BS EN 14081-2:2018

What is BS EN 14081-2 – Machine grading of timber about?  

BS EN 14081-2 is the second part of the EN 14081 multi-series that discusses timber structures. 

BS EN 14081-2 specifies requirements, additional to those of EN 14081-1, for type testing of machine graded structural timber with rectangular cross-sections shaped by sawing, planning or other methods, and having deviations from the target sizes corresponding to EN 336. This includes requirements for strength grading machines. 

Who is BS EN 14081-2 – Machine grading of timber for? 

BS EN 14081-2 on additional requirements for type testing in machine grading is useful for: 

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

Why should you use BS EN 14081-2 – Machine grading of timber?  

Machine grading has two basic systems: 

• Output control 
• Machine control 

Both systems require a visual override inspection to cater for performance reducing characteristics that are not automatically sensed by the machine. 

BS EN 14081-2 provides you with a new approach, applicable to both machine control and output control systems, which permits fine adjustment of settings on a grading machine based on continuous monitoring of Indicating Property (IP) data during grading. BS EN 14081-2 also provides you with appropriate statistical procedures to determine the acceptability of machines and to derive the settings for grading. 

Overall, the guidelines of BS EN 14081-2 enable you to accurately machine grade the strength of timber without damaging the samples, except in the case of destructive testing.  

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 14081-2:2018 will supersede EN 14081-2:2010+A1:2012.  Compared to EN 14081-2:2010+A1:2012, the following main modifications have been made in BS EN 14081-2:2018: 

• New definitions added in Clause 3 
• New requirements for sampling, settings areas and minimum cross-section area 
• Introduction of standardized areas 
• Method for deriving settings is no longer normative, since several methods may be used; as an example of a method is given in Annex B 
• New method for verification of settings 
• Cost matrix requirements are changed, to better allow settings that aim for reduced reject rather than yield in the highest grade 
• New method for output control systems