Preliminary report on TimberSaver boron released

The Department of Building and Housing has released its preliminary report into timber treatment product TimberSaver boron. The investigation followed concern about the long-term viability of timber treated with the product.

The preliminary report provided no evidence to suggest the product does not perform. As a result, TimberSaver's certificate of accreditation remains in place.

The report also concludes that improvements could be made in ensuring builders and tradespeople have better access to information that describes effective 'handling and use' techniques for timber treated with TimberSaver boron, and that they can readily access the 'companion' product for treating cuts, holes and notches.

Recommendations from the preliminary report, based on interviews with industry representatives, include:

• a peer review of the technical assessment used to accredit TimberSaver be undertaken
• building merchants be advised by the Department that:  
  • TimberSaver treated timber is an accredited product and therefore meets the structure, durability and hazardous building materials Clauses of the New Zealand Building Code, provided it is used in accordance with its conditions of use.
  • they have an obligation to ensure builders or users of timber treated with TimberSaver boron are made aware of the conditions of use and can readily acquire products for treating cuts, holes and notches.
  • when supplying treated timber, they should take care to deliver the actual products ordered. Builders should be made aware of any substitutions.
• consideration be given to practical means of determining how long timber treated with TimberSaver boron may have been exposed to weathering.

As part of the investigation, the Department has also established through an independent review that the former Building Industry Authority followed the appropriate steps to accredit TimberSaver.

Building Research, on behalf of the Department, is conducting field sampling to determine whether there is any evidence of TimberSaver boron failure in completed structures.

This research, using scientific means to test the product in real-life conditions, is designed to provide additional assurance to consumers and the industry alike that the product does the job it was intended for. The results of this final part of the investigation are due out before the end of the year.

The report is available on the Department's website: www.dbh.govt.nz