shooting for - timber trader news · a game of truss 29 gn guidelines feeling the heat? 32 ftma...

NO. 356 // MARCH 2016

PAGE 16

COLIN FITZPATRICK GIVES TABMA’S 2016 OUTLOOK

PAGE 32

TALKING THERMOGRAPHIC TESTING WITH MITEK

PAGE 29

CHRISTINE FLANAGAN ON FRAME & TRUSS

– Page 20

the stars atCrescent Timber

Shooting for

www.timbertradernews.com.au TIMBER TRADER NEWS / MARCH 2016 1

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Circulation: proprietors, managers and executives in all sectors of the timber and building materials industries including merchants, building material centres, hardware stores, timber window and door manufacturers, truss and frame manufacturers, timber flooring retailers, stair, balustrade and solid timber furniture manufacturers and their associated suppliers and industry associations throughout Australia.

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It’s only March and it’s already shaping up to be a busy year in the forest and wood

products industry. Firstly, let me introduce myself; my name

is Tim Johnston and I am the CEO of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI). VAFI is the peak body for the forest and wood products industry in Victoria, representing the entire lifecycle of forestry and wood products, including forest growers, harvest and haul businesses, wood and paper processors, and associated businesses across both the native forest and plantations sectors. We are proud to work in, with, and for this industry. We strongly believe that we are one industry; we are an integrated supply chain that employs up to 80,000 Victorians both directly and indirectly.

In addition to 2016 shaping up to be a very busy year, it will also most likely be a challenging year economically and a year that’s filled with change. As the industry moves ahead, we need to grow timber as a resource, grow its value, and grow the skills across the supply chain to ensure we have a strong, vibrant and sustainable industry. We need to ensure that our businesses remain sound and robust to continue to support the investments, commitments, employees and communities that rely on the industry.

We need to continue to develop and nurture industry leadership so that we can work effectively and productively with governments, communities and customers. We’re an industry that operates regionally, in major cities, and on a global scale. We’re a world-class industry, but too often we have felt the impact of poorly conceived public policy and unintended consequences. This year is the year to band together to ensure our future.

In late November 2015, the Victorian Government released the Terms of Reference for the Forest Industry Taskforce. The taskforce provides a forum and process for dialogue and leadership amongst major stakeholders in the forest, fibre and wood products industries, unions and forest conservation groups. VAFI is heavily involved in the taskforce process and takes its role of representing the forest and wood products industry very seriously. I can assure you VAFI is working tirelessly to ensure the best outcome for everyone. At this stage discussions are only just beginning, but updates will be made public as often as possible.

In closing, I would like to wish everyone in the industry success for the exciting and challenging year ahead.

with Tim Johnston, VAFI

Monthly updates from top industry identities

TALKIN’ TIMBER

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX – MARCH 2016AKD Softwoods Pty Ltd ................................... 6

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods Pty Ltd ...... 4

Bliss & Reels Pty Ltd ..................................... 28

Framequip Pty Ltd ........................................... 8

Hundegger Australasia..................................IFC

Hurford Wholesale .......................................... 9

Hyne Timber .................................................... 7

Kilkenny Lumber (Aust) Pty Ltd ..................... 17

McCormack Hardwood Sales .................... 3, 34

MiTek Australia Ltd .............................. 29, OBC

Multinail Australia Pty Ltd .............................. 31

Outdoor Timber Treatment ............................. 16

Pacific Wood .................................................. 17

Swan Le Messurier Pty Ltd ........................... 17

Timber Queensland ....................................... 18

Vekta Automation ........................................ IBC

Wright Forest Products Pty Ltd ..................... 11

“We’re a world-class industry, but too often we have felt the impact of poorly conceived public policy and unintended consequences. This year is the year to band together to ensure our future.”

TIM JOHNSTON

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THIS EDITION

10

29

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TimberTrader News talks to Joe Meznar of Meznar Furniture about the company’s products, preferred timbers and the technologies that make the business possible.

IN THE NEXT EDITION OF

To advertise in TimberTrader News, contact Francesca Lysiak via email [email protected] or phone 03 9248 5100.

CONTENTSRegularsTalkin’ Timber 1State of the industry 3

Association updateAssociation news 5Feedback from WADIC head office 10

News updateNews in brief 12

5 minutes withPalermo Joinery 14

Case studyT2 Blue treated timber framing: safe to handle, safe to use 15

Association Q&ATABMA’s 2016 outlook 16

Cover featureMan on the moon 20

Off the beaten trackTrueform Frame and Trusses 24

Watt about the workplacePublic holidays: what are the rules? 25

TimberFloor News

Get on board with Timber Flooring Week 26

Brice on boardsCaught in the net 27

AutoBuild News

A game of truss 29

GN guidelinesFeeling the heat? 32

FTMA newsletterWith Kersten Gentle 33

Truss talkWith Paul Davis 36

Sample size for Feb: 23

KEY FINDINGSPerformance against budget

• 74 per cent made or exceeded budget (18 per cent higher compared to January) – consisting of medium businesses (59 per cent) and small businesses (41 per cent).

• 26 per cent either missed budget or missed budget badly (18 per cent lower compared to January) – consisting of small businesses (83 per cent), and medium businesses (17 per cent).

Staff hires

• 35 per cent employed more staff (7 per cent increase compared to January). Of the companies who employed more staff, 88 per cent made or exceeded budget whilst 12 per cent just missed budget.

• 65 per cent reported no changes (2 per cent decrease compared to January). Of the companies that reported no changes, 67 per cent made or exceeded budget whilst 33 per cent just missed budget.

METROPOLITAN VS. REGIONALThe majority of survey respondents for January were located in Victoria (43 per

cent) and Queensland (27 per cent).

In Victoria, making or exceeding budget was more likely for businesses in regional areas (100 per cent); while in Queensland, making or exceeding budget was more likely for businesses in regional areas (100 per cent).

Profile of survey participants this month

The participants for February’s survey included frame and truss fabricators (43 per cent), followed by wholesalers/Suppliers (22 per cent) while the remainder (35 per cent) consisted of flooring retailers and consultants.

This survey is a guide only as to the ‘state of our industry’.

30% ExceededFEBRUARY: 43% Made 22% Just missed 5% Missed badly

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 2015 JAN 2016 FEBRUARY

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

State of the industry February 2016

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Results from the February survey show a slight increase in budget performance and no change in staff hires


ASSOCIATION NEWS

TMA Peter Alexander

In the January edition of TimberTrader News, Emma Watt set out the changes proposed for the TMA. I am very pleased to announce all the changes have gone through and we now have a new look TMA. Eric Seigers, through his company the market bytes, has successfully purchased the Timber Advisory Centre in Blackburn from the TMA. This will allow the centre to become a truly commercial operation promoting timber, which can only be great for our industry. I am sure you will be hearing more from Eric shortly.

Eric will be doing all the secretariat work for the TMA so, from the outside looking in, the operation will continue as it has always done.

I would firstly like to thank Richard Hill for his service to the TMA over many years; Richard has had to step back from the presidency for health reasons but will continue as a committee member. Ron Caddy has taken up the vice presidency and I have been given the honour of president.

Emma will still be doing all the industrial relations and representing all members at the Fair Work Commission, so please, if you have any problems with staff or if you just have a question, ring Emma on 0411 708 073. Emma will also be doing member visits to discuss the industrial relations landscape as well as promoting the employee training program and the TMA OHS service.

The committee will be doing advocacy work on behalf of members and the industry, as we have always done. Once again, if you have an issue, please call Emma or one of your board members, who are listed below.

We are very excited to promote our training scheme through Timber Training Creswick (TTC). We have board members

in common with TTC, and we firmly believe that its industry focused training is desperately needed in this industry. The great part is that employers get to choose elective modules for training, leading to a better, customised training experience for the workplace. It is a known fact that with training (no matter how basic) comes better employees, improved quality and increased productivity.

Legislation requires that occupational health and safety (OH&S) be one of those ‘top of mind’ topics for business owners and senior managers. If you are visited by a WorkSafe Inspector, you are potentially going to be asked to demonstrate that you have a systematic and enforced approach to safety. The best way to ensure that you comply is to have an OH&S management system in place and working, and have it audited regularly to ensure that it still works as designed. Please ask Emma about the TMA OH&S service, designed to keep your business on track!

Your TMA board members, who voluntarily provide their time and commitment to their industry association, are:President Mr Peter AlexanderVice President Mr Ron CaddyBoard Mrs Myriam Webster

Mr Clive Dossetor Mr Peter Bennett Mr Hugh Turner Mr Richard Hill

TABMA Colin Fitzpatrick

FITEC PTY LTDUnder the leadership of June Dunleavy, FITEC is rapidly moving forward with expansion outside Queensland into regional NSW and the Sydney basin. With great assistance from TABMA Group Training, the numbers of participants going through the FITEC training in NSW has increased exponentially, with further growth expected in other states during the first half of 2016.

VICTORIAThe placement of trainees and apprentices in Victoria is gathering momentum with a number of companies requesting our services as a result of the improvement in market conditions. Rhonda Moore, who has past experience with MEGT, will at this stage be handling our operations in Victoria and will also be conducting a membership drive to add to the 18 who have already joined.

TIMBER TALLYINGIt is pleasing to note an increase in the break bulk timber being exported to Australia from Canada and the US West Coast. Under the leadership of Kevin Kelly, this timber is unloaded at Port Kembla, moved to our yard where it is sorted, stacked and quarantine approved, before it’s delivered to the importers.

“The placement of trainees and apprentices in Victoria is gathering momentum with a number of companies requesting our services as a result of the improvement in market conditions.”

COLIN FITZPATRICK

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6 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / MARCH 2016 www.timbertradernews.com.au

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

STRATEGY MEETINGA TABMA Group strategy meeting was held in Sydney 3-4 February. Among the agenda items were: • Vision and mission• A SWOT analysis• Key strategies to move our businesses

forward• Priorities and key indicators of success• Action plans.

The meeting was attended by personnel from all divisions, and from the meeting a three-year plan was formulated that will be submitted to the TABMA Australia board of directors prior to June.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONSInterest by TABMA members nationwide in our recently released industrial relations advice line has exceeded expectations, with the line receiving many calls in the December-February period. As previously advised, the advice line is provided free of

charge up to and including 30 June 2016 for all TABMA members. The advice line number is 1300 564 309 and members must quote their TABMA membership number.

TTIA Brian Beecroft

WORKPLACE DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING DEVICESIn an exclusive arrangement, TTIA has teamed up with a major national supplier of drug and alcohol testing equipment to deliver significant savings off the standard cost of a range of lightweight, accurate and reliable testing devices that allow exceptionally fast drug and alcohol blood concentration results. This is a major initiative for TTIA members, which we anticipate will contribute to safer workplaces in the timber products industry.

“Interest by TABMA members nationwide in our recently released industrial relations advice line has exceeded expectations, with the line receiving many calls in the December–February period.”

COLIN FITZPATRICK

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ASSOCIATION UPDATE

The equipment includes smaller personal devices that can be used by company staff in cars as well as in the workplace, to larger wall-mounted devices for a production environment.

The equipment is Australian Standard certified AS3547 Type 11 and is currently used by 23 law enforcement organisations including the UK Police and the United Nations.

The alcohol breathalyser, AlcoQant 6020 plus, has become the leading handheld breathalyser in Australia, Europe and the UK. The system allows exceptionally fast testing and recovery.

Part of the breakthrough arrangement is that we have negotiated with the supplier to trade in TTIA members’ used and antiquated breathalyser devices when a new device is purchased, further reducing the cost. Basic training is offered online with each industrial breathalyser purchased.

Please contact the TTIA office on 02 9264 0011 for further information.

WHS & MANAGEMENT TRAINING SERVICES EXPANSIONIn 2016, the TTIA has expanded its range of workplace safety and management courses

at reduced member rates, both in-house and through a new partnership with a major national workplace health and safety training provider.

The range of courses now offered to TTIA members include First Aid, Fire Safety and Extinguisher training, Warden training, Operating Breathing Apparatus, Training & Assessment Certificate, Health and Safety Representative, Advanced Life Support, Work Safety at Heights and Frontline Management.

Members are invited to contact the TTIA office on 02 9264 0011 to further discuss your training requirements.

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Right: The TTIA has teamed up with a major national supplier of drug and alcohol testing equipment to deliver significant savings to the industry. © simez78 / Shutterstock

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ASSOCIATION UPDATEASSOCIATION UPDATE

windows and doors in residential buildings? There are reports of builders building their own timber window and door assemblies on site, which not only results in a product holding little finesse, but also raises issues of non-compliance.

GLASS: NON-COMPLIANT AND UNFIT FOR PURPOSE As of late there have been reports of imported safety glass failing. Toughened glass, which is heat soaked and reduces the likelihood of failure, is deemed as safety glass. I have been receiving an increasing amount of members registering their frustration with suppliers who require a 24-hour response regarding faulty glass; at times it is impossible to turn around a report within this time frame. Not only are some deliveries too large and complex to check within 24 hours, but in many instances, in order to check the panels adequately they need to be cleaned off (protective films removed).

Compounding this issue, faults are often not discernible in the factory light and only become apparent in the product after it has been installed. At which point the glass supplier admits the glass is unfit for purpose but only agrees to resupply the glass. This

means the manufacturer is left having to uninstall, re-manufacture, paint and pay for the reinstallation. Not great news when it is three floors up from an escarpment!

Yes, it does fall back on the window and door manufacturer to do his or her diligence, but the glass should not be leaving the glass supplier in the first place; the glass suppliers need to do their diligence as well. We all understand that time is money. Why should we have to pay our staff to clean numerous panels of glass only to find they need to go back to the supplier, with no compensation given for staff time. I have known some glass to be sent back multiple times in order to get it right. The glass standard AS1288 is far too lenient on what is deemed fit for purpose and what is not. Too many faults are allowed to exist in a pane of glass indiscernible at a certain distance in daylight. I will discuss with you another day the challenges of IGUs that greatly affect VIC, SA and TAS and some NSW country areas and that IGUs are not the only answer for sound attenuation.

BUSHFIRE PRODUCTS DEEMED TO SATISFY UNDER AS3959 It is quite challenging for manufacturing businesses that want to fabricate traditional

panel doors in a bushfire area. This is an issue that raises its head in particular for WADIC members in South Australia. I would like to point out that for the low Bushfire Attach Levels (BAL) of 12.5–19, AS3959 requires unprotected side-hung external doors (glazed or solid), manufactured out of the required material (e.g. timber 650 kg/m3 or greater), at the required minimum of 35 mm for the first 400 mm above the threshold. For a glazed door you only need to use 6 mm toughened glass in order to reduce the bottom rail to a more appropriate size. As for traditional panel doors used extensively in South Australia, a bottom rail of 400 mm is not appropriate, but if the panels were of a non-combustible material it would suffice just as a kick plate would. Veneers are not usually recommended for unprotected external doors but a paint finish will disguise the panels externally. You can use your normal plant on moulds and decorative beading. WADIC is investigating the ability to find a material where a veneer could be applied internally to allow for clear finish in that application but more on that later.

I will keep you posted in my next article as to the projects that WADIC is undertaking this calendar year and their progress.

I am sure it would not surprise many of you to know that the Australian Bureau of Statistics

report for the last quarter of 2015 shows an increase of 3.6 per cent in the indexed price of building and construction from the previous quarter. According to the report, “the rise was mainly driven by rises in the prices paid for timber, board and joinery (an increase of 4.0 per cent)”. Obviously, a main driver for this is the weak Australian dollar affecting imported timber and timber-based materials and the lack of a suitable and cost-effective local domestic resource. This does not bode well for the timber manufacturing industry and many of us in the industry know the constant battle when competing with aluminium, and to a lesser degree uPVC, just on the price differential. An increasing

amount of high-end residential projects are accommodating slimline aluminium assemblies in a chunky timber frame to soften the aesthetics of the aluminium.

I don’t believe that we, as an industry, are adequately promoting the benefits of timber for use on the kinds of prestigious jobs that should readily lend themselves to bespoke timber windows and doors. How many people realise, when stipulating aluminium for their job, that it requires regular washing with soap and water? This washing prolongs the painted finish but the gloss and colour will alter with the onset of chalking after a period of several years and, to add insult to injury, you cannot paint aluminium or change the colour. The current European and UK trend for windows and doors is towards

uPVC and timber with very little aluminium now used. Now is the time for manufacturers of well-designed timber windows and doors to talk to their architects and builders about entering the 2016 Timber Design Awards for any projects completed in the last 18 months.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics also reports that the manufacturing sector of ‘carpentry and joinery’ – described as covering the manufacture of timber doors and door systems, pre-fabricated wooden panels and timber cabinets – equates to 2,200 businesses with a total revenue of $3 billion and 12,800 employees. It is estimated that only 10 per cent of this number belong to a relevant association. Of those remaining, how many have tested to be compliant to the Standard AS2047 for

In this edition I am sharing a collection of industry observations, concerns, trends and helpful hints.

Feedback from WADIC Head Officeby Bronwyn Foord

Above: Pictures of the winning entry in the 2015 ATDA Timber Windows and Doors category.


WHAT’S NEW IN INDUSTRY?

NEWS UPDATENEWS UPDATE

Want the full story? Subscribe to the TimberTrader News fortnightly e-news at www.timbertradernews.com

HAVE A NEW PRODUCT ON THE MARKET? DON’T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!

If you are launching a product or your business has an industry announcement, send it through to [email protected] for the chance to be featured here.

XLam appoints new CEOAs Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) continues to grow in popularity, supplier XLam continues its growth too with the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer Gary Caulfield.

Robin Jack, XLam’s co-founder, director, and retiring CEO, joined

the XLam board’s worldwide hunt for his replacement.

Robin said they were focused on finding the right person with extensive experience in the prefabricated construction industry to join the team.

“Gary brings us a wealth of world class, innovative construction and exemplary leadership experience. He has successfully delivered major prefabricated construction projects in New Zealand and overseas, including involvement in finance, legal, design, and site management,” Robin said.

Robin’s strategic growth plans for XLam, and his personal plans, are now on track – and while he is stepping down he will retain a keen interest as a director on the XLam Board.

XLam’s Chairman, Martin Kriewaldt, has accepted Robin’s notice of retirement as CEO while welcoming his ongoing involvement as a shareholder and director on the board.

“Mr Jack is a successful entrepreneur with exceptional foresight,” Martin said.

“XLam started as a conversation involving Robin and his brother Ian over a coffee table in 2010.

“Robin Jack brought a wealth of experience to that coffee table as the long-standing managing director of New Zealand’s largest supplier of timber processing machinery,” Martin concluded.

A new start in NannupAfter a major fire in December 2014, Western Australia’s Nannup Timber Processing (NTP) has re-built and expanded by recently announcing the installation of six new drying kilns.

The new chambers include a residue burning heat source which has increased

efficiency for the mill by over 100 per cent. A state-of-the-art remote access control

system provides monitoring, which also aids in the efficiency of the re-opened dry processing mill. A new small log mill has been added to the existing sawmill to work with smaller logs and maximise this valuable resource.

Mr Vince Corlett, NTP General Manager, stated that “The decision to rebuild and expand operations, and even employ more staff, was an easy one as demand for Jarrah timber, and our engineered Jarrah (eJarrah) product range, continues to grow.”

Swedish scientists use wood to create biodegradable alternative to Styrofoam

We may soon be able to say goodbye to polystyrene, the petroleum-based

material that is used to make Styrofoam. In what looks like an ordinary bicycle helmet, Swedish designers have replaced Styrofoam with a new shock-absorbing material made with renewable and biodegradable wood-based material.

National Construction Code change: the industry respondsThe recently announced changes to the National Construction Code (NCC) will open Australia’s timber industry up to significant new sales opportunities, and the industry is buzzing.

The timber industry is expecting a greater demand for both lightweight and heavy

timber building systems as a result of the amendments to the NCC, effective May 2016.

Following the announcement early last week the industry’s peak bodies responded to the news with resounding support.

THE REACTIONThe Victorian Association of Forest Industries (VAFI)Tim Johnston, Chief Executive Officer of VAFI, said the acceptance of the mid-rise timber buildings amendment proposal will make it easier for timber to be used in mid-rise building construction (up to 25 m).

“These changes are extremely positive for both the construction and wood products industry, and is a result of many years of hard work.

“From this change we should see an increase in timber being chosen by the construction industry, and the opportunity for more innovative and diverse designs, in turn, providing a more competitive environment for consumers,” he said.

Forest and Wood Products Association (FWPA)Ric Sinclair, managing director of the FWPA, said the code change was the biggest market opportunity for timber in 30 years.

“The increased use of both lightweight and massive timber building systems is

poised to generate increased awareness and uptake of wood and wood products, with a halo effect that has the potential to extend beyond the buildings immediately involved,” Mr Sinclair said.

Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA)Ross Hampton, AFPA CEO, said “Using timber instead of conventional building materials can reduce construction costs by up to 25 per cent. Not only does manufacturing timber buildings create fewer carbon emissions than the alternatives – such as concrete and steel – but timber also stores carbon which drastically reduces the environmental impact of the built environment.

“The FWPA is to be congratulated for championing these changes for the NCC. The sustainability and renewability of timber products can now be utilised even more and create a real difference,” Mr Hampton concluded.

Frame 2016 eventKevin Ezard, conference director of Frame 2016, said “Timber and wood construction is a viable alternative to current systems due to faster construction pace, site safety improvements, less complexity on site and lower costs overall.”

Mr Ezard said that presentations at this year’s Frame event, to be held in May, will cover the NCC changes and the attached opportunities.

$9.4 million boost for innovation in wood products sectorThe Australian Government’s decision to allow for the matching of voluntary contributions to Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) could lead to an increase of $9.4 million investment in innovation for the industry.

The decision was announced in conjunction with the government’s

Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) and commits the government to co-investing up to $4.7 million over four years, matched by industry funds, for additional research, development and extension. This will create a total pool of $9.4 million in funds.

“This is a great announcement and ratifies one of the key recommendations of the

Productivity Commission into rural research and development corporations,” said Ric Sinclair, FWPA’s managing director.

“I would like to thank the Assistant Minister, Senator Ruston, and Minister for Agriculture and Water, The Hon. Barnaby Joyce, for taking this step and I am confident that it will be warmly welcomed across the forest and wood products sector,” Mr Sinclair added.

Heavy vehicle safety a step closerA nationally consistent approach to heavy vehicle safety has moved one step closer with the launch of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) revised National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual.

South Australia Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen Mullighan, said

the manual paved the way for a consistent national approach to heavy vehicle inspections and was a foundation towards improvement in safety across the heavy vehicle industry.

“The importance of this manual can’t be overstated – it will provide a single road-worthiness reference for both authorised officers as well as heavy vehicle operators.

“The manual is the first stage in developing a single national approach to heavy vehicle road-worthiness,” he said.

The manual applies to all vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) greater than 4.5 t and provides transparency about how heavy vehicles will be inspected nationally.

The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual can be downloaded from www.nhvr.gov.au/nhvim

Feast Watson launches timber design manual Australian wood-care brand, Feast Watson, has launched its inaugural timber design annual – the Feast Watson Timber Edit – declaring 2016-2017 as the time of “raw authenticity, modern nostalgia, and Scandinavian subtlety”.

In this edit, focusing solely on Australian design with timber, Feast Watson is shining the light on a trio of timber trends to watch out for in 2016-2017 including ‘Raw & True’, ‘Northern Lights’, and ‘Back to the Future’.

Stramit paves the way for building manufacturers Stramit Building Products is paving the way for manufacturers in the construction industry, creating a virtual 3D library of its products by engaging with Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology.

Whereas existing BIM software has relied predominantly on generic content, PlusSpec by RubySketch is a new 3D CAD design and estimating BIM software that easily facilitates manufacturer’s products to be used in virtual 3D environments.

ACIF welcomes Australian infrastructure planThe Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) today welcomed the release of Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) Australian Infrastructure Plan. The ACIF believes that the Australian Infrastructure Plan, when implemented, will result in more local employment in the construction industry, the development of skills and training (particularly for young people), and a long-term plan that will create more certainty for employers and the industry. More information by visiting www.acif.com.au

Timber Queensland appoints new Chief Executive OfficerPeak industry body Timber Queensland announced that its board of directors has appointed Mick Stephens as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – effective mid-March 2016.

Retiring CEO Rod McInnes welcomed the appointment of Mick Stephens as his successor saying his background will “absolutely complement the board’s vision for the future of the association”.

IN BRIEF

www.timbertradernews.com.au TIMBER TRADER NEWS / MARCH 2016 1514 TIMBER TRADER NEWS / MARCH 2016 www.timbertradernews.com.au

CASE STUDY

However, many builders remain unaware that despite its long-term protection

against termite attack, Hyne Timber T2 Blue is safe for humans and all mammal life forms.

Containing only non-hazardous ingredients, the termite protection in T2 Blue is also found in products used on children and pets such as head lice shampoos, flea collars and even some lines of clothing.

The blue colouring is only for identification purposes (it’s actually clothing dye) and is intended to fade quickly when directly exposed to UV light.

It’s not uncommon for excess dye to rub off the timber surface, so always follow basic hygiene guides and wash hands regularly.

As with all timber products, the use of gloves and protective eyewear is recommended.

Building suppliers such as North Shore Timbers in Sydney only stock treated timber

in response to customer demand for quality, termite resistant homes which are built to last.

Back in 2006, the manager of North Shore Timbers Warriewood, Andrew Burt, enjoyed a tour of both Hyne Timber’s glue laminating plant and Tuan Mill near Maryborough and shortly thereafter, commenced stocking treated timber for their customers.

Now, nine years later and only stocking treated timber, they haven’t looked back.

Andrew said “Our customers are quality builders who take pride in their work and want to ensure they are using the best materials, building their reputations and business.

“They use T2 Blue for their frames and trusses purely to provide termite resistance that is also guaranteed by Hyne Timber.

“Home owners and builders alike need to understand that no insurance company in the country will insure against termites.

“Prevention is the only cost-effective protection against termites so it’s understandable why quality builders will only use treated T2 Blue for their frame and trusses.”

Hyne Timber has been manufacturing timber framing in Australia for 133 years, so it’s safe to say they know a bit about supplying quality.

Hyne Timber T2 Blue is a renewable resource, manufactured in Australia using Australian plantation pine.

Further information about T2 Blue including the Material Safety Data Sheet is available on the Hyne Timber website at www.hyne.com.au

North Shore Timbers are located at Thornleigh, Chatswood, Warriewood, Waterloo, Gosford and Miranda. Details can be found at nst.net.au

Australian builders are increasingly using treated framing as their preferred structural material. For many home owners, the low cost peace-of-mind of a 25-year termite warranty is one of the easiest building decisions to make.

5 MINUTES WITH

5 minutes with...

I have been reading TimberTrader News since... I honestly can’t remember when I started! We have been getting the magazine for a long time. Definitely over 10 years or so. My company recently celebrated the business’s 50th anniversary, and I know I have been reading the magazine for a big chunk of that time. What I like about TimberTrader News is that it is focused on the industry I’m in. It’s great to see Australia-wide content about my peers mixed with industry news – that’s the information that joiners, like myself, like to read. Generic building industry magazines don’t interest me very much.

Before I was in my current role I was... very young! I did work as a draughtsman while I was at university doing my engineering degree. Since then I have been in the family business for my entire working life. I did take a two-year break to recharge my batteries, but have been with Palermo Joinery for over 30 years.

My motivation to get out of bed every morning and go to work is... the clients, for sure, they are the priority. My employees also motivate me to go to work every day. The fact that our business is still around is a real credit to my father-in-law because he started the company in 1965. Today he is 83 and still getting to work most mornings before I do. If that can’t motivate me to go to work every day, nothing will. He is a smart man and someone I really admire, not only for his work ethic but for what he was able to achieve since arriving in Australia as an Italian immigrant in 1956.

My career highlight would have to be... the company getting to 50 years. Seriously, reaching that milestone this year was huge for us. In our company, we don’t believe our achievements can be attributed to just one

person. We work together as a business that’s more like a family. Like it or lump it, there is no ‘I’, it is always ‘we’ – so if you are working for Palermo Joinery then you’re part of our family. We make sure our employees know this from the start and we have some employees here that have been with us for over 30 years. We have even had employees work for us whose own fathers worked here before them!

I love working in the timber industry because... I have always loved building and construction, and even studied civil engineering at university. Timber and joinery is a big part of that industry, so I love it just as much. My father-in-law worked in Italy’s building industry as a young man, and when he came to Australia all he really knew was the building industry. This business suited him. Though the knowledge he possesses is broad, it just so happened that he had an opportunity to work

with windows when he arrived, and the rest is history. For me, when I met his daughter, I had no idea about joinery. I was initially doing my own thing but after a little while he asked me to join the business. I didn’t realise I would still be here after all this time!

My biggest inspiration has been... my father-in-law, which is probably pretty obvious by this stage. To think that he arrives at work before me most mornings and is 83 and still working full-time is pretty remarkable. For 50 years he has shown an amazing work ethic by being here Monday to Friday, and many Saturdays. He imparts a lot of knowledge on to us – if you can’t follow his work ethic you haven’t learnt much. He is an amazing man.

When I am not working you can find me...with my two favourite ‘f’ words: family and footy. I’m a mad Collingwood fan!

Lou Cavalera, Sales Manager, Palermo Joinery

T2 Blue treated timber framing: safe to handle, safe to use

Eddie Palermo holding up one of his first signs for Palermo Joinery, which celebrates its 50th year of operation in 2016.

Andrew Burt, Manager North Shore Timber Warriewood, and Don Martin of Hyne Timber


ASSOCIATION Q&A

THE BASICSTABMA was founded in 1940 as a member-based association that could help individuals get access to timber during World War II, when timber was more difficult to obtain. We are a member-based association with six divisions, including membership, Workforce & Career Development Pty Ltd (our GTO), FITEC Australia Pty Ltd (our RTO), Timber Tallying Pty Ltd, Building Trade Credit and TABMA Financial.

TABMA MEMBERSHIPFor a nominal fee, those in the timber industry can become a member of TABMA, and in return they receive a myriad of services and benefits which if used wisely would more than cover their membership fee.

TABMA WORKFORCE AND CAREER DEVELOPMENTWithin our workforce and career development division, we place trainees and apprentices with host employers. Trainees

and apprentices are employed by us and paid by us. In fact, we cover their long service leave, superannuation, holiday pay, and everything of that nature. We then host the trainee or apprentice out to an employer, who adds to their workforce without adding to their workforce, in that the trainee or apprentice is not actually an employee of the host organisation. If the employer is unhappy with the apprentice or trainee, they can contact us. We’ll take the trainee/apprentice out and replace them.

When I started with TABMA in 2008, we had 43 trainees and apprentices placed. Today we have almost 250. According to the latest figures from the Federal Department of Industry, apprentice and trainee placements are declining nationally. We’ve bucked that trend – we’re 30 per cent up. We’re now the largest employer in the timber industry of trainees and apprentices, and still growing. We now have trainees and apprentices placed in every state.

FITEC AUSTRALIAFITEC is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that is based in Brisbane. FITEC became part of the TABMA group in October 2014. The association has always wanted to be an RTO. Initially we looked at establishing our own RTO but decided that would not be cost-effective. This then led us to FITEC. We see FITEC as providing TABMA with enormous growth nationally over the next 3-5 years.

TIMBER TALLYINGTimber that is brought into Australia from the West Coast of the US and Canada is brought in break bulk, which means it is loose and not containerised. When that timber comes into Australia it arrives in Port Kembla in New South Wales. Timber Tally takes responsibility for it once it’s unloaded. We then take it to our yard in Port Kembla to sort and stack and receive quarantine approval for the timber. We then call up the importers of the timber who then come and collect it or have it delivered.

TimberTrader News speaks to TABMA CEO Colin Fitzpatrick about the benefits the association offers, and its plans for 2016 and beyond.

TABMA’s 2016 outlook

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“We’ve experienced exciting growth over the last four or five years and we want that to continue.”

COLIN FITZPATRICK

VICTORIA

(03) 9309 7999 (02) 9725 5466 (07) 3273 8555

NEW SOUTH WALES

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS

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Magna_Glulam_Logos_FP.indd 1 25/08/2015 12:01 pm


ASSOCIATION Q&A

BUILDING TRADE CREDIT TABMA’s Building Trade Credit division acts as a credit bureau for the building and construction industry. It is a division that is going very well and growing at a rapid rate. We’ve got well over a hundred members in Building Trade Credit. It is a great tool to help credit managers make more informed decisions about who they should extend credit to.

TABMA FINANCIALTABMA has an investment portfolio that is used to underpin the association financially, giving TABMA a very strong balance sheet.

UNIVERSAL ISSUESWith TABMA providing services across a wide range of businesses in the timber industry, the association deals with many varying challenges. One common issue posed by all areas of industry are those of industrial relations, so in November 2015 TABMA entered into an agreement with NSW Business Chamber to provide industrial relations advice to all members.

All areas of industry are also looking for workplace health and safety advice, so we’re bulking up that side of association as well, whereby we can conduct audits for our members and provide them with assistance on workplace health and safety.

WORKING TOGETHERTABMA has strong relationships with other timber associations including ForestWorks, AFPA, Timber Queensland, WADIC, FTMA, TMA and FWPA.

LOOKING AHEADOver the next year we will certainly grow our placements of trainees and apprentices, continue the expansion of FITEC, promote TABMA’s new Industrial Relations Advice Line, and develop awareness of work health and safety issues through TABMA‘s WH&S Advisory Service.

That’s our growth plan. In the next 2-3 years we want to see TABMA offices in every state of Australia. We’ve experienced exciting growth over the last four or five years and we want that to continue.

Right: TABMA’s trainee and apprenticeship division is an integral part of the association. © goodluz / Shutterstock

Published each month, every edition of TimberTrader News includes:

• Profiles on well-known individuals from Australia’s timber supply and merchant industries• Features that highlight business models within the timber industry across a national level• Articles each month from regular columnists with valued industry knowledge across areas such as human

resources, the timber flooring industry and the frame and truss industry consultants and engineers• The monthly ‘State of the Industry’ recap that showcases how the industry is performing on a national level• News regarding relevant product innovations and trends within the industry• Association news from valued industry bodies such as the Timber & Building Material Association of

Australia and the Timber Merchants Association of Victoria• Information about upcoming events that cover education and topical information for individuals and groups

within the timber industry.

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TimberTrader News is the industry’s top resource, including sector news, profiles on industry personalities and in-depth features.

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AUSTRALIA’S MOST RELEVANT AND WELL-LOVED TIMBER INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

PAGE 1

HARLEY DALE’S 2016 INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

PAGE 29

PETER KOZNO TALKS FLOORING INDUSTRY CHANGES

PAGE 10

NEWS IN BREIF: BUSINESS UPDATES, PRODUCTS & PEOPLE

NO. 354 // JANUARY 2016

A property built on a mere 20 m2 space is a case study in timber energy efficiency

– Page 16

footprintTimber’s tiny

NO. 343 // FEBRUARY 2015

OUR WEBSITE THIS EDITION PREMIER PARTNER

Print Post Approved PP328700/0003For Publishing Data turn to page 3.

Nestled in a pocket of Melbourne’s famous golfing sandbelt, the Waller boys, Ashley and Chris (pictured here with their father Tony) are continuing a legacy. The Waller’s have made timber and hardware supplies a family affair from their business Park Road Timber & Hardware for over fifty years.

TimberTrader News popped into Park Road T&H to chat with Tony, Ash and Chris Waller about all things business, family and what the future holds – turn to page 12 for a great read.

NO. 344 // MARCH 2015

timbertradernews.com.au

There aren’t many in Australia’s timber sector with a richer history than Peter Duncan. Business owner, father and husband, there is certainly years’ worth of stories that Peter could share – and luckily for the readers of TimberTrader News, Peter was happy to sit down and have a chat for this month’s cover feature. Read more on page 16.

27Brice on Boards

Installing timber floors – bit by bit

33GN Guidelines

On buying a linear saw

14Off the beaten track

Tonks Bros, Castlemaine, VIC

NO. 345 // APRIL 2015

38Truss Talk

The tyranny of choice

25TimberFloor News

‘A Big Breakfast’ indeed!

12Feature story

Harvesting timber from the depths of Tasmanian waters

It is often said that ‘home is where the heart is’ – it’s a saying that Reiny Loeliger from RAL Homes is familiar with, and doesn’t take lightly. He’s in the home making business, but not as you know it. We recently caught up with Reiny and his RAL Homes team, including his lovely wife Lorraine, when we travelled to the western Victorian town of Ararat.

NO. 346 // MAY 2015

29AutoBuild news

We pay tribute to industry identity Barry Warren

28TimberFloor news

What you need to know about slab edge dampness

16Industry events

All the glamour from the annual industry dinner in Canberra

The team at Thor’s Hammer take their work seriously. Pictured here with their boss, Thor Diesendorf (wielding his hammer at the top!), this business located in Australia’s capital Canberra are the experts when it comes to reviving the timbers of the past. TimberTrader News was lucky enough to visit the Old Brickworks site – pop on over to page 8 to read more.

NO. 347 // JUNE 2015

PAGE 11 INDUSTRY EVENTS

PAGE 30

AUTOBUILD NEWSPAGE 24

WATT ABOUT THE WORKPLACE

GOING

GRAINWITH THE

Why Matthew Torenius swapped corporate life for a natural calling

– Page 20

NO. 348 // JULY 2015

PAGE 23 EMMA WATT AND THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

PAGE 27

MITEK’S MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

PAGE 29

‘FRAMING’ THE INDUSTRY IN 2015

DID FRANK

GET IT RIGHT?GEHRY

Australian industry delivers its verdict on the UTS building

– Page 16

NO. 349 // AUGUST 2015

PAGE 13

5 STAR TIMBERS ON THEIR ROAD TO SUCCESS

PAGE 15

A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH GREG KING

PAGE 22

WHY HAVE AN ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT? EMMA WATT EXPLAINS

Women do things differently, we’re collaborative, and we approach things in a unique way.”

Meet Mary O’Meara Moynihan, the international timber community’s first female leader.Page 18

“

NO. 350 // SEPTEMBER 2015

PAGE 10 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WE CATCH UP WITH CHARLIE HENRY

PAGE 20

HOW HYNE BUILT 150 YEARS OF SUCCESS

PAGE 23

VALE BERT FAGG: WE PAY TRIBUTE

Bernard McKay reveals the future strategy for his state-wide timber operation.– Page 14

In Tasmania we truss

PAGE 14 INDUSTRY NEWS: MATHEWS TIMBER MOVES TO KNOXFIELD

PAGE 28

MARKETING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

PAGE 22

WE CHAT TO THE TEAM AT LUMARA TIMBER

NO. 351 // OCTOBER 2015

How timber waste is costing business owners like Andrew Cousins, and what can be done.

– Page 18

opportunity?Wasted

NO. 352 // NOVEMBER 2015

How a tight-knit team helped Kerry Renshaw take the reins of her father’s business.

– Page 20

Coming home

PAGE 11

INDUSTRY EVENTS: HAVE YOU BEEN SNAPPED?

PAGE 40

PAUL DAVIS TALKS YOGA AND ENGINEERING

PAGE 23

VALE: ADRIAN DE BRUIN

NO. 353 // DECEMBER 2015

PAGE 12

TABMA BRINGS THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER DOCKSIDE

PAGE 29

PORT ADELAIDE TIMBER TRUSS RAISES THE ROOF

PAGE 20

TRANSFORMING TIMBER YARD MANAGEMENT?

to storeFrom soil

AKD talks investing in innovation– Page 16

TTN_Subscription_A4.indd 1 19/01/2016 3:50 pm


Crescent Timber’s owner, Ron Gattone, has been a strong personality within the Australian timber merchant industry since the 1990s. With a lot of drive, a permanent smile, and the occasional metaphor, Ron has worked hard to create a positive work environment. TimberTrader News visited Ron and his wife Heather Gattone for this edition’s cover feature.

Man on the moon A TimberTrader News feature

FROM THE BRINK Ron Gattone is the driving force behind Crescent Timber and Hardware in Sydney’s inner-west.

Working from a site that sits remarkably close to the iconic city – with a stunning view to boot – the team at Crescent Timber have been serving customers for over 20 years, and show no sign of slowing down.

However, as Ron explains it, there is more to the Crescent Timber and Hardware site than meets the eye.

“This land has been used for various purposes over the years, and we‘ve traced it back to approximately 1954 where it was just a used building material yard, and it stayed that for a number of years,” Ron says.

From a building material yard, to a box manufacturing plant, to a storage facility – in 1972 the site eventually became a timber yard owned by Tom and Ollie Reinhold. Initially, the yard consisted merely of a very small office and basic hardware items.

Their main business was selling timber. Tom branched out and began to manufacture timber mouldings; skirtings and architraves; cornices, beams and much more.

“In the end Tom had lost a lot of passion for what he was doing, and by the late 1980s the business was pretty run down – so he was looking to sell it,” Ron recounts.

By 1991 Tom approached Ron’s brother Danny and brother-in-law Colin, who had already established a timber and hardware store in Sydney’s Alexandria.

Ron was a builder at the time, and had been for his entire working life. He had not considered another career path – that was until he was attending a family dinner in the early 1990s that changed everything.

“Colin and Danny approached me and said, ‘Ron – there is a timber yard for sale in Annandale and we’d like to buy it – as long as you join us as a business partner’. At the time I was shocked because I had never contemplated changing my profession, it never even entered my mind, but I said I‘d have to think about it.”

Ron decided to take the plunge and try something new. He remembers fondly the speed at which things progressed from there.

“The first time I arrived at the business I met the wife of Tom, Lynn Rinehold, who came in to open up.

“She showed me the computers at 7.30 am and by 9.00 am she was gone. That was it! It was up to me from there,” Ron remembers.

At that point in time the business was a bit neglected, and Ron had a challenge on his hands, but within six months the company was transformed.

COVER FEATURECOVER FEATURE

Right: Ron Gattone.

“This land has been used for various purposes over the years, and we‘ve traced it back to approximately 1954 where it was just a used building material yard, and it stayed that for a number of years.”

RON GATTONE


COVER FEATURECOVER FEATURE

With new racks built, the Crescent Timber and Hardware store as it looks today was open for business. And the rest, as they say, is history.

WHY CULTURE IS EVERYTHING When TimberTrader News visited Ron and his wife Heather at the Crescent Timber site, it became apparent that Ron and Heather have worked hard to maintain a positive work environment for their staff. The proof? Well – it’s in the numbers.

“One of our employees that came with the business retired only six months ago. We also have staff that started in Crescent Timber’s early days, and they are still here, and our hardware store manager, Sarath Vithanage, will reach his 25 years of service this year, so we are pretty happy with that!”

Ron and Heather have cultivated an impressive company culture at Crescent Timber.

“A company culture that nurtures staff doesn’t just happen – you’ve got to have some philosophies in place to allow that type of culture to grow. Once you have it, your customers will recognise it,” explains Ron.

At Crescent Timber the interactions staff have with their customers is crucial. “When

you get to that point when you have created a positive and ongoing relationship with customers, we have found that the promotion of our business basically takes care of itself,” Ron says.

While Ron and Heather have created a great relationship with their customers, no operation is immune from a few bumps along the way.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLESWhether somebody is launching a business from scratch, or acquiring one from someone else, challenges are inevitable in those first few years. Ron and Heather soon discovered this.

“I think that initial year was the most challenging. The business was run-down by that point, it had to be built-up all over again. It took a while to actually establish a good workforce, and then there’s procedures to write up and we also wanted to firmly establish our company philosophies early on,” Ron explains.

Over the years, the unique Crescent Timber location has caused some access complications for Ron and Heather’s customers.

“The only logistical deterrent we have had to deal with over the years is that our

customers have to compete for parking spaces out front,” Heather adds.

Ron says that this challenge was tackled head-on by implementing extra parking spaces in the timber yard – and by doing so – maintaining that customer convenience will always be a priority.

The move aligns with Ron’s overall attitude to running a business and creating a staff culture that is healthy and noticeable.

“What I have realised is that job satisfaction for a person is far more important than money or a promotion.

“If you are miserable at work it means that you are spending more than half of your time awake being miserable, and that doesn’t stop when you leave the work place.

“I don’t wish that anybody be miserable for half of their waking life!” Ron says.

A FUTURE UNKNOWN While Crescent Timber is currently an established business in its picturesque location – the future of the business’s premise is actually not as certain as many may think.

“The future of our business operating from this site looks a little bit grim, to be honest. I‘m estimating in the next five years or so, we may need to move on from here

due to complexities of the site ownership,” Ron says.

A common misconception about the unique Crescent Timber site is that it is, in fact, not owned by Ron and Heather.

“We’ve got a very strange site,” explains Ron. “We have a total of three landlords. They include the New South Wales State Rail Authority, Council of the City of Sydney, and the Roads and Maritime Services.

“The land has very peculiar zoning as a result of this varied ownership. It can only ever be used as open land, or if any structure goes on it, it must be a structure that compliments the maritime services surrounding us,” says Ron.

He is sure that the business has a bright future, but whether it will continue to operate from the crest of the Sydney waterfront is yet to be known. However, regardless of where Crescent Timber operates from, Ron and Heather have enough confidence in their team to adapt to any future changes.

“Even if I’m not here, my team do a wonderful job. As a business owner, leaving your business behind can make you fret! You cannot imagine what sort of feeling it is, but I’m lucky because I genuinely don‘t have to worry about it,” concludes Ron.

“Even if I’m not here, my team do a wonderful job. As a business owner, leaving your business behind can make you fret! You cannot imagine what sort of feeling it is, but I’m lucky because I genuinely don‘t have to worry about it.”

RON GATTONE

A B

C

A: Ron and his amazing Sydney harbour view.

B: Ron with his longest-serving employee (left), Sarath Vithanage, hardware store manager and Jesse Radcliffe, yards man, who recently completed a traineeship with TABMA.

C: Crescent Timber and Hardware.


OFF THE BEATEN TRACKProfiles from remote places


General Manager of Trueform Frame and Trusses Mark Twitchen says that the

business started out “from scratch”, opening as a family venture with the involvement of a couple of the family’s long-term friends.

Before Mark entered the world of frames and trusses, he worked as a light vehicle mechanic. Speaking on why he made the industry change, Mark said “My parents have always been in the frame and truss industry, but working for someone else. When they decided to start their own business, they asked if I’d like to help them out and join with them. That’s how it all started for me!”

Mark’s parents, William (or Bill as he is known to the industry) and Sadie Twitchen, founded the business in 1996, and are proudly celebrating 20 years of operating in 2016. After two decades, they have seen the industry adapt and evolve in significant ways.

“There have definitely been a number of changes with the automation side of things,” says Mark. “Computers are one of the biggest changes I’ve seen. Before our work became computerised, planning, cutting and everything to do with materials handling was more labour intensive compared to now. Now, you put the wood in one end and it comes out cut from the other.”

Trueform Frame and Trusses is a licensed MiTek fabricator, which provides the business with a great deal of automation. Mark says the MiTek programming has also improved over the last 20 years.

For Mark, he believes the two most vital pieces of equipment the company owns are its Hundegger and framing auto bench.

THE BUSINESS TODAYThese days, William and Sadie have retired and are no longer involved with the business, but Mark’s sister Janine has stepped in to do accounts, in keeping with the company’s family tradition.

The business has strong industry ties as a member of TTIA as well as TABMA. While it is still located in Mulgrave, about 50 km from Sydney, the business has supplied as far south as the Australian Capital Territory, and as far north as the mid-north coast.

Generally, the business usually supplies to clients a little closer to home than these far-flung reaches, with most distribution within 2-3 hours of Sydney or Mulgrave. However, when regular customers are doing work further afield, Marks says his team tends to deliver there.

“We only do this for regular customers,” he says. “If it was for one-off sort of customers, who want us to travel to Port Macquarie or somewhere that’s five or six hours away, we’d probably knock it back.”

In terms of a company motto, Mark says one that sticks with him is: “If it’s fair for our customers, it’s fair for us. And we like to do things right the first time.”

BUILDING BIG IN INDUSTRYSpeaking on the National Construction Code changes, and the rise of greater pre-fabrication, Mark believes the significant changes going on in the industry will impact on businesses such as his.

“I think the three-storey dwellings in timber construction will affect us. Our biggest concern is the design of those structures.

“In states other than New South Wales, certain bracing and design, aspects of frame and truss, and things like that are being done by the builder’s engineer. In NSW, it’s all left up to the frame and truss designer to do the engineering of bracing and wind loads. We really need some sort of national code,” he says.

LOOKING AHEADAt the moment the company is in a comfortable position, with the work keeping the team at capacity. Mark says the only way the team could take on more work would be through expanding the business.

“At this point in time, the business is fairly comfortable to manage. We’re not stressed to have to go and chase more business. We can do the numbers we want and still make a nice living, without having to grow any further.

“I was chatting to someone, and times have changed. People are looking for more lifestyle. It’s all about a lifestyle that you want to provide for yourself.”

Mark says there is probably more machinery the business could upgrade to but that in order to make things a little bit easier, his team is comfortable staying the size it’s grown to through 20 years of hard work and determination.

Trueform Frame and Trusses is a business that sprouted from the collective mind of the Twitchen family. Located in Mulgrave, New South Wales, Trueform started from humble beginnings with just six employees. Now, 20 years later, the business boasts a successful team of 30.

WATT ABOUT THE WORKPLACEwith Emma Watt

If an employee is absent the day before or after a public holiday, do they lose the public holiday?It is very common for people to believe that if an employee is absent on the working day either side of a public holiday, then the employee is not entitled to be paid for the public holiday.

This used to be a clause in the Timber and Allied Industries Award 1999, but it became unenforceable in 2006, and is not a feature of the current Timber Industry Award 2010.

If a full-time employee is absent on the working day either side of a public holiday, and they state that they were ill, then the employer’s policy on Personal/Carer’s Leave will apply. The policy can specify that employees must provide evidence to support an absence either side of a public holiday. The policy cannot specify that employees will lose pay for the public holiday if they don’t comply.

What if there’s a public holiday on a Saturday or a Sunday?Sometimes a public holiday will fall on a Saturday or a Sunday, for example Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Public holiday entitlements for full-time employees normally say that employees are only entitled to payment for the holiday, and the day off work, if it’s a day on which they would normally have worked part of their 38 hours for the week. So employees who work their 38 hours Monday to Friday would have no entitlement to be paid for Easter Saturday or Easter Sunday.

Employees who work on a public holiday, regardless of the day of the week, would be entitled to public holiday penalty rates, which are usually double time and a half, or 2.75 times the ordinary rate for casuals. However, drivers may be entitled to higher public holiday penalties, up to 3.25 times the ordinary rate depending on the holiday.

When is an employee paid for public holidays they wouldn’t have worked anyway?You might have full-time employees who agree to work their 38 ordinary hours other than Monday to Friday. For example, you might have someone who works full time, Sunday to Thursday, or who works 38 hours, but only over Tuesday to Friday. If those employees are covered by the Timber Industry Award 2010, then there are special provisions for these full-time employees working non-standard hours.

In that case, if a public holiday falls on a day the employee would not otherwise have been working, they are entitled to an extra day of paid leave, a day added to annual leave, or an extra day of pay.

Let’s say you have someone who works 38 hours, Tuesday to Friday, and Easter is approaching. In most states and territories, the public holidays are Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

The employee is entitled to a day off with pay at the ordinary rate for Good Friday, because that is a day the employee would otherwise have worked.

Additionally, the employee is entitled to three extra days of pay, or three days of paid leave, to compensate for Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. This is the case even taking into account they wouldn’t have worked those days anyway.

We usually work a short day on Friday, to make a 38 hour week – do we have to move the short day if Friday is a holiday?This applies where employees work eight hours Monday to Thursday, and six hours on Friday, making a 38 hour week.

If there is a holiday on a Friday, the six hour day does not have to be changed to the Thursday before.

Under the National Employment Standards, employees who are absent from work because of a public holiday are entitled to be paid at their base rate of pay for the ordinary hours they would otherwise have worked on the holiday. In this case, the employees would have worked six ordinary hours on the Friday, so they are entitled to payment for six hours for the holiday.

Can we agree with employees to change the public holiday to another day?Most awards, and the Timber Industry Award 2010 is no exception, allow an employer and employees to agree to substitute another day for a public holiday.

In fact, an employer can agree with a majority of employees in an enterprise, or a part of an enterprise, to substitute another day, and that will bind all affected employees.

An employer can also make this type of agreement with an individual employee, although in that case, the agreement would only affect that employee.

For example, an employer in Victoria might agree with a majority of employees to substitute the Monday before Melbourne Cup Day (which always falls on a Tuesday) for the Day Before AFL Grand Final Day. In that case, if a majority of employees agreed, the Day Before AFL Grand Final Day would be a normal work day, but there would be two paid days off at Melbourne Cup Day, resulting in a four day weekend at the start of November.

This article is general information only, and does not apply to sole traders and partnerships operating in Western Australia.

Public holidays: what are the rules?

Emma Watt is an industrial relations consultant with almost 20 years’ experience in the timber industry.Phone: 0411 708 073 | Email: [email protected]

“Computers are one of the biggest changes I’ve seen. Before our work became computerised, planning, cutting and everything to do with materials handling was more labour intensive compared to now. Now, you put the wood in one end and it comes out cut from the other.”

MARK TWITCHEN


VICTORIA NEW SOUTH WALES

TimberFloor News is proudly endorsed by:

R


TimberFloor BRICE ON BOARDSwith Ray and Sharon Brice

Caught in the netJuly 2016 will see the flooring industry host a Wednesday to Saturday event that includes seminars, demonstrations and much more.

According to the Australian Timber Flooring Association’s (ATFA) Peter King,

to-date exhibitions have failed to deliver for the timber flooring industry, and indeed he says are a concept many other industries are “walking away from”.

As a consequence, and to deliver a more high-impact, low cost alternative, the ATFA is organising Timber Flooring Week. The event is envisioned to consist of a number of small events organised by individual companies, all run over the same period of 20-23 July. Several slots in the program are already booked by companies (see the blank schedule below for suggested times), but the ATFA is still accepting two companies per slot to give members a choice of events.

The type of event a company puts on is of its own choosing and might be practical, hands-on demonstrations seminars; mini-expos of their products and latest releases; private trade sales. There are also opportunities for companies to host social events at the conclusion of each working day, from Wednesday to Friday. Companies will use their own premises for each event.

ATFA will promote the full program of events and participants can choose which events to attend depending upon their interests and business focus.

Key facts on the event include:• ATFA’s role is in planning of the overall

event, scheduling and coordination, branding and promotion.

• Participating companies will also promote the week to their stakeholders using a unique ‘Timber Flooring Week’ logo.

• ATFA will fill the schedule in reverse order (Friday and Saturday likely to be most popular), on a first in best positioned basis. ATFA will also consider the geographic spread of events to ensure the logistics are viable for participants travelling between companies.

• There is no fee or charge to be involved in Timber Flooring Week. The only outlay is whatever companies choose to spend on their own events.

• The week culminates in the national awards dinner on the evening of 23 July.

TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

While other retail sectors are struggling to protect their market share from

online sellers, the timber flooring industry had seemingly escaped relatively unscathed – up until now. In the last year we became aware of a number of timber businesses who have dispensed with the showroom, choosing instead to operate from a website. While this strategy has worked for sellers of everything from food stuffs to fashion, I foresee some challenging times ahead for the timber flooring industry and its customers.

Approximately 70 per cent of all flooring consumers undertake take some type of research into the products they are looking to purchase. In the past they have surfed the internet for inspiration, information and technical data before visiting a shop, but the tables are turning and consumers are visiting the shop to conduct their research before making their dollar conscious purchases online.

Point in case, an acquaintance in the retail sector provided a quote to supply and install a floating floor, then several months later the customer called the store for advice regarding some issues she was having with her flooring. On meeting the lady he realised he had quoted for the job and advised her to address her concerns to the point of purchase and or the contractor concerned. Somewhat shame-faced, she confessed that having done her research in his showroom she had purchased the product online because it was cheaper. However, now she couldn’t get in touch with the website or the contractor she employed for help. This retailer was lucky as our acquaintance replaced the floor for her, but it was an expensive lesson for her.

On the whole, flooring retailers to date have been slow to embrace internet sales. Those with websites use them primarily to

showcase their products and promote their associated ancillary services. Perhaps this is with good reason, as the wider retail community is discovering that an internet presence does not guarantee the sales or profit margins necessary to sustain both the physical and virtual retail framework. Indeed it would seem that the essence of an internet business lies in paring-back infrastructure while providing a wider range of products at a lower price. The logical conclusion being a restructuring of the lines of procurement, distribution and customer support; herein lies the true challenge to the timber flooring industry.

While retail outlets may seem to be the obvious victim in any pare back, by far the greatest loss to our industry would be the middlemen: wholesalers and on-sellers who provide hands-on education and support to retailers, contractors and consumers alike. The wholesalers provide the interface between production and the market place; they fulfil the role of product advocate through marketing, trade education events and problem solving/warranty issues.

The anecdotal evidence suggests that in the future, without the support of the middlemen, getting product and installation issues addressed is likely to be a difficult

and costly exercise. This raises questions around the enforcement of warranties and guarantees, despite the quality frameworks, such as chain of custody, manufacturing means, standards, codes of practise, best work practises that provide the basis for measuring and determining the integrity and suitability of a product for sale.

Product and installation issues are an inevitability, given timber’s natural characteristics and the intricacies and physical aspects of flooring installations – especially when weighed against consumer expectation. Most of the timber product being sold online is brought in from overseas where manufacturing standards are not always consistent with Australian standards, or have been purchased by the seller as a one-off. This is not a new practise – entrepreneurial individuals have been touting these wares for some time, however, the issue has been and continues to be a level of accountability regarding the servicing of the warranty.

Our own experiences tells us that online sellers enjoy a level of anonymity that makes it easy for them to sidestep their responsibilities to the customer, giving the term ‘buyer beware’ a whole new meaning. Consumer complaints and warranty claims

Get on board with Timber Flooring Week

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20TH 2016

THURSDAY, JULY 21ST 2016

FRIDAY, JULY 22ND 2016

SATURDAY, JULY 23RD 2016

SUNDAY, JULY 24TH 2016

Events

Industry arrives in Melbourne 10am:

8am: 8am: 8am:

Go to the football, go shopping, or have a leisurely Melbourne breakfast and head home!

10am: 10am: 10am:

1pm: 1pm: 1pm: 1pm:

3pm: 3pm: 3pm:4pm: Time out to relax and get ready for the dinner

Evenings e.g. sponsored dinners or cocktails

7pm: 7pm: 7pm: 7pm: ATFA Gala Awards Dinner

Below: The Schedule

“On the whole, flooring retailers to date have been slow to embrace internet sales. Those with websites use them primarily to showcase their products and promote their associated ancillary services.”“The event is

envisioned to consist of a number of small events organised by individual companies, all run over the same period of 20-23 July.”


AutoBuild


TIMBER FLOOR NEWS

Christine Flanagan is a stalwart of Australia’s frame and truss industry. After working overseas in occupational therapy, she returned home to focus on her family’s business – Calco Trusses and Timber. Here, Christine gives TimberTrader News her take on the industry, why she returned to her roots and what she hopes to achieve in her new role with the Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia.

VICTORIAN BORN AND BRED I’m originally from Geelong, Victoria. After a number of years working overseas, and in Brisbane and in Melbourne, I returned to Geelong nearly 12 years ago.

SAFETY FIRST I completed a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at LaTrobe University, Melbourne, after finishing school. My qualifications enabled me to work overseas for several years before settling back in Melbourne in the occupational health and safety (OH&S) field. I worked my way into a management position and discovered a passion for business. This led me to my own family’s business – Calco Trusses and

Timber. Over the years, I have played a number of roles at Calco. Now, I have settled into my current role as the business’s management co-ordinator.

ATTRACTION TO THE ROLE The original focus of my role as management co-ordinator was to bring our entire management group together to ensure decisions were finalised and actioned in an effective way.

I joined during a time when the focus was on improvement and growth within the business, and we didn’t want our overall progress stalled by the day-to-day running of the business. The role plays to my strengths and I still really enjoy it – which is lucky!

are an enduring feature in the timber flooring landscape, a problem likely to be exacerbated by the autonomy and remoteness internet sellers enjoy, and where governments globally are struggling to enforce national consumer law in a virtual economy.

One has to ask where this will leave us. Who will be responsible for the warranties?

Who will shoulder the burden for retailer, installer and consumer education? Who will provide post-sales and problem solving support? Who will legislate administer and enforce consumer rights?

While we take a minute to ponder ‘who’ we might ask ourselves: who will lay our timber floors in the future and ‘how’ will we contact them?

The ability of the internet to change the face of our industry may be daunting but it is inevitable. And while it may be challenging, we see new opportunities for flooring associations and the installers who have in the past relied on commercial projects, retail outlets, or even word of mouth to secure their work. Food for thought?

A game of truss

“I joined during a time when the focus was on improvement and growth within the business, and we didn’t want our overall progress stalled by the day-to-day running of the business.”

CHRISTINE FLANAGAN

Exclusively represented in Australia & New Zealandwww.randek.com

Ph: +61 (0)3 9850 [email protected]

Wall Frame Lines Closed Wall Panels Roof Truss Systems Modular Systems Floor Cassettes

Equipment for Prefabricated House Manufacturing.

Ray and Sharon Brice specialise in mediation training and project management. They have four decades experience in the flooring industry.Phone: 0407 591 697 | Email: [email protected]

Right: Sharon and Ray say online sellers enjoy a level of anonymity that makes it easy for them to sidestep their responsibilities to the customer, giving the term ‘buyer beware’ a whole new meaning. © beccarra / Shutterstock


THE BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED To get in there, have a go, and to try something new every day.

ON JOINING THE FTMA BOARD The Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA) plays an important role in developing and sharing information relevant to all frame and truss businesses in the timber industry. As a company, we here at Calco made the decision to join the FTMA to better understand the opportunities and challenges that face our industry’s future. Personally, I joined the board to be part of the discussions.

WHAT’S AHEAD I’m looking forward to seeing how the board operates, which will help me understand how I will be able to contribute in an effective way. I look forward to

bringing my experiences within the Australian frame and truss industry to the board, and being part of an effort to strengthen our industry-wide.

ON THE NCCThe recent amendment to the National Construction Code (NCC) that allows timber to be used in building constructions of up to eight storeys represents a great opportunity for our industry. The environmental and cost benefits of using timber for these types of constructions have been proven in several countries around the world. The change to the NCC will open up opportunities for more innovative and flexible building designs in the future.

This change has opened the door for those of us who manufacture traditional building systems, and it represents a whole new venture for engineered cross laminated timber (CLT) products. I also believe the government’s recently renewed focus on

AUTOBUILD NEWS AUTOBUILD NEWS

Christine Flanagan.

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Highly adaptable. You can use the machine to press either floor trusses or standard trusses!

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“The new Multinail Machinery Mini 6 we installed recently has significantly increased our production capacity by removing any small truss production from our main truss lines”

Geoff Baxter, BB Truss & Timber

grant support for innovation will provide an avenue for our industry to make the most of the new opportunities.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE The timber industry faces ongoing threats from alternative materials: composite materials, steel prefabrication and so on. How we market our product as an industry continues to hold relevance – especially in regards to sustainability. Keeping pace with compliance and the best practices for general business in terms of OH&S, human resources, lean manufacturing, technology, and marketing, will continue to challenge our industry. Staff training – specifically when it comes to estimating and detailing positions – is an obstacle that the frame and truss industry faces in particular.

POSITIVE CHANGEOver Calco’s 66-year history within the timber industry, we have continuously adapted to find a relevant position in the

market. We started making trusses 45 years ago and, since then, have witnessed a lot of change. From green hardwood and detailing by hand – through to the computer generated pine trusses that fly off the roller press today. The best part about the industry is watching the improvements and how they transform the industry. Machinery innovation, improvements in business management, and the way in which timber is now marketed. We look forward to being a part of the positive changes and opportunities that continue to come out from the industry.

HOPE IN NEW OPPORTUNITIES I hope that the industry, by embracing new opportunities across the board, will continuously improve and therefore go on to thrive. I hope our industry continues to positively promote the role that timber frames and trusses play within construction and protect profit margins for the long-term health of our businesses.

“The change to the NCC will open up opportunities for more innovative and flexible building designs in the future.”

CHRISTINE FLANAGAN


Visit mitek.com.au for all guidelines

ANOTHER MITEK ADVANTAGE – MARCH 2016

GN GUIDELINES NO.224

By David Schroder, Equipment Mechanical Engineer

Feeling the heat?

AUTOBUILD NEWS

Breakdowns in machinery are a fact of life, and when a machine breaks down the

pressure to get it back up and running can be immense and leave you feeling the heat.

We all know that maintenance is the best way to reduce the number of breakdowns on machinery. If a machine is well lubricated, and small problems are identified and fixed quickly, then the chances of a major breakdown are reduced. This type of maintenance can be easily implemented on the mechanical parts of the machine but what about the electronic parts of the machine? Can these parts be maintained?

The simple answer is yes! It’s called thermographic testing.

Thermographic testing, or thermography, is a test method that can be used to detect bad electrical connections, unbalanced loads, deteriorated insulation, or other potential problems in energised electrical components. These problems may lead to excess power use, intermittent faults, damage to motors and equipment, catastrophic equipment failure or even a fire.

Thermographic testing is based upon the sensing of heat emitted from the surface of an object in the form of infrared radiation. An infrared camera can be used to detect and convert the infrared radiation into either a temperature value or a thermal image, which can be used to assess the thermal condition of the object.

To be technical, energised electrical systems generate heat because of electrical resistance. The amount of heat generated is related to the amount of current flowing through the system and the resistance of the individual components and connections within the system. As components

deteriorate, their resistance increases, causing a localised increase in heat. Similarly, a bad electrical connection will have higher resistance than a good connection, along with a higher temperature profile. A thermographic test may be used to detect these temperature differences.

MiTek has made thermographic testing part of the regular maintenance schedule. On an annual basis a survey is conducted on all machines and electrical distribution boxes. This work is performed by a contractor who produces a report identifying any problem areas.

A recent survey identified the fault below. The first picture shows perfectly normal looking electrical components but under inspection by the thermal imaging camera, it’s a very different story. The second image highlighted a bad electrical connection which was heating up during operation.

While this doesn’t appear to be a big issue, it certainly might turn into one. Had this fault not been identified, this machine would likely have started to fault intermittently or breakdown altogether. Additionally, this simple fault may have caused mechanical damage. It may not be

apparent during repairs that this damage was caused by a faulty electrical connection and the machine may have gone back into service without the root cause of the problem being fixed.

Thermography can test electronic components for damage or deterioration, and can test wiring for loose connections or damage.

Thermography identifies: • Overloading or imbalance of electrical

circuits• Defective equipment such as contactors,

overloads, switches, electric motors, etc.The key benefits of testing are:

• Early detection of faults and breakdown prevention

• No service interruptions during inspection• Lower repair costs• Reduces risk of fires.

A thermographic survey is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive, and might save a lot of machine down time and expense. Get in touch with your local electrician and they should be to point you to a contractor who specialises in this work. It’s well worth the effort and, if your electrical components are running cool, you won’t be feeling the heat!

Image 1 Image 2

FTMA NEWSLETTERwith Kersten Gentle

It is a great feeling visiting members for one on one meetings, as I get to learn so much

about their business and the issues they feel are facing the industry and affecting their everyday business. On top of that, the member gets to ask questions pertinent to their business and for advice on particular issues they are facing.

Recently I had the pleasure of catching up with Steven Page of Binders Building Supplies in Renmark, which is located in South Australia approximately three hours from Adelaide and seven hours from Melbourne.

Binders Building Supplies is a supplier of timber trusses, insulation, gyprock, Hardies building products, doors, imported timbers, pine, building and hardware supplies and deals directly with tradies.

It was great seeing an owner of a business who loves his work and, like many fabricators, has long-term employees.

We all know that keeping good employees saves your business money as the costs incurred in turning over employees not only causes disruption to your production but costs your business. It has always surprised me how many companies in our industry have long-term employees.

When at the FTMA undertook Employee Recognition Awards, we were blown away by how many companies had employees who had been with them for 10 years plus, with an award presented to someone who had been with a company for 44 years, and another award presented to an employee in NSW that had been with the same company for 50 years.

This is outstanding and it demonstrates that it is not necessarily a good wage that keeps an employee happy. Training, recognition of skills, safe working environment and job security are plenty of other reasons why people stay in the same job for so long. If you are having a greater than average turnover of employees it might be worth looking at the reasons why, and perhaps looking at training, which FTMA Australia can assist with.

“We support you!”

GOLD SPONSORS

For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable

application form visit:

www.ftmaaustralia.com.au

For more information contact Kersten Gentle:

0418 226 242

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

“Training, recognition of skills, safe working environment and job security are plenty of other reasons why people stay in the same job for so long.”

KERSTEN GENTLE


We’ve all heard the argument of ‘why train someone as they will simply leave?’, but what if the alternative is to hold on to an employee who is not productive and not trained? The costs to your business will be greater than any training costs. Last month I outlined the great training programs available, so if you are interested in training your employees, please let me know by calling me on 0418 226 242 or emailing me at [email protected]

FAREWELL & THANK YOUFTMA Australia board member Peter Reilly has unfortunately tendered his resignation from our board as he retires from Dindas Australia. Peter has been on the board since 2008 and has been an outstanding board member, making great contributions to the board for the betterment of the Australian frame and truss industry.

Too often these days you see people working in a role because it’s a job and

pays the mortgage; however, Peter is a person passionate about the forest and wood products industry and he absolutely loved his job, his industry and most of all the people in the industry.

Peter will be missed on the board and on behalf of past and present board members and the FTMA Australia membership we wish him all the best for his retirement.

AUTOBUILD NEWS

For more information contact Kersten Gentle on 0418 226 242.

Left: Steve Page, managing director of Binders Building Supplies. Right: Peter Reilly, outgoing FTMA Australia board member.

Phil McCormack : 0438 255 118 Nick Arfaras : 0438 255 115 Glenn Lawrenson : 0438 255 116 Matt Leplaa : 0403 724 184

43-45 Overseas Drive, Noble Park Vic. 3174Phone: (03) 9701 2777 Fax: (03) 9701 2677

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“Peter will be missed on the board and on behalf of past and present board members and the FTMA Australia membership we wish him all the best for his retirement.”

KERSTEN GENTLE

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www.timbertradernews.com.au

» Connect with your friends in the industry via Facebook www.facebook.com/TimberTraderNews

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TTN_Website_FP.indd 1 24/09/2015 11:22 am

Paul Davis is an independent structural engineer managing his own consulting firm Project X Solutions Pty Ltd. The views in this column are Paul’s and do not reflect the opinions of TimberTrader News.Phone: 02 4576 1555 | Email: [email protected]


AUTOBUILD NEWS

TRUSS TALKwith Paul Davis

I love the TV program Air Crash Investigation. The combination of human, natural and

mechanical factors leads to all sorts of fascinating permutations that down a plane.

The problem with the program is that they spin out what would be a great half hour program to an hour. In order to squeeze a full hour out of a simple set of facts, they show a dramatic simulation and then more or less summarise what will happen. And then they tell you what they will tell you. Then they tell you again. Then after each ad-break they summarise what they just told you. And then they tell you again. And then at the very end they summarise all the summaries. And then they replay the dramatic crash sequence just because they can.

So, in that vein I introduce to you the first episode of Building Crash Investigation (BCI). Unfortunately writing doesn’t give the dramatically seriousness that the voice over on Air Crash Investigation does. You will have to supply that yourself:

Here on Building Collapse Investigation, we are going to come to understand how a simple problem of low roof pitch can lead to a ponding-induced building collapse. (I have told you what I am going to tell you.)

One of my several hats is that of a forensic structural engineer. The work can be intriguing. I get to see lots of buildings that go bad when others make mistakes. Learning from others’ mistakes is far more appealing than learning from your own.

Through this work, I have seen buildings go wrong for reasons as diverse as industrial explosions, insect infestation, design faults, vehicles driven into the sides of buildings and cyclones. Rarely though, perhaps just once a year, do I see a building structure that has totally collapsed without warning.

Last year I had the privilege to investigate the cause of collapse of a massive steel-framed industrial building that was over a hectare in size. From first failure to the other end of the building hitting the ground took about ten seconds. (If on the TV I would show you the security video.) The only reason that some parts of it stayed up was that the roof came down on the internal pallet racking!

Before the ad-break we learnt that building can go bad for lots of reasons. And quickly. (I have told you what I just told you.) What could be the cause of the collapse of such a large building, and what is its relevance to every day timber building structure?

There are several reasons why roofs are built with a low pitch. In the case of my large industrial building, it was simply to keep the overall ridge height of the very long span building down. At a more domestic scale, I have seen quite a number of these fairly simple skillion extensions or alfresco areas collapse. These roofs are often spanned off the fascia or wall. And so a low pitch is required to maintain head height under lower end of the roof slope.

Some ‘square’ roofing profiles, such as clip lock, allow roof pitches as low as one degree. At such a low slope, water will barely run off the roof even if the structure is constructed as theoretically envisaged by the roofing designers. But we all know that there is no such thing as perfect construction; walls are not flat, foundations are up and down and roofers get on the turps on a Friday. (Get the hint; I have reiterated that it’s about low roof pitch.)

Additionally, a rafter supporting one degree roof will, as part of its design, have a natural and accepted deflection. As it deflects at the centre the roof slope

steepens at the upper end and flattens out at its lower edge. My calculations show that a rafter initially laid at one degree slope that sags with its acceptable design deflection will have a resultant roof pitch at the eaves gutter of only 0.4 degrees! And that’s not enough to allow the water to run off in a heavy rain storm.

Returning from the ad-break to BCI, we have seen that at low roof pitches, small changes in the building can dramatically reduce the roof pitch so that water finds it hard to run off.

What happens next is scary: in heavy rain a little bit of water retained on the roof causes the rafter to deflect even more. The deflection reduces the slope further. This cycle repeats itself – ultimately a reverse slope may occur. More and more water collects on the roof until, under massive weight, the roof collapses. (Queue dramatic simulation.)

There are reasons other than beam deflection that will slow the flow water off the roof. Foundation movement, lifting the lower roof edge and hail blockages are just a few examples. In fact, it was a combination of low roof slope, overall building size, and hail blockage that did-in that large industrial building.

So, on this month’s episode of Building Collapse Investigation, we have learnt about the risk of low pitch roofs and ponding. If you are designing rafters or even trusses for very low pitches, I suggest you think the likelihood of ponding and act appropriately.

I can’t do it; no more. Despite my parody, I just can’t bring myself to tell you what I told you I just told you – which you learnt at the beginning anyway.

Stay tuned for next month’s episode. Guaranteed with no repetition!

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shooting for - timber trader news · a game of truss 29 gn guidelines feeling the heat? 32 ftma...

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