RAISING THE BAR ON RESOURCE INFORMATION FOR TIMBER PROTECTION
WPA director Neil Ryan talks about the support available to help ensure treated wood is correctly specified and installed.
It’s just over 2 years since the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) was published. It was in response to one of the key findings of the enquiry into the Grenfell fire which confirmed that shortcomings in product information had contributed to the disaster. Concern was raised about inadequate specifier guidance, product information, marketing materials and performance testing claims. Undoubtably, there are still many instances where the code – still a voluntary requirement, is not being followed.
The Code calls for construction products and systems to be clear, unambiguous, accurate, up to date and accessible. This is so that any competent individual working with or installing the products can understand how and where to use them, how they will perform in service and the limitations of use.
We appreciate, the need for timber preservative treatments and treated timber may not at first appear as safety critical as a fire situation – but consider escaped livestock due to fallen fencing or potential injury from a collapsed timber platform. Supplying or installing a treated timber product which is fit for purpose is important too. Product information which is vague, ambiguous and uses potentially misleading terms, such as ‘green-treated wood’ could lead to the wrong product being used for the wrong application, leading to in-service failures.
The benefits of being able to demonstrate best practice are clear. Ensuring your company is ready to offer customers the best products and the highest levels of customer service, through adhering to industry standards and providing the technical information to support that behaviour, enhances your reputation and your potential to improve sales.
The Voice of the Timber Protection Industry
The Wood Protection Association (WPA) prides itself on being recognised as an authoritative and independent trade body. With experience and knowledge to speak about and advise on all matters concerning the industrial treatment of timber – through preservation, wood modification or factory applied flame retardants. Over the many years we’ve been established, it has always been our mission to provide guidance to specifiers, contractors, engineers and architects on the best ways to ensure wood is fit for its intended purpose.
The organisation is not-for-profit and our work is backed by members who share our values. These range from large multi-national timber treatment manufacturers and service treaters to SME’s, partner trade associations and individuals such as researchers and scientists. Many of the non-remunerative Directors and Board members also sit on industry committees and working groups which further enhances the scope of work the WPA can get involved with.
Free and Accessible Information
Over the past 5 years we have been building a comprehensive library of timber treatment resources – and it never stops growing – from Guidance Notes, Codes of Practice and Information Sheets to webinars and Point of Sale material. These resources are valuable assets for our trade members and can be used for internal training. But they can also be shared for wider education too, utilising the information for both commercial and marketing purposes.
In every aspect of our guidance, we always refer to any appropriate corresponding British Standard and do our best to simplify the information – making it more accessible and relevant
for our sector.
Most recently, our campaign to raise awareness of the importance of buying and installing correctly treated timber for ground contact applications, generated a plethora of information. Working with our industry partners – Timber Development UK (TDUK), as part of their Treated Timber Action Plan, the extended reach of the campaign means we are seeing positive results emerging throughout the industry, but the work continues.
So if you are manufacturing, supplying or using preservative treated timber, please feel free to download any of our resources to help you and your customers. And if you have any treatment related questions, get in touch, we’re here to support and promote best practice.
Visit www.thewpa.org.uk and head over to our RESOURCE CENTRE – the link is at the top of every page.
Further information WPA contacts: Neil Ryan (Neil@thewpa. org.uk) and Janet Sycamore (Janet@thewpa.org.uk)
