HunterBond GLULAM
Many building designers shy away from design in glulam because they perceive it to be more difficult than steel or concrete. Nothing could be further from the truth. Once familiar with design requirements there is no problem. This has been simplified by the release of design tables giving definitive glulam beam sizes in an easy reference booklet. These free tables are available from the Structural Engineered Timber Manufacturers' Association. Hunters also have their own design tables available and can call on help from engineers who have experience in glulam design.

There are a number of features of glulam that make glulam superior to alternative structural members. These include:

• User friendly. Light weight and easy to cut and drill make glulam beams easy for any
  builder to erect. No special skills and only traditional carpentry tools are required, minimising the number of sub-contractors required on site.
  
• Flexibility in design. This enables the designer to use glulam in any manner.
  Glulam can be curved to virtually any radii without loss of strength. Gracious curves can be produced following the line of the designer's thoughts.
  
• Excellence of acoustics is a noted benefit. In many situations glulam has been used with success to improve or overcome acoustic problems.
  
• High strength to weight ratio means lighter members are required, enabling a reduction
  in size in other structural components, for example additional floors to a building are often constructed of glulam for this reason.
  
• Chemical resistance. Glulam works well in harsh environments, for example in
  corrosive chemical stores, fell-monger, acid plants, salt-water environments and swimming pools. It does not rust.
  
• Fire resistance. Glulam performs well in fires, charring the outer few millimetres of material
  but continuing its structural function long after steel trusses would have collapsed in the
  same situation.
  
• Simple fixings. Hunters have a patented connection system using steel dowels
  epoxied into the beams. This enables the connection of structural members with full moment resisting ability. The joint is suitable for portal knee connections, full member mid-span connections or base connections. The system is designed to enable on-site assembly to be quick, simple and foolproof.
  

Quality
To ensure and maintain quality standards Hunters have full in house control over all process involved to produce HunterBond product from the log to the finished product.

Beam Manufacture
Our manufacturing processes are audited by Bureau Veritas and New Zealand Timber Certification Board to ensure we comply with AS/NZ 1328, the Australia and New Zealand standard for manufacture of Glue Laminated Timber ( AS/NZS 1328.1, 1328.2).

Drying Process
There is a full documented process for date of drying, composition of kiln charge, record of dry-bulb and wet-bulb temperatures during drying. Moisture content at lamination time is critical and failure to adhere to rigid tolerances will compromise the finished product.

Finger-jointing Process
Records are maintained for adhesive mixing and tool sharpening. Finger-joint sample strength tests are performed and recorded each day of manufacture.

Lamination Process
Records are maintained for adhesive mixing adhesive spread test records, lamination sample strength test results from each day of manufacture. (It is normal practice to laminate material within 24 hours of machining.) We use two types of adhesives depending on application. For exterior use we use R15 which is Resorcinol Formaldehyde Resin [dark red/brown in colour].
For interior applications we use M7 which is a Melamine Urea Formaldehyde Resin [clear or colorless].

Treatment Process
Details of composition of timber charge and treatment chemical uptake for each charge. On site testing using dye penetration tests and regular samples are sent for laboratory analysis.

Treatment Guarantee
Hunters [1998] Ltd timber products which are treated with LOSP preservative to H3 hazard class in accordance with AS/NZS 1604 are guaranteed against fungal and termite attack for a minimum period of 20 years from date of installation.


Details of our L.O.S.P. treatment system.
Light Organic Solvent Preservative technology may be used to extend the service life of construction timbers by recreating nature's defence mechanisms against decay and insect attack. The products used for this process are clear, solvent based preservatives, in which white spirits acts as the carrier, ensuring rapid and effective penetration of the active ingredients into the sapwood.
Unlike water based systems this process does not swell timber. Therefore, high quality moulded products may be machined before treatment.

Advantages:

• Treatment performed on completion of all machining and profiling.
  
• No swelling of profiled timber.
  
• Treatment chemicals do not discolour the wood.
  
• No wastage of preservative solutions.
  
• No measurable increase in weight once dry.
  
• No waste disposal problems with sawdust or shavings.
  Waste disposal should be in accordance with local body authority regulations.
  Treated timber off-cuts should not be used for domestic heating, cooking fuel and are not recommended for mulching or animal bedding. If burnt resulting ash will not contain any residual toxic preservative materials.

Docking:
As with all treated timber, end sealing with two liberal coats
of sealer is recommended for all docked or cut ends.

Technical Information

• Preservatives:
  Fungicides: tributylin oxide [TBTO] or tributylin naphthenate [TBTN]
  Insecticides: permethrin [as used in household fly sprays]
  
• Solvent Carrier: Low aromatic white spirits or refined mineral turpentine.
  
• Colour: Preservative fluids are amber in colour and do not change the natural colour of the timber.
  
• Specific Gravity: 0.8 at 20 degrees Centigrade.
  
• Flammability: Once dry, L.O.S.P. treated timber is no more flammable than when untreated.
  
• Odour: Once dried there will be little or no odour.
  
• Non - Leaching: The preservatives are fixed into the timber.
  
• Weight Gain: There is little appreciable weight gain during treatment.
  

Compatibility with other products:

• Painting: Treated timber may be over painted with most quality oil based primers and top coated in accordance with the paint manufacturers instructions.
  
• Staining: Treated timber may be coated with most quality oil based stains, as per the manufacturers instructions.
  
• Gluing: Treated timbers can be glued with most adhesive systems, as per the manufacturers instructions. L.O.S.P. does not normally affect cured glue.
  
• Sealants & Putties: Seal with a quality primer and follow the manufacturers instructions.
  
• Resin Bleed: Resin bleed may occur occasionally, if excessively resinous heartwood is present.
  
• Metals: Treatment has no corrosive effect on metal fastenings
  Please Note:
  L.O.S.P. products are preservatives and not designed for decorative purposes, therefore, natural weathering of the timber will occur, unless protected by either paints or stains.
  

Products and Applications
Treated products are designed to meet the L.O.S.P. [H1, H2, and H3] timber treatment specifications for both New Zealand [MP3640] and Australia [AS1604].

Active preservative ingredients are as follows:
Fungicide TBTO or TBTN
Insecticide Permethrin

HAZARD CATEGORY PRODUCT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS APPLICATIONS
H1 [MP 3640] P Permethrin Framing timbers &
plywood, weather protected

H2 [AS 1604] T Permethrin Framing timbers &
plywood, weather protected

H3 [MP 3604] Clear TBTO
H3 [AS1604] N TBTN Permethrin
Exterior timbers, .
Weather boards, fascia, joinery, handrails, pergolas, trellis, decking, posts, fences, palings, plywood, cladding, mouldings, garden furniture.}

Health, Safety & Handling
L.O.S.P. treated timber should be stored undercover, in a well ventilated area. Where possible, packs should be opened a day or two before use to allow any residual solvent vapour from the inner boards to evaporate.

The above information and technologies supplied by Koppers Arch Wood Protection [NZ] Ltd.

Treatment Guarantee
Hunters [1998] Ltd timber products which are treated with LOSP preservative to H3 hazard class in accordance with AS/NZS 1604 are guaranteed against fungal and termite attack for a minimum period of 20 years from date of installation.

    ©2001-2002 Hunters Ltd