Preservative Treated Wood and Fasteners 2

[EIT2]

I received a Technical Bulletin from Simpson Strong-Tie stating "Metal connectors, anchors, and fasteners will corrode and lose load carrying capacity when installed in corrosive environments or exposed to corrosive materials." One of the corrosive materials listed is Preservative Treated Wood.

Their conclusions and recommendations include "Due to the uncertainties, which are out of the specifiers control, in regard to the chemicals used in pressure treated wood, Simpson recommends the use of stainless steel fasteners, anchors and connectors with treated wood when possible. At a minimum customers should use ZMAX(TM-Trade Mark)(G185 HDG per ASTM A653), Batch/Post Hot-Dip Galvanized (ASTM A123 for connectors and ASTM A153 for fasteners), or mechanically galvanized fasteners (per ASTM B695, Class 55 or greater)...

Stainless steel fasteners, as I recall from when I estimated for a steel fabricator, are +/- 5x the cost of carbon steel fasteners. Galvanizing +/- 2x the cost.

I can understand the concern for light gage or thin plate material such as Simpson and Kant-Sag connectors. But is this a significant concern for thicker materials and fasteners such as nails and expansion anchors?

Any comments on this? Recommendations?

Thank you!

 

[boo1]

With the new pressure treated products on the market we are learning about the approprate connector in contact with PT too.

See:

http://www.strongtie.com/ftp/bulletins/T-PTWOOD04.pdf

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/h00127.asp

jheidt2543 indicated to check:
The February 9, 2004 ENR magazine has an article on page 17, "Industry Sounds Warnings Over Corrosive Effect on Steel".

 

[boo1]

Handy tip sheet, providing basic guidance for selection of appropriate fasteners and connectors.
see

http://newstore.southernpine.com/cgi-bin/newsopine/product?;107;