The importance of kiln-dried timber in construction has been impressed upon more than 400 builders and architects throughout Northern Ireland in an initiative spearheaded by the Northern Ireland Timber Trade Association (NITTA).
Last October all NITTA members pledged to import only kiln-dried timber for construction purposes. The association then joined forces with building control departments to run seminars throughout Northern Ireland in a drive to improve the quality of timber used in construction.
Maurice Brooks, chairman of NITTA, said: ‘It is a significant endorsement for NITTA to have Building Control come on board to help promote kiln-dried timber and quality.’
John Dumigan, South Eastern Group chief building control officer, said: ‘It is encouraging to see suppliers of timber materials striving to raise the quality of construction in Northern Ireland to a standard which is higher than that required by BS 5268 Part 2.
‘NITTA goes a step further by insisting that only kiln-dried timber is imported by its members for construction purposes.’
At the last seminar at Belfast City Hall, attended by more than 70 builders and architects, speakers included Roger Galpin, product certificate manager at TRADA who spoke on the importance of kiln-dried timber in construction, Martin Weller of Chiltern who spoke on fire requirements and Alan Beggs of Building Control who outlined updated regulations and the latest landmark TF2000 fire research project.
