Action Stations for Treated Timber

Members of the Wood Protection Association (WPA) and Timber Trade Federation (TTF) are on a mission to grow demand for preservative treated wood. At the heart of this mission is a three stage Action Plan.

Treatment plant at Bond Timber near Plymouth was one of the first to achieve WPA Benchmark accreditation for both 15 and 30-years service life fencing products. Photo courtesy: Bond Timber

T

he Action Plan is intended to ensure treated wood purchased from a TTF member is timber that can be trusted. The TTF is working in partnership with the WPA to deliver the action plan successfully. The Action Plan to grow demand for treated wood will:

• Address the common failure to specify treated wood correctly • Address the lack of understanding on how to correctly install and use treated wood • Make the independent verification of the treatment process mandatory for all treated wood placed on the UK market by TTF members.

Nowhere is the need to build confidence in the efficacy of treated wood more acute than in the fencing and landscaping sector where products are used in direct contact with the ground or very close to the ground. These are what are known as the Use Class 4 (UC4) applications in British Standards. They are the end uses where wood is permanently exposed to the weather and frequently wet for extended periods of time.

Challenging service conditions where it is vital treated wood products give a predictable service life - 15 years being the default service life for UC4 applications in BS8417, the British Standard for preservative treated wood. This standard also specifies the level of preservative treatment necessary to protect wood in the other main application Use Classes – UC1 and UC2 for indoor applications and UC3 exterior out of ground applications such as fence rails, decking boards and timber cladding where the potential for fungal decay is much lower.

Strict QA criteria vital for UC4 applications

It is treated wood in UC4 ground contact applications that is most often the subject of negative PR and anecdotal reports of poor performance. If a treated wood fence post fails after a few years, it is almost always the efficacy of the wood preservative that is called into question. “There are many reasons why a treated product may decay prematurely but a lack of preservative efficacy is not one of them,” says WPA Director Gordon Ewbank, who confirms that a major field trial of UK softwood fence posts established in 2015 is now starting to show that wood can be trusted to perform when products are treated correctly for their end use. “Ensuring fitness for purpose is the responsibility of both buyers and suppliers. Buyers have a responsibility to correctly specify the products they want, and wood treaters have a responsibility to have the quality procedures in place that enable them to deliver those products consistently. That’s why the strictest third-party criteria is applied to the accreditation of all UC4 treated wood products under the WPA Benchmark quality scheme.”

This is a view shared by the TTF which has reaffirmed that there can be no compromise on the quality assurance aspects of the Treated Wood Action Plan agreed by its members. In consultation with the WPA it has recently redefined the pathway to compliance under the WPA Benchmark quality scheme. WPA Benchmark is a third-party quality assurance scheme launched in 2011 as a credible way for UK

The mechanical incising of wood facilitates preservative penetration of wood and can help achieve the quality requirements for Use Class 4 treatments under the WPA Benchmark scheme.

wood treaters to address the quality assurance needs of their customers.

TTF members take the lead

The independent quality verification of treated wood has been a key feature of timber supply chains in North America and Scandinavia for decades. Their introduction in these major wood using markets is widely acknowledged as a key reason behind the continued strong demand for preservative treated wood. TTF Members believe that third-party quality assurance could have the same effect in the UK and are currently working to deliver this part of their treated wood Action Plan.

30 Years of Protection

The term ‘Tanalised Timber’ has become synonymous with treated timber across the UK. One of the most established global wood preservative brands is Tanalith® E and this is where the term ‘Tanalised Timber’ originates from.

TThis year marks 30 years proven performance of Tanalith® E. The first Tanalith® E formulation was sold in Scandinavia in 1992 and since this time has continued to develop in line with market needs. A unique combination of copper and organic biocides, this high-pressure wood preservative has over three decades of realworld testing across numerous aggressive, independent field trials.

The Wood Protection business has been leading the way in wood treatment technologies for over 80 years, with leading brands including Tanalith® and Vacsol®. Our mission is to help customers make the most of wood through the provision of tried, tested and wood protection products.

Our approach to business is characterised by innovative products, valued global brands and exceptional customer service. Our wood protection brands install confidence and provide peace of mind, as do our support services, which enable our customers to make the most of woods unique and adaptable properties. Whilst our heritage runs deep, we continue to drive innovation. With a dedicated global in-house research and development team, we continually assess how our protection technologies can utilise modern actives to enhance the durability of wood as a sustainable resource.

As part of Arxada, we can draw on a heritage of over 120 years of creating specialty ingredients and solutions that protect people, places and the planet. With unmatched expertise, Arxada is a leader in microbial control solutions covering hygiene, home, personal care, paints and coatings, crop protection, material protection and wood Timber treated with Tanalith® E was specified for an outdoor activity centre in Cornwall. ©Bond Timber.protection.

Whilst the composition of actives plays a crucial role in the overall performance of Tanalith® E, the unique Tanalith® formulation technology also significantly contributes. The award-winning BARamine® application technology, launched nearly 10 years ago, helps to further enhance the penetration Fencing treated with Tanalith® E. ©James Jones & Sons Limited.and distribution of Tanalith® E into the timbers.

Formulations of Tanalith® E hold national approvals across Europe including the WPA Benchmark Approved Formulation, NTR NWPC and FCBA CTB-P+ scheme. It has Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) authorisation, meaning that it has passed all necessary environmental, human and animal health risk assessments. For BPR extensive data and studies are also generated to prove that the wood preservative is effective against wood destroying fungi and/or insects.

Use wood preservatives safely. Always read the label and product information before use. More at  www.tanalisedtimbersmart.co.uk

 New Timber Decking Handbook Available

A new Timber Decking Handbook is now available free to all builders’ merchants, specifiers, landscapers and builders. The handbook aims to provide definitive guidance for all specifiers, buyers and installers interested in using timber decking in their projects.

The Handbook was developed by Timber Development UK (TDUK) and the Timber Decking & Cladding Association (TDCA), and aims to provide definitive guidance for all specifiers, buyers and installers interested in using timber decking in their projects.

Timber decking has become a staple of UK gardens and public spaces in recent years, as people seek to make the most of their outdoor spaces. Creating a timber deck is an attractive and economical way to create a unique outdoor seating or entertaining area and can also be a stylish way to add interest and landscaping to any space. Choosing a timber deck also brings additional benefits, as its aesthetic qualities and natural durability makes it one of the few truly environmental building materials.

Decking is ideal for residential and commercial projects, from patios and terraces to walkways, piers and playgrounds. When correctly specified, designed, installed and maintained, timber decking structures can be enjoyed year after year. The 52-page Handbook offers advice on decking design and planning, material selection, installation and maintenance, as well as on how to source timber responsibly, with an outline of relevant UK Building and Planning Regulations.

Janet Sycamore, TDCA Director, said: “This new collaborative document is designed to be an easy to use, informative and wellillustrated decking resource. It is packed with useful information to help the reader create robust, fit-for-purpose decking and is certain to become a valuable reference for everyone involved with timber decking.”

More at  www.tdca.org.uk

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