R802.1.2 End-jointed lumber.
Approved end-jointed lumber
identified by a grade mark
conforming to Section
R802.1 may be used interchangeably with solid-sawn members
of the same species and grade.
R802.1 Identification. Load-bearing dimension lumber for rafters, trusses and ceiling joists
shall be identified by a grade
mark of a
lumber grading or inspection agency that has been
approved by an accreditation body that complies with DOC PS
20. In lieu of a grade mark, a certificate of inspection
issued by a lumber grading or inspection agency meeting the requirements
of this section shall be accepted.
"
APPROVED. Meeting the approval of the enforcing agency, except as otherwise provided by law, when used in connection
with any system, material, type of construction, fixture or appliance
as the result of investigations and tests conducted by
the agency,
or by reason of accepted principles or tests by national authorities or technical, health, or scientific organizations
or agencies."
The code clearly leaves the decision to approve or not, to the building official.
Well then what gets done that isn't one of two things....approved or not....and by whom?....the building official, that's who. So I can look at an end-jointed rafter and say no or yes as I see fit.....within reason. I can say no if it has a crack, excessive wane, a huge knot or some other gross defect. I could say no if it wasn't approved per R802.1. On the flip side, I can say yes only if it complies with R802.1.
So where did the approval to use the material emanate from?
Was it the building official or the national authorities or technical, health, or scientific organizations or agencies? Did a building official approve the material by virtue of tests or did that BO find a stamp from an
approved agency granting an
approval?
APPROVED AGENCY. An established and recognized agency regularly engaged in conducting tests or furnishing
inspection services, when such agency has been approved by the building official. “Approved agency” shall mean “Listing
agency” and “Testing agency."
APPROVED LISTING AGENCY. Any agency approved by the enforcing agency, unless otherwise provided by statute,
which is in the business of listing and labeling and which makes available at least an annual published report of such listings in
which specific information is included that the product has been tested to recognized standards and found to comply.
APPROVED TESTING AGENCY. Any agency which is determined by the enforcing agency, except as otherwise provided by
statute, to have adequate personnel and expertise to carry out the testing of systems, materials, and construction fixtures or
appliances.
Sometimes it helps to read all of the pertenent information in the code books.
It's never helps to read too much into what the code says.