Availability of F7 Pine, Treated & Untreated in the Australian Market
06 July 2007
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BUILDERS, DESIGNERS & SPECIFIERS
F7 visually stress-graded structural timber products have been supplied to the market for many years, often in larger section sizes and are regularly sold “treated� for external use in domestic decks and pergolas. Some of these timber products may be finger-jointed and/or laminated.
Historically, most of these products have been visually graded to Australian timber grading standards with appearance overrides typically applied to meet individual producer company marketing needs. While F7 visually graded treated pine will still be available from some producers, resource changes and grade compliance impacts may mean alternative grades will become more commonly available. These alternative grades will include F5 and MGP10 and recent surveying of producers and distributors has indicated that the greatest volume and biggest size range will be available in visually graded F5.
As a result of these changes we suggest that you check with your local timber merchant to ensure the grades and sizes available for your usual applications. Don’t assume your usual grade will be available. This is very important as you may have previously ordered F7 for outdoor applications or even “outdoor treated� and may now be supplied with a grade with different load capacity and spanning ability. To assist in the specification of outdoor structural timber, please see the attached span tables for decks and balcony applications as well as internal joists. You will see that for decks, changes in loading standards, mean that F5 timber has increased spanning ability in these applications. All other span applications will be as per the Australian Residential Timber-Framed Construction Standard, AS 1684, (The Framing Code).
In summary:
 The availability of outdoor treated structural and limited indoor large section untreated structural pine framing is changing. Available grades must meet Australian standards for structural integrity.
 There will be less F7 grade available and much more F5 graded material, however the visual quality will remain the same.
 Designers and builders must ensure that the correct grade and span is specified and built.
 New span tables for decks are available and take advantage of changed loading.
 General framing timber is not affected by these changes which are relevant for external structural applications and other limited applications such as internal floor joists.
The timber industry remains fully committed to supplying a range of products that are well suited to the numerous end use applications in building and to the on-going support of these products in the market place.
For further information:
Timber Development Association / www.timber.net.au / info@tdansw.asn.au / +61 (2) 9279 2366
Timber & Building Materials Association / www.tabma.com.au / info@tabma.com.au / +61 (2) 9277 3100
New Zealand Timber Industry Federation / www.nztif.co.nz / inquiries@nztif.co.nz / +64 (4) 473 5200
New Zealand Pine Manufacturers’ Association / www.pine.net.nz / info@pine.net.nz / +64 (3) 544 1086
Span Tables are available for each of the grades F5, F7 and MGP10 covering:
1. Domestic internal floor joists.
2. Floor joists for domestic balconies and decks.
Please email inquiries@nztif.co.nz for these tables.