The Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) offers some important information regarding regulations and nail-plated timber roofs. When placing your truss order confirm that the truss fabricator holds the current year’s ITC-SA Certificate of Competence. This should be displayed in the office premises. Ensure that the timber is stamped with the designed structural grade…
Choosing timber in design and construction can help tackle climate change in several ways. One of the most important is wood’s capacity for carbon storage. Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, emit oxygen and store carbon. Carbon remains locked in the wood for the life of the piece of timber until…
There are many misconceptions surrounding timber construction in South Africa. In this article, we tackle 5 common myths associated with timber construction. A timber home is a fire hazard Some may find it surprising, but in the unlikely event of a fire, wood performs better than many other building materials. It chars and…
Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a method of measuring the environmental impacts of building products over their whole life. The aim of a life cycle analysis is to identify, quantify and assess the impact of the energy and materials used and waste released to the environment throughout the life of a building product.…
The Institute for Timber Construction-SA (ITC-SA) frequently receives complaints regarding failing roof structures. Normally, the resolution of a complaint is fairly easy where an ITC-SA Fabricator, Erector, Inspector or Accredited Engineer employed to oversee the project is a current member of the Institute. However, in recent cases in KwaZulu-Natal, the ITC-SA found that fraudulent engineering certificates were issued over some…
