SUPPLEMENT MAY 2011

A guide to choosing timber for use in building

Selecting Timber Supplement May 2011

This supplement outlines changes in treated timber use and timber grading that have been introduced since the second edition of Selecting Timber was published.

Page 15 Table 2
Replace Table 2 with the amended version on page 3 of this supplement. NZS 3640:2011 Timber-framed buildings lists 6 hazard classes, one of which is H2. However, that class relates to framing timber in Australia and is not used in New Zealand.

into a stress grade and sprays an indelible strip of colour to identify the different stress grades along its length. A length of MSG timber may have several colours indicating different stress grades. The grade of the length is the lowest grade of any part of it.

Pages 19/20 Grading

Delete the text starting on page 19 from the heading Grading, up to the heading Appearance grades on page 20, and replace with the following:

Mechanical proof grading

For a small amount of specialist structural timber, mechanical proof grading may be used. For this grading, the timber is sorted visually, then it is passed through a machine that applies a predetermined load. If the timber does not break, it is allocated a specific grade.

"Grading
Most timber used in building is graded, either for structural performance or for appearance. There are two basic grading classifications: structural, for engineering applications such as beams and framing. This can be done by visual stress grading, machine stress grading, and acoustic stress grading appearance, for cladding, flooring, panelling, finishing, furniture and fittings.

Acoustic grading
Acoustic timber grading sends a sonic stress wave through the timber. This allows the machine to compute the modulus of elasticity or MoE. One stiffness reading per piece is taken. A coloured paint is applied to indicate each length of timbers grade.

Stress grading of structural timber

For both visual and mechanical stress grading, a length of timber can be given a stress grade in accordance with AS/NZS 1748: 2011 Timber Solid Stress-graded for structural purposes Qualification of grading method, and AS/NZS 4490:2011 Timber Solid Stress-graded for structural purposes Verification of properties. The stress grade measures the strength and stiffness of a length of timber. Strength is indentified by a figure approximating the characteristic bending stress (in mega Pascals, or MPA). The grades that timber is marked to indicate: the identity of the firm that carried out the grading the stress grade whether it is seasoned (that it, whether it is dry or green) the appropriate standard. Structural framing grades, as allowed by the different grading methods, are: visually graded - non verified No 1 framing grade. (This is not permitted for use in loadbearing construction under NZS 3604:2011.) visual stress graded mechanically stress graded to give a bending stress in MPA. NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings uses the term SG or structurally graded, and does not differentiate between visually stress graded or mechanically stress graded timber.

Structural grades
Timber must possess the appropriate qualities of strength and stiffness for its intended use, taking into account natural characteristics that may impair strength such as knots, gumstreak (fibre that is saturated with resin), checks and sloping grain. Structural grading systems aim to eliminate the hard-to-see weaknesses that can that can occur in natural timber.

Visual stress grading

For visually graded timber, each length is examined by an experienced operator to identify the characteristics affecting its structural performance. It is then categorised into a stress grade according to a recognised standard such as NZS 3631 New Zealand timber grading rules. Generally, the greater the observed faults, the lower the grade assigned to it. Visual grading relies heavily on the judgement of the operator. In-mill monitoring of samples is required to ensure consistent and correct grading is being achieved.

Mechanical stress grading

In mechanical stress grading (following NZS 3618:1984 Mechanical stress grading of timber), each piece of timber is passed through a machine which applies a non-destructive load. The deflection of the timber is measured at intervals along the length (see Figure 8). The machine automatically translates these deflection measurements
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BRANZ SELECTING TIMBER SUPPLEMENT 2011

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Table 2 Timber treatment levels and suitable applications Timber treatment Untreated Definition Where there is no risk of dampness Comments Production, storage, delivery and construction and in-use conditions that will prevent exposure to external or internal moisture or conditions that would allow the moisture content to exceed 18% at any time Production, storage, delivery and construction and in-use conditions that will prevent exposure to external or internal moisture or conditions that would allow the moisture content to exceed 18% at any time Where there is a risk of dampness Timber with proven natural durability when exposed to the weather Not suitable for use in ground contact conditions Treated to Hazard class H1.1 Where there is no risk of dampness but borer protection is required Production, storage, delivery and construction and in-use conditions where no risk of fungal attack exists but resistance against borer attack is desirable Internal use only, not exposed to ground atmosphere, to be maintained at an in-use moisture content of 16% or less Treated to Hazard class H1.2 Where there is moderate risk of dampness or water Not suitable if exposure to weather during production, storage, delivery and construction is likely to be longer than eight weeks Internal use only where inuse moisture content will be maintained at less than 20% Radiata pine or Douglas fir with 0.4% boron CCA Note: although LOSP (CuN) can achieve hazard class H1.2, it is not permitted for framing under Amendment 7 to B2/AS1 LOSP (TBTO, TBTN or CuN) CCA Boron (0.8%) Amendment 7 to B2/AS1 does not allow the use of LOSP treatments for framing Fascias, weatherboards, facings and other painted trim requiring a durability of not less than 15 years Timber cavity battens (painted if boron treated) Cantilevered enclosed deck joists, and associated framing (joist trimmers, nogs, dwangs and blocking), decking and outdoor structures, rafters exposed to the weather, uncoated or stained radiata pine weatherboards and trim, fence rails Fence posts, decks, horizontal timbers for retaining walls Piles and poles, crib walling Structural framing timber including subfloor framing (excluding piles) Radiata pine with pine with 0.1% boron treatment CCA Interior joinery such as door frames, stairs, architraves, skirtings and cornices, built-in or freestanding joinery items (excluding timber window revels and frames) Timber and treatment High temperature kiln-dried (KD) untreated radiata pine and other appearance grade timbers Typical uses Internal finishing timbers, furniture

Untreated Douglas fir

Framing in a low risk building as defined by Amendment 7 of B2/AS1

Western red cedar, redwood

Weatherboards, door and window joinery, exterior trim timbers

Treated to Hazard class H3.1

External use with a three-coat paint finish to protect from direct wetting of timber

External use with a three coat paint protection system or use within a 20 mm nominal E2/AS1 drained and vented cavity Not suitable for direct exposure of timber to the weather or for stained finishes

Treated to Hazard class H3.2

External use

Suitable for exposure to weather, but not in-ground contact May not achieve a 50 year durability where continuous dampness occurs with little or no drying

CCA ACQ CuAz LOSP (CuN) Amendment 7 to B2/AS1 does not allow the use of LOSP treatments for framing CCA ACQ CuAz CCA CuAZ ACQ for utility poles only CCA

Treated to Hazard class H4 Treated to Hazard class H5

In contact with ground or concrete In contact with ground or concrete In contact with seawater or estuarine ground

Not suitable for critical major structural components in ground contact Suitable for critical major structural components in ground contact

Treated to Hazard class H6

Suitable for critical major structural components immersed in seawater or embedded in estuarine soils

Wharf piles and poles, sea walls

BRANZ SELECTING TIMBER SUPPLEMENT 2011

Page 23 Timber sizes

Under the heading TIMBER SIZES, 5th line, The term x. 100x25... should read The term ex 100 x 25. (Timber sizes in NZS 3604:2011 are now quoted as the finished timber size, for example, 90 x 45 mm for ex 100 x 50 mm.

Page 24 Tables 5 & 6

Some timber sizes given in Tables 5 and 6 have been deleted from NZS 3604:2011.

Page 31 Section 4 Preservation treatment of timber

The last sentence of the second paragraph refers to BRANZ Bulletin No 445. Bulletin 445 was superseded by Bulletin 493. However, this bulletin is also now out of date - a replacement is being prepared.

Page 32 Table 11 Guide to treated timber applications

Replace the existing Table 11 with the table on page 5 of this supplement.

Pages 35 49 Section 5 Index of building components

The following modifications apply to Section 5: 1. Group 1: Components in ground contact a. Delete reference to NZS 3631 (page 38) and insert NZS 3622 b. Replace references to No.1 or No.2 Framing with Structural grade c. Under the sub-heading Grade, after F4 insert (Australia only) 2. Group 2: External components exposed to weather a. Delete reference to NZS 3631 and insert NZS 3622 b. Delete reference to No.1 & No.2 Framing and insert Structural grade c. Under the sub-heading Grade, after F4 insert (Australia only) d. Under decking, page 39, note that dressing grade applies only to species other than radiata. Where radiata is being specified under NZS 3602, the applicable grade is Merchantable. 3. Group 3: External components protected from weather but exposed to atmosphere a. Delete reference to No.1 & No.2 Framing and insert Structural grade b. Under the sub-heading Grade, after F4 insert (Australia only)

4. Group 4: Timber protected from the weather and atmosphere a. Wall framing: delete reference to No.1 & No.2 Framing and insert Structural grade b. Upper floor framing: i. Delete the bracketed text (intermediate floors) which follows the section heading ii. Delete reference to No.1 & No.2 Framing and insert Structural grade iii. Modify the text under the sub-heading Grade by deleting the text (F5 or equivalent MSG or MGP grade) iv. Delete the text under the sub-heading Durability and replace with H1.2 c. Roof framing i. Delete the text (well ventilated) not less than 10 pitch which follows the section heading ii. Delete reference to No.1 & No.2 Framing and insert Structural grade iii. Modify the text under the sub-heading Grade by deleting the text (F5 or equivalent MSG or MGP grade) iv. Under the sub-heading Durability delete the existing text and replace with H1.2 v. Under the sub-heading Suitable timbers: New Zealand in the first line replace H1.1 with H1.2 d. Panelling i. Under the sub-heading Durability replace the existing text with No treatment required ii. Under the sub-heading Suitable timbers: New Zealand, delete the first line and replace with Native timber species 12; 15; 16; 17 and 18. Exotic pine species 5. No treatment required. e. Interior joinery and finishing timber-painted i. Under the sub-heading Durability replace the existing text with No treatment required ii. Under the sub-heading Suitable timbers: New Zealand delete the existing text and replace with Exotic pine species 5. No treatment required. f. Interior joinery and finishing timber for clear finishing i. Under the sub-heading Durability replace the existing text with No treatment required ii. Under the sub-heading Suitable timbers: New Zealand replace the first line of text with Exotic pine species 5. No treatment required

Page 124 Standards

The following new references apply: NZS 3622 Verification of Timber Properties NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings AS/NZS 1748: 2011 Timber Solid Stress-graded for structural purposes Qualification of grading method AS/NZS 4490:2011 Timber Solid Stress-graded for structural purposes Verification of properties.

BRANZ SELECTING TIMBER SUPPLEMENT 2011

Table 11 Guide to treated radiata pine applications Timber to be used for External timber use piles enclosed subfloor framing veranda posts supported clear of ground deck jackstuds supported clear of ground deck joists/bearers decking cladding or exterior trims unpainted, clear finished or stained cladding or exterior trims painted fence rails and palings fence posts Framing timbers (1, 2) external wall framing masonry veneer cladding balcony wall framing enclosed parapet framing roof framing - low slope/skillion roof framing - roof space Interior timbers window reveals to aluminium windows plywood flooring Note (1) Note (2) H3.1 untreated H1.2 furniture finishing timbers joinery untreated untreated untreated H1.2 H1.2 H1.2 H1.2 H1.2 external wall framing E2/AS1 20 mm cavity cladding cavity battens interior wall framing enclosed cantilvered floor joists roof sarking timber roof sarking plywood membrane roof H1.2 H3.1 H1.2 H3.2 H1.2 H3 CCA H5 H1.2 H3.2 H3.2 H3.2 H3.2 H3.2 H3.1 H3.2 H4 poles exposed subfloor framing veranda posts in ground deck piles in ground wall framing weather exposed roof framing weather exposed shingles/shakes exterior plywood unpainted or used as bracing exterior plywood painted balcony barrier exposed H5 H3.2 H5 H5 H3.2 H3.2 H3.2 H3 CCA H3 LOSP H3.2 Required treatment Timber to be used for Required treatment

Douglas fir may be used untreated on low risk design buildings as defined in Amendment 7 to B2/AS1. H1.2 boric treated Douglas fir may be used in all framing applications where H1.2 boric treated radiata pine is permitted

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature only. BRANZ Ltd does not accept any responsibility or liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary or punitive damage, for any loss of profit income or any intangible losses, or any claims, costs, expenses, or damage, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), equity or otherwise, arising directly or indirectly from, or connected with, use of this publication, or reliance on information contained in this publication. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This document is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 to the holders of the copyright. Reproduction of any substantial passage from the book, except for review or the educational purposes therein specified, is a breach of copyright of the author and or publisher. This copyright extends to all forms of photocopying and any storing of material in any kind of information retrieval system. All applications for reproduction in any form should be made to BRANZ Publishing, Private Bag 50908, Porirua City, New Zealand. Any Standard referred to within this publication can be purchased from Standards New Zealand by phoning 04 498 5991, or by visiting www.standards.co.nz. Please note, the BRANZ books and Bulletins mentioned in this publication may be withdrawn at any time. For more information and an up-to-date list visit BRANZ Shop online: www.branz.co.nz or phone BRANZ 0800 80 80 85, press 2.

BRANZ SELECTING TIMBER SUPPLEMENT 2011