Marketplace receiving publicity
The FFT online marketplace for specialty timbers has been getting plenty publicity with prominent newspaper articles around the country. We are also getting plenty of hits on the website.... so are you making the most of this? Have you been there and seen your listings? Easy.... just click on the link above then enter your business name in the search box.
Have you been creating free adverts? Have you been listing your products? If you haven't then read on....
Your listings
All members have a directory listing for their business but can also place adverts. Adverts can even include photos and really improve your profile on the site.
Its really simple, all you need is your email address (the one this newsletter landed at!).
Firstly, access the members area with your password. If you don't know your password or don't have one yet then just click here. You will be directed to a page where you enter your email address. An email will be sent to you to set a password. Don't forget to check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive!
The members area
When you enter the members area you'll see how easy it is to create adverts or edit your company listing.
Members can create new adverts and change their adverts on the members page. You will see these three links on the page:
- My Adverts
- Edit company listing
- New advert
Yep its that simple!
Farm Forestry Timbers Society
Farm Forestry Timbers has been set up as a Society and is run on a voluntary basis. This means that you, the members, will need to play your part and contribute towards running the show. Do you have something you'd like to contribute to the newsletter, or photos and information you'd like to contribute? If you want to participate then email or phone Dean Satchell (09)4075525.
Structural timber testing programme progress
This important programme is progressing and we aim to test 3 more species this year: Macrocarpa, totara and redwood.
We rely on voluntary contributions for our industry good activities. If you haven't contributed towards this programme yet then please get in touch with the secretary, Dean Satchell (09) 4075525 email dsatch@gmail.com
Background
Department of Building and Housing (DBH) Compliance Documents prescribe how a building design complies with the structural requirements of the Building Code. New Zealand Standards referenced in the compliance documents include NZS 3603 Timber Structures and NZS 3604 Timber Framed Buildings.
With amendment No. 4 (March 2005) to NZS 3603 grade stresses were dropped for all timber species except radiata pine and Douglas fir. However, NZS 3603 allows for the derivation of characteristic stresses of any species using an estimate of the lower 5-percentile values in accordance with AS/NZS4063.1:2010.
Furthermore, only verified structural timber grades can be used with NZS 3604:2011. NZS 3604 sets a minimum standard for the design and construction of timber-framed buildings but only radiata pine and Douglas fir can currently be verified. However, NZS 3604 does not preclude the use of other species and the Standard's provisions may be applicable to timbers other than radiata pine and Douglas fir. Such use however, needs to be subject to demonstration of adequate structural performance and durability (C 2.3.4).
What we're doing
In response to these building code compliance issues Farm Forestry Timbers have begun testing a range of species for their characteristic strength properties in accordance with AS/NZS4063.1:2010. This means they will comply with the Timber Structures Standard.
Two species, Lusitanica cypress (Cupressus lusitanica) and Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) have been tested at the University of Canterbury and three more (totara Podocarpus totara, redwood Sequoia sempervirens and macrocarpa Cupressus macrocarpa) will be tested at Scion during 2013.
The report can be downloaded from our Structural Grades page. We depend on contributions for this programme to proceed. Please contribute. Contact Dean Satchell (09)4075525
(top)
|