Maintenance and Storage of Wood - Course: Manual woodworking techniques. Trainees' handbook of lessons (Institut für Berufliche Entwicklung, 14 p.) 3. Preparation of Storage of Sawn Timber (introduction...) 3.1. Preparation of Sawn Timber 3.2. Preparation of the Pile Base

Maintenance and Storage of Wood - Course: Manual woodworking techniques. Trainees' handbook of lessons (Institut für Berufliche Entwicklung, 14 p.)

3. Preparation of Storage of Sawn Timber

Sawn timber is stored in piles of different types and sizes by putting the timbers side by side and one upon the other in a well-arranged order, normally using pile strips of wood. The pile is arranged on a prepared base ensuring a plane position of the timber and the necessary ground clearance for escape of humid air near the ground. Such base is made of pile stones and pile supports.

3.1. Preparation of Sawn Timber

Before the sawn timber is stored in piles, it is arranged and preliminarily stored for a short time, considering

- the type of wood,
- the origin with respect to the trunk,
- the dimensions,
- quality features.

Timbers infested with insects must be separated or prepared by cutting off the infested parts.

3.2. Preparation of the Pile Base

Pile stones and pile supports are to be made available.

Pile stones are made of concrete or of natural stone and have a large bearing surface. Recommended dimensions are:

-length = 400 mm,
- width = 400 mm.

The pile supports are made of steel sections or of squared timbers impregnated with wood preservatives. The dimensions are as follows:

- length = up to 1000 mm, depending on the pile width,
-width = 100 mm,
- thickness = 100 mm.

The total height of the pile base is

- 300 mm on paved storage yards,
- 400 mm on unsurfaced storage yards.

The number of pile stones and pile supports depends on

- the pile length,
- the pile width,
- the centre-to-centre distance of the pile stones.

Figure 2 Pile base 1 pile stones, 2 squared timbers, 3 height of pile base, 4 pile length, 5 pile width, 6 centre-to-centre distance of pile stones

Pile strips are very important. They guarantee proper airing of the pile and prevent the sawn timber from changing its shape. They must be carefully arranged according to their dimensions:

- length = 1000 mm,
- width = 25 mm up to 50 mm,
- thickness = 25 mm.

Impregnation with wood preservatives improves their usability and prolongs their working life. Pile strips are to be stored under a roof to protect them from weather influences.