[CCMC 12472-R] CCMC Canadian code compliance evaluation

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre that the evaluated product, when used as structural composite lumber (SCL) in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this evaluation, complies with the following code:

National Building Code of Canada 2015

Ontario Building Code

Ruling No. 05-15-139 (12472-R) authorizing the use of this product in Ontario, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Ruling, was made by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on 2005-12-15 (revised 2011-11-22) pursuant to s.29 of the Building Code Act, 1992 (see Ruling for terms and conditions). This Ruling is subject to periodic revisions and updates.

The above opinion(s) is/are based on the evaluation by the CCMC of technical evidence provided by the evaluation holder, and is bound by the stated conditions and limitations. For the benefit of the user, a summary of the technical information that forms the basis of this evaluation has been included.

Product name

VERSA-LAM® LVL

Product description

The product is manufactured by laminating veneer sheets of

• Douglas Fir;
• Eucalyptus;
• Southern Yellow Pine;
• Sweetgum;
• Western Hemlock; and
• Yellow Poplar.

The product is available in thicknesses ranging from 38.1 mm to 178 mm and in depths ranging from 88.9 mm to 610 mm. The veneers are oriented vertically and run parallel to the length of the member (see Figure 1). The 2.5-mm- to 4.2-mm-thick veneers are bonded using a phenolformaldehyde adhesive to form panels. The fingerjoints are bonded using a phenol-resorcinol-formaldehyde or polyurethane emulsion polymer adhesive. The panels go through a secondary lamination process using an emulsion polymer isocyanate adhesive.

The wood species, species combinations, lay-up patterns and adhesives used are as specified in the manufacturer’s quality control manual (QCM). The manufacturing quality assurance program and records are verified by APA – The Engineered Wood Association, as part of the product certification.

Manufacturing plants

This evaluation is limited to products produced at the following plants:

Product evaluated by the CCMC Indicates that the product from this manufacturing facility has been evaluated by the CCMC

The CCMC’s compliance opinion is bound by this product being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below.

• As with all SCL, this product is intended for dry-service conditions only.^{Footnote (1)}
• The product is intended for use in construction as an alternative material to lumber. Proprietary design values presented for the product are to be used by professional engineers for design in accordance with CSA O86 for structural applications such as beams, headers, joists, rafters, and columns as intended by the product manufacturer. The specific application must be qualified through specific testing and validated by the manufacturer. Applications such as I-joist flanges, studs and metal-plated truss chords are beyond the scope of this evaluation.
• The pre-engineered tables, which can be found in the publications referenced below, have been provided to the CCMC by the manufacturer to demonstrate compliance to Part 9, Housing and Small Buildings, of the NBC 2015, for acceptance by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ):
  1. Manufacturer’s pre-engineered tables^{Footnote (2)}

     When the product is used to support uniform loads only, the installation must be in accordance with the tables and installation details published by the Boise Cascade Company in the documents entitled:

     • VERSA-LAM^® 2.1E 2800 & 2.1E 3100 Western Specifier Guide, Limit States Design Canada, January 2019; and
     • VERSA-LAM^® 2.1E 3100 Eastern Specifier Guide, Limit States Design Canada, January 2019.

     For applications falling within the scope of the above-noted publications, the product must be installed in accordance with the installation guidelines contained therein. Applications outside the scope of these installation guidelines require engineering on a case-by-case basis.

  2. Manufacturer’s installation details

     The product must be installed in accordance with the ALLJOIST^® VERSA-LAM^® Installation Guide, January 2019. Applications falling outside the scope of the installation guidelines will require engineering on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Engineering required

     For structural applications beyond the scope/limitations of the above-referenced documents, or when required by the AHJ, the drawings or related documents must bear the authorized seal of a professional engineer skilled in wood design and licensed to practice under the appropriate provincial or territorial legislation.

     Installations beyond the scope/limitations stated in Section 3.i. and 3.ii. imply, but are not limited to, the following:

     • higher loads/longer spans than the manufacturer’s pre-engineered details;
     • concentrated loads;
     • areas of high wind or high seismicity;
     • design of supporting members/columns when the total beam/header load exceeds the NBC 2015 pre-engineered beam/lintel tables; and
     • design of supporting foundation footings when the total load exceeds the NBC 2015 pre-engineered floor/roof joist tables.

     The engineer must design in accordance with CSA O86 and may use the Canadian Wood Council’s Engineering Guide for Wood Frame Construction as a guide.

     The specified strengths for the product must not exceed the values set forth in the "Specified strengths of the product" table in this Report. Basic nail withdrawal and lateral nail capacities, as well as the bolt bearing capacities must be as shown in table "Fastener capacities of the product" nail spacing for the product must conform to "Fastener size and spacing for installation of the product using douglas fir and western hemlock (Mill No. 1110)" and "Fastener size and spacing for installation of the product using Southern yellow pine, yellow poplar, sweetgum and eucalyptus (Mill Nos. 1086 and 1106)" tables.

     The ends of all VERSA-LAM^® LVL members used as joists, rafters and beams must be restrained to prevent rollover. This is normally achieved by attaching a diaphragm sheathing to the top or to the compression edge, and to an end wall or shear transfer panel capable of transferring a minimum unfactored uniform load of 730 N/m or the required shear forces due to wind or seismic conditions. Blocking or cross bracing with equivalent strength may also be used.

     The compression edges of all VERSA-LAM^® LVL members used as joists, rafters and beams must be laterally supported at least every 610 mm, except where design is done in accordance with CSA O86.

  4. Engineering support provided by manufacturer

     Boise Cascade Company provides engineering support for their product and may be consulted by email at ewp_canada@bc.com or by telephone at 800-232-0788.

• The product must be identified with the phrase “CCMC 12472-R” along the side of the product. This CCMC number is only valid when it appears in conjunction with the APA EWS certification mark.

This evaluation is based on demonstrated conformance with the following criteria:

The Report Holder has submitted technical documentation for the CCMC evaluation. Testing was conducted at laboratories recognized by the CCMC. The corresponding technical evidence for this product is summarized below.