ATFA Publications
ATFA has published two publications, Timber Flooring Version 2 and Timber Flooring Problems – Causes and Remedial Measures.
If you would like to purchase either of these two publications please click here to download our order form.
Timber Floors Magazine
Timber Floors Magazine is the official industry publication for the Australian Timber Flooring Association. Timber Floors Magazine was launched in June 2007 and has grown quickly to become an important industry resource for flooring contractors, timber flooring industry manufacturers and distributors as well as a growing readership of architects and specifiers.
Click here for more information.
Oven Dry Testing
Oven dry testing provides the most accurate method of determining the moisture contents of timber flooring or timber subfloors. However, it is important that samples are correctly obtained and sent to atfa so as to minimise moisture loss.
Testing is carried out in accordance with AS 1080.1 Timber – Methods of test – Method 1: Moisture Content, and as such the procedures of the standard which includes transport of samples must be followed. Failure to do so can cause less meaningful results. Also note that oven dry testing is the only recognised method for testing particleboard and plywood subfloors. Oven dry testing is also necessary where either the timber species is not known or meter corrections are not available.
To obtain best results just follow the 5 steps below:
- Samples need to be representative of either a specific floor area of concern or in the case of a pack of flooring, the samples need to capture the variation present.
- From flooring packs or the jobsite, view the end of boards and choose some wider boards as well as some narrower boards. If some boards are cupped include these. If from packs select some outside boards as well as some from within the pack. Boards that are cupped or where cover widths vary by more than 1 mm (80mm wide boards) can be indicative of higher moisture content flooring at the time of installation.
- Provided the variation present can be captured, six samples each from different boards will provide a reasonable representation. If the flooring is all close to its nominal cover width (e.g. 80mm ± 0.5mm), then five samples from different boards including outside and inside boards from packs will suffice. Outside boards should be labeled as such. Do not use packing boards.
- Test samples are not to be from within 400mm of the end of a board and where possible should be 300mm in length.
- Samples are to be individually ‘plastic wrapped’ or put in separate sealed plastic bags. Samples should also be stored in cool conditions prior to dispatch to ATFA, 7 Coachwood Court, Mackenzie, QLD 4156 or in Western Australia please send to 42 Omalley st Osborne Park WA 6017 with a copy of your request form.
To request an oven dry test please click here to download our order form.
Timber Identification Lodgement Process
What We Do
Under the microscope analysis of wood cells to determine the botanical identification of a submitted species.
What’s Required
At least 75mm long piece (or pieces) of the timber flooring in question – up to 3 pieces for the standard fee test. The minimum thickness able to be examined is 3mm and width can be anything from 25mm wide upwards.
Fees
- For members a standard test fee of $150.00 applies.
- For non–members a standard test fee of $200.00 applies.
- Testing of more than 3 pieces will be charged based on $50.00 per additional piece.
Despatch Details
Samples should be sent to
ATFA Timber ID
c/- Planet Timbers
42 Omalley Street,
OSBORNE PARK, WA 6017.
Upon receipt of the samples you will be invoiced accordingly. Please supply your contact details including name, company (if applicable), phone, email, fax and postal details.