Timber Treatment

Summary information from

NZS 3602: 2003
Timber and Wood-based Products
for Use in Building
01 Introduction INTRoducTIoN
01 Safety and Health This booklet is a summary of the New Zealand Standard NZS 3602: 2003 Part 1
02 Hazard Classifications
Timber and Wood-based Products for Use in Building. It explains some of the
information in NZS 3602: 2003 on common uses of treated Radiata pine and
02 Branding Douglas fir in buildings.1
03 Identifying Timber Treatments NZS 3602: 2003 Part 1 is cited in Acceptable Solution B2/AS1 for meeting the
04 Examples of timber treatment requirements of Building Code Clause B2 Durability. To find out more about the
Building Code and Acceptable Solutions visit the Department of Building and
10 Building components and treatment Housing website (www.dbh.govt.nz).
12 More information This booklet is not a substitute for the complete Standard. Designers and
specifiers should acquire the Standard for complete information.
NZS 3602: 2003 is available from Standards New Zealand by calling
0800 735 656.
Please note that the timber treatment levels in this booklet are a minimum –
you may use a higher level of treatment if you wish.

Sa
Timber treatments consist of chemicals that may be harmful. Important measures
to take when using treated timber are:
• reduce contact by wearing gloves, goggles and a dust mask
• don’t burn off-cuts or cook with them
• dispose of waste in an approved landfill
• wash your hands before using the toilet, smoking or eating
• wash work clothes separately
• ventilate work spaces as much as you can
• working with solvent damp timber is not advised, solvent damp timber
should be allowed to properly dry off before use.

This document has been prepared by the Department of Building and Housing (the Department)
as guidance information in accordance with section 175 of the Building Act 2004.
It is intended as guidance only, and is not specific to any particular project.
This Document is not a substitute for professional advice. While the Department has taken
care in preparing this document, it should not be relied upon as establishing compliance with
all the relevant requirements of the Building Act or the Building Code in all cases that may arise.
This document is not a Compliance Document and may be updated from time to time.
The latest version is available from the Department’s website (www.dbh.govt.nz). 1
Note: For other commonly used timbers, refer to NZS 3602: 2003.
This document is based on the New Zealand Standard NZS 3602: 2003 Timber and
Wood-based Products for Use in Building. If further amendments are made to NZS 3602,
information in this document may become out of date. T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T – gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s 
HA z ARd cl AssIfIcATIoNs IdENTIf yINg TIMBER TREATMENTs
(See NZS 3640: 2003 for more information) (See NZS 3640: 2003 for more information)

Ha z ar d Exposure Servi c e con dition s Biological T ypi cal uses Ha z ar d M ethods of i denti fi cati on
c l ass hazard c l ass
H1.1 Protected from the weather, above ground Protected from the weather, always dry Borer Interior finishing timber – H1.1 End branding
see NZS 3602
H1.2 Protected from the weather, above ground, Protected from weather, but with a risk Decay fungi and Wall framing – H1.2 Permethrin plus Blue
but with a possibility of exposure to moisture of moisture content conducive to decay borer see NZS 3602 TBTO, TBTN or IPBC

Boron Pink
H3 Exposed to the weather, above ground Periodic wetting, not in contact with Decay fungi and Plywood – see NZS 3602 H3 Face branding
(AS/NZS 1604) the ground borer (AS/NZS 1604)

H3.1 Exposed to the weather, above ground Periodic wetting, not in contact with Decay fungi and Cladding, fascia, joinery H3.1 H3.1 framing TBTO No added colour
the ground borer – see NZS 3602 shall be face or, if coloured
branded along green, the colour
the length is to be distinctly
at 1500 mm different from
centres only TBTN the green of the
on its face H3.2 preservative
or edge. treatment (colour
green 368).

H3.2 Exposed to the weather, above ground or Periodic wetting, not in contact with Decay fungi and Decks, pergolas, H3.2 No added colour, the natural colour
protected from the weather but with a risk the ground, more critical end uses borer external beams, posts of treated timber is varying shades
of moisture entrapment not in ground of green/brown.
H4 Exposed to the weather, in ground or Ground contact, or conditions of severe or Decay fungi and Fence posts, landscaping H4
in fresh water continuous wetting borer timbers not requiring
a building consent

H5 Exposed to the weather, in ground or Ground contact, or conditions of severe or Decay fungi and House piles and poles, H5
in fresh water continuous wetting, where uses are critical borer crib walling, posts in
and where a higher level of protection than ground for decks,
H4 is required verandas, pergolas

BR ANdINg CCA oxide 01 (c) the hazard class for which the
timber has been treated
The brand shall identify: CCA salt 02
(d) Woodmark® (optional).
Boron 11
(a) the plant responsible for
TBTO 56 The sequence of the information
preservative treatment of the (a) plant number
Copper naphthenate 57 in the brand shall be (a) plant number, (c) hazard class
timber by means of a plant number
(b) preservative code number,
or trade name Copper azole 58
and (c) hazard class number,
(b) the preservative type using the TBTN 62
as in the example.
following code numbers: IPBC 63
665
Propiconazole + tebuconazole 64 62 H
1.2
Permethrin 70
(b) preservative code
Alkaline copper quaternary 90
®
(d) optional Woodmark

 gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s – T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T – gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s 

Ex AMplEs of TIMBER TREATMENT
These drawings are not intended as construction drawings.
They illustrate some of the requirements of NZS 3602: 2003 only.

Figure 1: Enclosed balcony supported by framed walls Figure 2: Enclosed balcony supported by posts and beams

H1.2
exterior wall
framing and H1.2
boundary joist exterior wall
framing
H3.1
enclosed H3.1
balcony enclosed
framing balcony
framing
H1.1*
intermediate H3.1
floor joist large opening
protected by beam or lintel
boundary joist and support

H1.2 H3.2
exterior wall exposed
supporting beam/post
enclosed above ground
balcony or
H5
H1.2 posts when
interior wall embedded
supporting in ground
enclosed
balcony

* Untreated Douglas fir and untreated kiln dried and planer gauged Radiata pine may also be used

 gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s – T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T – gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s 

Ex AMplEs of TIMBER TREATMENT
Figure 4: Enclosed balcony cantilevered joist
These drawings are not intended as construction drawings.
They illustrate some of the requirements of NZS 3602: 2003 only. H1.2
exterior wall
framing

Figure 3: Parapet and exterior wall

H3.1
enclosed
balcony framing
H1.2
parapet framing H3.1
cantilevered
H1.2 joist and framing
enclosed
skillion roof H1.2
framing greater exterior wall
than 10° framing

H3.1
internal gutter
support

H1.2
exterior wall
framing
Note: Inside/balcony shown level for simplicity.
E2/AS1 requires step down to outside waterproofing level.
H1.1*
intermediate
floor joist
protected by
boundary joist
Figure 5: Enclosed flat roof framing (less than 10 0 )

H3.1
enclosed flat
roof/skillion
framing less
than 10°

H1.2
exterior wall
framing

H1.2
subfloor framing

H5
piles
* Untreated Douglas fir and untreated kiln dried and planer gauged Radiata pine may also be used
Note: Where there are no boundary joists – joists must be H1.2

 gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s – T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T – gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s 

Ex AMplEs of TIMBER TREATMENT
Figure 7: Low risk brick veneer (as defined in NZS 3602: 2003)
These drawings are not intended as construction drawings.
They illustrate some of the requirements of NZS 3602: 2003 only.
H1.1*
open framed
Figure 6: Post and beam roof space

H3.2 H1.1*
rafters exposed exterior wall
at eaves framing

H1.1* H1.1*
intermediate interior wall
floor joist and framing
interior wall
framing

H1.2
skillion roof
enclosed eaves
*Untreated Douglas fir and untreated kiln dried
H1.2 and planer gauged Radiata pine may also
exterior wall be used
framing Note: Two-storey brick and members supporting
shelf/lintel angles require timber treated to a
H1.2 higher level – see NZS 3602: 2003
enclosed post
and beam
supporting
exterior wall
Figure 8: General wall and roof training

H1.1*
open framed
roof space

H1.2
exterior wall
framing

H1.1*
interior framing

H1.2
enclosed beam

* Untreated Douglas fir and untreated kiln dried and planer gauged Radiata pine may also be used * Untreated Douglas fir and untreated kiln dried and planer gauged Radiata pine may also be used

 gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s – T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T – gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s 

BuIldINg coMpoNENTs ANd TREATMENT

Bui ldin g co m ponent Spec ies M inimum Bui lding com ponent Spec ies M inimum
or t ype treatment o r t ype treatment
required required
External Building piles Radiata pine H5 Walls Timber: Radiata pine H3.1
in contact Plywood and timber frame foundations • within enclosed decks or balconies
with ground Crib walling • supporting enclosed decks or balconies,
Sawn poles where failure could be life threatening eg,
House poles enclosed post and beam construction
Retaining walls – uprights • to which shelf angles and lintel angles for
masonry veneers are fixed and their
Retaining walls – horizontal members H4 supporting members
External Posts, bearers, beams, floor joists, rafters, Radiata pine H3.2 • cavity battens behind cladding
not in contact guardrails, stair stringers • in exterior walls where monolithic
with ground claddings that do not comply with
Laminated beams and posts H3 E2/AS1 are fixed directly to framing
Plywood cladding as wall bracing • used as weatherboards
• for exterior joinery such as window
Subfloor Jackstuds, subfloor braces, bearers, Radiata pine H1.2 and door frames.
wall plates, floor joists to the subfloor, and Douglas fir
blocking etc, subfloor wall studs, Timber: Radiata pine H1.2
walings and battens, wall studs and • within or beneath a parapet and Douglas fir
nogs, diagonal boards • supporting enclosed decks or balconies
• in exterior walls except where otherwise
Plywood sheet bracing Plywood H1.2 specified eg, where monolithic claddings
that do comply with E2/AS1 are fixed
Floors Interior flooring Plywood and None
directly to framing.
particleboard
Note: Flooring in wet areas may require
timber or plywood treated to H3.1 – Plywood exterior wall bracing Plywood H3
Dressed timber See NZS 3602
refer to NZS 3602: 2003 for full Timber: Radiata pine – None
requirements. • in exterior walls clad with masonry KD gauged
veneer and complying with special
conditions (refer to NZS 3602) Radiata pine – H1.1
• in internal wall framing excluding those other
supporting decks and balconies Douglas fir None
• midfloor framing excluding boundary
joists.
Internal wall bracing Plywood None
Stairs etc. External stair timbers, unroofed decking Radiata pine H3.2
Internal stair timbers Radiata pine None
Interior finishing timbers and shelves and Douglas fir

10 gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s – T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T – gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s 11

 Bui ldin g co m ponent Spec ies M inimum
or t ype treatment
required
Roofs Sarking and framing not protected from Radiata pine H3.1
solar driven moisture through absorbent
cladding materials
Enclosed flat roof framing and
associated roof supporting members
Valley boards and boards supporting
flashings or box gutters, and flashings
to roof penetrations and upstands
to roof decks
Enclosed skillion roof framing and Radiata pine H1.2
associated roof members and Douglas fir
Note: any roof under 10 o is classified
as a flat roof, see above
All timber in roofs not otherwise Radiata pine – None
specified above KD gauged
Radiata pine – H1.1
other
Douglas fir None

Note: This booklet provides a summary of Radiata pine or Douglas fir treatment
requirements contained in NZS 3602: 2003. It will not provide enough information
for a designer to produce detailed timber specifications.

MoRE INfoRMATIoN
Copies of this document can be downloaded free from the Department’s
website (www.dbh.govt.nz) or call 0800 242 243 for a hard copy.
The New Zealand Standard NZS 3602: 2003 Timber and Wood-based
Products for Use in Building can be purchased from Standards New Zealand –
call 0800 735 656 or visit www.standards.co.nz
The Acceptable Solution B2/AS1 can be downloaded free from the
Department’s website (www.dbh.govt.nz). Hard copies can be bought
from Victoria University Bookcentre (0800 370 370).

This document is printed on Works Laser, a 100% recycled stock manufactured

using a totally chlorine-free process.

12 gu i d e o n ly. R e f er to n z s 3 6 0 2 : 2 0 0 3 f o r f u l l req u irement s – T I M B E R T R E AT M E N T

Published in June 2007 by
Department of Building and Housing
PO Box 10-729
Wellington, New Zealand

This document is also available

on the Department’s website:
www.dbh.govt.nz

ISBN: 978-0-478-19415-9 (document)

ISBN: 978-0-478-19413-5 (website)