MIL-DTL-15011K
4.4. Methods of inspection. (See 6.6).
4.4.1. Moisture content prior to construction. One sample each of lumber blanks used for the top
and bottom deckboards, stringer boards, and posts shall be tested to represent the material used in pallet
construction. The moisture content shall be tested with an electric type moisture meter (see 6.15) or by
one of the oven drying methods of ASTM D4442. If a moisture meter is used, the meter shall be capable
of reading moisture contents as high as 30 percent with a minimum accuracy of plus or minus one percent
of true moisture content. Three readings shall be taken from each blank, and if any one of the three
measurements of moisture content fails to meet the requirements of 3.2.1.4, the lot shall be rejected.
4.4.2. Presence of Copper-8-quinolinolate preservative. An ordinary glass tube eye dropper shall
be used to deliver two drops of PQ80 surface to the wood surface. An immediate dark brown coloration
and the spreading of the drops shall indicate Copper-8-quinolinolate treatment. Alternatively, the PQ80
surface indicator may be substituted with a formulation containing 10 parts by weight, of Sodium
diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate (see 6.10) and 90 parts by weight of distilled water.
4.4.3. Presence of Zinc Naphthenate preservative. Dissolve 0.1 grams of dithizone
(diphenylthiocarbazone) (see 6.11) in either 100 ml of Methyl ethyl ketone or 100 ml of Chloroform
(Note: This solution may be stored for long periods of time.) An ordinary glass tube eye dropper shall be
used to deliver five drops of the solution to the wood surface. The indicator turns red when zinc is
present. The color green indicates that the preservative is not present. Both colors fade quickly in the
presence of light.
4.4.4. Presence of Copper Naphthenate preservative. An ordinary glass tube eye dropper shall be
used to deliver two drops of PQ80 surface indicator to the wood surface. The stain will turn a dark brown
color and the spreading of the drops shall indicate Copper-8-quinolinolate treatment. Alternatively, the
PQ80 surface indicator may be substituted with a formulation made by dissolving 0.5 grams Chrome
azurol S concentrate (see 6.12) and 5.0 grams Sodium acetate in 80 ml of distilled water and then dilute
further to 500 ml total with distilled water. Then a common manual (fly) type applicator shall be used to
spray the solution over the surface of dried treated wood. The indicator turns a deep blue color when
copper is present.
4.4.5. Concentration level. The concentration level of the applicable preservative shall be
calculated and recorded prior to utilization and every 8 hours of use thereafter by following the
preservative supplier s recommended ratio of product to water (see 6.13).
4.4.6. Deckboard width. Measurements for overall width of deckboards shall be performed by
measuring across the fastener area with an ordinary tape measure. There is a potential of
misrepresentation of the deckboard width if the measurements are taken at mid-span. The wood members
tend to shrink due to wood cell moisture loss after construction which could cause boards to be
nonconforming.
4.4.7. Pallet squareness. Measurements for overall pallet squareness shall be performed by
measuring the diagonals from one corner to another with an ordinary tape measure.
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