KEY ISSUES: TIMBER AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
F7 visually graded structural product and visual grades
F7 stress graded treated structural product has been supplied to the market for some years, mainly in larger section sizes to suit outdoor applications such as joists for domestic decks. Most of these products have been visually graded to AS 2858 with appearance overrides typically applied to meet individual company marketing needs.
There has been recent discussion about the compliance of these products with respect to structural property requirements and this has raised some questions about the obligations and responsibilities of those involved in their sale.
In March 2007 A3P and TDA (NSW) conducted a joint workshop about the issues and options available for those involved in the sale of visually stress graded products. The FWPRDC sponsored event covered the timber industry's compliance responsibilities with respect to Australian Standards and the requirements of the Trade Practices Act. An information bulletin summarising the outcomes of the workshop was distributed to A3P members:
- Download the A3P Information Bulletin - Availability of visually stress graded structural softwood Adobe PDF | 22KB.
An A3P information bulletin was also circulated to industry in February 2007 to ensure the level of industry awareness on this matter is raised and that "fit for purpose" products are supplied to the building industry:
- Download the A3P Information Bulletin - F7 visually graded structural product and visual grades in general Adobe PDF | 22KB.
For further information contact Peter Juniper.
Timber Information
Free technical information on the source, selection, properties and other atributes of plantation timber based products available for use in building and construction applications.