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Can H2S treated timber be used for an external deck, if that deck is tiled and waterproofed in accordance with AS4654. The deck would be protected with fibre cement sheeting (top, sides and underneath) with the waterproofing membrane applied underneath the tiling. The deck has a roof over it as well.

Woodsolutions Answer

Australian/New Zealand Standard 1604.1:2021, Preservative-treated wood-based products, approves H2S treatment for protection against borers and termites "inside above ground, protected from wetting". If you are confident that there is no possibility of moisture ingress so the deck is comparable to being in an indoor environment, then perhaps H2S would be suitable. However, we would prefer to see a minimum H3 treatment to provide protection against decay, combined with ventilation, in case of condensation inside the fibre cement enclosure.

Answered on :
Please note that our answer is based on the best advice available at the time. If the National Construction Code, Australian Standards or local requirements have been subsequently amended, our answer may no longer be correct in all details. For more information, please read our disclaimer.
Question
Need to assess strength of existing timber structure. Is there a way for evaluating its grade by taking small chunks of timber? Otherwise, grade testing as per AS 4063 requires full spans testing.
Woodsolutions Answer

It's going to be a two-stage process, first to identify the species of timber (if not documented anywhere), and then to determine a stress grade. To identify timber species we usually refer to Dr. Jugo Ilic in Melbourne. It’s not a service WoodSolutions can provide. He is a recognised authority on wood identification and you will find details of his background on several internet sites including this one: http://www.woodreview.com.au/news/jugo-ilic. If you email Dr. Ilic at knowyourwood1@gmail.com he can advise on the required sample size, fee for service, postal address to send a sample, turnaround time etc. Once the species is known, the timber can be visually stress graded in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard - AS 2858:2023 for softwoods and AS 2082:2007 for hardwoods.

Answered on :
Please note that our answer is based on the best advice available at the time. If the National Construction Code, Australian Standards or local requirements have been subsequently amended, our answer may no longer be correct in all details. For more information, please read our disclaimer.
Question

Currently, I've been searching for new approaches to improve wood durability. Do WoodSolutions provide any assistance in R&D projects with overseas companies?

Woodsolutions Answer

WoodSolutions doesn't engage in R & D projects, but our 'parent' organisation, Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA), is one of the bodies that supports Australia's National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life. You can log onto the Durability Centre's website via this link https://research.usc.edu.au/esploro/research-units/61USC_INST___24?institution=61USC_INST. 

Answered on :
Please note that our answer is based on the best advice available at the time. If the National Construction Code, Australian Standards or local requirements have been subsequently amended, our answer may no longer be correct in all details. For more information, please read our disclaimer.
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