Timber poles for thatching structures

摘要

Timber poles need to comply with the requirements of SANS 457-2 or SANS 457-3, as relevant. Laths and battens, which are also used in thatching, need to comply with the requirements of SANS 1288,1707-2 (eucalyptus), or SANS 1783-4 (pine), as relevant. All timber must be preservative treated in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10005. Poles uses for structural elements must have a diameter of at least 100mm measured at thin ends. The science of treating timber properly provides for the preservative to be deeply impregnated into the sapwood, thereby giving a deep envelope of treatment around the central heartwood. It is preferable that the treated timber is purchased in the size for intended use. If this is not the case and the timber need to be cut, the untreated heartwood of the timber must be exposed. To retain the integrity of the treatment, a generous amount of suitable preservative -such as Creosote or CCA - must be applied into the cut surface. The cut end of a pole or plank is not the end which will be planted into the ground. It is advisable to plant the uncut end into the ground. Anti-split plates should be placed on the cut end.