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Offshore Markets' News, November 1997
A Periodic Newsletter of the Markets/Trade Division Council of Forest Industries
Vol. 1 No. Four
The Markets/Trade Division thanks its partners and members - the forest products producers and industry associations of BC and Alberta. Articles may be reprinted - please credit the Markets/Trade Division. COFI does not warranty the accuracy of any of the information contained herein.
INSIDE
Canadian Forest Products Winners at APEC
International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi's announcement that APEC would examine nine sectors - including forest products - for "early accelerated tariff reductions" ended months of behind-the-scenes efforts by Canadian, US, New Zealand and Indonesian forestry interests to keep forest products tariffs on the APEC agenda. Efforts such as this in the past have usually resulted in last minute trade-offs that saw forest products taken out of discussion in favour of issues such as liquor or auto-parts. Besides the work of government and industry association representatives, the location of the conference in Vancouver also contributed to the outcome. Federal politicians, in their words, did not want to "wimp out" on an important issue to BC. The impact of this agreement may be hard to measure in the shorter term but with pressure mounting on forest products producers to diversify into new markets, access should be smoother with declining tariffs in potential Pacific Rim economies. While Japan, Taiwan and Korea opposed including forest products tariffs, one tangible benefit may be to see these countries - western Canada's first, second and third largest Asian markets for wood products - come on board.
New Japanese Design Values for Dimension Lumber - The Ministry of Construction has revised Notification 56 (2x4 Building Code) to incorporate performance provisions. Changes were implemented on June 1, 1997. The design values for dimension lumber were revised to reflect in-grade (or full size lumber) test data from North America, as opposed to small clear wood data. More details on this topic are included in stories below or (for members and associates of the Council of Forest Industries) by requesting a copy of the Markets/Trade Division's report on "Changes to Notification 56" and "Perspectives" Number 1 - Japan Span Tables. Info: Ken McKeen, COFI
Housing Starts down in 1997 - Housing starts were down in each of the first seven months of 1997 compared to 1996. The major contributing factor in the decline was the increase in the consumption tax from 3 to 5 percent in April 1997. Monthly housing statistics from Japan are available to COFI members and affiliates upon request. Info: Edward Matsuyama, COFI Tokyo
Hem-Fir (N) Design Values - MOC formally assigned higher design values for Canadian Hem-Fir (N) on August 25, 1997. Previous design values for Canadian Hem-Fir were based on American in-grade test results, which greatly underestimated the strength of Canadian Hem-Fir (N) lumber. Design values for Hem-Fir (N) are based on Canadian in-grade test results. Info: Ken McKeen, COFI or Edward Matsuyama, COFI Tokyo
Spans Increase with COFI-ROOF - The new system factor adopted by MOC for roof rafters results in increased spans (3-4 percent) when structural plywood 12.0mm or thicker is used in place of 9.0mm plywood sheathing. This system factor applies to COFI ROOF when the rafters are used in a system consisting of 3 or more essentially parallel members spaced not more than 600mm apart and arranged so that they are mutually supported. Info: Art Kempthorne, CanPly or Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
Japan - New Span Tables - The Government Housing Loan Corporation (GHLC) published new span tables on August 15, 1997 based on in-grade dimension lumber design values. SPF was not included in previous span tables, but has been added due to recommendations by COFI. In addition, the span tables apply to fingerjoined lumber (JAS 701). Info: Ken McKeen, COFI or Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
Span Tables for MSR - COFI supplied span tables for machine stress rated (MSR) lumber which were subsequently included in the GHLC span tables. Since the safety factor in deriving design values of visually graded lumber (NLGA or JAS 600) and MSR are now the same, spans are greatly increased when MSR lumber is used. Previously, the safety factor for visually graded lumber was previously 2.1, compared to 3.0 for MSR, so there was little advantage in using MSR lumber. Info: Ken McKeen, COFI or Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
Reduced Scaffolding Regs for 2x4 & Prefab - The Ministry of Labour announced that 2x4 construction sites do not necessarily require scaffolding since there is a platform on which to operate. COFI Tokyo has determined that the average cost savings for a 135 m2 house is as much as ¥230,000 (C$2,600). Traditional post and beam housing is generally supported by the post and beam so scaffolding will continue to be a requirement. Info: Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
3-Storey Apartments in Fire Zones - MOC announced on August 22, 1997 that 3-storey wooden apartments can be built in quasi fire protection zones. This announcement reflects a successful full scale fire test that was conducted in March 1996. Approval is still required under special exemption (Section 38) of the Building Code, but this is being viewed as a temporary measure until the Building Standard Law is revised next fiscal year. Quasi fire protection zones account for 16% (240,000 hectares) of land designated for building in Japan. In metropolitan Tokyo, 73% (44,000 hectares) falls into quasi fire protection zones. Info: Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
JAS Plywood Formwork Revision - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries (MOAFF) revised the JAS concrete form plywood standard on August 6, 1997 with effect on September 5, 1997. Revision to the JAS standard was initiated by COFI since softwood plywood was essentially precluded from meeting the standard. The new standard will allow softwood plywood produced in Canada to meet the JAS standard. Info: Dale Black, CanPly or Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
JAS Structural Plywood Revision - The Japan Housing and Wood Technology Centre (HOWTEC) committee report concluded that costly testing of JAS structural Class II plywood would not be required as part of quality control. HOWTEC committee members, including COFI Tokyo, came to this conclusion due to recommendations by CanPly. In addition, design values will be established for Class II plywood and included in the 2x4 design manual which will be released later this year. Design values were establish based on testing of CSP/DFP conducted at Canply. Info: Nick Nagy, CanPly or Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
Reduced Tariffs on Double Studs - Japanese Customs has informed COFI Tokyo that SPF double studs (nailed) can be classified under HS Code 4421.90-099 (other manufactured lumber). The applicable tariff rate is currently 4.1% going down to 3.5% in 1998 and 2.9% in 1999. SPF dimension lumber tariff rates are currently 5.9% going down to 5.4% in 1998 and 4.8% in 1999. Info: John Powles, COFI or Edward Matsuyama, COFI Tokyo
Revision in GHLC Loan Regs - The Government Housing Loan Corporation (GHLC) implemented technical (performance) criteria for public housing loans. Technical performance requirements fall into the categories of Barrier Free, Durability and Energy Efficient Type. House builders have the option of meeting barrier free or energy efficiency, but durability is a requirement in order to qualify for the lower GHLC base rate. The interest rate applicable for houses conforming to the base rate will be reduced to a record low rate of 3.0 percent in September 1997. Info: Ken McKeen, COFI or Hidehiko Fumoto, COFI Tokyo
Plywood Zero Formalin Logo - A zero formalin logo has been used by CanPly members on bundles and panels since mid August 1997. This logo will be used to raise awareness of the low formaldehyde release of CSP/DFP prior to the proposed introduction of indoor air guidelines equivalent to the World Health Organization level of 0.08 ppm. Plywood "Zero Formalin" Promotional Brochure A CSP/DFP zero formalin brochure describing formaldehyde release is now available in Japanese. Info: Glen Shimizu, COFI/CanPly Tokyo
COFI FTO Status Expands - MOAFF granted COFI foreign testing organization (FTO) status for structural panels on September 4, 1997. Info: Dale Black, CanPly and Masato Suzuki, COFI Tokyo
SPF Promotion Seminars Popular - A 2X4 promotion program aimed at introducing 2x4 housing in the regions of Japan and maintaining the quality image of 2x4 has been attended by 1,122 people (17 seminars) since the first seminar took place in November 1996. Info: Edward Matsuyama, COFI Tokyo
This document is also available in hard copy newsletter format to members and associates of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI).
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