25 August 2006

Standards New Zealand’s amendment to the timber treatment standard (NZS 3640) is technically sound says Rob Steele, Chief Executive of Standards New Zealand in response to concerns expressed about the Amendment by the Department of Building and Housing which is responsible for the NZ Building Code.

The Amendment, published last week, allows the use of Boron for H3.1 treatment of timber and was developed using a very thorough process says Mr Steele.

“The Department, which was represented on the committee that developed the Amendment, has stated that it supports the greater use of Boron treatments.  It  has expressed some concern about practical issues relating to the use of this treated timber in houses, such as compatibility of treated timber with wall board adhesives and building underlays.  This reflects the Department’s responsibility for considering these issues in the broader context of the NZ Building Code.” 

”These issues are not just related to Boron treatment but to a wide range of timber treatments and are not within the scope of the timber treatment Standard.  The committee recognised that these issues would need to be addressed within other related Standards and specifically asked Standards NZ to progress this.”

“We are now in discussions with the Department about initiating a full review of Standards related to timber treatment.  This recognises the Department’s role with respect to the NZ Building Code and Standards New Zealand’s role to provide Standards which support the Code.  We are committed to publishing Standards which contribute to raising the quality of building construction in New Zealand,” says Mr Steele.

MEDIA CONTACT: Daphne Atkinson, Standards New Zealand ph: 04 498 3986, cell: 021 253 6567.