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Preliminary report on TimberSaver boron released - 22 Aug 2005 

The Department of Building and Housing today 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.

Department General Manager, Building Controls, John Kay said the findings of the preliminary report provided no evidence to suggest the product does not perform. As a result, TimberSaver's accreditation certificate to Codemark - the Department's certification process for building products - remains in place.

'The preliminary report gives us confidence that the product will perform to an acceptable standard if it is used in the manner for which it was intended,' Mr Kay said.

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 'companion' products 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.

The Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), on behalf of the Department, is conducting field sampling to determine whether there is any evidence of TimberSaver boron failure in completed structures.

'This next step, 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, Mr Kay said.

The preliminary report is available from the Department of Building and Housing’s website: TimberSaver boron preliminary report [PDF 80 KB, 27 pages]