| What is FSC? FSC stands for Forest Stewardship | | | | Once in operation for milling the machinery, forklift |
| Council. This non profit organization is recognized as | | | | and area must all be labeled thoroughly and |
| the most credible international system in forest | | | | specifically for anyone who enters to know only FSC |
| management. Their certification is the only one | | | | products and production is allowed. Why is this |
| recognized for LEED rating on commercial and | | | | important? The purpose for this is to cut out |
| residential projects for wood products. FSC certified | | | | improper management of our forests. |
| Ipe decking is fast growing in popularity due to it's | | | | Why Ipe? As stated above, Ipe has a janka |
| multi-facet properties. They include janka hardness of | | | | hardness of 3680. In comparison to California |
| 3640, fire rating class I (same as concrete and steel), | | | | Redwood at 420, this hardwood is 8 times the |
| resistance to insects, mold and fungus (no chemicals | | | | hardness. Ipe is naturally resistant to insects, mold |
| here) and longevity of 40 plus years with no | | | | and fungus, so no need to put chemicals on it. It is |
| maintenance products. What is not to like. | | | | naturally recyclable, self sustaining and renewable. The |
| What does it take to be FSC certified? Well, that can | | | | longevity of Ipe decking is 40 years and over 100 |
| go into heavy details but here is a fraction of the | | | | years with a UV inhibiting deck oil. Ipe rating |
| commitment that is involved. The company must be | | | | surpasses the minimum required for wet areas based |
| willing to implement additional policies, procedures, | | | | on Americans with Disability Act requirements for |
| rules, time and monies that solely pertain to FSC. This | | | | static co-efficiency of friction used by commercial |
| involves hiring an FSC accredited certification | | | | projects for slip ratio on flooring. |
| company that implements audits, report misuse or | | | | Put the two things together; FSC(TM) certification |
| abuse, approve or deny application of the FSC | | | | and Ipe decking and you get the best decking |
| trademark on products and off products and assist | | | | available. Nothing else can quite capture the natural |
| company in utilizing FSC responsibly. Audits are | | | | beauty of real wood and without the worries of |
| conducted annually and re-submission is needed every | | | | chemical out-gassing and now with reassurance of a |
| 5 years. Mills for example must have a specifically | | | | responsible forest certification. |
| designated area solely for storage of FSC wood. | | | | |