Timber Engineering Europe Ltd.

Timber Information

All timber used by our company MUST be of a recognized type and origin. It also must pass certain test rules and treatments:
  • The only timber used by us is the type classified as Spruce/Pine/Fir. All supplies are from Northern Europe, Russia or Canada and all MUST come from replenish able sources, under a chain of custody suppliers agreement. A "PEFC - TRADA" certificate must be in force at the time of supply.
  • As subscribers to the system we contribute to growing 252 million m3 of wood SURPLUS to requirements (after harvest) EACH YEAR. This means that we add a forest in Northern Europe the area of Cyprus EVERY YEAR, besides replacing all the harvested timber.
  • The wood is sent to mills to be converted to Canadian Lumber Standards (CLS) this is planed all round and thicknessed to ensure close tolerances can be achieved.
  • All the planks are then stress tested to ensure that they will meet the stringent conditions laid down by various European codes.
  • The planks are then Vac-Vac Treated as follows:
    • Planks are placed into a treatment vessel
    • A vacuum pulls the air out of the wood and the vessel
    • Osmose preserve is then flooded into the vessel
    • The vessel is then pressurized, forcing the preservation fluid into the timber.
    • The fluids are then removed, and a final vacuum is applied sucking out all excess fluid
    • The timber has now been treated against Wood boring Insect and Fungal Decay
  • The fluid used is a water-borne borate base which is harmless to any wildlife and is environmentally accepted globally.
  • The last operation is KILN DRYING. All timbers must be kiln dried to max 19% moisture content, to avoid any problems post-construction.

ALL TIMBER MUST MEET:

  • U.K. Building Regulations
  • Trada
  • British Standard Institute (BS5268)
  • Robust Detail
  • SAP Energy Rating
  • NHBC
  • Etag 007
  • Euro Code 5
  • European Technical Approvals (ETAs)
  • CPD: EN 13986

PRESERVING TIMBER IN TIMBER FRAME BUILDINGS

There are basically two types of preservatives used in our industry known simply as "In Ground" or "Above Ground".
In both cases the timber should go through a Vac-Vac treatment and this is what happens:
  • Milled planks of timber are placed in a treatment vessel.
  • A vacuum pulls the air out of the wood and the vessel
  • Osmose preservative is then flooded into the vessel
  • The vessel is then pressurised, forcing the preservation fluid into the timber
  • The preservative fluid is removed and a final vacuum is applied sucking out all excess fluid.
  • The timber has now been Vacuum impregnated
In Ground Applications: A copper base is used in preserving fluids for in ground external applications. Alkaline copper quaternary systems have been in use over 10 years now all over the world, very successfully on Fencing, Timber Decking, Landscaping and Playground Equipment.

Above Ground: A borate base is used mainly, and protects against: Wood boring Insect and Fungal Decay. Is used on both internal and weather protected external timbers above ground.

Note: CAA (chromate copper arsenate) is now illegal in most countries because of its carcinogenic implications. All formulations which have replaced CAA MUST meet full European Standards BS8417

Attack Resistant to:
  • Ground Termites
  • Formosan Termites
  • Carpenter Ants
  • Woodboring Insects ( Inc. Anobium and Xestobium)
After treatment ALL timbers must be kiln-dried (KDAT) to a maximum moisture content of:
  • 19% Timber and 18% Board/Sheet materials.
Typical Timbers to be used:
  • Southern Yellow Pine
  • Douglas Fir
  • Hem-Fir
  • Spruce-Pine-Fir (S-P-F) is mainly our classification in Timber Frames)
Standard: Known as AWPA - C9 Plywood - C31 Above ground ooc (out of contact with) P5 Environmental compliance

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