease in I-joist capacity. Open-web truss webs, pins, and clips are susceptible to corrosion in humid environments.

RedBuilt™ LLC has not evaluated its products for wet, humid or cyclical moisture conditions. See also: Application Limitations.