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TIMBER FACTS

"YOUR TIMBER INFORMATION SERVICE"

TIMBER UTILISATION AND-MARKETING ACT

Queensland recently repealed the Timber Users' Protection Act 1949-1985 and replaced this with the Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act which became law on 1st July, 1987.

WHAT IS THE ACT?

The Queensland Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act is a specially enacted legislation that not only protects the consumer from receiving inferior products and articles, but also protects the Timber Industry which has a large capital investment, and the State which has a major Investment in professionally managed native and plantation forests.

Timber is a natural product produced from a renewable forest resource.

The many different commercial species of timber which have a wide range of natural characteristics and properties. can be used in a multitude of applications.

The beauty of cabinet timbers for furniture, solid timber panelling and veneers, and the durability and strength of our native hardwoods used in structural and engineering applications are all well documented facts.

The Timber Industry and most timber consumers recognise that because of these natural characteristics, certain species of timber are more suitable for particular end uses than others.

Ongoing research and development by the Forest and Forest Products Industry have improved our understanding of species performance and have provided ways and means of overcoming problems such as shrinkage, Insect attack and decay.

The Timber Industry has for many years produced timber and timber products which satisfy end use requirements. By drying the timber or preservative treating the timber before sale, timber producers are able to supply timber which meets specialised market needs.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE CONSUMER?

The Act provides consumer protection in three basic areas -

(a) Seasoned Timber

Generally, when timber or articles made from timber are sold as "seasoned'', they are required to have a moisture content either within the range 10 to 15 percent or within some other range agreed on between buyer and caller. (For some specialised timber products, the moisture content must comply with a specific Australian Standard).

Most milled (dressed) timber products, including mouldings, flooring. panelling, pine framing and timber handles, must be supplied (and used) in the seasoned condition.

(b) Lyctid Borer Susceptible Timber

The sapwood of certain timbers is susceptible to attack by lyctid borers. For practical purposes, lyctid susceptible timber cannot be sold or used in manufacture or building unless it has been immunised to standards specified by the legislation.

Many timbers are preservative treated to make them more suitable for various applications where sapwood is present or where their natural durability Is inadequate.

Timber sold, as preservative treated must have received a preservative treatment approved under the Act.

Preservative treated timber must also be branded to identify the producer, preservative used and the conditions for which the timber is suitable (H level), see table.

TABLE 1. H LEVELS AND CONDITIONS OF USE

H LEVEL	Condition of Use
H1	Suitable for use clear of the ground In a well ventilated situation completely protected from the weather and wetting where risk of attack by insects other than termites may exist.
H3	Suitable for use as H1 level timber and suitable for use clear of the ground and exposed to weather and periodic wetting.
H5	Suitable for use as H1 and H3 level timber and suitable for use in contact with the ground or in persistently damp situations.
H6	Suitable for use as H1, H3 and H5 level timber and suitable for use as cooling tower fill or in contact with seawater.

Timber producers are well aware of the provisions of this Act and many have invested substantially in plant, equipment and staff training to ensure that their products meet the needs of the market place.

The foregoing notes are but a brief summary of the main provisions of the Act and should further details be required, reference should be made directly to the Act. or to officers of the Queensland Forestry Department.

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