2015 Permanent Wood Foundation standard approved

LEESBURG, VA. – The American Wood Council's 2015 Permanent Wood Foundation Design Specification (PWF) standard has been approved by the American National Standards Institute as an American National Standard. The PWF is referenced in the International Code Council's 2015 International Residential Code and International Building Code.

The standard provides structural requirements for designing wood foundations, most commonly used in the upper Midwest. A Permanent Wood Foundation system is intended for light frame construction including residential buildings.

There are only minimal changes in the 2015 version of the PWF standard, mostly related to ensuring internal references to ASTM and AWC standards are current.

Designers may begin using provisions of new standards upon approval by the authority having jurisdiction. Many code officials will allow for the use of new standards, particularly when they are developed through a consensus process.

The 2015 PWF is available in electronic format on the AWC website http://www.awc.org/standards/pwf/2015.php.