Appendix 7:

Reference Standards

The following are building standards, relevant to timber frame construction and are referenced in
the TGDs:
Loading:
BS 6399: Loading for Buildings Part 1: 1984, Code of Practice for Dead and Imposed Loads
AMD 4949 (Superseded by: Part 1 1996, Code of Practice for Dead and Imposed Loads)
BS 6399: Part 2: 1988, Code of practice for imposed roof loads (Superseded by BS 6399:
Part 2: 1997, Code of practice for imposed roof loads AMD 13392)
BS 6399: Design Loading for Buildings Part 3: 1988, Code of Practice for Imposed Roof Loads
AMD 6033
CP3: Chapter V: Part 2: 1972, Wind Loads
(Superseded by BS 6399: Part 2: Code of practice for wind loads)
Foundations:
BS 8004: 1986,Code of practice for foundations
Structural work on timber:
IS 193: 1986, Timber trussed rafters for roofs
SR 11: 1988, Structural timber for domestic construction
(Superseded by IS 444: 1998, Use of structural timber in buildings)
BS 5268: Structural Use of Timber Part 2: 1991, Code of Practice for Permissible Stress
Design, Materials and Workmanship AMD 8597 (Superseded by Part 2: 2002, Code of Practice
for Permissible Stress Design, Materials and Workmanship)
BS 5268: Structural Use of Timber Part 6: Code of Practice for Timber Frame Walls, Section
6.1: 1988, Dwellings not exceeding three storeys AMD 6743 (Superseded by Part 6: Code of
Practice for Timber Frame Walls, Section 6.1: 1996, Dwellings not exceeding four storeys AMD
9256
IS 96: 1976 - Moisture content of timber for building
This specification relates to the limiting values of the moisture content of hardwood and softwood
timber for housing and general building purposes.
IS 127: 1990 - Specification for stress grading of softwood timber
This standard specifies two methods of grading softwood for structural use, namely, visual stress
grading and mechanical stress grading.

Timber must be marked with the appropriate stamp

designating the strength class, the grading standard (IS 127), a means of identifying the company,
the certification body (NSAI) and the design standard (IS 444).
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IS 193: 1986 - Timber trussed rafters for roofs

This specification covers the requirement for materials, design, fabrication and erection of fink
and non-fink timber trusses for roofs. The truss is assumed to be fabricated from timber of a
specified species and grade using metal plate connectors as the jointing method.
IS 444: 1998 - The structural use of timber in buildings
This Irish standard covers the use of structural softwood timber in buildings. For the purposes of
the design of timber members, values of permissible stresses and moduli of elasticity for different
strength classes are specified for the various domestic and imported species of timber. Design
information is also given on the requirements for floor and ceiling joists, rafters, studding and
purlins, and for these members, permissible span tables are given which specify the maximum
spans for specified loadings, cross-sections and strength classes.

The moisture content

requirements of timber are also covered. IS 444 assumes that the environmental conditions are
such that the average moisture content of softwood timber will not exceed 20% and that at the time
of construction, the moisture content of the timber will have no greater value than 24%.
IS EN 335: 1993 - Durability of wood and wood-based products
This code of practice defines five hazard classes which represent the different service situations
to which wood and wood-based products can be exposed, and indicates the biological agencies
relevant to each situation.
IS EN 336: 1995 - Structural timber - coniferous and poplar - sizes, permissible deviations
This standards specifies permitted deviations (due to variability in sawing and machining) from
target sawn and prepared thicknesses, and widths and lengths for structural timber of coniferous
species.

It also specifies the moisture content to be used as a reference point for the

measurement of sizes, and gives average values for changes in size due to changes in moisture
content. It is applicable to sawn and prepared square-edged timber with parallel edges having
sawn thicknesses or widths in the range 24 mm to 300 mm.
IS EN 338 :1995 - Structural timber - Strength Classes
This standard establishes a system of strength classes for general use in structural codes. It
gives characteristic strength and stiffness properties and density values for each class and the
rules for the allocation of timber populations (i.e. combinations of species, source and grade) to the
classes. This standard applies to all softwood and hardwood timber for structural use.
IS EN 385: 1995 - Finger jointed structural timber - Performance requirements and
minimum production requirements
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This standard specifies requirements for bonded finger joints and minimum requirements for the
manufacture of cut, interlocking, bonded finger joints in structural timber members. Requirements
are given for timber, adhesive, moisture content, cutting, bending and preservative treatments and
flame-retardant treatments.
This standard is only applicable to finger joints between timber members of the same species
type. Although most finger joints are produced in coniferous species this standard also applies to
broad-leaved species where information is available to enable them to be satisfactorily bonded.
IS EN 518: 1995 - Structural timber - Grading - Requirements for visual strength grading
standards
This standard identifies the characteristics for which, as a minimum, limits shall be given in visual
grading rules. This standard applies to both softwood rules and hardwood rules and covers visual
sawn timber of all species likely to be used for load-bearing structural purposes.
IS EN 519: 1995 - Structural timber - Grading - Requirements for machine strength graded
timber and grading machines
This standard specifies the requirements for assessing and operating machine strength grading
systems, to strength grade structural timber, and laminates for glue laminated structures.

In

addition, guidance is given for the degree of quality control necessary to ensure the reliability of
timber graded by strength grading machines. These are given for both machine controlled and
output controlled systems for grading timber.
IS EN 1912: 1998 - Structural timber - Strength classes - Assignment of visual grades and
species
This European Standard lists visual strength grades, species and source of timber, and specifies
the strength classes from ISEN 338, to which they are assigned.
BS 5268: Structural use of timber
BS 5268: Part 2: 2002, Code of practice for permissible stress design, materials and
workmanship
Provides guidance on the structural use of timber, glued laminated timber, plywood, and other
recommendations on quality, grade panel products in load-bearing members. It includes stresses
and modification factors applicable to these materials when used as simple members, or as parts
of built-up components, or as parts of structure incorporating other materials. It also gives
recommendations for the design of nailed, screwed, bolted, dowelled, connected and glued joints.
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In addition, it provides recommendations for a method of test to assess the adequacy of structural
assembles, and it includes general advice on workmanship, various treatments that can be applied,
inspection and maintenance. It does not, and it is not intended to, deal comprehensively with all
aspects of timber construction. In particular, it does not cover well-tried and traditional methods of
timber construction, which have been employed successfully over a long period.
BS 5268: Part 3: 1998, Core of practice for trussed rafter roofs
This part of BS 5268 provides guidance on the design, fabrication and use of trussed rafters for
roofs. Guidance is provided on structural analysis methods, engineering design criteria and design
by testing. Performance requirements for floor bracing are given together with standard bracing
arrangements for domestic scale roofs. Production requirements for truss manufacture, along with
guidance on their handling, storage and erection are also given.
BS 5268: Part 4: Fire resistance of timber structures, Section 4.1: 1978, Recommendations
for calculating fire resistance of timber member
This section of BS 5268 gives recommendations for assessing the fire resistance of flexural
tension and compression members of solid or glued laminated timber and their joints.
BS 5268: Section 4.2: 1990, Recommendations for calculating fire resistance of timber stud
walls and joisted floor constructions
This section of Part 4 of BS 5268 gives recommendations for calculating the fire resistance of
timber frame walls and partitions and joisted floors as an alternative to testing. The
recommendations are applicable to single and double-leaf walls and partitions; and to floors in
which the joists are fully or partly concealed. This Section of BS 5268: Part 4 is limited to
constructions having a fire resistance of 1 hour or less.
BS 5268: Part 5: 1989, Code of practice for the preservative treatment of structural timber
This part of BS 5268 gives recommendations for preservative treatment of timbers to be used
for structural purposes in the United Kingdom to protect them from degradation by wood-destroying
organisms. It does not cover the remedial treatment of existing timber in old buildings, nor does it
deal with the protection of timber against fire, or with preserving the appearance of timber against
weathering or staining.
BS 5268: Part 6: Code of practice for timber frame walls Section 6.1: 1990, Dwellings not
exceeding four storeys
This section of BS 5268 gives recommendations for the design, testing, fabrication and erection

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of timber frame walls for dwellings not exceeding four storeys and consisting of timber frame walls,
with studs not exceeding 610 mm centres and one or both faces of the studs being partly or wholly
connected to sheathing, lining, or other forms of bracing.
BS 5268: Section 6.2: 2001, Buildings other than dwellings not exceeding four storeys
This section of BS 5268 gives recommendations for the design, testing, fabrication and erection
of timber frame walls for buildings other than dwellings not exceeding four storeys in height and
where the following conditions apply:
The maximum overall height of any building is 15 m.
The maximum panel height in a single storey building is 6.2 m.
The maximum panel height in buildings of more than one storey is 4.8 m.
BS 5268: Part 7: Recommendations for the calculation basis for span tables
Part 7.1: 1989 Domestic floor joists
Part 7.2: 1989 Joists for flat roofs
Part 7.3: 1989 Ceiling joists
Part 7.4: 1989 Ceiling binders
Part 7.5: 1990 Domestic rafters
Part 7.6: 1990 Purlins supporting rafters
Part 7.7: 1990 Purlins supporting sheeting or decking
Eurocode 5 Design of timber structures ENV 1995-1-1: 1993, General rules and rules for
building
Eurocode 5 uses limit state principles as the basis of design. A range of partial factors and
characteristic values for loads and material properties are used in contrast with the permissible
stress values and working loads adopted by BS 5268 and IS 444.
Limit states are states beyond which the structure no longer satisfies the design performance
requirements. These requirements are that:
No relevant limit state is exceeded.
All relevant design situations and factored load cases shall be considered.
Possible deviations from assumed load directions and positions shall be considered.
Ultimate limit states are those associated with collapse, or with other forms of structural failure
that may endanger the safety of people:
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Loss of equilibrium of the structure or any part of it.

Failure by excessive deformation, rupture or loss of stability.
Serviceability limit states correspond to states beyond which specified service criteria are no
longer met:
Deformations or deflections that affect the appearance or use of a structure, or cause damage
to finishes or non-structural elements.
Vibration causing discomfort, damage to building or contents, or limiting functional
effectiveness.
ETAG 007 Guideline for European Technical Approval of Timber Frame Building Kits
Compliance with ETAG 007 will ultimately enable the manufacturer to CE mark their product
which empowers the manufacturer to legally market their product throughout the EC. ETAG 007
covers industrially prepared timber frame kits, marketed as a building, which are made of predesigned and prefabricated components. This ETAG covers manufacturers of the complete house
kit, i.e. manufacturers who operate a one stop shop service.
It should be noted that over 90% of timber frame production in the UK and Ireland is in the form of
open panels and, as such, is not covered by this ETAG.
However, a house kit manufacturer is required to comply with the procedures of the member state,
e.g. the design process and approval of detailed plans, etc. Furthermore, the house kit
manufacturer is required to conform with the Building Regulations of the member state. The ETAG
does not, in any way, supersede or negate the Building Regulations or construction requirements
of the member state.
This guideline sets out the minimum performance requirements for the following:
Timber frame kits used in building construction
The verification methods used to examine the performance of the kits
The methods used to evaluate the performance for their intended use
The presumed conditions for the design and erection of the kits

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These minimum requirements comprise the entire external envelope including all necessary
thermal insulation and the internal linings in so far as they are necessary for the satisfaction of the
essential requirements applied to the building.
Components such as windows, roofing materials, internal linings and cladding materials shall
always be assessed and specified for the fitness for use with the timber frame kit. The connections
and detailing of the interface between such components and the kit shall always form part of the kit
description. However, it is not a requirement for the manufacturer to supply these components as
part of the kit.
Although some components may be prepared in different factories, only the final kit may be CE
marked by the manufacturer, should they be deemed by an appropriate approval body to have met
the requirements of ETAG 007. Verification of the performance of timber frame building kits
requires an assessment of many construction details with respect to air tightness, thermal
efficiency, fire resistance and acoustic performance. Furthermore, durability and strength must also
be assessed. While this appears to be an exhaustive approach, relevant standardised verification
methods may not be available or judged to be necessary, since the performance of many
construction details has been proven acceptable by long term experience or has been deemed
acceptable following appraisal by an appropriate approval body of the member state.
According to ETAG 007, the minimum content of the timber frame kit to be assessed includes:
All structural elements necessary for the stability of the building including walls, floors, roof
structures, their connections, and the connections of the building to the substructure.
All components of the external envelope, including all necessary thermal insulation, internal
linings, fire protection, vapour control provisions and external waterproofing.
All components of the internal walls including acoustic insulation, internal linings and fire
protection.
Preparatory measures for the installation of plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilation and
electrical services.
The ETAG also insists that components such as windows, external doors, brick cladding, internal
linings and roofing, which are essential for the performance of the external envelope, shall always
be specified and assessed as a condition for the fitness of use of the kit even though they may not
be delivered by the kit supplier. The connections and detailing of the interface between such
components and the kit should always be part of the timber frame kit description.

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A7. 7

Timber frame kits are assumed to have a minimum working life of 50 years for load-bearing
structure and for non-accessible components and materials, and a minimum 25 years for
repairable or replaceable components and materials like claddings, roofing materials, exterior trims
and integrated components like windows and doors, provided that the kit is subject to appropriate
use and maintenance.
With regard to water tightness ETAG 007 recommends that the external envelope be designed
according to the two-stage principle, that is, a ventilated and drained cavity between the inner
structural and outer weathering leaf. The assessment of the resistance against driving rain into the
external envelope is to be based on present design and engineering knowledge.

Where this

knowledge does not apply it is a requirement to test the external envelope performance according
to a series of laboratory tests.
ETAG 007 also provides guidance regarding assessment of a complete timber frame house kit
with respect to:
Safety in case of fire
Hygiene, health and environment
Safety in use
Protection against noise
Energy economy and heat retention
Aspects of durability, serviceability and identification

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A7. 8