Timber Users Guide 01

TTimber Users Guide 1
Timber, Durability & External Applications

Table 1 Hazard Levels and Applications
Specifying Timber
Timber is available in a wide range of
species, each with their own specific
properties and capacity in terms of
strength and durability. It is important
to specify the most appropriate
product for the application and carry
out the necessary maintenance and
attention to detail to ensure its long
term performance.
Hazard
Class
The service performance of any timber

component in weather exposed
situations or high moistur e
environments depends on protecting
it from absorption of moisture. High
moisture content in timber promotes
timber degradation while timber kept
dry does not decay. The preferred
detailing suggested in this publication
is aimed at reducing the ingress of
water into the timber component by
providing non-permeable surfaces and
details which do not trap water.
Exposure
Service Conditions
Biological Hazard
H1
Inside above
ground
Fully Protected Well

ventilated
Borers only
H2
Inside above
ground
Protected from wetting

and leaching
Borers and termites
H3
Outside above
ground
Moderate wetting and

leaching
Decay borers and

termites
H4
Outside in
ground
Severe wetting &

leaching
Severe decay,
borers & termites
H5
Ground
Contact
Extreme wetting,
leaching &/or critical use
Very severe decay,

borers & termites
H6
Marine waters
Nth & Sth
Prolonged immersion in
sea water
Marine wood borers

and decay
H6SW
Marine waters
Sth only
Prolonged immersion in
sea water
Marine wood borers

and decay
The following information and

diagrams offer guidance in acceptable uses of timber components in
Table 2 Natural Durability Classes

Natural
Durability
Class
Table 3 Treatment Chemicals & Hazard Levels
Heartwood Service Life

(years)
Hazard Level
Type
H1
Fully
Protected
Above
Exposed
In
Ground
Class 1
50+
50+
25+
Class 2
50+
30
1525
Class 3
50+
15
815
Class 4
weather exposed areas. The natural

durability and Hazard Level
treatments are detailed in tables 13.
50+
58
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
Boron
CCA
ACQ
Solvent
LOSP
Double
CCA+
Creosote
Water
<5
With the compliments of:
ATIF
This publication was produced by the Australian Timber Importers Federation, in

conjunction with the Forest and Wood Product Research and Development
Corporation. Australian Timber Importers Federation A federation of timber
importer associations, consisting of: NSW Timber Importers Association; Victoria Timber Importers
Association; Queensland Timber Importers Association; South Australia Timber Importers Association

Table 4 Natural Durability Classification of Heartwood of some Common Timbers
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Belian
Blackbutt
Brush Box
Baltic Pine
Cypress (white)
Kwila (Merbau)
Caribbean Pine
Ironbark
Spotted Gum
Mixed Open Forest Hwds

from Nth NSW or Sth Qld
Tallowwood
Western Red Cedar
Rose Gum/Flooded Gum
Radiata Pine
Turpentine
River Red Gum
Sydney Blue Gum
Slash Pine
Balau
Taun
Mountain Ash (Tasmanian Oak)
Teak
Kempas
Alpine Ash (or Victorian Ash)
Kapur
Keruing
American White Oak
Kauri (East Asian)
Yellow Cedar
Northern Box
Douglas Fir (Oregon)
Note: Untreated Class 3 and 4 timber shall not be used for weather exposed structural members, i.e. post and joists and bearers of decks or
unprotected beams protruding from the house.
External, above-ground exposed
n Durability class 1 or 2 timber, with sapwood
removed or preservative treated to H3
n Softwood preservative treated to H3
n Some durability class 3 or 4 timbers are suitable
in some locations for these applications
In-ground contact
n Durability class 1 or 2 timber, with sapwood
removed or preservative treated to H5
n Softwood preservative treated to H5
Internal, fully protected and ventilated

(see Note 2)
n Durability class 1, 2, 3 or 4 timber
(any timber)
External, above-ground, protected

(see Note 1)
n Durability class 1, 2, 3 or 4 timber
>Diagram 1 Species Selection for Durability
Notes: 1
2
3
External timbers are regarded as protected if they are covered by a roof projection (or similar) at 30 to the vertical and
they are well detailed and maintained (painted or stained and kept well ventilated).
Framing in extremely damp or unventilated locations should have the durability required for external above-ground situations.
All horizontal exposed timbers i.e. bearers and joists, should be coated with a film forming coating i.e. paint, oil based water
repellant, etc, to enhance long term performance.
ATIF Australian Timber Importers Federation

Detailing for Durability
Attention to detail is most important,
i.e. quality of timber, workmanship,
fixings, finishes and maintenance.
Failure to maintain high standards of
quality in any of these factors expressed
below may lead to a shortened service
life.
> Timber
The timber used should be free of core
wood (material within 50mm of the
trees centre) and free of splits, checks,
loose knots and cavities. Timber should
preferably be free of sapwood (lighter
coloured wood found on the outer layer
of the tree).
> Joints and Connections
Use corrosion resistant fasteners ie hot
dipped galvanised, stainless steel or
composite bolts, nails or nailed metal
connectors. All timber-to-timber interfaces for all joints should have a seal
Replaceable
capping rail/
sloping
7
coating of preservative formulation.
Preservative formulation should also be
applied inside bolt holes and to the end
grain of the timber. Housed, checked or
birdsmouth joints and all other details
that may trap water should be avoided.
Some treatment chemicals used may
react with the fasteners, ensure
manufacturers instructions are followed
in this regard.
>Diagram 2 Detailing for Durability
Table 5 Timber Selection Guide

Application
Conditions of Use
Heartwood Durability
Verandah posts, stumps

or poles supported on
brackets
Clear of the ground

and exposed to the
weather
Class 1 or 2
Verandah decking and

supporting bearers and
joists
Roof beams, rafters or
other members
protruding from a building
to form a pergola or other
exposed structure
Posts, stumps or poles
set into the ground
In-ground contact or
persistently damp
situations
Preservative Treatment of Sapwood

Hazard Level (H) Required
Some Class 3 and some

untreated Class 4 timbers
are suitable for non-critical
applications providing
appropriate design,
installation, finishing and
maintenance practices are
used
H3
Class 1
Class 2 timbers can be used
where the members can be
easily replaced or are
protected from full weather
exposure
H4, H5
Australian Timber Importers Federation
ATIF

> Finishing
Refer to manufacturers specification
regarding method of application, number
of coats and maintenance. Suggested
finishes are:
n
pigmented oil based stains, or
pigmented paint over an oil based

primer.
schedule is followed, along with good

detailing, timber will continue to look
good and maintain its capacity for many
years.
Note: This information brochure is
intended to give guidance to designers,
builders and owners who are aware that
species of Durability class 3 and 4 are

generally not recommended for full
weather exposed environments.
However, providing special attention is
paid to design, construction and regular
maintenance, satisfactory performance
can be obtained when used in weather
exposed applications outlined herein.
A wax free preservative pre-treatment

is recommended for both finish systems.
Unpigmented finishes including clear film
finishes have limited life when exposed to
UV-light (sunlight) and should be
avoided.
>Maintenance
Finishes should be reapplied before the
finish begins to break down. This may be
done as required at intervals of one to
three years. Where the maintenance
Post in ground H4 or Durability Class 1 or 2
>Diagram 3 Good Building Practice
For further information on this brochure, contact the Timber Advisory Service on free call 1800 044 529
or email showroom@tdansw.asn.au Level 6, 525 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010. General
Information on the use of timber can also be found at the web page www.timber.net.au
FOREST
&
WOOD
FWPRDC is jointly funded by the

PRODUCTS Commonwealth government and the
Australian forest and wood products industry
Research & Development Corporation
Important notice: The information and advice provided in the publication is intended as a guide only. As successful design and construction depends upon numerous factors outside the scope of this publication,
the Forest and Wood Product Research Corporation accepts no responsibility for specifications in, nor work done or omitted to be done in reliance on this information sheet. Whilst all care has been taken to ensure
the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the Forest and Wood Product Research Corporation disclaims, to the full extent permitted by law, all and any liability for any damage or loss, whether
direct, indirect, special or consequential, arising directly or indirectly out of use of or reliance on this guide, whether as a result of the Forest and Wood Product Research Corporation negligence or otherwise.
Timber Users Guide 1

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TTimber Users Guide 1

Timber, Durability & External Applications

The service performance of any timber

Fully Protected Well

Protected from wetting

Borers and termites

Moderate wetting and

Decay borers and

Severe wetting &

Very severe decay,

Marine wood borers

Marine wood borers

The following information and

Table 2 Natural Durability Classes

Table 3 Treatment Chemicals & Hazard Levels

Heartwood Service Life

weather exposed areas. The natural

With the compliments of:

This publication was produced by the Australian Timber Importers Federation, in

Timber, Durability & External Applications

Mixed Open Forest Hwds

Western Red Cedar

Rose Gum/Flooded Gum

River Red Gum

Sydney Blue Gum

Mountain Ash (Tasmanian Oak)

Alpine Ash (or Victorian Ash)

American White Oak

Kauri (East Asian)

Douglas Fir (Oregon)

Internal, fully protected and ventilated

External, above-ground, protected

>Diagram 1 Species Selection for Durability

ATIF Australian Timber Importers Federation

Timber, Durability & External Applications

>Diagram 2 Detailing for Durability

Table 5 Timber Selection Guide

Verandah posts, stumps

Clear of the ground

Verandah decking and

Preservative Treatment of Sapwood

Some Class 3 and some

Australian Timber Importers Federation

Timber, Durability & External Applications

pigmented oil based stains, or

pigmented paint over an oil based

schedule is followed, along with good

species of Durability class 3 and 4 are

A wax free preservative pre-treatment

Post in ground H4 or Durability Class 1 or 2

>Diagram 3 Good Building Practice

FWPRDC is jointly funded by the

Timber Users Guide 1

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