Timber and carbon storage

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 it rots,…

Life cycle analysis of timber

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. There are…

Beware: Fraudulent engineering certificates

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 residential timber roof…

ITC-SA becomes a SAQA Professional Body

The Insitute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) has been awarded Professional Recognition by the Board of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This was after a comprehensive process of evaluation by the SAQA Board to confirm that the ITC-SA meets the set Policy and Recognition Criteria as part of the SAQA mandate, and which is, inter alia, to…