Technical Specifications

Permanent Wood Foundations
Wood foundation systems are foundations using CCA (Chromated
Copper Arsenate) pressure treated lumber and plywood for below
grade walls and slab floors. They create comfortable living quarters,
crawl space, and even under floor plenums. They offer lower energy
and labor costs, greater comfort, and ease of maintenance over
concrete and brick foundations.
Energy: You can’t go wrong with a properly constructed treated
wood foundation. Wood foundation systems are energy efficient,
clean, warm and dry. Energy conscious builders and buyers will
appreciate the efficiency of wood foundations, as well as other
systems in the wood foundation group. A properly insulated full wood
basement wall will have three times the insulation value of a typical
eight inch thick poured concrete wall.
Building Code Compliance: The CCA wood preservative system
meets the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) standards
and meets all major model building code requirements.
Projects should be designed and installed in accordance with federal,
state, local building codes and ordinances governing the construction
in your area in accordance with the National Design Specifications
(NDS) and the Wood Handbook.
Easy to Construct: Wood foundation systems are simple to build,
install and maintain. You don’t have to be an engineer to comprehend
the value of a wood foundation system. It’s easy for the homeowner
or do-it-yourselfer to finish their basement. Wood foundation systems
simplify additions, remodeling, plumbing and electrical work. Wood
foundation systems can be constructed on-site or prefabricated for
faster installation.
Cost Effectiveness: The use of stainless steel fasteners and hardware
is required for permanent wood foundations that are below grade that
are constructed using CCA treated wood products. No additional
special labor or requirements, along with fewer man hours translate
into substantial savings. Costs for a complete wood foundation are
considerably less than a comparable masonry foundation. A normal
wood foundation can be installed by a small crew of carpenters, often
in less than a day. Shorter construction time means lower expense and
cost advantages for the builder, as well as the home buyer.
Environmental Benefits:
• CCA treated wood products are made from plentiful fast
growing species of trees. Because CCA treated wood
products last for decades with minimal maintenance,
you are not only building projects that last, you are also
investing in the conservation of precious natural
resources. When you use CCA treated wood products,
you’re using one tree to do the work of many.
• CCA treated wood products are resistant to damage from
termites and fungal decay. To protect its appearance
against the effects of moisture, apply water repellent or a
good surface coating.
• The CCA wood preservative system has long been
known as an effective wood preservative for building
wood foundations. Properly processed CCA treated
wood products are safe when used as recommended.
For more information, visit www.kopperspc.com.
Consumer Information:
This wood has been preserved by pressure-treatment with
an EPA-registered pesticide containing inorganic arsenic
to protect it from insect attack and decay. Wood treated
with inorganic arsenic should be used only where such
protection is important.
Inorganic arsenic penetrates deeply into and remains in the
pressure-treated wood for a long time. Some chemical
may migrate from treated wood into surrounding soil over
time and may also be dislodged from the wood surface
upon contact with skin. Exposure to inorganic arsenic may
present certain hazards. Therefore, the following
precautions should be taken both when handling CCA and
in determining where to use or dispose of the treated
wood.
Use/Site Precautions:
• All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up
and disposed of after construction.
• Do not use treated wood under circumstances where the
preservative may become a component of food or
animal feed. Examples of such sites would be use of
mulch from recycled arsenic-treated wood, cutting
boards, countertops, animal bedding, and structures or
containers for storing animal feed or human food.
• Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free of
surface residue should be used for patios, decks and
walkways.
• Do not use treated wood for construction of any
portion of beehives which may come into contact with
honey.
• Treated wood should not be used where it may come
into direct or indirect contact with drinking water,
except for uses involving incidental contact such as
docks and bridges.
Energy Efficient – Clean – Warm & Dry
Handling Precautions:
• Treated wood should not be burned in open fires or in
stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers because toxic
chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and
ashes. Treated wood from commercial or industrial use
(e.g., construction sites) may be burned only in
commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in
accordance with state and federal regulations.
CCA treated wood can be disposed of with regular
municipal trash (i.e., municipal solid waste, not yard
waste) in many areas. State or local laws
may be stricter than federal requirements. For more
information, please contact the waste management
agency for your state.
• Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust
from treated wood. Wear a dusk mask when sawing,
sanding, and machining treated wood. Whenever
possible, these operations should be performed
outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations or airborne
sawdust from treated wood.
• When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to
protect eyes from flying particles.
• Wear gloves when working with the wood. After
working with the wood, and before eating, drinking,
toileting and use of tobacco products, wash exposed
areas thoroughly.
• Because preservatives or sawdust may accumulate on
clothes, they should be laundered before re-use. Wash
work clothes separately from other household clothing.
Permanent Wood Foundations are an installed,
engineered system and therefore are not warranted by
the Retailer, Chemical Supplier or the Manufacturer of
the treated lumber.