(27) Xi

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

No2 Design for Durability

Is Treatment Necessary? A ranking related to cost of repair and to structural

Many historic buildings give testimony to long- Importance is also given: -
term durability of correctly designed structural
timberwork. Preservation is a valuable tool but
avoiding risk is always preferable to dependence Implications Class Treatment
on defensive measures. Negligible A Unnecessary
Repair simple B Optional
Preservation treatment of common building Repair expensive C Desirable
Collapse endangers persons D Essential
carcassing and joinery timbers is relatively
or property
inexpensive and consequently, with little
consideration of its actual need is frequently
specified as a low premium insurance. Examples of perceived risk categories include: -

Will It Fit The Tank? Treatment

The type of treatment plant which has evolved for Internal stud walls Unnecessary
the commercial processing of normal building First & upper floor joists Unnecessary
timber cannot, however, accommodate curved Stairs Unnecessary
shapes or most of the larger Glulam beams. Care Dry pitched roofs;
should, therefore, be given in assessing and Rafters, purlins, joists for: -
reducing the degree of risk to which the 1) Fungal attack 1C
component will be exposed - both in terms of 2) Common furniture beetle 2C
vulnerability to degradation and of safety and Ground floor joists 2B
economic consequences. This should help avoid Flat roof (warm) with exposed beams 2C
Timber frame will cavity 2C
unnecessary expense and practical difficulties.
Pitched roofs with risk of wetting;
Will It Be Wet In Service? Rafters, purlins, joists 3C
Flat roofs (cold) with enclosed beams 3C
The primary cause for concern is high moisture
Timber frame wall with cladding 3C
content/ BS 5268: Part 5 states Timber is not at Bridge components above ground 3D
risk from decay if it is kept dry, i.e. at a moisture
Flat roofs (cold-high humidity);
content below about 20%. Glulam at the point of with enclosed beams 4C
supply will have a moisture content of 12% - 15% Timbers below DPC / set in concrete 4C
Load bearing external joinery 4C
What The Code Says Bridge components in ground contact 4D
BS 5268: Part 5 classifies 4 levels of risk of fungal
decay: -

RISK CLASS TREATMENT Comment

Negligible 1 Unnecessary This rather simplified summary should help put
Low 2 Optional most Glulam applications in perspective. Usual
High 3 Desirable locations for Glulam are highly visible with
Continuous 4 Essential
predictable environmental moisture and promptly
Marine 4 Essential
detectable accidental sources.
The European View
The new Code of Practice, Eurocode 5, which will
increasingly govern the structural use of timber,
requires designs to reflect the environmental climatic
conditions from a choice of three classes:-
Service Class 1. Conditions in which most
timber will attain an average moisture content not
exceeding 12% - corresponding to a temperature of
20o C with relative humidity of the surrounding air
only exceeding 65% for a few weeks per year.
Service Class 2. Conditions in which most
timber will attain an average moisture content not
exceeding 20% - corresponding to a temperature of
20o C with relative humidity of the surrounding air
only exceeding 85% for few weeks per year.
Service Class 3. Climatic conditions leading
to higher moisture contents than service class 2 but
excluding continuous hot and wet conditions such as
in cooling towers.
The average moisture content of timber (A) likely to
be attained in service and (B) which should not be
exceeded at the time of erection are defined:-
Service Environment
Class
3 External, fully exposed
2 Covered, generally unheated
2 Covered, generally heated
1 Internal, continuously heated
EC5, with support standard EN 335-1 does not
require treatment of timber SC1 and most of
SC2. Although the per capita use of Glulam is far
greater in other European countries, the non-
essential use of toxic chemicals tends to be
avoided.
Choice Of Timber Species
Glulam is usually made from European Whitewood,
which is Resistant to treatment. Where slightly
greater risks are envisaged then European Redwood
which is Moderately Resistant can be specified but
with an increase in cost and extended delivery period.
Knots will be more prominent with Redwood.
Some manufacturers are able to supply Glulam made
from other softwoods such as Larch with better
natural durability or very durable or durable
hardwood species and not necessarily from tropical
sources. Significant cost increases will, however, be
incurred with possible extended delivery.
Issued by:
GLTA, Chiltern House, Stocking Lane, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4ND
Telephone: 01494 565180 Fax: 01494 565487
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of advice given, the Association cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from the information supplied. All information is
the property of Glued Laminated Timber Association and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without prior, written permission of the Association.
Choice Of Preservative
If it is still felt that preservative should be applied for
reassurance, then for low hazard conditions (say up to
category 2B or C) the industry standard method of
applying preservative to Glulam is by flood coating,
deluging, spraying etc. to the point of refusal.
Organic solvent-based formulations suit Glulam and
joinery since they do not saturate the timber or
discolour its finishes. Water based varieties of these
low penetration types are also becoming available.
They avoid swelling, shrinkage and similar problems
associated with high-pressure varieties.
A protective envelope or shell is provided rather then
deep penetration of the component. Treatment of
individual laminations by these types prior to bonding
is not viable since most would be removed by the planing
which must immediately precede lamination. Where a
high risk is unavoidable, such as bridges, then high pressure
impregnation with water borne CCA, CC and derivative
treatments can be applied to laminations (max.33mm) prior
to bonding. The chemical retention can be specified to suit
a desired life in excess of 40 years. The process normally
requires use of Redwood for satisfactory penetration
(A) (B) and when extra drying and other processing costs are
taken into account, involves significant cost increases.
20% +- CCA treated timber is characterised by green
18% 24% colouring, which fades to some extent.
15% 20%
12% 20%
Points To Watch
Subjects which merit particular care in building design
include: -
Flat Roof Splash Zones Gutters & Dn. Pipes
Ventilation Condensation Enclosed Valleys
DPCS Vapour Barriers Jointing Steelwork
Decoration Roof Overhangs Timber Below FFL
Insulation Maintenance High Humidity Areas
In more hazardous locations, Glulam made from
European redwood is better than whitewood. It is more
receptive to preservatives, but should still be finished
with applied coatings, as recommended for joinery inn
similar locations. Most methods of preservation
provide a protective envelope of varying depth.
Detailing should provide shelter from moisture and
allow good ventilation and drainage. Columns should
not continue below DPC level and in damp zones,
shoes should not enclose the timber, but have open
sides or be centrally slotted in the member.
End grain is relatively absorbent and extra care should
be taken in end sealing or capping with a similar
species.