scope:

The test is designed to evaluate the relative antisapstain performance of selected treatments. This test should be used as a guide in the industry for testing the efficacy of antisapstain treatments under local conditions. This test method is intended to be a screening test. It may also be used to provide information for standardization of protection treatments.

This field test is conducted on unseasoned, freshly cut lumber. The lumber pieces for the test should originate from the same harvest site (reducing variability of the substrate). Test pieces are then treated with candidate chemicals. Test lumber pieces are organized in sections that are either deadstacked or dead-stacked and sticker stacked. At selected intervals product performance, based on ratings for stain, mold and decay, is determined in comparison to untreated controls and a suitable reference treatment.

The environmental conditions under which this field test is conducted shall be as close as possible to real conditions at a sawmill site that are conducive to mold/blue stain growth to ensure that all products are qualified under normal or realistic conditions typical for the target market (e.g. climate, storage time and conditions, wood species etc.). The conditions under which the products are tested ensure that the treated wood is exposed to the most locally significant stain and mold species, under realistic temperatures for fungal growth. As such this test is specific to location, and season.