FAQ   ORGANIX ORGANICALLY PRESERVED TIMBER   ORGANIX™ is the modern alternative in treated timber using a light organic solvent borne preservatives (LOSP). This technology is ideal for the treatment of structural timber where accurate gauging or profiling is required or where structural requirements necessitate a durable, 'dry-after-treatment' timber product. Typical application examples include exterior structures such as pergolas and balconies and beams. These all fall into exterior above ground situations or Hazard Class H3, where timber must resist both fungal decay and termite attack.   Q. What is ORGANIX™ treated timber? A. It is a range of timber products derived from plantation forests; these have been impregnated with an organic biocide and insecticide preservative to Hazard Class 3. The process drives the organic preservative into the cellular structure of the timber to provide protection against fungal decay, termites and other insects. The preservative system incorporates a light green pigment which is visible on the timber .   Q. Why is it necessary to treat timber? A. Present day timber supplies are increasingly being sourced from fast growing plantation softwoods such as Radiata pine. Radiata pine has a number of advantages such as lightness, ease of use and uniformity. However it has little natural resistance to termites and fungal decay and resistance to these is important in exterior or weather exposed applications. Organix™ treated timber incorporates a preservative system which provides a high degree of resistance to fungal decay and termites.   Q. Is ORGANIX™ suitable for all conditions and applications? A. No, Organix™ products are only suitable for use in applications which can be described as "exterior or subject to moisture and above ground" or Hazard Class 3 as defined in AS1604 - Specification for preservative treatment. Note: Organix™ is not suitable for ground contact applications (H4 and higher).   Q. What standards does the Organix product range conform to? A. The Organix™ products conform to AS1604.1 - Specification for preservative treatment under Hazard Class 3 as defined in the Australian standard. It also conforms to the NSW Timber Marketing Act and the Queensland Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act in those states. Treated timber conforming to AS1604 Hazard Class 2 or above is considered to be a termite resistant building material according to the Building Code of Australia. It will also conform to the structural grading as marked or as advised by the supplier as the treatment does not affect timber strength.   Q. What preservatives are used in Organix? A. The preservative contains three active ingredients, Tebuconazole, Propiconazole and Permethrin Minimum retention levels Tebuconazole 0.03%m/m Propiconazole 0.03%m/m Permethrin 0.02%m/m   Q. What do the active ingredients do? A. Tebuconazole and Propiconazole are fungicides that prevent fungal decay caused by timber destroying fungi. Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that controls wood destroying borers and termites.   Q. What else is in the wood? A. The preservative formulation includes water repellent components (waxes and resin) dissolved in a low boiling point hydrocarbon solvent   Q. How can ORGANIX™ H3 treated timber be identified? A. Organix™ treated timber will have a green tint that is incorporated in the treatment. The colour pigments are not "colour fast" and are designed to fade with exposure to the sun. Most importantly, all Organix™ products carry a treatment tag on the end of each piece. This is a legal requirement in Queensland and New South Wales. Insist that your supplier provides branded timber.   Q. What is the availability of Organix™ and what sizes are offered? A. Most structural softwood sizes are available, for further information refer to www.organixpine.com   Q. How long will it last? A. The treatment is expected to provide protection in excess of 20 years; for further information refer to www.organixpine.com   Q. Is ORGANIX™ treated timber safe? A. Yes, Organix™ products are safe to handle and use, given a few simple precautions, most of which are applicable to normal timber. For more information read the Organix™ material safety data sheet available on www.organix.com It must also be considered that individuals have a wide range of sensitivity when exposed to many natural and man made materials. In rare cases, contact with Organix™ treated timber, particularly any treated sawdust, may cause irritation to some individuals. If any irritation or undesirable effects occur, cease handling the material and review your work procedure and personal protection measures (ie: gloves and eye protection). If irritation persists consult your doctor   Q. What are the safe handling procedures? A. For normal situations when working with Organix™ the following is recommended: Keep work area clean and keep airborne wood dust below recommended maximum exposure levels. Use mechanical air extraction if necessary. Brush wood dust off the skin. Use appropriate personal protection such as dust mask, safety glasses, ear muffs and gloves when using power tools Cotton or light gloves are recommended for general handling. Wash hands after use. Users are advised to avoid handling the product if still wet after the treatment. However if this is unavoidable the following additional procedures are recommended. Ensure good ventilation to minimise any solvent vapours in the work area. Avoid direct skin contact. Use solvent resistant gloves when handling the timber. For workers who handle the freshly treated timber in such a way that contact with the torso and legs is likely (i.e. opening up packs, racking out boards, carrying boards), an impervious work apron is recommended. Wash hands and arms after handling and before meal breaks.   Q. How should ORGANIX™ timber be stored? A. Like all dry, dimensioned timber, Organix™ products should, be protected from rain and weather prior to construction with good ventilation.   Q. Does the preservative affect timber strength? A. No. The Organix™ preservative has no negative effect on the stiffness and strength of the wood.   Q. What installation and maintenance practices should I use? A. Use good building practices in conformance with the Building Code of Australia, safety codes and local requirements. Use corrosion resistant fasteners that are suitable for the intended application and in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. All H3 treated timber components must be well clear of the ground. Where a piece of timber is cut to length, rebated or drilled it is essential that the newly exposed surfaces are re-sealed with a suitable paint-on timber preservative such as Tanalised™ Ecoseal or Protim® XJ Clear Timber Protective. It is strongly recommended that Organix™ products are painted or stained for all exterior, weather exposed applications.   Q. Is the treatment corrosive to bolts, nails and plates? A. No. However galvanised steel or other corrosion resistant fasteners (including aluminum) are recommended for all weather exposed applications.   Q. Does the treatment affect painting? A. It is strongly recommended that Organix™ timber products should be painted for all exterior, weather exposed applications to prevent surface deterioration and mould. Once the timber is dry, Organix™ products can be painted like normal untreated timber. However the presence of the solvent and water repellents may affect the adhesion of some paints. Of most importance is allowing for adequate drying of the solvent. Generally it is recommended to wait for 7 days after installation of the timber before painting. Refer to the ‘How to paint Organix™ products’   Q. Is the product environmentally safe? A. Numerous studies have found that timber sourced from well managed resources has a low net environmental impact, much lower than most man made materials including steel, aluminum, plastics and many masonry products. The use of the organic biocides for preservation has an additional environmental impact but this is offset by the greatly enhanced durability and lifetime that the preservation system provides the timber. The preservatives used are insoluble in water and are resistant to leaching from the timber. In summary, use of Organix™ treated products is environmentally responsible.   Q. How do I dispose of waste and off-cuts? A. Off-cuts and saw dust from Organix™ products are not a hazardous waste. For normal domestic and trade users, dispose of waste through normal waste collection and disposal services. Organix™ off-cuts must not be burnt in domestic fires including BBQ’s. The treated off-cuts and sawdust should not be used for mulching or animal bedding.   Q. Where can I find out more? A. Contact us at ITI branches Nationwide or www.organixpine.com, Townsville Ph: 07 4725 3777 Brisbane Ph: 07 3275 4444 Newcastle Ph: 02 4961 1788 Sydney Ph: 02 8805 5000 Melbourne Ph: 03 9392 8400 Adelaide Ph: 08 8347 7011   Important Information Do not burn preserved wood Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting or sanding wood Wear gloves when working with wood Some preservative may migrate from the treated wood into soil/water or may dislodge from the treated wood surface upon contact with skin. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of after construction Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing before reuse Preserved wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as fresh water docks and bridges Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed or beehives Do not use preserved wood as mulch Only preserved wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used Do not use preserved wood in direct contact with aluminum If the wood is to be used in an interior application and becomes wet during construction, it should be allowed to dry before being covered or enclosed