BS 144:Part2:1990

*
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British Standard

0 Wood preservation using

coal tar creosotes
Part 2. Methods for timber treatment

Préservation du bois par des produits à base de créosotes

Partie 2. Méthodes de traitement du bois

HoIzschut z mittels Steinkoh lenkreosot

Teil 2. Verfahren zur Holzschutzbehandlung

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British Standards Institution %- - -

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 BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

Foreword

This Part of BS 144 has been prepared under the direction

of the Wood Preservation Standards Policy Committee.
It forms Part 2 of a two Part revision of three British
Standards relating to wood preservation with coal tar
creosotes: BS 144 : 1973 'Specification for coal tar
creosote for the preservation of timber'; BS 913 : 1973
'Specification for wood preservation by means of pressure
creosoting' and BS 3051 : 1972 'Specification for coal tar
creosotes for wood preservation (other than creosotes to
BS 144)'. In BS 144 : 1973 and BS 3051 : 1972 the
specification for the product, methods of treatment and
t e s t methods were combined for a number of types of
product.
Part 1 and 2 of this revision of BS 144 supersede
BS 144 : 1973, BS 913 : 1973 and BS 3051 : 1972,
which are withdrawn.
This revision of BS 144 has been divided into two Parts:
(a) Part 1. Specification for preservative
(b) Part 2. Methods for timber treatment
The specifications for all types of product together with
relevant methods of test are given in Part 1 and the treat-
ment procedures for all types are given in this Part.
A new clause has been introduced covering procedural
details that need to be specified in addition to those given
in this Part and/or which require prior agreement between
the operator of the treatment process and the customer.
The schedule of net retention given in BS 913 : 1973 in
relation to specific end uses has not been retained in this
revisioh. For treatments in relation to specific end uses or
where a specified service life of the treated timber is
required, this Part should be read in conjunction with the
relevant commodity specification (see 2.1) in which such
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details will usually be given, e.g. BS 5589.

Caution. This Part of BS 144 calls for the use of proce-
dures that may be injurious to health if adequate
precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical
suitability and does not absolve the user from legal
obligations relating to health and safety a t any stage.
The creosote types specified in BS 144 : Part 1 require
Government approval under the Control of Pesticides
Regulations 1986 (SI 1510) before they can be sold,
supplied, stored, advertised or used in the UK.
NOTE 1. Attention is also drawn to the leaflet The safe use of
wood preservatives - A basic policy statement issued by the
British Wood Preserving Association.
NOTE 2. Further information on the use of coal tar creosote
may be found in BS 1282, BS 5268 : Part 5 and BS 5589.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself
confer immunity from legal obligations.

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 BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

Contents

Page
Foreword Inside front cover
Committees responsible Back cover

Methods
1 Scope 2
2 Definitions 2
3 Exchange of information 2
4 Condition and preparation of timber for
treatment 2
5 Processing by pressure impregnation with
creosote types 1 or 2 3
6 Processing by hot and cold open tank with
creosote types 1,2 or 3 6
7 Processing by brushing, spraying and immersion
with creosote type 3 7

Appendices
A Methods for determination of moisture content
of timber before treatment 8
B Post-treatment operations on treated timber 8

Tables
1 Correction factors for change of immersion
time with change in temperature 7
2 Penetration depth of measuring electrodes 8

Figures
1 Diagram showing spacing of incisions 3
2 Diagrammatic comparisons of typical full-cell
and empty-cell treatment 4

O
_7
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 BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

Methods

1 Scope 3.2.2 Timber to be treated. The following information

shall be stated if not specified in the relevant commodity
This Part of BS 144 describes procedures for the treatment specification :
of timber using coal tar creosotes specified in BS 144 : (a) the timber species (see 5.3 and 5.4);
Part 1. (b) whether the end use is for poles complying with
It does not specify details of treatment relating to specific BC 1990 : Part 1;
end uses for which reference to the relevant commodity (c) whether incising i s required (see 4.2).
specification (see 2.1) should be made.
In addition to the definitive procedures, this Part also 3.2.3 Method of treatment, The treatment parameters
includes details that need to be specified and/or which shall be identified by reference to the relevant commodity
require prior agreement between the treater and the specification or, if not specified by reference to the
customer (see clause 3). relevant commodity specification, the process to be used
NOTE. The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are shall be specified including the essential parameters
listed on the inside beck cover. associated with that process.

3.3 Items to be agreed between the treater and the

2 Definitions customer
If agreed between the treater and the customer the follow-
For the purposes of this Part of BS 144 the following ing items shall be stated.
definitions apply. (a) Conditions of timber for treatment: whether timber
2.1 commodity specification. Any document providing showing signs of attack by sapstain fungi or pinhole
details of preservative treatments required for a specific borers is an acceptable constituent of the charge
end use. (see 4.1.2).
NOTE, Examples of such documents are a British Standard (b) Reduced pressure for pressure sensitive material:
specification; a British Standard code of practice, e.g. BS 5589; whether a reduced pressure in the pressure period i s
a published specification or recommendation of a relevant trade required and if there are any consequential modifica-
association or public authority.
tions to the standard pressure period (see note to 5.4).
2.2 treater. The organization responsible for carrying out (c) Bouíton process: whether the Boulton process
the treatment process. (5.7.5) i s to be used prior to treatment by pressure
2.3 net retention. The quantity of creosote remaining in impregnation.
the timber charge after removal from the cylinder (d) inspection of treatment operation: whether the
(expressed in kg/m3 1. customer is to observe the treatment operation on site.
( e ) Creosote: the type of creosote (see BS 144 : Part 1)
to be used.
3 Exchangeof information (f) Retention: identification of the samples to be used
for the determination of the net retention (see 5.8).
3.1 General
(9) Post-treatment operations: whether any post-
In order to carry out a treatment in accordance with this treatment operations are to be undertaken prior to
standard it i s necessary for the treater to be provided with delivery of the timber. I f so, the further treatment
the following supplementary information which shall be described in appendix B shall be carried out.
fully documented:
NOTE, It is also recommended that the treatments described in
(a) essential information to be supplied to the treater appendix B should be applied by users of the timber following
by the customer (see 3.2); such operations on treated timber.
(b) items to be agreed between the treater and the
customer (see 3.3).
4 Conditionand preparation of timber for
3.2 Essential information to be supplied to the treater treatment
by the customer
4.1 Condition of timber before treatment
3.2.1 Commodity specifications. Any commodity specifi-
cation to which reference is required for information or 4.1.1 General. On visual inspection, using normal or
operating detail shall be clearly identified. corrected vision, the surface of the timber shall be free
NOTE, Some commodity specifications provide for a number of from mud, dirt, inner and outer bark, sawdust and shavings.
alternative treatments, e.g. BS 5589. It is then essential to identify It shall also be free from paint, polish or other surface
which treatment applies. finish.

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 BSI BS834bi: PART82 90 D L b 2 4 6 6 9 0393237 0 m
BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

4.1.2 Freedom from decay and insect attack. On visual I f incising is specified in the commodity specification,
inspection, using normal or corrected vision, the timber the incisions shall be made parallel to the general direction
shall be free from all signs of attack by wood-destroying of the grain. They shall penetrate to a depth of approxi-
fungi or insects unless it has been agreed (see item (a) mately 20 mm and be spaced 25 mm apart in rows extend-
of 3.3) that the timber showing signs of attack by sapstain ing across all four faces of the timber. The distance between
fungi and/or pinhole borers is acceptable. the rows shall be 60 mm and incisions in adjacent rows
shall not be in direct line but staggered a t intervals of
4.1.3 Moisture content. Unless otherwise specified in a
approximately 6 mm, ¡.e. incisions in every fourth row
relevant commodity specification or when using the
are in direct line (see figure 1).
Boulton process, the average moisture content of the
timber shall not exceed 28 % (m/m) on an oven dry basis.
The moisture content shall be determined in accordance
with one of the methods given in appendix A. 5 Processing by pressure impregnation
The Boulton process (see 5.7.5) may be used on green or with creosote types 1 or 2
unseasoned timber, and shall remove sufficient water
5.1 Treatment materials
from the timber to ensure a moisture content of 28 %
(m/m) or lower before continuing with a full-cell or The treatment material shall be coal tar creosote complying
empty-cell process. with either type 1 or type 2 as specified in BS 144 : Part I .
NOTE. I f timber is frozen the penetration o f preservative is
limited. Care should be taken not to treat timber in this condition. 5.2 General
Many different schedules for creosoting under pressure
4.1.4 Fabrication before treatment. All timber shall be
have been devised; each requires the timber to be contained
sawn or planed before treatment to achieve the finished
in a pressure-cylinderand uses hot creosote with varying
cross section a t the moisture content a t which the timber
combinations of temperature, pressure, and vacuum (see
is t o be used.
figure 2). Processes used are either of a full-cell or an
NOTE. As far as possible all cross-cutting, boring, drilling or other
fabrication should be carried out before treatment. empty-cell type; details of the most commonly used
process of each type are given in 5.7.2 and 5.7.3. A third
4.2 Incising process t h a t may also be used i s described in 5.7.4.
NOTE 1, Sawn timbers rated as resistantto preservative (e.g. Douglas
An associated pretreatment process that may be used to
Fir) of 75 mm thickness or more and which are intended for condition green or unseasoned timber prior t o pressure
exterior use may benefit from incising before treatment. impregnation is described in 5.7.5.
NOTE 2. For the definitions of resistant or extremely resistant
timbers, groups 3 and 4, refer to ERE Digest 296.
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Lth row of 1st row 2nd row 3rd row I t h row 1s: row of
preceding group of group of group of group of group following group

I
Incisions aligned
-8-
I Incision: at 25
I centres to extend
the full width of
o l l faces of the

+-
I

I
-e-
I
timber

Direction of length of timber

and general direction of grain
f c

All dimensions are in millimetres and are approximate.

Figure I.
Diagram showing spacing of incisions

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 BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

Full-cell (Bethel) process

a. Initial vacuum
14. b. Filling cylinder with creosote
whilst maintaining vacuum
c. Build up pressure
12 d. Pressure period
e. Release pressure
f. Emptying cylinder
10 g, Final vaccum
L
h. Release vacuum
d

@
z" 6
f!
a

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O
Vacuum
I I I I I
1 2 3 4 5
Time, h

Empty-cell (Rueping) Process

a. Preliminary air pressure
b. Filling cylinder with creosote
whilst maintaining pressure
c. to h. As for full-cell process

Empty-cell (Lowry) process

bb.'Filling cylinder with creosote
a t atmospheric pressure
n
û c. to h. As for full-cell process

Vacuum I I I I I 1
1 2 3 4 5
Time. h

Figure 2. Diagrammaticcomparisons of typical full-cell and empty-cell treatment

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 BSI BS*i(/44: P A R T S 2 70 W 2624667 UL72237 4
BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

Full-cell processes are normally used where high absorp- 5.6.3 Insoluble matter. Material in use in the treatment
tions of creosote are required or when impermeable species plant a t any time shall contain not more than 0.6 % (m/m)
are being treated. After treatment the timber cells in the of insoluble matter when tested in accordance with
treated zones will be more or less full of creosote which appendix J of BS 144 : Part 1 : 1990.
may give rise to the exudation of free creosote on the
surface of the treated timber when in service. 5.7 Treatment schedules
Empty-cell processes are normally used when permeable 5.7.1 General. Treat the timber with coal tar creosote of
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species are being treated and the high absorptions that either type 1 or type 2 using one of the appropriate proce-
would result from using a full-cell process are unnecessary. dures described in 5.7.2 t o 5.7.4 together with any
After treatment the timber cells in the treated zone should additional details specified in the relevant commodity
be almost empty of creosote: this will minimize the specification and as may be agreed in accordance with
exudation of creosote on the surface of the treated timber clause 3.
in service.
The Boulton process, the procedure for which i s described
NOTE. When using one of the empty-cell processes. the absorption
at the end of the pressure period that is required to attain full in 5.7.5, is essentially a conditioning process and is parti-
cularly applicable to the treatment of unseasoned timber.
0 sapwood penetration (see 5.9) in permeable species is likely to be
double the minimum net retention specified in the commodity
specification.
Immediately following a treatment by this process timber
can be further treated using one of the processes detailed
in 5.7.2 to 5.7.4. The Boulton process is a very severe
5.3 Stacking in the cylinder procedure and unless extreme caution i s exercised break-
N O T E 1 As far as practicable, only timbers of the same species and
a
down of the timber structure can occur. It shall only be
similar cross-sectionalareas should be creosoted in the same charge. used by prior agreement between the treater and the
Timbers for which different schedules are appropriate, due to either
size or species, should not be treated in the same charge, unless the customer. (See item (c) of 3.3.)
most intense schedule can be applied without detriment to the more 5.7.2 Full-cell (Bethel) process (see figure 2 ) . Enclose the
easily treated timbers.
timber in the pressure cylinder and apply an initial vacuum
The timber shall be stacked in the cylinder in such a way of a t least - 0.75 bar. Introduce hot creosote into the
that the creosote shall have free access to all surfaces of the cylinder and maintain the vacuum a t or below - 0.75 bar
timber. I f necessary, the timber shall be separated by sticks until the cylinder is full.
or laths.
When this has been achieved release the vacuum.
N O T E 2. This is particularly important when planed timber is to
be treated. Apply a pressure of sufficient magnitude (see 5.4) and
maintain it for a sufficient period (see 5.10) to ensure
5.4 Creosote pressure and temperature that the requirements within the relevant commodity
The creosote pressure shall be a gauge pressure not lower specification and those regarding penetration (see 5.9)
than 10 bar and not higher than 14 bar*. During the have been met.
pressure period the minimum temperature shall be 65 OC Release the pressure and empty the cylinder of creosote.
O and the maximum temperature shall be 100 OC.
NOTE. A high pressure, especially in combination with a high
Apply a vacuum of not less than - 0.75 bar so that the
timber i s substantially free from surplus creosote before
creosote temperature, may cause deformation of resistant timbers, removal from the cylinder.
notably some species of softwood and lightweight hardwoods.
When treating these timbers, it is better to employ a higher 5.7.3 Empty-cell (Rueping) process (see figure 2 ) . Enclose
creosote temperature with a lower creosote pressure. the timber in the pressure cylinder and subject it to an air
pressure greater than atmospheric but not exceeding a
5.5 Application and release of pressure or vacuum gauge pressure of 4 bar. Whilst maintaining the gauge
Air pressure, creosote pressure and vacua employed during pressure, introduce hot creosote into the cylinder until the
treatment shall be applied gradually. cylinder is full. Increase the pressure to a sufficient
magnitude (see 5.4) and maintain it a t this pressure for a
5.6 Materials in use sufficient period (see 5.10) to ensure that the requirements
within the relevant commodity specification and those
5.6.1 General. During the treatment process, the material regarding penetration (see 5.9) have been met.
in use in the treatment plant shall comply with BS 144 :
Part 1 for the type concerned (see 5.1 ) except that the Release the pressure and empty the cylinder of creosote.
water content and insoluble matter content may be Apply a final vacuum of not less than - 0.75 bar for a
allowed to increase in accordance with the modified sufficient period of time to ensure that the originally
applied air has expanded and forced out any free creosote
requirements set out in 5.6.2 and 5.6.3 respectively of
from the cells of the timber to reduce the creosote reten-
this Part of BS 144.
tion within any limit set for minimum retention in any
5.6.2 Water content. Material in use in the treatment commodity specification that applies.
plant a t any time shall have a water content not greater NOTE. With most permeable timber the net reténtion can be
than 3 % ( m / m )when tested in accordance with raised by lowering the initial air pressure.
appendix H of BS 144 : Part 1 : 1990.

'1 bar = l o 5 N/m2 = l o 5 Pa.

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 BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

5.7.4 Empty-cell(Lowry) process (see figure 2). Carry out 5.10 Pressure period
the procedure for the Rueping process (5.7.3) but maintain The pressure period shall be measured from the time the
the initial air pressure a t atmospheric pressure until the maximum working pressure specified (5.4) i s reached.
cylinder is full. Pressure shall be maintained long enough for the charge to
NOTE. The net retention by this process is likely t o be higher than comply with 5.9 and for it to achieve the gross absorption
that achieved by the Rueping process. a t the end of the pressure period to give a t least the
5.7.5 Boultonprocess (boiling under vacuum). Enclose the minimum average net retention specified in the appropriate
timber in the pressure cylinder and introduce sufficient hot commodity specification or any higher value specified by
creosote to immerse the timber ensuring that an air space the user (see 5.8).
is left. Apply a vacuum to the cylinder and maintain a The pressure period shall be continued either until the
sufficiently high temperature in the creosote so that the gross absorption, calculated to give the required penetra-
water in the timber will boil under the vacuum applied. tion and retention, has been achieved; or for a time
Condense the water vapour boiling off and measure it in a equivalent to the extended pressure period laid down in
suitable receiver. When sufficient water has been extracted the relevant commodity specification, whichever occurs
to achieve the required moisture content in the timber, first. The minimum pressure period a t 14 bar shall be not
stop the process by releasing the vacuum and empty the less than 30 min. At lower pressures (see 5.4) all time
cylinder of creosote. periods shall be extended in direct proportion to the lower
NOTE. This treatment can be followed immediately by pressure pressure value, such that the product of pressure and time
impregnation using any of the processes detailed in 5.7.2 to 5.7.4. is a constant of 420 (14 bar X 30 min).

5.8 Net retention

The net retention (2.3) is calculated from the difference in 6 Processing by hot and cold open tank
mass before and after treatment of representative samples with creosote types I,2 or 3
of known volume mutually agreed upon by the purchaser
and the treater (see item (f) of 3.3). It may, alternatively, 6.1 Treatment materials
be based on the volumetric measurements of the creosote The treatment material shall be coal tar creosote comply-
in the working tank before and after treatment and the ing with either type 1, or type 2, or type 3 as specified
total volume of timber in the charge. I f the temperature in BS 144 : Part 1.
of the creosote in the measuring tanks i s not the same when
each reading is taken, a correction shall be made, based on 6.2 General method
the assumption that creosote expands 1.4 % in volume for
Carry out the process in any convenient open tank o r
a rise of temperature of 15 O C .
drum suitable for the size and quantity of wood to be
NOTE, The net retention of creosote in kg/m3 is given in the
appropriate commodity specification. It is emphasized that the treated. It i s essential to provide some means of lifting the
figures given in a commodity specification refer to the average timber in and out of the plant and to ensure that the timber
retention for a charge and do not apply to the retentions of is completely submerged in the creosote during treatment.
individual pleces. Because of the wide variation that can exist in Immerse the timber in the creosote and then heat it by a
the permeability of different pieces of the same kind of wood it
suitable safe means to 90 ? 5 O C (see caution) causing air
is not normally practicable to specify minimum retentions of
individual pieces in a charge. to be lost from the timber by expansion. At the same time
the vapour pressure of the water within the wood increases,
5.9 Penetration expelling further air. Maintain this temperature for about
1 h or more according to the size of the timber and i t s
Full sapwood penetration is a primary requirement and is
permeability. Then allow the creosote and wood to cool.
independent of the net retention requirements given in the
On cooling, the remaining air in the timber contracts and
appropriate comtpodity specification. If, during the
process, it becomes evident from either the rate of absorp- the vapour pressure decreases, creating a partial vacuum
tion or the total absorption that full sapwood penetration which draws the creosote into the wood.
will not be achieved, then the pressure period (5.10) shall NOTE 1. Practically all of the absorption takes place during the
cooling period. For this reason the equivalent results are not
be extended to not less, in total, than the time given in obtained if the timber is merely immersed in the hot preservative
the appropriate commodity specification. for steeping.
Species which are both perishable and permeable, such as Caution. Direct fires should not be used for heating.
homegrown beech and birch, shall be treated as if they Smoking and other potential sources of ignition should
were all sapwood and fully penetrated in accordance with be avoided because the creosote will be heated above i t s
this clause. flash point.
NOTE 2 . Permeable species often absorb much more creosote than
is necessary. This excess creosote can be removed by reheating the
charge at 85 O C to 95 O C for about 1 h and removing the timber
whilst still hot. During this reheating, up to 50 % o f the original
retention is expelled.

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 BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990
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6.3 Variations 7.3 Immersion

6.3.1 It i s permissible to vary the open-tank method in a 7.3.1 Method. Submerge the timber in cold preservative
number of ways, e.g. cooling can be achieved more speedily for the periods required by the appropriate commodity
by transferring the timber to a tank of cold preservative or specification.
the timber can be preheated for 1 h or 2 h by any con- NOTE. The efficacy of this method largely depends on the species,
venient alternative means, such as hot air, then transferred sapwood content and the period of immersion. Quite deep
penetration may be obtained with some species of timber if left in
into cold creosote. the liquid for several days or even weeks. Resistant timbers however
6.3.2 A less efficient but convenient variation of the will merely show surface penetration.
open-tank method, often used to treat small numbers of 7.3.2 Adjustment of treatment tirne for change of viscosity
fence posts, is the butt-treatment process. The posts are with temperature. Viscosity i s an important factor controll-
stood upright in a drum with only their ends immersed in ing the rate of penetration of creosote during immersion
the creosote to cover that part of the post which will be in or other non-pressure methods of application. Since visco-
or near the ground and then heated and cooled as in the sity increases significantly as temperature falls, some adjust-
ordinarv. open-tank
. process. ment to the treatment time shall be made.
The correction factors in table 1 shall be applied t o the
times given in the appropriate commodity specification.
7 Processing by brushing, spraying and
immersionwith creosote type 3
7.1 Treatment materials Table 1. Correction factors for change of
immersion time with change in temperature
The treatment material shall be coal tar creosote comply-
ing with type 3 as specified in BS 144 : Part 1. Temperature Factors applied t o
of treatment immersion time
7.2 Brushing and spraying
NOTE 1. Brushing or using a coarse spray i s the easiest but generally O C
the least effective method of applying wood preservatives.
30 0.5
Apply the creosote liberally and allow the timber to 20 0.75
absorb as much as possible, particularly into the sapwood 15 1
and end grain. It is essential to cover the whole of the 10 1.5
surface thoroughly and to ensure that the creosote pene-
5 2
trates into all the splits and surface checks. Apply more
than one coating and allow the timber to dry between
O 3
applications.
NOTE 2. Brush and spray treatments of timber in situ, out-of-doors
are best carried out between late spring and early autumn after a
period of dry weather when the surface of the timber is dry and
warm. The timber is then in i t s most absorbent condition and the
higher temperatures prevailing aid penetration. It is advisable to
re-treat periodically.

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 BSI BS*144: P A R T * Z 90 1 6 2 4 6 6 7 017124Z 4 I

BS 144 : Part 2 : 1990

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Appendices

Appendix A. Methodsfor determination of A.2.2 Apparatus

moisture content of timber before A.2.2.1 Moisture meter, electrical resistance type, provide
treatment with insulated electrodes and calibrated for the species of
wood to be measured. It shall be capable of making an
A.1 Oven drying method individual measurement with an error of not more than
A.1 .I Sample selection 2 % (mim) for moisture contents between 7 % and 28 %
(mim).
Cut a sample consisting of a full cross section not less
than 300 mm from one end and 13 mm to 19 mm thick. A.2.3 Procedure
Alternatively, if it is not possible to cut the timber, If the total number of components in the charge is n,
take borings totalling not less than 8 g in mass, not less take moisture readings on a t least d / ( n / 2 )separate
than 230 mm from one end. Using a test borer consisting components. Measure the moisture content in the middle
of a hollow auger and extractor, bore from the sapwood of each face. Drive the electrodes into the wood to a deptk
face t o the centre of the section. For timbers having a appropriate to the type of wood as given in table 2, so thai
smallest dimension of 150 mm or over, take borings to a the line between the tips of the electrodes is in the
depth of 25 mm or the full depth of the sapwood if this direction of or perpendicular to the grain, in accordance
exceeds 25 mm. with the instructions for the type of meter used.
Put the sample into a stoppered weighing bottle or other Make a t least three measurements in each measuring area
airtight container immediately after extraction if it canna 10 mm to 15 mm apart to avoid any accidental error due
be weighed a t once. to electrodes penetrating an inner invisible defect in the
wood.
A.1.2 Apparatus Determine the moisture content by calculating the mean
Ordinary laboratory apparatus together with the following of the averages of the three measurements on each face.
are required.
A.1.2.1 Electrically heated drying oven, complying Table 2. Penetration depth of measuring electrodes
with BS 2648.
Type of timber Depth
A.1.3 Procedure
Weigh the sample as soon as possible after cutting or mm
extraction and place it in the oven (A.1.2.1) which has (a) Sapwood 25, or sapwood
been already adjusted t o a temperature of 103 k 2 'C. thickness if less
Remove the sample periodically, cool it in a desiccator than 25
and reweigh it.
(b) Heartwood of wood
Dry the sample t o constant mass such that the loss in
species other than those
mass for a drying interval of 6 h does not exceed 0.1 %.
listed in (c)
A.1.4 Calculation Posts 25
Calculate the moisture content, A, as a percentage of the Other components 12
dry mass from the following equation:
(c) Heartwood of sweet
100(ml - m2) chestnut, dahoma,
A =
ma danta, guarea, kapur,
where kempas, oak 5
m l is the mass of the sample (in 9);
m2 is the mass of the sample after drying (in 9).
Appendix B. Post-treatment operations on
treated timber
NOTE 1. Post-treatmentoperations may be undertaken by the
A.2 Moisture meter method treater by agreement (see item (9) of 3.3)or the user of the
treated timber.
A.2.1 Sampling
Liberally treat the exposed surfaces or bolt holes of timber
Take components to be measured from random positions that are cross-cut, notched or drilled for bolts after
in the charge. pressure impregnation treatment, by brushing, spraying
NOTE, The number of heartwood end sapwood feces to b e or dipping with hot creosote (greater than 65 OC) unless
sampled should reflect the reletive proportions of these types of otherwise specified in the relevant commodity
wood in the charge as a whole.
specjf ¡cat ion.
NOTE 2. It should be borne in mind that this post-treatment
will not replace the full preservative protection given by the
processes detailed in clauses 5 and 6.
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 BSI B S * i 1 4 4 : P A R T * 2 70 Lb24bb7 0373243 b =

Publications referred to
BS 144 Wood preservation using coal tar creosotes
Part 1 Specification for preservative
BS 1282* Guide to the choice, use and application of wood preservatives
BS 1990 Wood poles for overhead power and telecommunication lines
Part 1 Specification for softwood poles
BS 2648 Performance requirements for electrically-heated laboratory drying ovens
BS 5268* Structural use of timber
Part 5 Preservative treatments for constructional timber
BS 5589 Code of practice for preservation of timber
BRE Digest 296 Timbers: their natural durability and resistancet o preservative treatment, 1985t
The safe use of wood preservatives - A basic policy statement**

*Referred t o in the foreword only.

tAvailable from the Building Research Establishment, Bucknalls Lane, Garston, Watford, Herts WD2 7JR.
--`,`,``````,`,`,``,,``````,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
+Available from BWPA, 6 The Office Village, 4 Romford Road, Stratford, London E15 4EA.
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 BS 144 : Part 2 : I 990
This British Standard, having been prepared under the direction reproduced in any form without the prior permission in writing of
of the Wood PreservationStandards Policy Committee, BSI. This does not preclude t h e free use, in the course of
was published under the authority of the Board of BSI and comes implementing the standard, of necessary details such as symbols and
into effect on 30 April 1990 size, type or grade designations. Enquiries should be addressed t o
O British Standards Institution, 1990 the Publications Manager, BSI, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes
MK14 6LE. The number for telephone enquiries is 0998 220022
First published, as BS 144, August 1921 and for telex 825777.
First revision July 1936
Contract requirements. A British Standard does not purport to
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Second revision June 1954

Third revision March 1973 include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British
Fourth revision, as Parts 1 and 2, April 1990 Standards are responsible for their correct application.
~
~~~

ISBN O 580 17932 X

Revision of British Standards. British Standards are revised, when
The following BSI references relate t o the work on this standard:
necessary, by the issue either of amendments or of revised editions.
Committee reference WPC/lZ Draft for comment 87/53752 DC
It is important that users of British Standards should ascertain that
they are in possession of the latest amendments or editions.
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Committees responsible for this British Standard

The preparation of this British Standard was entrusted by the
Wood Preservation Standards Policy Committee (WPC/-)t o
Technical Committee WPCI12, upon which the following bodies
ware jeprecented:
British Tar Industry Association
British Telecommunications pic
Brltlsh Wood Preserving Association
Department of the Environment (Building Research
Establishment)
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Low Temperature Coal Distillers Association of Great Britain Ltd.
Timber T r d e Federation

[XI
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