A new seminar for engineers highlights the 2006 code requirements addressing high-wind and flood-resistant construction. SFPA’s Cathy Kaake, director of engineered & framing markets, was the guest speaker for the 87th monthly educational session organized by Digital Engineering and Imaging in Kenner, Louisiana, on behalf of local civil engineers. Cathy presented a new program, "Wind and Flood Resistance of Wood-Frame Construction". She began by summarizing 2006 code requirements for high winds, and available prescriptive wind standards – SSTD 10 Hurricane Resistant Construction, Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) and the new WFCM Guides). Next, Cathy summarized the flood-resistant construction requirements in the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC). She explained how raised floor construction can help meet those flood requirements without adversely impacting neighboring properties. Cathy concluded by saying that the grade and size of framing members and sheathing are only marginally different when designed for wind and flood resistance; the biggest difference is the use of engineered fasteners to maintain a continuous load path for each building from its roof down through to the foundation.

SFPA President Digges Morgan announces this week the hiring of Russell Richardson as Director, Industrial Markets. Russell brings to SFPA his eight years of experience in forest products marketing. His background includes expertise in management, market research and public relations. Most recently, Russell worked as the business manager for a family-owned timber sales company in Covington, Louisiana. Beyond marketing timber, his duties included budgeting and community relations.

For SFPA, Russell will direct program activities on behalf of the Southern Pine Council to promote industrial uses of Southern Pine for materials handling, as well as applications calling for specialty patterns such as flooring, siding, and paneling. He can be reached by e-mail: rrichardson@sfpa.org, or by phone at extension 239.

Russell has a bachelor’s degree in History from LSU, with a minor in speech communication. He later earned a master’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi. Russell is married and has a daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf.

The National Softwood Economic Outlook is now available in the Member’s Only section of www.sfpa.org. This one-page monthly primer updates activities and events important to softwood lumber supply and demand. This month looks at 2007 shipments by region including imports, plus full-year expectations for housing starts, R&R, industrial indexes and softwood consumption. For more information, please contact Wade Camp at 504/443-4464 ext.217, or wcamp@sfpa.org.