BS EN 1309-3:2018

What is BS EN 1309‑3 – Grading of timber about?  

BS EN 1309‑3 is the third part of the EN 1309 multi-series that discusses round and sawn timber. 

BS EN 1309‑3 specifies the methodology for measurement of features – in relation to wood structure, biological agencies and other damage – taken into account in the visual grading: 

• For appearance – of sawn, processed and round timber 
• For serviceability – of sawn and processed timber (identified in EN 1611‑1 as the integrity of the timber) 

BS EN 1309‑3 applies to hardwood and softwood sawn timber, both square-edged and un-edged, to processed timber and to round timber.  

Note1: BS EN 1309‑3 is not applicable to structural timber for which strength grading in accordance with EN 14081‑1 is required. 

Note2: BS EN 1309‑3 does not apply to tropical timber. 

Who is BS EN 1309‑3 – Grading of timber for? 

BS EN 1309‑3 on the grading of round and sawn timber is useful for: 

• Timber graders 
• Timber suppliers 
• Builders/constructors 
• Carpenters 

Why should you use BS EN 1309‑3– Grading of timber?  

Timber grading helps the stakeholders of the industry to identify the quality of timber and derive its appropriate uses from it.  

BS EN 1309‑3 helps you to grade sawn and processed timbers by providing you methods to measure its features like resin pocket, reaction wood, grain, rate of growth etc. BS EN 1309‑3 also guides you on how to identify the biological degradation in timber through visual inspection. 

Overall, the guidance in BS EN 1309‑3 helps you to determine the quality of timber and based on that its value and applications for specific purposes.