New Timber Grading Rules

New Timber Grading Rules

“After over two years of contemplation the New Zealand Government last week changed the rules on structural timber grading.

“The new grading standard gives timber producers the chance to really promote the qualities of New Zealand timber as the construction material of the future” said New Zealand Timber Industry Federation (NZTIF) President Howard Tongue.

“The guaranteed engineering properties that each stick of structural timber produced will be assigned will make design easier and takes the scope for building innovation with timber into a new realm.

“The NZTIF has been heavily involved throughout the consultation process for this change and has achieved concessions that make the new rules workable for all New Zealand sawmills and their customers.

“The amended standards will apply to building work consented on or after 1 April 2007 but can be used immediately alongside the current standard. Many councils have immediately adopted the changes and designs that do not specify timber graded and verified to the new rules will not get consents.

“The NZTIF is implementing programmes to help customers and users of structural timber fully understand the practicality and benefits of the changes.

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