Does the code address framing lumber quality/degradation?

[Davegmc]

I have some good lumber that was outside over the winter. Still very useable in my opinion but it is discolored etc. and will be in sharp contrast to the new lumber I'm framing with. Does the code address this? Was thinking of using as cripples in window framing. But this brings up a bigger question - how pristine does lumber have to be and can there be any degradation after it was graded?

thanks!
Dave

[Don_P]

Not directly, if however, an inspector feels the degradation of structural framing lowers the grade to the point that the material may be unable to bear the imposed loads he is on solid footing to ask for an engineer's report or a regrade. There are various decay prohibitions in the grading rules. Also wood that is beginning to decay is unreliable, the breaking strength is unknown and generally much lower than carpenters suspect. If in doubt, non bearing uses or dimensional firewood. I joists, trusses and lvl's lose strength faster than solid sawn lumber.