New Zealand’s Building Industry Federation has welcomed government proposals to simplify rules for treated timber house framing.
Federation chief executive Bruce Kohn said the proposal for a single class (H1.2) of treatment to be acceptable under the Building Code for interior framing offered a constraint on the costs of new housing and would enable the supply chain to more easily deal with storage requirements to meet demand, as well removing confusion for builders.
“The complexities of the existing system have been a constant source of irritation to many industry participants,” he said.
“Merchants have been required to stock at considerable expense an extensive range of framing timber treated with a variety of preservatives.”
Under the proposals, specifiers would be able to choose between a less costly non-solvent option or opt for timber treated with a chemical or solvent preservative.
The proposals only apply to interior wood.
