The 2001 edition outlines the standards for preservative-treated and seasoned sawn timber sourced from rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis). It defines criteria such as grading, allowable defects, moisture content, chemical treatment levels, and dimensional tolerances, ensuring the timber's suitability for furniture, doors, paneling, flooring, and household items. This code is vital for manufacturers, suppliers, and professionals aiming for quality and safety compliance in rubber wood products.
Overview
The 2001 edition outlines the standards for preservative-treated and seasoned sawn timber sourced from rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis). It defines criteria such as grading, allowable defects, moisture content, chemical treatment levels, and dimensional tolerances, ensuring the timber's suitability for furniture, doors, paneling, flooring, and household items. This code is vital for manufacturers, suppliers, and professionals aiming for quality and safety compliance in rubber wood products.
Audience
Contents
Structure
Overview of Scope (IS 14960)
Permitted size deviations for timber grades:
| Grade | Positive Tolerance | Negative Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| A | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| B | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| C | +3 mm | -1 mm |
Treatment as per IS 401 with retention and penetration requirements per IS 2753 (Part 1):
| Hazard Class | Exposure Condition | DSR (kg/m³) CCA/CCB | Boron | Cu/Zn Naphthenates | Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Indoor, protected, painted | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.5 / 0.6 | Throughout |
| H2 | Indoor, occasional wetting | 8.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Throughout |
| H3 | Outdoor, no ground contact | 12.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Throughout |
| H4 | Ground contact | 16.0 | - | - | Throughout |
flowchart TD
Grade[Timber Grade] --> Tolerance{Tolerance Limits}
Tolerance -->|+3 mm / -1 mm| Grades[A, B, C]
Grade --> Preservation[Preservative Treatment]
Preservation --> Hazard{Hazard Class}
Hazard -->|H1| H1Details[DSR=5.0, Full Penetration]
Hazard -->|H2| H2Details[DSR=8.0, Full Penetration]
Key References in IS 14960 (Annex A)
| Grade | Positive Deviation | Negative Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| A | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| B | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| C | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| Hazard Class | Exposure Type | DSR (kg/m³) CCA/CCB | Boron¹ | Cu/Zn Napthenates² | Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Indoor, protected, painted | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.5 / 0.6 | Full section |
| H2 | Indoor, occasional wetting | 8.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Full section |
| H3 | Outdoor, no soil contact | 12.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Full section |
| H4 | Soil contact | 16.0 | - | - | Full section |
¹ Boron retention applies selectively
² Copper/Zinc retention varies with chemical type
Key Terms and Definitions per IS 14960 (Clause 3.1)
| Grade | Positive Tolerance (mm) | Negative Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| A | +3 | -1 |
| B | +3 | -1 |
| C | +3 | -1 |
Treatment as per IS 401 with retention and penetration per IS 2753 (Part 1):
| Hazard Class | Exposure Condition | DSR (kg/m³) CCA/CCB | Boron | Cu/Zn Napthenates | Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Indoor, protected, painted | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.5 / 0.6 | Throughout |
| H2 | Indoor, intermittent wetting | 8.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Throughout |
| H3 | Exposed, no ground contact | 12.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Throughout |
| H4 | Ground contact | 16.0 | - | - | Throughout |
Preservation Guidelines in IS 14960 (Clauses 4.1 & 4.2)
Preservative Treatment: Timber must be treated following IS 401 using approved chemicals.
Dry Salt Retention (DSR) & Penetration: As specified in IS 2753 (Part 1), retention and penetration depend on exposure hazard class:
| Hazard Class | Exposure Condition | DSR (kg/m³) CCA/CCB | Boron¹ | Cu/Zn Naphthenates² | Penetration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Indoor, protected, painted | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0.5 / 0.6 | Through all |
| H2 | Indoor, intermittent wetting | 8.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Through all |
| H3 | Outdoor, no ground contact | 12.0 | - | 0.5 / 0.8 | Through all |
| H4 | In ground contact | 16.0 | - | - | Through all |
¹ Boron compounds
² Copper/Zinc-based preservatives
flowchart LR
Timber[Timber] --> Treatment[Preservative Treatment (IS 401)]
Treatment --> Testing[Measure DSR & Penetration (IS 2753)]
Testing --> HazardClass{Hazard Class}
HazardClass -->|H1| H1Details[DSR=5.0 kg/m³; Full Penetration]
HazardClass -->|H2| H2Details[DSR=8.0 kg/m³; Full Penetration]
HazardClass -->|H3| H3Details[DSR=12.0 kg/m³; Full Penetration]
HazardClass -->|H4| H4Details[DSR=16.0 kg/m³; Full Penetration]
Summary of Dimensions and Tolerances (IS 14960)
| Grade | Positive Deviation (mm) | Negative Deviation (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| A | +3 | -1 |
| B | +3 | -1 |
| C | +3 | -1 |
| Grade | + Tolerance (mm) | - Tolerance (mm) |
|-------|------------------|------------------|
| A | +3 | -1 |
| B | +3 | -1 |
| C | +3 | -1 |
This ensures adherence to dimensional accuracy and product quality.
Permissible Defects under IS 14960
| Grade | Positive Tolerance | Negative Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| A | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| B | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| C | +3 mm | -1 mm |
flowchart TD
Timber --> GradeCheck{Grade A, B, or C}
GradeCheck --> SizeCheck[Verify Size Tolerance]
SizeCheck -->|Within +3/-1 mm| Accept[Accept]
SizeCheck -->|Outside Tolerance| Reject[Reject or Reprocess]
GradeCheck --> DefectCheck[Check Permitted Defects]
DefectCheck -->|Within Limits| Accept
DefectCheck -->|Exceeds Limits| Reject
This framework guarantees timber quality meets required durability and strength.
Marking and Certification Essentials (IS 14960)
| Grade | Positive Tolerance | Negative Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| A | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| B | +3 mm | -1 mm |
| C | +3 mm | -1 mm |
flowchart TD
Bundle[Product Bundle] --> MarkingCheck{Is Marked?}
MarkingCheck -->|Yes| BISMark[BIS Standard Mark]
BISMark --> SizeToleranceCheck[Check Size Tolerances]
SizeToleranceCheck --> GradeEval{Grade A/B/C}
GradeEval --> Tolerance[+3 mm / -1 mm]
GradeEval --> WidthTolerance[Negative width ≤ 10%]
SizeToleranceCheck --> DefectCheck[Assess Permissible Defects]
DefectCheck --> Measurement[Measured per IS 3364 Part 2]
Measurement --> Rounding[Rounding as per IS 2:1960]
This guarantees product quality, traceability, and adherence to IS 14960.
IS 14960 references multiple Indian Standards essential for design and construction. Annex A contains the complete list; key ones include:
| IS Code | Title | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| IS 456 | Plain and Reinforced Concrete | Concrete design |
| IS 875 | Loads on Structures (Parts 1-5) | Load specifications |
| IS 800 | Steel Construction | Steel design |
| IS 1904 | Foundation Engineering | Foundation design |
| IS 13920 | Ductile Detailing for RC | Seismic detailing |
Refer to Annex A of IS 14960 for the complete and updated list.
The committee responsible for establishing IS 14960 is detailed in Annex B, under the Timber and Timber Stores Sectional Committee, CED 9.
| Role | Affiliation / Capacity |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Shri Shyam Sunder (Personal Capacity) |
| Member | Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industries |
| Member | Bamboo Society of India |
| Member | Bihar State Forest Development Corporation |
| Member | Central Building Research Institute |
| Member | Directorate General of Civil Aviation |
| Member | Directorate of Naval Architecture |
| Member | Directorate General of Supplies and Disposal |
| Member | Directorate General of Ordnance Factories |
| Member | Various State Forest Departments |
| Member | Indian Plywood Industries Research Institute |
For detailed member information and roles, consult Annex B of IS 14960.
Frequently Asked
While IS 14960 does not explicitly prescribe specific preservative chemicals or their exact retention levels for rubber wood, standard industry practice and related Indian Standards provide guidance. Common preservatives include Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA), borates like Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate, Copper Azole, and occasionally Pentachlorophenol (PCP), though PCP is less favored due to toxicity concerns. Typical retention levels depend on the intended use and exposure conditions: CCA ranges from 6.0 to 8.0 kg/m³ for heavy outdoor use; borates at 1.0 to 2.0 kg/m³ for indoor applications such as furniture and toys; and Copper Azole at 4.0 to 6.0 kg/m³ for moderate exposure. Treatments are generally applied by pressure impregnation to ensure durability. For precise procedures and retention levels, refer to IS 401 (Timber Preservation) and the IS 3070 series.
The moisture content of seasoned rubber wood timber is controlled according to IS 11215, which details the oven-dry method for moisture determination. Moisture content must stay within prescribed limits, often referenced from IS 287 depending on the timber's intended use and climatic conditions. The oven-dry test involves weighing a sample before and after drying at 103 ± 2°C until constant weight is achieved. Moisture content percentage is calculated as ((Wet Weight - Dry Weight) / Dry Weight) × 100. Seasoning processes conform to IS 1141, ensuring moisture levels and residual stresses are within acceptable bounds before timber use.
IS 14960 classifies sawn rubber wood into three grades: A, B, and C, based on dimensional tolerances and permissible defects. Grade A represents the highest quality with minimal defects, suitable for fine furniture and cabinetry. Grade B allows moderate defects such as small knots and minor cracks, appropriate for general joinery and doors. Grade C permits more defects and is used for less critical applications like flooring and paneling. Typical defects controlled include knots, splits, sapwood presence, and warping. Defect limits and grading criteria ensure the wood matches its intended purpose.
To comply with IS 14960:2001, timber must bear the BIS Standard Mark indicating conformity, requiring manufacturers to hold a valid BIS license. Marking should include the manufacturer's identification, timber grade (A, B, or C), moisture content certification as per IS 287, and details of preservative treatment. Timber must be seasoned according to IS 1141 and inspected for moisture and residual stresses. Certification ensures adherence to defect limits, moisture content, and preservation quality, providing traceability and assurance of standard compliance.
The standard specifies that all three grades of sawn rubber wood timber—Grades A, B, and C—must conform to dimensional tolerances of +3 mm and -1 mm in thickness and width. Negative width tolerance is allowed for up to 10% of the supply batch. Typically, Grade A demands the tightest tolerances suited for precision furniture making, Grade B allows moderate deviations for general furniture, and Grade C permits larger tolerances appropriate for rougher uses like flooring or paneling. Exact tolerances should be agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser as per Clause 5.1.
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