STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

DEFINITIONS
Species
Refer to the type of timber used. i.e. Rimu, Radiata, etc
Grade
Timber is sorted inot various grades suitable for specific use. It should conform to NZS3601
Moisture Content
The amount of moisture in timber expressed as a percentage of its oven dry weight.
Dry Timber Timber with a moisture content between 14% and 18%
Fibre-Saturation Point The moisture content below which timber begins to shrink depends on the type
of timber but is usually between 26% and 30%
Green Timber Timber with a moisture content equal to or greater than the fibre-saturation point
Preservation Treatment
This protects the timber from insects and decay. The timber is treated with chemicals. i.ew. boric treated,
tanalised.
Splice
A joint for lengthening material

Lintel
A beam across an opening window or door
Tie
A member in tension
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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Strut
A member in compression
Portal Frame
A frame consisting of two uprights rigidly connected at the top of a third member which may be horizontal,
sloping or curved
Stiffener
A member added to a slender beam or column to prevent it buckling
Common drawing scales for Timber drawings
Details 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20
Elevations, Plans, Sections, General Layouts 1:50, 1:100, 1:200
Call dimensions
The dimensions by which timber is referred to in commercial transactions
Moisture content
Details 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20
The amount of moisture in timber expressed as a percentage of its own oven dry weight
Dry Timber
Timber with a moisture content between 14% and 18%
Fibre-satuation point
The moisture content below which timber begins to shrink depends on the type of timber but is usually
between 26% and 30%
Green Timber
Timber with a moisture content equal to or greater than the fibre satuation point
Green gauged timber
Green timber where dimensional accuracy is required
Call sizes for Timber
The following tables show the preferred range of call sizes for timber and the related dry dressed and green
gauged timber dimensions. The preferred range of lengths is from 1800mm in steps of 300mm TO 6000mm

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Preferred range of call sizes for timber (millimetres)

Call dimensions of width

Call dimensions
of thickness
25
30
40
50
75
100

50 75 100 125 150 200 225 250 300

x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x

Timber Conventions
ROUGH SAWN

GUAGED

DRESSED

The nominal size 150 x 100 is reduced in size for gauged and dressed timber
Green Gauged Timber
Green timber where dimensional accuracy is required.
The following tables show the preferred range of call sizes for timber and the related dry dressed and green
gauged timber dimensions. The preferred range lengths is from 1800 in steps of 300mm to 6000mm

Preferred Range of call sizes

Call dimensions of
thickness
25
30
40
50
75
100
1.8
2.1
2.4
2.7

Call dimensions of width

50
x

75
x

x
x

x
x

3
3.3
3.6
3.9

100
x
x
x
x
x
x

125
x
x
x
x
x

150
x
x
x
x
x
x

200
x

225
x

250
x

300
x

x
x
x
x

x
x
x
x

x
x
x
x

x
x
x
x

Preferred Lengths (mm)

4.2
4.5
4.8
5.1

5.4
5.7
6

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Finished dimensions (mm)

Green
Call
guaged
dimensions dimensions
25
30
40
60
47
75
68
100
94
125
119
150
144
200
194
225
219
250
244
300
294

dry
dresses
timber
19
25
35
45
65
90
115
140
180
205
230
260

STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Detailing
Timber Detailing Conventions
Timber Members in Section

The side view of timber is plain. It is unnecessary to try and shade to indicate the long grain. Shading will
make the drawing confusing and too cluttered. In large scale details when a size of timber is nominated e.g.
ex 150 x 100, the timber should be drawn for the actual size.

TYPES OF CONNECTIONS AND FASTENERS

Split Ring
This is a plain ring about 60mm 100mm in diameter. Split ring connectors which fit into precut grooves
are the most widely used and are adapted for all types of timber joints. They are used to strengthen a joint
or connection and to resist any vertical or horizontal displacement of the members which could be caused
by the tolerance in the bolt holes. Split rings allow a slight amount of rotational movement but not enough
to affect the strength of the joint .

Tooth Ring (TR)

This ring is similar to split ring except that it has a tooth edge top and bottom. Tooth rings are embedded
by pressure into the timber. They are used in soft wood where loads are comparatively small,

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Share Plates (SP)
These plates are used when the timber is to be fixed adjacent to metal. They prevent any displacement in
alignment and are used when loads are high.

Timber Fasteners
There are three main types available and many varieties of size and shape. A gang nail plate is a flat plate
with many nails protruding from the surface. They are pressed into the timber in the factory. Commonly
used in house roof truss construction. The second main type is a plate with holes for nails. The third type is
a framing anchor.

Rough Sawn

Green Gauged (or sawn gauged)

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Timber Connections

The accepted standard for symbolizing the four types of connectors is shown below

Timber fasteners
a) Pressed metal plates
b) Steel Truss Plates
c) Framing Anchors
Pressed metal plates
These can be shown on a joint with the position relative to intersecting lines and/or timber edges (shown
below)
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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Where a particular brand name is being used, the plate number can be noted as above
Two types available
Nail plates where the nails are pressed from the plate
Nail plates with holes for nails
Steel Truss Plates
These should be detailed similar to pressed metal plates
Framing Anchors
These should be drawn on the detail and a note of the type of anchor required included. These are used
mainly in secondary structural framing. Some illustrations of their use are shown below.
Type A AL = Ceiling bearers to trusses or beams
Type B BL = Stud or plate
Type C CL/CR = floor joist trimmings

BOLTS SCREWS WASHERS NAILS

Bolts
In side view bolts may be indicated by circles or double lines, with heads, nuts and washer only shown
necessary for clarity
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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Greater clarity can be obtained from showing the hidden bolt outline dotted especially where bolts are on
the center line

Hidden bolt outlines

Screws
The screw used in heavy timber construction is the coach screw. Screws can be indicated by circles and
double lines similar to detailing bolts

Washers
In all timber bolted joints, every bolt must be provided with a washer and each end, except under heads of
coach bolts. If round washers are used thay shall be of a thickness and area less than those specified for a
square washer

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Nails
Nails need generally be only indicated with intersecting center lines. Nail types, diameter and length should
be specified on the drawing.

Spacing of Nails

Flat head and jolt nails are used for most general purposes, flat heads for nailing radiate pine.
Flat head
Flat head are used for most general purposes in nailing radiate pine.

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Jolt head
Flat head are used for most general purposes in nailing radiate pine, where there is a need to recess the
nail.

Annular Grooved

These nails are most suitable for soft timber and for green timbers. Available flat head only, lengths from
90mm
Spiral Rolled

These nails are ideal for use in soft woods and for driving with the grain of timbers. Availbel flat head only,
lengths 90mm down.
Square twisted

These nails are used for pallet manufacturing. Standard sizes 40mm 70mm Flat head only
Bracket Nails

These nails are used with framing anchors. Standard sizes 30mm Flat head only
Bolts and Coach Screws
Minimum spacing of bolts in timber

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Coach Bolts

Engineering Bolts

Coach Screws

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

TIMBER GRADES AND SPECIFICATION
Introduction
Timber is not a temporary material. Correctly used, this material can last as long as concrete or steel. In
Europe and Asia, there are wooden houses older than 400 years. In New Zealand the Building Code
requires 50 year durability for framing timber.
The main hazards for the decay or wood are living organisms such as fungi and borer. Corrosion of adjacent
metal, rain, sun, temperature and humidity, and fire will also contribute to its decay.

Related Documents
NZS 3604 : Timber and Wood based products
"The timber species, preservative treatment, in-source moisture range and their end- use environment
shall comply with NZS 3631."
NZS 3601 : Metric Dimensions for Timber
NZS 3603 : Timber Structures Standards
NZS 3605 : Specification for Timber piles and poles for use in building NZS 3631 :Specification for Timber
Preservation
NZBC: B1 (structure) 82 Durability
There have been some changes to requirements for timber in the NZBC. The changes are set out in the
Acceptable Solutions for timber durability NZBC B2 /AS1.
The main change is about increasing the level of treatment required in parts of buildings most at risk of
damage caused by water ingress. (ie wall frames, wall frames to wet areas).

1. Timber Specification
Timber should be accurately and fully specified in terms of its purpose and end-use. There are six aspects
to consider : species, grade, finish, moisture content, and dimensions.

Species
Each species has its own characteristics in terms of strength, durability and performance. They are normally
subdivided into :
Native timber - Rimu, Matai, Tawa, Kauri or Kahikatea Exotic timber - Pinus Radiata, Douglas Fir, Corsican
Pine Imported timber - Cedar, Vitex, Quila, Fijian Kauri
They can also be classified on the botanical structure of their wood cells and are known as:
Softwoods - (Gymnosperms) Pinus Radiata, Douglas Fir, cedars, macrocarpa, cypress and Corsican Pine
(Podocarps) Matai, Totara, Rimu
Hardwoods -(Angiosperms) Rewarewa, Tataire, Oak, Eucalyptus
These are related to structure not whether the timber is hard or soft eg gymnosperms have needles and
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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

cones, angiosperms have broad leaves and fruit.
Grade and Quality
When a tree is felled, the branches are sawn off and the trunk is cut into suitable lengths for transporting
to the mill. Conversion of timber is the sawing and re-sawing of a log into usable sizes.
The logs are normally converted as shown (see attached hand out on the milling process and cutting
patterns). The resulting timber is either flat sawn or quarter sawn. (see diagram).
TIMBER DECAY
Some timbers are naturally durable (eg Totara, Cedar etc) and others need to be treated with preservative
for long life service. (Pinus Radiata)
There are two forms of decay I attack; fungal and insect.
Fungal Decay
These are mostly forms of fungi such as mould and dry rot. Mould is largely a surface fungus, and
disappears once timber is relatively dry.
Dry rot is a 'decay' fungus and destroys cell walls. All require over 20% MC and 20 degrees C to thrive and
are generally prevented with good ventilation.
2.2 Insect Borer
Insect borers tunnel into timber, spoiling its appearance and reducing its strength. Different insects attack
different timbers or stages of seasoning.
There are three types of "house" borer in New Zealand.
Two-toothed Longhorn - attacks native trees heart and sap roots and will attack the
foundations of a building.
Common House Borer - attacks timber of low moisture in any part of a house. Powder Post Borer - fairly
rare and attacks the sapwood of hardwood species.
3. TIMBER PRESERVATION
Timber preservation is the protection of non-durable (but otherwise useful timber) from insects and fungal
decay by impregnating it with chemical preservatives.
NZS 3602 specifies the required levels of treatment for timber framing members. (see attached schedule)
For timber framed buildings, significant portions of the timber used must be treated, and the level of
treatment required varies with the level of risk of moisture damage.
The Timber Preservation Authority guarantees that timber sold under their "woodmark" will comply with
NZS 3602 and that treatments must take place using an approved process and be identified by branding.
There are two main treatment processes :
Pressure impregnation - chemicals forced into the timber under pressure in a steel cylinder.

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Diffusion - timber is immersed in a chemical solution which slowly saturates it.
There are three main groups of preservatives :

Fixed- includes CCA's, LOSP, Tanalised

Partially or non-fixed - includes boric treatments (water borne - can be soaked out
of the timber)
Oil Borne - includes creosote (can be applied in place).

All timber that is cut after being treated, and has the cut end exposed, must have the cuts site treated
before installation.
The required treatment levels for different end uses of non-durable timbers in timber- framed
buildings are designated with a hazard class.

External
timber
Piles

used for

Required
treatment
HS

External timber
used for
poles
Exposed subfloor
framing

Required
treatment
HS

Enclosed subfloor framing

H 1.2

H4

Veranda posts supported

clear of ground

H3.2

Veranda posts in
ground

HS

Deck jack studs

supported clear of around

H3.2

Roof framing
exposed to the
weather

H3.2

Framing to external walls

(except balcony walls and
masonry veneer)

H 1.2

Exposed exterior
wall framing

H3.2

Framing to external walls

clad with masonry veneer

H 1.1

Unpainted or clear
finished cladding
Framing within roof

H 1.2

Framing to
parapets

H 1.2

Unpainted or clear
finished exterior finishing
timber

H 3.2

Framing within
low slope roofs

H 3.1

Shingles I shakes

H3.2

Painted exterior
finishing
timber

H 3.1

Exterior plywood
Exterior Plvwood unpainted

H3

Painted cladding

H 1.2

H3.2

Decking joists

H 3.2

Exterior plywood painted

H 3.1

Decking joists

H 3.2

Spa pools

H4

H3.2

Fence rails and palings

H3.2

Decking
Fence
posts
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H4

STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Classification of timber treatment hazard classes (NZS 3640)

Hazard

Definition

Low

Typical uses
Where there is
no risk of
dampness

hazard

Comment

Timber

Treatment

Production, storage, delivery, and

construction and in-use conditions
that will prevent exposure to external
internal liquid moisture or
conditions that would allow in-use
content to exceed 18% at
any time, i.e. not bottom plate for
laundry or bathrooms

High
temperature
kiln-dried (KO)
untreated
radiata pine
Douglas fir and
cypress

Internal
partitioning,
internal beams, or or
exposed rafters,
ceiling joists moisture

H 1.1

Where there is
risk of
dampness, but
protection
against borer is
desired

Production, storage, delivery, and

construction and in-use conditions
where no risk of fungal attack is
desirable. Internal use only, not
exposed to ground atmosphere, to
be maintained at an in-use moisture
content of 18% or less

Radiate pine
with 0.1%
boron
treatment

Interior joinery, no
such as doors,
frames,
architraves,
skirting etc.

H 1.2

Where there is
moderate risk
of dampness,
water

Not suitable if exposure to weather

during production, storage, delivery
and construction is likely to be longer
than eight weeks. Internal use only
where the moisture content will be
maintained at less than 20%

Radiate pine
with 0.4%
boron
LOSP

Structural timber
for houses
including subfloor or
framing, except
piles.

H3.1

External use
with a three
paint finish
(protected from
direct wetting),
or high risk

External use, but not suitable for

exposure to weather without threecoat painting. Not suitable for stained
finishes. Internal high-risk framing
and flooring under enclosed decks.

LOSP (0.08%
tributyl tin
oxide or CuN)

Fascias,
weatherboard, coat
facings and other
painted trim
requiring a 15year durability.
Framing to
parapets, enclosed
balcony walls and
enclosed lowslope roofs.

H 3.2

External use

Suitable for exposure to weather, but

not in-ground contact. May not be
suitable for 50-years use where
continuous dampness occurs with
little or no drying

CCA
ACQ
CuAz
LOSP (CuN)

Decking and
outdoor
structures, rafters
or joists exposed
to the weather,
stained
weatherboards
and trim, fence
rails

H4

In contact with
ground or

Not suitable for critical major

structural components

CCA
ACQ

Fence posts,
decks, horizontal

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

TERMS USED IN TIMBER CONSTRUCTION

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

Drawing Examples

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STRUCTURAL DRAWING - TIMBER NOTES

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