scope:

This Standard specifies a field test method for evaluating the relative susceptibility of wood test samples to attack and damage by termites when used in Use Category UC1 Interior Dry and UC2 Interior Damp exposures. It is designed to expose wood test specimens to a severe challenge by termites in a field exposure. Test specimens may include preservative treated wood, modified wood, or any system of interest for resistance to termite damage, with effectiveness evaluated relative to reference preservative treatments and untreated wood. Variations in test layouts are acceptable, within defined requirements, to compensate for variations in test location, native termite species, and climate, with valid results produced as long as the untreated material in the test arrays are adequately attacked over the duration of the exposure. Where wood is placed in direct contact with concrete blocks, bricks, or other porous material, this test method will represent UC2 but not UC1. Caution should be used with this method and diffusible preservative systems, as high humidity and moisture fluctuations in some exposure locations and arrangements may result in excessive preservative depletion during this test (into adjacent untreated wood, and/or the foundation material). AWPA E21 may be more appropriate in these instances.