Side-by-Side Comparison
Outdoor Living
Firewood Cords vs. Pool Water Chemistry
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Firewood Cords
Pool Water Chemistry
Firewood is legally defined by weights and measures as a Full Cord comprising exactly 128 cubic feet (4×4×8 ft / 3.62 m³) of tightly stacked wood. A Face Cord (Rick) measures 1/3 of a cord (42.7 cu ft) using standard 16-inch split logs seasoned to below 20% moisture.
Residential swimming pool water chemistry standardizes balance parameters: pH 7.2–7.8 (ideal 7.4–7.6 matching human eyes), Free Chlorine 1.0–3.0 ppm, Total Alkalinity 80–120 ppm, Calcium Hardness 200–400 ppm, and Cyanuric Acid stabilizer 30–50 ppm.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
NIST Handbook 130 / EPA Burnwise Wood Burning Standards | ANSI/APSP-11 / CDC Healthy Swimming Guidelines |
|
Full Cord Volume
|
Exactly 128 cubic feet (3.62 m³ / 3.24 cu meters solid volume) | — |
|
Full Cord Dimensions
|
4 feet high × 4 feet wide × 8 feet long (1.22 × 1.22 × 2.44 m) | — |
|
Face Cord (Rick) Volume
|
42.7 cubic feet (1.21 m³) | Exactly 1/3 of a full cord | — |
|
Face Cord Dimensions
|
4 feet high × 8 feet long using standard 16-inch long logs (1.22 × 2.44 × 0.41 m) | — |
|
Standard Split Log Length
|
16 inches (40.6 cm) | Universal stove & fireplace standard | — |
|
Split Log Diameter
|
3 to 6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) across split face | — |
|
Seasoned Moisture Target
|
Below 20% internal moisture content (EPA Clean Air requirement) | — |
|
pH Level (Ideal)
|
— | 7.4 to 7.6 (Acceptable: 7.2–7.8 | Matches human mucous membrane pH 7.4) |
|
Free Available Chlorine (Pool)
|
— | 1.0 to 3.0 ppm (parts per million) |
|
Free Chlorine (Hot Tub / Spa)
|
— | 3.0 to 5.0 ppm (Higher due to hot water organic load) |
|
Combined Chlorine (Chloramines)
|
— | 0.0 to 0.2 ppm max (Values >0.4 ppm require shock treatment) |
|
Total Alkalinity (TA)
|
— | 80 to 120 ppm (Buffers against rapid pH bounce) |
|
Calcium Hardness (Plaster)
|
— | 200 to 400 ppm (Prevents plaster etching and metal heater corrosion) |
|
Cyanuric Acid (CYA / Stabilizer)
|
— | 30 to 50 ppm (Shields chlorine against UV degradation; >100 ppm causes lock) |
|
Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)
|
— | -0.3 to +0.3 (Balanced water: negative = corrosive, positive = scaling) |