Use Caution When Buying Firewood

Due to higher prices for natural gas and fuel oil this winter, more Maryland residents than usual are expected to start using, or increase their use of wood fuel, making it more important to be familiar with laws and regulations governing the measurement of firewood. The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Weights and Measures Section regulates the sale of firewood.

"Every Maryland resident who intends to buy wood to burn this winter should understand the way it is measured," said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Virts. "And any person who intends to sell firewood in Maryland must know and follow the law."

Maryland regulations require that firewood sold in the state only be advertised, offered for sale, or sold by the cord, or fractional parts of a cord. Any other term, such as truckload, rack, face cord, or pile, is illegal and should cause consumers to question the seller.

"Most consumers do not understand the meaning of a cord, or they are unaware of the many ways wood can be stacked to look like a cord when it isn't," said Louis Straub, chief of weights and measures for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. "Consumers should use caution and common sense when purchasing firewood, and if the seller uses a term other than a cord or a fraction of a cord, be suspicious."

A cord is the amount of wood stacked and stowed in a well-compacted manner in a space of 128 cubic feet. When properly stacked, the individual pieces of wood are in a line, parallel to and touching each other. Cubic feet is calculated by multiplying the width of the stack by its height and length. A typical stacked cord would be four feet wide, by eight feet long, by four feet high (4 x 8 x 4=128 cubic feet), with no internal gaps.

Bulk sales of firewood must be accompanied by a delivery ticket containing the date of delivery, the name and address of the seller and buyer, the quantity of wood delivered, the cost of the wood, the type of wood delivered, and the license number or other identifying number of the vehicle that transports the wood. Any seller who refuses or is reluctant to provide complete information should be considered suspicious.

Straub recommends that when wood is delivered, the buyer stack it immediately or carefully monitor the delivery person who stacks it, and promptly determine the quantity received by measuring the stack with a tape measure.

"If there appears to be any discrepancy, contact the seller immediately and attempt to resolve the matter," Straub said. "If the seller can't or won't correct the problem, consumers should call us before burning any of the wood."

The Weights and Measures office in Annapolis can be reached by calling 410-841-5790, or, 1-800-492-5590.

Posted: 12-6-2000