Evaluation Report CCMC 13125-R

MASTERFORMAT Issued R e - e va l u a t e d Revised R e - e va l u a t i o n d u e

06 73 14.01 2003-06-24 2007-07-20 2009-01-06 2010-06-24

Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber

It is the opinion of the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) that Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber when used as both exterior decking and as stair treads in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in Section 3 of this Report, complies with the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2005: Clause 1.2.1.1. (1)(b) Division A as an alternative solution that achieves at least the minimum level of performance required by Division B in the areas defined by the objectives and functional statements attributed to the following applicable acceptable solutions: Article 9.23.14.5., Subfloor Thickness or Rating, Subsection 9.4.2., Specified Loads, and Article 9.4.3.1., Deflections.

Re-Evaluation in Progress

1. Opinion

This opinion is based on CCMCs evaluation of the technical evidence in Section 4.1 provided by the Report Holder. Ruling No. 04-09-113 (13125-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 July 20, 2004 (revised on December 8, 2008) 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.

Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber is a wood thermoplastic composite made primarily from equal parts of reclaimed hardwood sawdust and reclaimed/recycled polyethylene. The composite product is manufactured through a continuous extrusion process in planks of solid cross-section. The planks are manufactured in nominal dimensions of: 32 mm x 140 mm, 38 mm x 89 mm, 38 mm x 140 mm and 38 mm x 184 mm. The planks are available in 3.66-m lengths. The 38-mm x 89-mm plank is also available in 4.88-m lengths, whereas the 32-mm x 140-mm and 38-mm x 140-mm planks are also available in 6.10-m lengths. Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber is intended to be used as exterior decking installed over traditional structural wood framing (Figure 1).

2. Description

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Figure 1. Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber

CCMCs compliance opinion in Section 1 is contingent upon Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber being used in accordance with the conditions and limitations set out below. The product may be used as exterior decking and as stair treads in combustible construction for light-duty applications, such as in residential occupancies, falling within the scope of Part 9 of Division B of the NBC 2005, when it is installed in conjunction with traditional structural wood framing designed to carry the applicable loads. The product must be installed in accordance with the manufacturers usage guidelines for the Canadian market, and in accordance with the following limitations: The 32-mm x 140-mm and 38-mm x 89-mm planks must be installed with supports spaced no greater than 400 mm on centre (o.c.), and the 38-mm x 140-mm and 38-mm x 184-mm planks must be installed with supports spaced no greater than 500 mm o.c. Each plank must be supported by at least 3 supports. Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber must be fastened to the wood joists with fasteners conforming to Article 9.23.3.1. of the NBC 2005. The fasteners must have a corrosion protection coating(1) or be made of stainless steel. The planks must be fastened with at least two fasteners per support, and the fasteners must be at least 76 mm long. (1) As of January 2004, pressure-treated lumber requires specific hot-dipped galvanized fasteners for satisfactory performance.

3. Conditions and Limitations

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 Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber must be gapped end-to-end, based on the length of the plank and the temperature at installation. The end-to-end gapping must be 5 mm for installations below 15C and 3 mm for installations above 15C. The width-to-width gapping must be 6 mm for installations above 5C and 10 mm for installations below 5C. Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber may be installed by a knowledgeable person familiar with the product installation guide. The Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber product label or packaging, where possible, must be identified with the following information: manufacturers name or logo; and the phrase CCMC 13125-R.

4. Technical Evidence
CCMCs Technical Guide for Wood Thermoplastic Composite Lumber Used as Exterior Decking (Solid Cross-Section) sets out the nature of the technical evidence required by CCMC to enable it to evaluate a product as an acceptable or alternative solution in compliance with the NBC 2005. The Report Holder has submitted test results for CCMCs evaluation. Testing was conducted at an independent laboratory recognized by CCMC. The corresponding test results for Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber are summarized below. 4.1 NBC 2005 Compliance Data for Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber on which CCMC Based its Opinion in Section 1

Table 4.1. Basic Physical and Mechanical Properties of Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber Property Unit Dimensional Change Requirement Result(1)(2) 5.2 10-5(3) 7.1 10-5(3) 0.0 1 550 (s.d. = 121) 10.1 (s.d. = 0.92) 41.0(4) 3.8 49.1(5) 68.7(5) Passed 92 60 (MOE) 71 (MOR)

Coefficient of linear expansion (thermal): longitudinal cm/cm/C < 2 x 10-5 cross-sectional Coefficient of linear expansion (swelling): < 0.5, by 80% of % oven-dry to vacuum pressure soak specimens Strength and Stiffness Modulus of elasticity (MOE): MPa > 750 span-to-depth ratio within 18 to 21 Modulus of rupture (MOR): MPa >9 span-to-depth ratio within 18 to 21 Impact resistance (Izod impact, notched): J/m > 53.4 Hardness (11.28-mm-diameter ball): kN > 1.8 < 25 for creep Creep, recovery and load duration: % > 75 for recovery No failure Strength and Stiffness After Aging Weathering: impact resistance Accelerated aging: MOE and MOR % % > 75 of nonweathered value > 50 of non-aged value

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Table 4.1. Basic Physical and Mechanical Properties of Trex Wood-Polymer Composite Lumber (contd) Requirement Unit Result(1)(2) Fastener Holding Capacity Nail withdrawal strength N > 600 761 (s.d. = 35) Lateral nail strength N > 720 518(6) (s.d. = 100) Flame-Spread Rating 120 Flame-spread: < 200 Smoke development Report > 500 (1) Average test results of six specimens, except for the Creep, recovery and load duration results, which are from three specimens. (2) Test results were obtained to classify the product and are not intended to be used as engineering design properties. (3) Deemed acceptable based on the manufacturers gapping installation instructions. (4) Deemed acceptable based on the full-scale structural impact test results. (5) Deemed acceptable for decking application based on other test results. The product creep (deformation under constant load) will be greater than that of lumber planks. (6) Deemed acceptable based on the full-scale structural test results and fastening detail test results. Property Table 4.2. Performance Under both Concentrated Static Loads and Impact Loads Requirement Maximum Minimum Deflection Under Ultimate Load 0.89-kN Load (kN) (mm) Result(1) Ultimate Load (kN) Deflection Under 0.89-kN Load (mm) 5.28(2) 2.71(3) 1.06 Deflection Under 0.89-kN Load Following Impact Load of 102 Nm (mm)

Property Concentrated load: decking at 50C decking at 20C decking at 35C

2.45 Minimum Ultimate Load of 1.78 kN Following Impact Load of 102 Nm (kN)

2.4 Maximum Deflection Under 0.89-kN Load Following Impact Load of 102 Nm (mm)

2.90 4.20 4.14 Ultimate Load of 1.78 kN Following Impact Load of 102 Nm (kN)

Impact load: decking at 50C 5.92(4) 100 100 2.4 1.12 160 decking at 35C (1) Test results for 38-mm x 140-mm planks with supports at 500 mm o.c. (2) Although 5.28 mm is greater than the 2.4-mm requirement, it was deemed acceptable for material at 50C. However, the deflection of the decking will be slightly higher than that of wood-based panels conforming to the NBC 2005 subfloor requirements at this high temperature. (3) Deemed acceptable for the intended use, as the 0.31-mm deflection above the 2.4-mm requirement was not considered significant. (4) Although 5.92 mm is greater than the 2.4-mm requirement, the deflection of the plank increased by less than 1 mm after it was exposed to impact loads, thus it was deemed acceptable for material at 50C

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Table 4.3. Durability, Decay, Termite and Slip Resistance

Property Durability: Modulus of elasticity (MOE) Modulus of rupture (MOR) Decay resistance: % loss in weight Compressive strength Termite Resistance: Requirement Mean percentage loss in MOE and MOR after UV-exposure and accelerated aging must be less than or equal to spruce lumber Mean percentage loss in weight and compressive strength after exposure to decay-causing fungi must be equal to or better than spruce heartwood Rating must be equal to or better than preservative-treated wood conforming to CSA 80.1-M97 Result Passed Passed Passed

Slip resistance: (longitudinal) > 0.5 dry condition 0.23(1) ASTM D 2394. wet condition 0.58 (1) The dry condition value does not meet the minimum required value and may not meet occupant expectations. The manufacturer may be contacted for further information. Table 4.4. Performance Under Concentrated Static Load Stair Tread Requirement Maximum Minimum Deflection Under Ultimate Load 1-kN (kN) (mm) Result(1) Applied Ultimate Load (kN) Deflection Under 1-kN (mm)

Property

Concentrated load: 7 5(2) stair tread 0.75 0.82(4) stair tread nosing (3) 10 5 with riser (1) Test results are for 50C and 80% RH test condition for stair stringers spaced at 305 mm o.c. Three specimens were tested for each test. (2) Applied through a 75-mm-diameter disk positioned at the centre line of the plank and mid-way between stringers. (3) Applied through a 38-mm-diameter disk positioned along the outside edge of the nosing of the plank and mid- way between stringers. (4) Although the deflection is slightly higher than the allowed limit, the applied ultimate load was 40% higher than the minimum required ultimate load, and so this deflection was deemed acceptable.

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Report Holder

Trex Company, Inc. 245 Capitol Lane Winchester, Virginia USA 22602 Tel.: (540) 542-6300 Fax: (540) 678-3002 3229 Shawnee Drive Winchester, Virginia USA 22601 1800 East Newlands Drive Fernley, Nevada USA 89408

Plants(1)

(1)

Report only valid for products manufactured at listed plants herein.

This Report is issued by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre, a program of the Institute for Research in Construction at the National Research Council of Canada. The Report must be read in the context of the entire CCMC Registry of Product Evaluations, including, without limitation, the introduction therein which sets out important information concerning the interpretation and use of CCMC Evaluation Reports. Readers must confirm that the Report is current and has not been withdrawn or superseded by a later issue. Please refer to http://irc.nrc.gc.ca/ccmc, or contact the Canadian Construction Materials Centre, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6. Telephone (613) 993-6189. Fax (613) 952-0268. NRC has evaluated the material, product, system or service described herein only for those characteristics stated herein. The information and opinions in this Report are directed to those who have the appropriate degree of experience to use and apply its contents. This Report is provided without representation, warranty, or guarantee of any kind, expressed, or implied, and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) provides no endorsement for any evaluated material, product, system or service described herein. NRC accepts no responsibility whatsoever arising in any way from any and all use and reliance on the information contained in this Report. NRC is not undertaking to render professional or other services on behalf of any person or entity not to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to another person or entity.

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