Summary

The first decision to be made regarding preservative treatment is whether the use of a naturally durable species will satisfy the durability requirements or whether treatment is needed. This Wood Information Sheet aims to guide the specifier through the process necessary to reach a decision that will result in a timber component that is fit for purpose.

Aspects considered include service factors, desired service life, the in-service environment, natural durability and regulated products.

This Wood Information Sheet (WIS) guides the specifier through the process of:

Deciding whether a preservative treatment is required to protect a timber product
Specifying where a treatment is required
Specifying an appropriate treatment to ensure that a timber component is fit for purpose with regards to its durability

Key Information

Consider whether treatment is needed by reference to service factor and the natural durability of the heartwood provided the timber component is free of sapwood.

Where minor post-treatment cross-cutting, drilling or notching is unavoidable, this area must be re-treated by liberal brush coating of a preservative recommended by the supplier of the preservative treatment used.

Good design and a specification for maintance of wood components are also important to achieve the desired service life from a treated wood component.

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