Queensland’s timber industry has released technical advice reminding builders of the information they must look for when using structural timber and how to maintain relevant records.
Timber Queensland’s Strategic Relations Manager, Clarissa Brandt, said the Queensland timber industry is proud of its record as a responsible supplier of high-quality, fit-for-purpose structural timber products.
“Given there is a broad supply chain including from imports, there have been reports of some timber products being used that had not been properly graded or marked. This prompted the release of an Advisory Note to explain how to check structural timber building products have the correct claim of compliance,” said Mrs Brandt.
“By law builders and certifiers must check that any structural timber product used on a job complies with Queensland’s non-conforming building product (NCBP) regulations,” she said.
Timber Queensland’s new Advisory Note on Structural Timber Product Identification and Traceability provides examples of the brands, labels, stamps or marks required on a product to claim compliance. Typically, this includes compliance against relevant Australian Standards, CodeMark certification or via a Performance Solution.
Mrs Brandt said if a structural timber product cannot be identified it should be rejected as non-conforming.
“Check the claim of compliance, if it’s not correct don’t purchase the product, or return the delivery to the supplier,” she said.
“Then you need to notify the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) of a suspected non-conforming building product, failure to do so is also a specific offence under NCBP legislation.”
Mrs Brandt said builders and certifiers need to be able to prove structural timber products used on a job have the correct claim of compliance.
“We recommend taking photos of products, keeping dockets and maintaining files to ensure you can prove to the regulator that you have ‘done the right thing’.”
Timber Queensland reminds the building industry they must pass on information regarding product use and application, through the supply chain to the homeowner.
“To avoid possible action by the QBCC it is imperative that all in the supply chain, including builders, pass on required information to the ‘next in the chain’, and maintain and file accurate and detailed product identification and traceability information so the use of the product remains conforming for each job,” Mrs Brandt added.
