Technical Design Guides

The natural benefits of timber as an aesthetic, durable, functional and sustainable material provide designers with exciting opportunities. To maximise the design capabilities of timber it is important to consider its key performance attributes and comply with regulations such as the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

WoodSolutions Technical Design Guides have been developed for architects, engineers, building designers and other building professionals.

This section contains the following publications:

• #1 Timber-framed Construction for Townhouse Buildings Class 1a -information about complying with the fire safety and sound insulation performance requirements in the BCA for Class 1a attached buildings.
• #2 Timber-framed Construction for Multi-residential Buildings Class 2, 3 & 9c - information about complying with the fire and sound performance requirements in the BCA for Class 2, 3 and 9c buildings. 
• #3 Timber-framed Construction for Commercial Buildings Class 5, 6, 9a & 9b - information about complying with the fire performance requirements in the BCA for Class 5, 6, 9a and 9b buildings.
• #4 Building with timber in bushfire-prone areas - information to help architects, designers, builders and owners to understand the Construction of Building in Bushfire Prone Areas Standard AS 3959 and in particular the construction requirements for using timber traditional building methods for each Bushfire Attack Level (BAL).
• #5 Timber service life design - design guide for durability - this guide gives building and construction industry professionals confidence in determining the service life timber in a wide range of applications, from sole plates to suspension bridges.
• #6 Timber-framed Construction - sacrificial timber construction joint - this provides common details for using sacrificial timber blocks to maintain a Fire Resistance Level.
• #7 Plywood box beam construction for detached housing - plywood box beams can offer cost-effective design options in a wide range of applications.
• #8 Stairs, balustrades and handrails Class 1 Buildings - construction - this guide covers stairs with straight flights, with or without risers, for external and internal use and balustrades.   
• #9 Timber flooring - design guide for installation - provides information about installing solid timber strip flooring over bearers and joists, timber-based sheet flooring products and concrete slabs.
• #10 Timber windows and doors - a comprehensive guide to designing and specifying timber windows and doors

NOTE: Requirements contained in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) may be varied by individual states and territories. When using any of the design guides, please ensure that selected details comply with any variation for your state or territory.

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