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TAFE Timber Education Newsletter 2010 #3 |
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23-Aug-2010
In this issue of the newsletter:
2010 #3
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Timber Education Program - Feedback Request
As you are probably aware, the timber industry’s technical education support program is delivered across
Australia with the assistance of Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA). This current 3 year support program
ceases at the end of September 2010, however it is hoped that a new support program will continue the good work
that has now been delivered over the past ten or so years.
If you believe this support program (quarterly newsletter, training and education resources developed and provided
and general support offered) has been beneficial and of value to you in delivery of your professional requirements,
we would like to hear from you. If you support or value the program and would like to see it continued, please drop
me a brief e-mail
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indicating this, together with any suggestions or criticisms and any new resources you would like industry to develop
to help you with your training and education needs. Any feedback you can provide will assist and would be appreciated.
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The AS 1684 teaching resource (hardcopy folder and CD) has been updated and should be available for distribution by the end of 2010.
Another reminder that hardcopies of the new standards (Parts 2, 3 and 4) including span tables are now available for purchase from
www.timber.net.au.
Substantial discounts are available for purchases of multiple copies. A number of colleges have already taken advantage of this to
organise bulk purchases for their students.
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Free WoodSolutions Guides
Forest and Wood Products Australia have now published a series of new and updated guides supporting the correct
use and application of timber in Multi-Residential Construction, Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas as well
as a reformatted Timber Service Design Guide and Guide to Use of Plywood Beams.
Hardcopies of the guides can be obtained for free by registering at
www.timber.org.au/guides/
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WoodSolutions 2010 Seminars
A series of one day forums for building design professionals with innovative and inspirational presentations by leading
international and local speakers on the structural and aesthetic use of wood is being held in early September. The dates are below:
Sydney - Tuesday 7th September
Melbourne - Thursday 9th September
Brisbane - Wednesday 15th September
More details and registration at www.woodsolutions2010.com.au
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Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas - NSW additional requirements
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, additional requirements to those in new Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas
Australian Standard (AS 3959-2009) now apply in NSW. From a timber perspective, the key additional requirements imposed
by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) are:
- The level of construction cannot fall to be less than that required for BAL-12.5 where any part of the building
is closer than 100 metres to the source of bush fire attack unless otherwise provided for.
- The requirements for Verandas, Decks, Steps, Ramps and Landings constructed in BAL-29 have been extended to cover
construction of these elements in BAL-12.5 and BAL-19.
This greatly extends the areas that are assessed as being bushfire prone in NSW and hence increases restrictions on
some common timber products in some external building elements.
In plain English, this effectively means the use of treated pine in the construction of deck and veranda framing and
decking boards is no longer allowed in NSW in any bushfire prone areas where the subfloor is not enclosed (by mesh,
non-combustible material or bushfire resisting timber).
Where the sub-floor of decks are enclosed, treated pine cannot be used as decking, stair treads or balustrades etc.
Please note that the use of the seven naturally bushfire resisting timbers (Blackbutt, Kwila (Merbau), Red Ironbark,
River Red Gum, Silvertop Ash, Spotted Gum and Turpentine) is still OK in these elements in most BALS.
The NSW RFS also do not accept the deemed-to-satisfy construction methods stipulated for BAL-FZ (Flame Zone) in
AS 3959-2009. They stipulate that the performance requirements of the BCA and the siting and design principles in
a separate document (Planning for Bush Fire Protection 20060 need to be considered in developing solutions. Solutions
"will be considered on their merits."
Obviously, appropriately tested deemed-to-satisfy methods will go a long way to satisfying the NSW RFS and, as advised
in the previous newsletter, we have already developed a timber framed steel roof method (available at
www.timber.org.au
under the Bushfire Performance section).
Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas - SA additional requirements
In South Australia, BCA 2010 includes 13 pages of variations and additions to AS 3959-2009 for construction in bushfire
prone areas of that state! They are far too many and complex to write about in this newsletter, but as for all other states,
there is no impact on using timber-framed brick veneer construction in all areas.
Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas - ACT additional requirements
In ACT there are no additional requirements. Count yourself lucky.
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Australian Standards Update
AS 1170.2-Wind Actions. Under revision, some potential significant impacts for timber framed housing in
non-cyclonic areas. FWPA have formed a Standards Reference Working Group to consider further and provide comment on the Public Review Draft.
AS 1720.1-2010. Published.
AS 1684 Parts 2, 3 and 4 - 2010. Published and copies available from the
www.timber.net.au shop
TM - 003 Timber Grading. A meeting of the Timber Grading Committee was held on 22nd and 23rd July to discuss
AS/NZS1748 revision, AS3818 series revision and revisions to AS/NZS1080.1. Also reviewed the Public Comment on AS/NZS1748
series was undertaken.
TM - 004 - AS/NZS 4364 - 2101. Timber-Bond performance of structural adhesives. This is at committee ballot stage,
with a meeting scheduled in July to address comments. There is ongoing controversy over the test methods that may permit MUF
adhesives for full weather exposure applications.
AS 3818 Parts 2 to 10. Revision of the ‘heavy’ hardwood grading standards to commenced.
AS 3959. Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas is again under revision and further proposed changes could adversely
impact on timber’s use in bushfire prone areas. No further advice, however TDA is receiving increasing enquiries from industry
and designers for bushfire construction information.
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Expanding the Class 3 Buildings timber market
TDA is consulting with regulators on a change to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) that would allow timber framing of
up to 3 storeys in Class 3 Buildings (buildings such as hotels, hostels and motels). Should this campaign prove successful,
the timber industry will enjoy a gradual expansion in Class 3 market share.
The BCA currently allows only 2 storeys of timber framing in Class 3 buildings. This is a restriction that Tony Walther, the
TDA civil engineer overseeing this campaign, finds puzzling and contradictory:
"Class 2 Buildings are permitted three timber-framed storeys, but Class 3 Buildings only two," Tony said. "And yet the fire
load of Class 2 buildings is higher than that of Class 3! It’s an inconsistency in the BCA that has persisted simply because
it has never been properly challenged."
Tony hopes that his consultation on this matter with the Australian Building Codes Board will shortly amend this
inconsistency. Independent fire tests are expected to show that Tony has the weight of evidence on his side. It will be
a matter, thereafter, of assembling the data from these tests and making a final submission.
"Should we manage to effect this change, the next step will all be about perceptions" said Tony. "But TDA has always been
good at bringing building industry practice up to date with changes in the codes. I expect to see much more Class 3 timber
framing in the Timber Design Awards in years to come!"
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View Australian Timber Design Awards entries and vote for your favourite
Voting has opened for the 2010
People's Choice Award!
Members of the public may view all entries into the 2010 Australian Timber Design Awards
(ATDA) and vote online for whichever entry they like best. We have a very eclectic field
of entries this year, so we're certain you'll find a project that suits your taste. And
voting is easy: just click on images to view the projects, select the project you like
best, and click the Vote button.
Try it now!
Although the public chooses the winner of the People’s Choice Award, our expert judging
panel will determine all other ATDA winners. The winner of the People's Choice Award will
be announced on October 29, shortly before the announcement of the overall ATDA winner.
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Even More Teaching and Learning Resources
The web site
www.timber.org.au
has a large range of resources for use in education relating to the use of timber in buildings.
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Teaching Resources - information for teachers including downloadable PowerPoint presentations on applications, properties, production, AS1684, multi-residential timber framing, cladding as well as timber stairs manual.
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Learning Resources - information for students including applications, properties, production, durability, specifications, manufactured wood products, connections as well as 18 case studies of timber in use.
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Reference Resources - for teachers and students including timber flooring (installation guide), timber construction in bushfire prone areas through to structural timber design guides.
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The following educational resources are available through the Timber Development Association at no or small
cost. We also have a more extensive list of publications available from our website,
www.timber.net.au, which may aid your teaching.
Acceptable Standards of Domestic Construction
These handbooks are a reference for builders, owners, financial providers, owner builders, students or any other
person or institution wishing to determine what standard of quality is reasonable. Developed to describe standards
of construction acceptable to consumers, the lending or other authorities. The recommended retail price is $25 each.
For bulk purchases of one box (30 books) we are offering the books at the reseller price.
Australian Hardwood and Cypress Manual
The Hardwood and Cypress manual is a must have for all specifiers and for anyone teaching timber
related subjects. The Manual is split into four sections: an introduction, a technical and detailing
guide, a set of species guides, and application guides.
We have recently found a few more hardcopies and CDs of the manual when we moved our storage unit. Contact me if you'd like a free copy. It is also available for free download from
www.timber.net.au.
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Timber Framing Multi-Resource CD
This free all-in-one CD contains teaching resources for the following topics:
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Format
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Introduction to timber framing (video)
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Video
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Timber framing
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Interactive construction game
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Bracing and Tie-down Design - 4 case studies
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PowerPoint
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Using AS16884.2 span tables
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PowerPoint
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Introduction timber construction
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PowerPoint
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Timber stairs, balustrades & handrails manual
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PDF
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Timber wall cladding systems
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PowerPoint
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Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD)
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PowerPoint
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Occupation health & safety (OH&S)
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PowerPoint
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Timber truss installation (update)
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PowerPoint
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Please contact me for assistance with obtaining resources or any aspect of teaching timber related units or to update your contact details.
Stephen Mitchell
Co-ordinator, National Timber Education Program - ACT, NSW & SA
p: 02 8424 3700
e:
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This program is funded by the timber industry through Forest and Wood Products Australia
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