Our frequently asked questions provides a general overview of the wood protection industry in South Africa. For information about specific products and services please refer to the product information section. If you still cannot find the information you're seeking please contact us.
1. What is wood protection?
Wood is one of most familiar and endearing materials used by mankind. It is used in countless ways to build, fit out and furnish our homes, offices and public spaces as well as specialist uses in agriculture, industry, packaging, transport, infrastructure and many other examples. Being a natural organic material, wood may be subject to various forms of biological and other degradation in the form of certain insects like termites, decay fungi, mould and non-biological factors such as weathering and fire.
For many situations, wood and wood based products require protection from one or more of these factors in order to provide reliable service, analogous to other common materials such as steel and concrete often requiring protection from corrosion and spalling. A large industry has evolved to provide this protection and related services for wood products throughout most parts of the world.
2. Why do we need wood protection in the 21st century?
Previous generations enjoyed much more ready availability of highly durable timbers that were naturally resistant to most forms of degrade. With the burgeoning world consumption of wood and overwhelming community demands for conservation of natural forests and sustainable resource utilisation, our current timber and wood products come more and more from fast growing plantation forests that generally do not have the same levels of natural durability. These timbers require protection for many applications involving exposure to the elements, moisture, ground contact and other factors that may promote biological or other degrade. In addition, modern building codes and standards require greater assurance of performance and safety which often requires enhancement of natural wood.
3. What are the different forms of wood protection?
Modern wood protection technology generally involves the modification of wood products by impregnation or coating with various types of chemical formulations to confer protective properties. The most common applications involve impregnation with preservatives that protect wood against fungal decay and insects such as termites by making wood unattractive, repellent or toxic as a food source for those organisms.
However there are other examples such as fire retardant that limit or eliminate the potential for wood to burn as well as special reagents that can increase the hardness and strength of wood. Some new forms of wood protection do not employ chemicals at all and rely on physical processes such as heat.
4. What regulations does the wood protection industry operate under?
Regulations and regulatory structures vary considerably between different countries. In South Africa, Government Legislation in the form of the Consumer Affairs Act (Unfair Business Practice) Act 1988 defines treated timber as all timber that has been preserved with the intention of protecting the timber against timber destroying factors or agents and states that this must carry a product certification mark (SABS or SATAS) to show that this has been done properly. The Act then refers to "South African National Standards (SANS 10005) - The Preservative Treatment of Timber", which outlines the types of preservative products used as well as municipal areas that have to use treated timber.
The National Building Regulations also outline the requirements as far as the use of treated timber in building structures - these state that "timber materials used shall be treated according to SANS 10005". It also mentions that local building authorities may require proof that this treating has been done.
This is also reinforced through the National Home Builders Registration Council in its Home Builders Manual and states that all timber used in a building should comply with the requirements of SANS 10005.
5. Is treated wood safe to use?
Generally impregnation of wood products with preservative chemicals is a passive and low impact form of material protection as the preservatives become embodied into the wood structure. In the great majority of circumstances treated wood products are safe to use given basic common sense precautions most of which are applicable to other timbers and building materials.
Preservative treated wood products should not be burned for home heating or cooking purposes as toxic fumes and residues may be generated. Burning as a means of disposal is not recommended without local authority approval. Some restrictions may apply to specific preservatives or chemicals in certain countries. Refer to the links page on this website for further information.
6. Where can I get further information?
Further information about specific Arch wood protection is available on this website or ask us a question by email if you can not find the information you need. Also, see the Industry Partners and Links page for other industry and government websites where further information can be found.
