FEATURES
Specifying for timber
construction
When specifying for timber construction, it is imperative to make
a thorough study of elements, such as specific designs, site
conditions, the National Building Regulations as well as timber
quality, to ensure a successful project. The Institute for Timber
Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) weighs in.
When specifying for timber construction, it is imperative to make a thorough study of elements, such as specific designs, site
conditions, the National Building Regulations as well as timber quality, to ensure a successful project. Image: ITC-SA
I
n South Africa, under the Building Standards Act
(Act 103/1977 as amended) and the National
Building Regulations (NBR), the only legal methods
by which to design and construct timber structures,
are as follows:
• Timber framed structures built in accordance with
SANS 10082 – Code of Practice for Timber
Buildings. This Code of Practice outlines the
‘deemed to satisfy’ requirements for the design and
construction of timber framed structures.
• Timber roof trusses manufactured in accordance with Part L
Roofs of SANS 10400 ‘The Application of the National
Building Regulations’. This standard outlines the ‘deemed to
satisfy’ requirements for nailed and bolted trusses and
specifies timber sizes along with the number of nails and
bolts as well as the accepted truss shape.
• By engaging the services of a professional engineer (as
required in Part B of the National Building Regulations) who
would work in strict accordance with SANS 10160 ‘Loading
Code’ and SANS 10163 ‘The Structural Use of Timber’.
// JUNE / JULY 2017 43