building systems |
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durability (preservation) 
The wood industry continues to face challenges in how developers,
builders and home owners view the long-term reliability of wood
products and construction systems. FPInnovations' Durability research
is designed to:
- document the durability of wood-based building materials and
systems;
- develop and recommend building design solutions and, where necessary,
wood treatment to ensure that wood-based building materials carry
an acceptable service life with minimum impact on the environment;
- develop new test methods and performance criteria for wood products
appropriate for the biodeterioration hazards anticipated in their
intended end use.
In support of this research, FPInnovations maintains most of Canada's
field test sites providing long-term durability data on Canadian
wood products. This unique information, directly available to FPInnovations
members, is used to maintain and update building codes and standards
around the world as well as to facilitate market access for Canadian
wood products.
Together with the Canadian Wood Council (CWC), Forintek also maintains
a Durability
Website providing information on wood science, wood solutions,
wood treatment including performance data, design recommendations.
It also offers bulletins on key topics related to durability of
wood products and building systems. Of special interest is also
our Cedars Working Group
which fosters synergetic research on the properties and products
of North American cedars.
In September 2001, FPInnovations
contributed to the establishment of an
Adjunct Professorship in Building Science, in the Faculty
of Applied Sciences, at UBC. This 3-year appointment is meant to
establish better building science expertise at UBC and better training
for tomorrow's architects and engineers, notably in the field of
wood durability. Funding is provided by a partnership between Polygon
Homes (a major BC builder), Forintek and UBC.
For our members, details are
available in the 2008-2009 Building Systems Program Summary and the description of current
Durability research projects. A list of relevant publications
is offered within our sections Newsletter
(Publications Update) and Technotes.
For our members we also offer
the procedure
for obtaining and shipping mold samples prompt quick diagnosis
of type and cause of discoloration or growth found on wood products.
The following fact sheets are also available: Borate-Treated
Wood for Construction , Moisture
and Durability, Combatting
Termites and Discoloration
on Wood Products.
For specific needs, we also offer contract
services in the field of durability for wood products and construction
systems, with strict confidentiality guidelines.
20/07/10
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