ISBN 978-0-626-23923-7

SANS 1783-3:2010
Edition 1.2

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Sawn softwood timber

Part 3: Industrial timber

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
© SABS

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Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 2004 Amended to update referenced standards, to change the
requirements for permissible appearance grade dimensions of
knots and knot holes (table 2) and for permissible defects for utility
grade and packaging grade (table 3) from “<” to “≤”, and to change
the reference to the certification mark scheme.
Amdt 2 2010 Amended to remove reference to a certification mark scheme, to
update referenced standards and to remove reference to the South
African Bureau of Standards.

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS SC 1008A, Wood and
associated products – Sawn timber, in accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards
Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in August 2010.

This document supersedes SANS 1783-3: 2004 (edition 1.1).

A vertical line in the margin shows where the text has been technically modified by amendment
No. 2.

SANS 1783 consists of the following parts, under the general title Sawn softwood timber:

Part 1: General requirements.

Part 2: Stress-graded structural timber and timber for frame wall construction.

Part 3: Industrial timber.

Part 4: Brandering and battens.

This part of SANS 1783 should be read in conjunction with SANS 1783-1.

Annexes A and B form an integral part of this part of SANS 1783. Annex C is for information only.

Introduction
The main purpose of grading industrial timber is to establish and maintain an acceptable uniformity
in the products of different mills, so that a given grade will represent the same quality and be usable
for the same purpose, regardless of the nature of the raw materials from which it was derived or the
mill by which it was produced. Grading therefore provides both manufacturers and users with known
values on which to base contracts.

The grading in this standard is based on the assumption that the boards are to be used in the
dimensions in which they were graded. Conversion of any kind after grading will alter the size-
defect ratio. Because of this and the possibility of their having been unsuitably stored or
transported, boards marked in accordance with 7.2 cannot be assumed to comply with all the
relevant requirements at any time other than the time of dispatch from the mill at which they were
graded.

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Contents
Page

Foreword

Introduction

1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Normative references ............................................................................................................. 3

3 Definitions .............................................................................................................................. 3

4 Grade requirements ............................................................................................................... 4

5 Physical requirements ............................................................................................................ 8

6 Inspection and methods of test .............................................................................................. 9

7 Packing and marking ............................................................................................................. 9

Annex A (normative) Notes to purchasers ............................................................................. 11

Annex B (normative) Quality verification of timber units and assessment of compliance ...... 11

Annex C (informative) Bibliography .......................................................................................... 12

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 SANS 1783-3:2010
Edition 1.2

Sawn softwood timber

Part 3:
Industrial timber

1 Scope
This part of SANS 1783 specifies requirements for six grades of timber intended for industrial use
but not for structural use.

NOTES

1 Deleted by amendment No. 1.

2 Assessment of compliance with the requirements of 5.6 requires special agreement between supplier and
purchaser. Amdt 1; amdt 2

2 Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this part of SANS 1783. All standards are subject to revision and, since any reference
to a standard is deemed to be a reference to the latest edition of that standard, parties to
agreements based on this part of SANS 1783 are encouraged to take steps to ensure the use of the
most recent editions of the standards indicated below. Information on currently valid national and
international standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.

SANS 629, Softwood flooring boards.

SANS 1091, National colour standard.

SANS 1783-1, Sawn softwood timber – Part 1: General requirements.

SANS 10096, The manufacture of finger-jointed structural timber.

SANS 10183-2, Adhesives for wood – Part 2: Requirements for structural applications. Amdt 2

SANS 10183-3-1, Adhesives for wood – Part 3-1: Non-structural applications – Classification of
thermoplastic wood adhesives for non-structural applications. Amdt 2

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this part of SANS 1783, the definitions given in clause 3 of SANS 1783-1 apply.

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4 Grade requirements
The requirements given in clause 4 of SANS 1783-1 and the following requirements apply:

4.1 Grade
Timber intended for industrial purposes shall be of one of the following grades, as required:

a) clear grade: an appearance most suitable for the manufacture of high quality furniture and
mouldings;

b) semi-clear grade: intended for the manufacture of furniture, and for joinery purposes;

c) cutting grade: suitable for the recovery of clear grade material for remanufacture purposes.
Timber of cutting grades 1 and 2 shall comply with the relevant requirements of table 1;

d) appearance grade: intended for the manufacture of products such as furniture, flooring and
shelving, and for joinery purposes;

e) utility grade: intended for the manufacture of products where appearance is of no real
importance; and

f) packaging grade: intended for the manufacture of products such as pallets and crates.

Table 1 — Length requirements for cutting grade timber

1 2 3
Cutting Cutting
Length requirement
grade 1 grade 2
a) Minimum overall percentage recoverable length from
original board 70 % 70 %
b) Minimum individual recoverable length 1 000 mm 600 mm
c) Minimum total recoverable length from original board 2 000 mm 1 800 mm

4.2 Freedom from inherent defects

4.2.1 Permissible defects

When inspected in accordance with clause 6, the timber shall not, except as allowed in terms of
4.2.2, contain more than a combination of the appropriate maxima of knots and other defects given
in tables 2 and 3.

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Table 2 — Permissible knot and knot hole dimensions

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Sum of sizes1) of all knots or knot holes2) (or both)
in worst 150 mm length of piece, max.
Defect
Clear Semi-clear Cutting Appearance Utility Packaging
grade grade grade3) grade grade grade
Sound through face knots4) Nil Nil Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
½f ⅔f ¾f
Individual knot:
≤114 = 40 mm
>114 = 50 mm
Edge knots:

a) On both edges, judged

together Nil Nil Unlimited 1e 1½e Unlimited

b) Individual size Nil ½e5) ¾e 1e 1e

Full face splay knots Nil Nil Unlimited Nil Unlimited Unlimited
Knot whorls and knot clusters
(all sides judged together) Nil Nil Unlimited ⅔f 1f 1f
All knots (all sides judged
together) Nil Nil Unlimited Nil 1f 1f + 1e
Individual dead knots, loose
knots, decayed knots, knot
holes and knot cavities Nil Nil Unlimited Nil ¼f ¾f
1) See annex C of SANS 1783-1.

2) Provided that knots, knot holes and knot cavities of size not exceeding 10 mm and superficial face splay knots
shall not be regarded as defects, except that no knots or knot holes shall be allowed, in the case of clear grade
timber, and on the face-side and better edge, in the case of semi-clear grade timber.

3) Column 4 gives the permissible knots allowed between clear grade cuttings. Permissible knots allowed within
clear grade cuttings are the same as for clear grade.

4) When relevant, the loose part of each sound through face knot shall be on the back of the piece.

5) Provided that the face-side and at least one edge are clear.

NOTE f refers to the face-side and e refers to the edge of a piece of timber.
Amdt 1

4.2.2 Other defects

The timber shall be free from

a) splits other than end splits (see table 3),

b) cross-fracture (compression breaks),

c) decay, other than decay in knots,

d) insect damage, other than that caused by bark borers, and

e) mechanical damage that does not materially affect the final finish (see 5.2).

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Table 3 — Permissible defects, other than decay, insect damage,

cross-fracture, mechanical damage, knots and knot holes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Maximum dimension
Defect Semi-clear Cutting Appearance Packaging
Clear grade Utility grade
grade grade1) grade grade
2)
Checks (measured
on both faces)

a) Width:
< 38 mm 1 mm 1 mm Unlimited 1 mm 2 mm 4 mm
>38 mm 1 mm 1 mm Unlimited 2 mm 3 mm 5 mm

b) Sum of lengths:
≤2,4 m, ≤38 mm 50 mm 50 mm Unlimited 100 mm Unlimited Unlimited
>38 mm 10 % of length 10 % of broad Unlimited 100 mm Unlimited Unlimited

>2,4 m, ≤38 mm 100 mm 100 mm Unlimited 100 mm Unlimited Unlimited

>38 mm 10 % of length 10 % of length Unlimited 15 % of length 30 % of length 50 % of length

Discoloration

a) Light Nil Nil Nil Nil 50 % of Unlimited

surface
3)
b) Medium Nil Nil Nil Nil Unlimited
15 % of
c) Dark Nil Nil Nil Nil surface Unlimited

15 % of
surface
Inbark Nil In the case of Unlimited In the case of Unlimited Unlimited
pieces of length at pieces of length at
least 2,1 m, a least 2,1 m, a
single occurrence single occurrence
of inbark, of less of inbark, of less
than half the than half the
circumference of circumference of
the knot, shall be the knot, shall be
allowed every 2 m allowed every 2 m
on the worst face on the worst face
Pith Nil Nil Nil Not permitted on Unlimited on Unlimited on
best face. both faces both faces
Unlimited on worst
face
Resin pockets One per
(in any 1 m length of 2 m of
piece) length or
part
thereof
a) Width Nil 5 mm 5 mm Unlimited Unlimited

b) Sum of lengths Nil 50 mm on worst 50 mm on each Unlimited Unlimited

face only face
Resin infiltration Nil Nil Nil Nil Unlimited Unlimited
Splits Nil Nil Unlimited Nil ≤2,4 m: 10 % 50 % of length
of length

>2,4 m: 5 % of
length
1) Column 4 gives the permissible defects allowed between clear grade cuttings. Permissible defects allowed within clear grade
cuttings are the same as for clear grade.

2) Hair checks and, in packaging grade timber of thickness at least 75 mm, checks of width not exceeding 2 mm, shall not be
regarded as defects. Clear grade shall be check-free if so required.

3) Deleted by amendment No. 2.

Amdt 2

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Table 3 (concluded)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Maximum dimension
Defect Clear Semi-clear Cutting Appearance Packaging
Utility grade
grade grade grade1) grade grade
Wane Unlimited
between clear
cuttings

a) On face:
Sum of lengths measured
on 2 edges Nil Nil Length of Length of piece 2 x length of
piece piece
1e

Width Nil Nil 5 mm ≤150 ¼f ≤150 ½f

>150: 40 mm >150 1f
max. of
400 mm per
1,5 m

b) On edge:
Length on worst edge Nil Nil Length of Length of piece Length of
piece piece
1e

Width on worst edge Nil Nil 5 mm 8 mm

¾e
c) Combination of face and
edge Nil Nil 8 mm ≤114: 25 mm
>114: 45 mm ≤114: 50 mm
>114: 80 mm
Warp

a) Twist (per 1 m length of

piece and pro rata for
fractions of a metre) 2° 2° 2° 2° 4° 4°

b) Bow and spring (per 1 m

length of piece and pro
rata for fractions of a 5 mm 5 mm 5 mm 5 mm 8 mm 10 mm
metre)

c) Cup
(<150 mm in width plus
1 mm for every additional 2 mm 2 mm 2 mm per 2 mm 3 mm 3 mm
75 mm) 100 mm of
width and pro
rata for
fractions of
100 mm
1) Column 4 gives the permissible defects allowed between clear grade cuttings. Permissible defects allowed within clear grade
cuttings are the same as for clear grade.

2) Hair checks and, in packaging grade timber of thickness at least 75 mm, checks of width not exceeding 2 mm, shall not be
regarded as defects. Clear grade shall be check-free if so required.

3) Deleted by amendment No. 2.

Amdt 1

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5 Physical requirements
The requirements given in clause 5 of SANS 1783-1 and the following requirements apply:

5.1 Dimensions
The nominal dimensions of the timber, measured in accordance with annex C of SANS 1783-1,
shall be as required, subject to the relevant tolerances given in table 4.

NOTE Timber for remanufacture is commercially available in lengths that are multiples of 0,30 m.

Table 4 — Tolerances

1 2
Tolerance
Dimensions
mm
Length +50
−0
Width

a) Less than 114 mm +5

−3

b) 114 mm or more, but less than 225 mm +6

−3

c) 225 mm or more +8
−3

d) Maximum variation in width of any piece 5

Thickness

a) Less than 38 mm +3
−1

b) 38 mm or more, but less than 50 mm +3

−2

c) 50 mm or more +5
−2

d) Maximum variation in thickness of any piece 3

5.2 Finish
Unless otherwise required, the timber shall be evenly sawn and shall have square arrises. Apart
from the discoloration allowed in terms of 4.2.1 (see table 3), the timber shall be bright and the
pieces shall have neatly sawn ends.

5.3 Density
The density of industrial timber, determined in accordance with annex C of SANS 1783-1, shall be
as follows:

a) clear grade, semi-clear grade and appearance grade: at least 400 kg/m3; and

b) cutting grade, utility grade and packaging grade: at least 350 kg/m3.

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5.4 Shelving
Timber for shelving shall be of appearance grade or better and shall, in addition, be of nominal
thickness at least 25 mm and nominal width at least 150 mm.

5.5 Flooring
Timber intended for the manufacture of flooring boards that comply with the requirements of
SANS 629 shall be of appearance grade or better.

5.6 Joints

5.6.1 Finger-jointed timber

When so agreed upon, finger-jointing of timber shall be allowed, provided that it is done in
accordance with SANS 10096, except that the joint profile shall be such as to be acceptable, the
clearance shall not exceed 0,5 mm and the adhesive used shall comply with the requirements of
SANS 10183-3-1 or SANS 10183-2. Where the finger-joints are not to appear prominently, the use
of a colourless adhesive (polyvinyl acetate or aminoplastic) can be agreed upon. Amdt 2

5.6.2 Edge joints

When so agreed upon, edge (in other words, longitudinal) joints shall be allowed, provided that
each joint is so machined as to provide a neat, tight fit. When tested in accordance with annex C of
SANS 1783-1, a glue joint shall show wood failure of at least 50 %. Adhesives used shall comply
with the requirements of SANS 10183-3-1 or SANS 10183-2. Amdt 2

6 Inspection and methods of test

The requirements given in clause 6 of SANS 1783-1 and the following requirements apply:

Visually examine and, when necessary, measure, using the appropriate methods given in annex C
of SANS 1783-1, the inherent defects that occur on the worst face of each piece in the sample,
taken in accordance with annex B of SANS 1783-1, for compliance with the relevant requirements
of this part of the standard.

NOTE Base the selection of the worst face on the specific defect under consideration.

7 Packing and marking

7.1 Packing
When timber is dispatched bundled, it shall be so secured as to withstand normal handling hazards.

7.2 Marking
The ends of each piece of timber shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following:

a) on one end, the manufacturer's name or trade name or trade mark; and

b) on the other end, the appropriate grade identification (marked in accordance with 7.3).

NOTE In the case of timber of thickness less than 38 mm and supplied in bundles, the end markings can be
applied to the four corner pieces only.

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7.3 Grade identification

The grade shall be marked in the following letters and colours:

a) clear grade: CLEAR or CLR, in black

b) semi-clear grade: SEMI-CLEAR or SCL, in signal red

(colour No. A11 of SANS 1091)

c) cutting grade: CUTTING or CUT 1 or 2, in dark violet

(colour No. F06 of SANS 1091)

d) appearance grade: APPEARANCE or APP, in strong blue

(colour No. F11 of SANS 1091)

e) utility grade: UTILITY or UTL, in emerald green

(colour No. E14 of SANS 1091)

f) packaging grade: PACKAGING or PAK, in spectrum orange

(colour No. B25 of SANS 1091)

10

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Annex A
(normative)

Notes to purchasers
The requirements given in annex A of SANS 1783-1 and the following requirements apply:

A.1 The following requirements shall be specified in tender invitations and in each order or
contract:

a) the grade and, when relevant, that the timber is required for shelving or for flooring (see 4.1, 5.4
and 5.5);

b) when relevant, that clear grade timber shall be check-free (see footnote 2 to table 3);

c) the nominal dimensions (see 5.1); and

d) the finish, if other than sawn (see 5.2).

A.2 The following requirements can be agreed upon:

a) when relevant, that the timber may be finger-jointed (see 5.6.1);

b) when relevant, that the adhesive used for finger-jointing shall be colourless (see 5.6.1); and

c) when relevant, that the timber may have edge joints (see 5.6.2).

Annex B
(normative)

Quality verification of timber units and

assessment of compliance
Annex B of SANS 1783-1 applies.

11

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Annex C
(informative)

Bibliography
SANS 10160 (SABS 0160), The general procedures and loadings to be adopted in the design of
buildings. Amdt 1

SANS 10163-1, The structural use of timber – Limit-states design. Amdt 1

SANS 10163-2 (SABS 0163-2), The structural use of timber – Allowable stress design. Amdt 1

SANS 9001/ISO 9001, Quality management systems – Requirements. Amdt 1

© SABS

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