2002 IRISH SCIENTIST YEAR BOOK

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COFORD (NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR FOREST RESEARCH &DEVELOPMENT)
Woodspec – a guide to detailing, designing and specifying timber in Ireland

Timber is an extremely versatile and natural material, as illustrated by this holiday home in Cavan. All of the material used came from trees grown in Irish forests.


COFORD
COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, was established in 1993. COFORD’s activities are funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan, 2000–2006. In consultation with industry, state departments and agencies, and NGOs, COFORD develops research and development priorities for the timber supply chain and its associated sectors.

 The current programme, which runs from 2000 to 2006, will see an investment of € 15 million by the state in forest R&D. The research areas covered include:
  1. Environmental issues – carbon sequestration and biodiversity
  2. Renewable energy – wood as a local, carbon-neutral fuel source
  3. Silviculture – species selection, vegetation management, biological pest control
  4. Genetics and tree breeding – genetic improvement of planting stock
  5. Mechanisation – advanced harvesting technology
  6. Communications and information technology – greater use of Geographical Information Systems, Geographical Positioning System, and Information Technology.
  7. Product and Process Improvement – new wood products and streamlining of the supply chain with greater consumer focus. Full details of all of COFORD’s activities are available on our website – http://www.coford.ie .
Funding is available to companies under COFORD’s applied research programme. This programme is aimed at helping the wood products sector to develop new innovative products and services.

 Through COFORD’s technology transfer initiative, it became involved with the Woodspec project and developed the associated website and CD-ROM. It also administers a free technical advisory service on timber specification and use, based on Woodspec.
WOODSPEC
This major new guide on wood design and specification is the culmination of an initiative led by the Wood Marketing Federation. Funding and assistance was provided by the Forest Service of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, and the following companies and organisations:

• COFORD • Irish Timber Trade Association
• Coillte • Louisiana-Pacific Coillte Europe
• Enterprise Ireland • Masonite Ireland
• Irish Timber Council • Protim Abrasives Ltd
• Irish Timber Frame • Willamette Europe Ltd

Manufacturers’ Association
The guide is the result of four years’ work by an editorial team comprising architects, engineers, wood scientists, foresters, designers, builders and other specialists – including processors, wood treatment experts and academics. The main authors are Mr Ciarán O’Connor, award winning senior architect with the Office of Public Works and Mr Des O’Toole, an engineer with Coillte. Mr O’Connor was also the chief technical advisor to the Woodspec project team.

 The 350 page guide is issued in ring binder and CD-ROM formats. It is also hosted in a user-friendly format on our website at www.coford.ie/woodspec.

Screen Capture from the Woodspec homepage, showing user friendly dropdown listings in the left hand column, which enable rapid location of the required information.

Woodspec has five main sections:
  • Design Guidance
  • Detailed Drawings
  • Sample Timber Specification
  • Timber Building Specifications
  • Reference Material.

With the phenomenal growth in timber frame housing, this method of construction is covered in great detail in Woodspec.
Click here for an enlarged view

In addition to these, there is an introductory section which gives an overview of correct timber usage by setting out the ten timber principles:
  1. Respect the climate
  2. Specify the correct moisture content
  3. Ensure durability through preservation
  4. Ensure fitness for purpose
  5. Eliminate wet and dry rot
  6. Use graded timber
  7. Have no fear of fire
  8. Get your wall breathing
  9. Do conserve historic timberwork
  10. Be ecologically aware.
All specifiers of timber should consult Woodspec for further details on these essential principles.

 The Woodspec initiative is ongoing. The team is planning a series of regional workshops around Ireland. These will be held in September/October 2002 to promote and explain the guide in greater detail to target audiences. Invitations will be sent to architects, specifiers, local authorities, engineers and all other interested parties.

 In addition to these workshops, COFORD, as stated, has set up a free technical advisory service for anyone seeking further assistance with detailing, specifying or designing with timber. To avail of this service simply fill out the form on the Woodspec website and email it to [email protected] .
Contact: Mr Joe O’Carroll, Operations Manager, COFORD,
Tel: 01-716-7700; E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: http://www.coford.ie