Queensland Construction Timber Specifications: an Overview

Timber suppliers across Queensland have been using a system of specifications since 1939, when the Queensland Forest Service produced a publication called “Pamphlet no 1: North Queensland building timbers and specifications for their use.”

This publication was created to help promote “greater service efficiency in timber” and to help encourage the proper use of a variety of Northern Queensland timbers in the construction industry. In 1947, a second, complementary document was produced that provided information on 100 Southern Queensland Timbers. It was called, “Pamphlet no 2: Southern Queensland building timbers and specifications for their use.”

The Revisions

There would be many revisions until 1991, when a publication called “Technical pamphlet no 1” was created to supercede all prior specifications. Between 1991 and 2006, however, the timber and construction industries saw an unprecedented number of changes in available resources, construction technologies and industry recommendations.

Many rainforest timbers became scarce because they were classified in a status called “World Heritage.” This caused more imports from Asia, South America, Africa and the Pacific Islands. Timber regulations regarding target design life and decay hazard zones were created. Termite resistance and above-ground durability classes were developed and machine graded pine was introduced.

The Timber Framing Code AS 1684 series Residential timber—framed construction parts 2 and 3 were changed considerably. Botanical names of certain timbers were revised. Newer termite treatments were developed.

Construction Timbers in Queensland

The result would be a publication called, Construction Timbers in Queensland, published in 2006. This publication has two books and is used in conjunction with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) to determine suitable timbers for construction in various situations.

The latest revision was in March, 2013. The current document is called Construction Timbers in Queensland, Books 1 and 2. Book 1 explains the terms you need to know. Book 2 consists of a series of schedules that serve as a reference guide as to which timbers are appropriate for which uses.

Call Narangba Timbers Today

We have a full selection of construction timbers and a knowledgeable staff that can help you with the regulations. To learn more, call us today on 1300 477 024.