The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) has released a new technical publication, Allowable Load Tables for Machine-Graded Lumber, providing six newly developed load tables for the two most commonly produced grades of machine-graded Southern Pine lumber: 2,400F – 2.0E and M-23.
Together, these grades account for more than 75% of all machine-graded Southern Pine lumber produced.
This new publication, designed as a supplement to SFPA’s widely used Southern Pine Headers & Beams guide, reflects the growing production and use of machine-graded Southern Pine lumber.
Developed through collaboration among SFPA member companies, the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB), and discussions at the 2024 MSR Lumber Producers Council meeting, the new tables support the increasing demand for Southern Pine lumber in structural applications.
Production of machine-graded Southern Pine lumber has surged, more than doubling since 2015 to reach 806 million board feet in 2024, according to the MSR Lumber Producers Council’s 2024 Annual Production Survey.
“These new tables offer engineers, designers, and builders greater flexibility and confidence in specifying high-performance Southern Pine lumber,” said Eric Gee, executive director of SFPA. “As machine-graded lumber continues to gain popularity, it’s essential that the industry has access to reliable, up-to-date design resources.”
This is the first new technical publication SFPA has released in more than 10 years. Download the new tables and learn more at southernpine.com.