Introduction

The purpose of this assessment was to determine the grading practices for timber,
the process and reasoning behind the grading of the materials in Guyana. The
grading of timber is very important, as it ensures that a desired quality of a specific
material that is needed for a job/operation by a researcher is met by the supplier,
without proper grading a company or supplier would be held responsible for any
problem encountered by the consumer of its product. So grading acts as an
insurance for both customer and supplier, ensuring that no time and money is
wasted during the transfer of the timber from supplier to customer.

Grading of timber in Guyana

The Guyana Timber Grading Rules (GTGR) is applied throughout Guyana for
grading forest produce with grading reference being GRO1 GR13. These rules
apply to both local and export markets. Each product has its own grading rules
assigned to it.

The timber trading necessaries and their definitions

The Grading Authority: the GFC is responsible for supervising, hiring personnel to
check quality of timber, issuing certificates and licenses for timber grading and dry
kiln operation and issuing both marketing and export certificates.
Timber grader: a licensed and certified person who grades the timber
Quality control inspector: an employee of the grading authority who inspects the
work of the timber graders.
Supplier or seller: any person of company in Guyana supplying timber for local
market or for export using the GTGR rules.
Customer: any person or company, local or international who places a contract for
purchase of timber under the GTGR rules

Grading and grade marks

Table 1: showing the grading scheme for timber . source

http://www.fpdmcguy.org/UsefulInfo/Grading%20field%20book.pdf obtained :
2013-11-12
They are to be placed on 2 sides of each bundle, with lettering height 25
mm. the registered number is always in circle.
These are to be used only by grading inspector.

Method of determining the grades

The GTGR are based on quantity and quality of the defects in the material. Each
material to be graded has its own grading specifications and is graded according to
its use. Each material/ species of wood has its permissible defect assigned to it and
if the material does not exhibit the desired qualities or grade it is rejected.

Table 2 : showing the grading scheme for various usage of timber. Obtained :201311-12 source : http://www.fpdmcguy.org/UsefulInfo/Grading%20field
%20book.pdf

Moisture content
The moisture content of seasoned lumber is required to be certified by a timber
inspector as follows:
1. one sample is taken over a hundred lengths , with a minimum sample size of
3
2. the samples are taken at random from the whole stacked lumber
3. a sample consists of 30 cm long , cut from a board no closer than 45 cm
from either end
4. immediately on cutting the sample is branded by inspector with date , their
mark and marketing certificate serial number of the batch
5. the sample is then placed immediately in a separate sealed polyethylene bag
6. the moisture content is then determined for the samples as quickly as
possible and not more than one week after sampling
Moisture content should be determined 24 hrs after receiving the samples.
After testing, a test certificate is issued by the GFC showing moisture
content of sample, the dates and test of sample, the grading certificate
number and the name of the producer or shipper requesting sampling.

Verification of suitable moisture content for shipping

For the timber grader to verify the number of days lumber has been in stack
to be considered as shipping dry the process is as follows:
1. before grading , the timber grader makes sure the timber has been in
stack for required length of drying
2. he then examines the stacking situation and makes sure it meets
required stacking standard
3. He then verifies the timber has been is stack and records seasoning
period on the timber marketing certificate.

Figure 3: showing the approval, rejected and grading stamps for grading timber in
Guyana (obtained: 2013-11-11 from: GFC (Guyana Forest Commission)

Figure 4 : showing the process route of raw timber to markets.

Obtained: 2013-11-12 from: http://www.forestry.gov.gy/publications.html

Conclusion
The grading of timber is a very important both locally and
internationally practice as it ensures quality materials meet customers
and give insurance to the company or supplier .

References:
Website: Guyana forestry commission, http://www.forestry.gov.gy/index.html ,
obtained: 2013-11-12
Company
Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)