AS 4349.3-1998

1 - AS 4349.3-1998 INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS - TIMBER PEST INSPECTIONS
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - FOREWORD
7 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
7 - 1.1 SCOPE
7 - 1.2 APPLICATION
7 - 1.3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
7 - 1.4 DEFINITIONS
7 - 1.4.1 Access hole
7 - 1.4.2 Active
7 - 1.4.3 Client
8 - 1.4.4 Drywood termites
8 - 1.4.5 Excessive moisture conditions
8 - 1.4.6 Frass
8 - 1.4.7 Fungal decay (commonly but incorrectly called wet rot and dry rot)
8 - 1.4.8 Inactive
8 - 1.4.9 Lignin
8 - 1.4.10 Mould
8 - 1.4.11 Property
8 - 1.4.12 Reasonable access
8 - 1.4.13 Site
8 - 1.4.14 Structural damage
9 - 1.4.15 Subfloor
9 - 1.4.16 Timber pests
9 - 1.4.17 Timber pest inspector
9 - 1.5 INSURANCE
10 - SECTION 2 THE TIMBER PEST INSPECTION
10 - 2.1 TIMBER PEST INSPECTORS
10 - 2.2 ITEMS TO BE INSPECTED
11 - 2.3 EXCLUSIONS
11 - 2.4 SUSCEPTIBILITY TO INFESTATION BY TIMBER PESTS
11 - 2.5 INSPECTION FOR TIMBER PESTS
12 - 2.6 INACCESSIBLE AREAS
12 - 2.7 DETECTION OF TIMBER PESTS
12 - 2.7.1 Signs of timber pests
13 - 2.7.2 Tools to detect timber pests
14 - SECTION 3 THE TIMBER PEST INSPECTION REPORT
14 - 3.1 THE STANDARD TIMBER PEST INSPECTION REPORT
14 - 3.2 LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS
14 - 3.2.1 Limitations
15 - 3.2.2 Conditions
16 - APPENDIX A - TYPES OF TIMBER
16 - A1 SCOPE
16 - A2 CLASSIFICATION
16 - A2.1 General
16 - A2.2 Softwoods
16 - A2.3 Hardwoods
17 - A3 DETERMINATION OF TYPES OF TIMBER
18 - APPENDIX B - FUNGAL DECAY OF TIMBER
18 - B1 SCOPE
18 - B2 WOOD DECAY
18 - B2.1 General
19 - B3 TYPES OF FUNGI THAT DAMAGE TIMBER
24 - B4 TYPES OF DECAY IN AUSTRALIA
25 - B5 MOISTURE
25 - B5.1 Moisture content levels
26 - B5.2 Moisture content of timber
26 - B5.3 Moisture values for building timbers in Australia
26 - B6 APPEARANCE OF DECAY OF TIMBER
28 - B7 INSPECTION FOR DECAY IN TIMBER
28 - B7.1 Splinter test to determine strength loss
29 - B7.2 Moisture content (MC)
31 - APPENDIX C - TERMITE DAMAGE IN TIMBER AND THE DETECTION OF SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
31 - C1 SCOPE
31 - C2 DETECTION OF INFESTATION
39 - APPENDIX D - BORERS
39 - D1 SCOPE
39 - D2 BORERS
39 - D3 TYPES OF BORER

This Standard specifies the minimum acceptable requirements for visual inspection and reporting on the activity of timber pests excluding dry wood termites for both pre and post purchase timber pest reports on properties. It applies to all classes of buildings, as described in the Building Code of Australia. It is for use by pest controllers, prospective purchasers, property owners and managers, building surveyors/inspectors, building consultants, architects and others who provide services in this area.

This Standard sets out the minimum acceptable requirements for visual inspection and reporting on the activity of timber pests.Timber pests that damage timber specifically include subterranean and dampwood termites, borers of seasoned timber and wood decay fungi.The purpose of a timber pest inspection in a building is to assess the following:(a) Evidence of timber pests.(b) Severity of damage caused by timber pests.(c) Susceptibility of building to infestation by timber pests.(d) Remedial and protective measures required.(e) Further investigations required.NOTE:1 This Standard does not require inspection and reports on drywood termites due to the extreme difficulty in locating the small colonies. Where they are commonly encountered, the report should advise that a special purpose report may be necessary.2 Regular, competent inspections are strongly recommended, at least on an annual basis. Where justified, more frequent inspections may be recommended, e.g. in situations considered more conducive to timber pest infestation.

First published as AS 4349.3-1998.