Code of Maine Rules › 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY › 001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL › Chapter 384 - WOOD MEASUREMENT RULES - COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS › Section 001-384-9 - CHECK MEASUREMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Licensed
				wood scaler required
. Whenever a check measurement is conducted, the
				State Sealer shall cause the check measurement to be performed by a wood scaler
				who is licensed to use the system of measurement involved, in accordance with
				Chapter 384 of these Wood Measurement Rules, and who is either a State employee
				or a person under contract to the State.
B.
Check measurement procedures
1.
System of measurement
. The
				State Sealer shall check measure the wood using the same system of measurement
				that was used or will be used to measure the wood, provided the method is
				authorized for the wood production form involved.
2.
Method of measurement
. The
				State Sealer shall conduct the check measurement according to the procedures
				set forth in Chapter 382. When a check measurement involves the use of butt
				scale, the provisions of subparagraph (a) shall also apply. When a check
				measurement involves a determination of moisture content of stems or pieces,
				the determination shall be made according to subparagraph (b).
(a)
Butt scale check measurement
(i) The State Sealer shall measure the cubic
				volume of the wood by computing the cubic volume either of each individual
				stem, or of each individual stem in a representative sample, as the State
				Sealer determines to be appropriate, and adding together the individual cubic
				volumes. If the State Sealer chooses to use a representative sample, he shall
				select the individual stems which shall constitute the sample. When the check
				measurement is made in the investigation of a disputed wood complaint, the
				sample shall be representative of the stems the measurement of which is in
				dispute. In other investigations, the sample shall be representative of the
				wood involved in the investigation.
(ii) The cubic volume of individual stems
				shall be conducted as follows:
AA. Diameters
				shall be measured at the butt end, at two feet from the butt, at four feet from
				the butt, and at four foot intervals to the top. The length of the top segment,
				if less than four feet, shall be measured to the nearest one-tenth foot.
				Diameter measurements shall be taken outside the bark, except that inside bark
				measurements or volumes may be used where the wood quality specifications state
				that the factor used to convert cubic feet to standard cords is based on inside
				bark measurement or on inside bark volumes.
BB. Unless an alternative formula been
				authorized by the State Sealer, the cubic foot content of each segment will be
				computed by means of the formula:
V = (A +(a)/2 / 2 x L
where V is the volume, in cubic feet, of the stem segment, A
				  is the area in square feet of the large end, a is the area in square feet of
				  the small end of the stems segment, and L is the length of the segment
				  measured. The total cubic foot content of the separate segments shall be added
				  together to compute the cubic foot content of the stem.
CC. Where the volume is represented in
				standard cords, the following conversion factors shall be used:
softwood
- 85 cubic feet of wood including bark
				  equals one standard cord,
hardwood
- 80 cubic feet of wood including bark
				  equals one standard cord,
except that where the parties have agreed to an alternative
				  reasonable and appropriate conversion factor and that conversion factor is set
				  forth in the wood quality specifications, then, this alternative factor shall
				  be used to calculate the number of standard cords.
(b)
Moisture content
				determination
. Whenever a determination of the moisture content of stems
				or pieces is required, the check measurement shall be conducted as follows:
(i) The State Sealer shall make his selection
				of sample points on a random basis, first selecting a minimum of ten stems or
				pieces and then selecting a specific sampling point on each stem. In cases
				where the removal of a sample disc would ruin a stem or piece for processing
				purposes, the sample point will be moved to the nearest end of the shortest
				standard length specified for the production form involved.
(ii) The samples will immediately be placed
				in a Moisture proof bag. The bag shall be sealed after excluding excess air and
				a tag shall be attached giving the following information: Sample number, date
				sample taken, species of wood in the load, gross weight, tare weight, name of
				seller and buyer or name of person requiring services and person providing
				services, point of delivery, and name of person selecting and taking the sample
				discs. Samples will be stored in a cool, dark place until they are
				tested.
(iii) The State Sealer will
				determine the weight of the sample prior to drying and its oven-dry weight. He
				will then compute the percent moisture content using the formula: