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Use Category Standards
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Use Category Standards

The American Wood-Preservers' Association (AWPA) developed the Use Category System (UCS) to provide a simple way to use AWPA Standards. The UCS defines a series of different exposures for treated wood products.

Each exposure has a different degree of biodegradation hazard and/or product service life expectation. All treated wood commodities can be placed into one of the Use Categories (see table).

There are five Use Categories based on exposures and expected product performance, ranging from weather protected to salt water marine. A separate Use Category is provided for fire retardant applications.

The Use Category number relates to the hazard associated with certain use environments, while the letter following the number (if present) relates to the risk. In general, as the Use Category number increases, there is a consequent increase in the required preservative retention. The depth of penetration requirements may also increase.
COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS
Use Category System

A   Sawn Products
A   Permanent Wood
     Foundations (PWF)
B   Posts
B   Playground Material
B   Round Building Poles
C   Crossties
D   Utility Poles
E   Round Timber Piling
F   Wood Composites
G   Marine Applications
     (Salt Water)
H   Fire Retardants
I    Non-Pressure Applications
Use Category Standards
SELECTION GUIDE
Use
Category		 Service
Conditions		 Use
Environment		 Common
Agents of
Deterioration		 Typical
Applications
UC1 Interior construction
Above Ground
Dry		 Continuously protected from weather or other sources of moisture Insects only Interior construction and furnishings
UC2 Interior construction
Above Ground
Damp		 Protected from weather but may be subject to sources of moisture Decay fungi and insects Interior construction
UC3A Exterior construction
Above Ground
Coated & rapid water runoff		 Exposed to all weather cycles, not exposed to prolonged wetting Decay fungi and insects Coated millwork, siding and trim
UC3B Exterior construction
Above Ground
Uncoated or poor water runoff		 Exposed to all weather cycles, including prolonged wetting Decay fungi and insects Decking, deck joists, railings, fence pickets, sill plates, uncoated millwork
UC4A Ground contact or fresh water
Non-critical components		 Exposed to all weather cycles, normal exposure conditions Decay fungi and insects Fence, deck and guardrail posts, crossties, & utility poles (low decay areas)
UC4B Ground contact or fresh water
Critical components or difficult replacement		 Exposed to all weather cycles, high decay potential including salt water splash Decay fungi and insects with increased potential for biodeterioration Permanent wood foundations, building poles, horticultural posts, crossties & utility poles (high decay areas)
UC4C Ground contact or fresh water
Critical structural components		 Exposed to all weather cycles, severe environments, extreme decay potential Decay fungi and insects with extreme potential for biodeterioration Land & fresh water piling, foundation piling, crossties & utility poles (severe decay areas)
UC5A Salt or brackish water and adjacent mud zone
Northern waters		 Continuous marine exposure (salt water) Salt water organisms Piling, bulkheads, bracing
UC5B Salt or brackish water and adjacent mud zone
New Jersey to Georgia
South of San Francisco		 Continuous marine exposure (salt water) Salt water organisms including Limnoria Tripunctata Piling, bulkheads, bracing
UC5C Salt or brackish water and adjacent mud zone
South of Georgia and Gulf Coast		 Continuous marine exposure (salt water) Salt water organisms including Martesia Sphaeroma Piling, bulkheads, bracing
UCFA Fire protection as required by codes Above Ground
Interior construction		 Continuously protected from weather or other sources of moisture Fire Roof sheathing, roof trusses, studs, joists, paneling
UCFB Fire protection as required by codes Above Ground
Exterior construction		 Subject to wetting Fire Vertical exterior walls, inclined roof surfaces or other construction which allows water to quickly drain

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