Masonry Magazine October 2002 Page. 38
Purchasing Decisions
A checklist
Who is the actual LVL plank manufacturer, and are they well respected?
How many years has their brand of LVI. plank been in the market?
Does the manufacturer actually produce LVL billets with the proper veneer grade mix specifically for scaffold grade quality?
Who performs the actual plank proof testing?
Has the manufacturer or sales agent been involved in litigation regarding inferior product quality?
Do the manufacturer and/or supplier carry adequate liability insurance?
Is the actual LVL manufacturer ISO certified?
Is each and every plank tested or is it random?
is the plank tested under the guidance of an accredited, independent inspection agency?
Is quality control regularly monitored by an accredited inspection agency?
Will the plank span the required distance and remain in conformance within appropriate deflection limits?
What is the physical weight of the plank, and is it physically manageable by your personnel and/or compatible with your equipment?
Is the plank clearly identified as Scaffold Plank in the event that OSHA or CSA perform a job site inspection?
Does the LVL brand name carry any building code approvals (an indication that the structural strength properties are regularly reviewed by an inspection agency)?
Does the plank meet the Qualified Products List (QPL) under military specification MIL-19140 (not mandatory, but an indication that the product meets acceptable standards of usage)?
Determining strength
Basically, there are two design properties to consider when analyzing LVL scaffold plank strength. The combined result of these strength values allows structural engineers to easily determine the maximum allowable spans relative to the load conditions and deflection limits specified by ANSI and OSHA.
Fiber Bending (Fb) value corresponds to a plank's resistance against an applied load and the relative tension and compression of wood fiber within the plank.
Fiber Bending (Fb)
Modulus of Elasticity (M.O.E.) is the measurement of a planks' stiffness or the association between the amount a plank deflects and the load causing the downward deflection.
Modulus of Elastcity (MOE)
Note: In the United States, OSHA observes a deflection limit of L/60, where as "L" represents the length of plank span (inches). In Canada, the regulatory agency, known as CSA, endorses more stringent criteria of L/80.
Given the above factors, you are probably still wondering how to make the right choice. The fact is there are some sales organizations that purchase standard grade LVL and "supposedly" conduct their own proof testing. You guessed it! They offer plank that may not be properly inspected or qualified pursuant to the traditional and proven methods of testing- and of course at a reduced price.
So, how do you qualify your decision and avoid possibly purchasing a plank that has not been properly produced and tested, and may not meet the appropriate ANSI and OSHA standards? More importantly, how do you protect the interest and safety of your workers?
One way is to make a checklist to note the supplier's credentials, product features and benefits, as well as any questionable circumstances behind each LVL plank product being considered.
Yes, there is truly more to making the best purchase decision than merely cost. You simply cannot put a price on the safety of your workers nor the liability behind your decision.