9 August 2005
Manukau Reminds Builders Of Need For Due Care When Using T1.2 Treated Timber
Manukau City Council’s Building Consent Authority would like to remind all developers, builders and home owners of the
need to exercise special care when using and storing timber treated with TimberSaver boron, commonly referred to as
T1.2.
T1.2 is an accredited product by the Department of Building and Housing (DBH) for use as an alternative solution where
H1.1 and H1.2 timber is required under New Zealand Standard 3602.2003.
Director of City Services for Manukau City Council, Wayne Goodley says, “Manukau City Council when considering a
building consent will allow the use of an accredited product, subject to the conditions specified on the Manufacturers
Certificate. Our Building Consent Authority has decided to take a pro-active stance when dealing with new consents where
T1.2 is used.”
All Building Consents are now issued with an advice note attached to plans; this then becomes part of the specifications
for the project. The advice note will be required to be kept on site at all times and will be referenced in the Consent.
Information contained on the advice note includes the conditions of use of TimberSaver boron treated timber, as outlined
below.
TimberSaver boron treated timber must:
be limited to treating framing timber up to a maximum of 45mm thick and maximum 290mm wide only be used where the
in-service moisture contents is 20% or less and the timber is not exposed to the elements or subject to regular wetting
be stored under waterproof cover and clear of the ground not be exposed to the weather for longer than 2 months,
including all periods of storage, transportation and construction cut ends more than 1.5 x cross-sectional area of the
timber and bored holes greater than 25mm diameter must be liberally coated on-site with brush-on PROTIM FrameSaver. be
site-treated as described above where machining, rebating, notching, ripping or planing of surfaces occurs.
Mr Goodley says that Council’s building officials will be doing everything in their power to ensure builders comply with
the manufacturer’s specifications, “Staff will draw builders’ attention to the advice note, take moisture readings at
pre-line inspection, verify the treatment of timber used in the building and check that PROTIM is being applied to the
cut-ends of timber.
“In the interest of consumer confidence, I make no apology for the fact that if there is any doubt about the suitability
of timber being used in construction, work will be stopped on the site until satisfactory verification of compliance can
be obtained,” added Mr Goodley.
For more information on the use of TimberSaver boron – T1.2 go to the Department of Building and Housing Website
www.dbh.govt.nz.
ENDS