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IS 14960:2001 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for preservative-treated and seasoned sawn timber from rubber wood (hevea brasiliensis). This standard specifies the requirements for preservative-treated and seasoned sawn timber from rubber wood (Hevea Brasiliensis). It covers material requirements, moisture content, preservative treatment, permissible defects, dimensions, and marking for its use in interior applications like furniture, joinery, and panelling.
Preservative-treated and seasoned sawn timber from rubber wood (Hevea Brasiliensis)
! Rubber wood is highly susceptible to fungal and insect attack and must be treated immediately after felling and sawing.
! Due to its light colour, uniform grain, and excellent workability, it is a popular alternative to other hardwoods for furniture, but it is not suitable for structural or exterior use.
! Always check for the ISI Mark to ensure the timber has been properly seasoned and treated according to the standard.
MS 1746-1:2003Department of Standards Malaysia, Malaysia
HighCurrent
Specification for sawn timber of rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) - Part 1: Basic requirements and grading
Specifies grading rules and basic requirements for sawn rubberwood, a core component of the IS scope.
TIS 431-2533 (1990)Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Thailand
HighCurrent
Sawn Rubberwood
Covers quality, grading, and dimensions for sawn rubberwood, similar to the IS and MS standards.
MS 360:2010Department of Standards Malaysia, Malaysia
MediumCurrent
Specification for treatment of timber with copper/chrome/arsenic wood preservatives
Details the preservative treatment process (CCA) which IS 14960 mandates and quantifies.
EN 351-1:2007European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
LowCurrent
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Preservative-treated solid wood - Part 1: Classification of preservative penetration and retention
Provides a general framework for classifying preservative treatment, but is not specific to rubberwood.
Key Differences
≠IS 14960 is an integrated standard combining requirements for seasoning, preservative treatment, and grading in one document. The Malaysian system, for example, separates grading (MS 1746-1) and preservative treatment specifications (MS 360).
≠The grading nomenclature differs significantly. IS 14960 uses 'Grade I' and 'Grade II', whereas MS 1746-1 uses a more detailed system of 'Prime', 'Select', 'Standard', 'Serviceable', and 'Utility' grades.
≠IS 14960 specifies a final moisture content of 12% ± 2% (10-14%). In contrast, MS 1746-1 requires a tighter range of 8% to 12% for kiln-dried timber.
≠The allowance for blue stain in the top grade is different. IS 14960 (Grade I) permits light blue stain on one face and two edges up to 20% area, while MS 1746-1 (Prime Grade) is stricter, permitting light stain on one face only.
Key Similarities
≈All primary standards (IS 14960, MS 1746-1, TIS 431) are specifically developed for sawn timber from rubberwood (Hevea Brasiliensis), recognizing its unique characteristics.
≈There is a common understanding and mandate for preservative treatment, as untreated rubberwood has very low natural durability and is highly susceptible to fungal and insect attack.
≈All standards employ a similar methodology for grading, which involves defining quality levels based on the limitation of natural defects such as knots, splits, bore holes, and discoloration.
≈The standards specify dimensional tolerances for thickness, width, and length to ensure consistency for end-users, although the exact values may differ slightly.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Moisture Content (Seasoned)
12% ± 2% (i.e., 10% to 14%)
8% to 12% (for kiln-dried)
MS 1746-1:2003
CCA Preservative Retention (Interior use, above ground)
4.0 kg/m³
4.0 kg/m³ (for Hazard Class H2)
MS 360:2010
CCA Preservative Retention (Exterior use, above ground)
6.4 kg/m³
5.8 kg/m³ (for Hazard Class H3)
MS 360:2010
Top Grade Name
Grade I
Prime
MS 1746-1:2003
Max Sound Knot Size (Top Grade)
Up to 10 mm diameter
Aggregate diameter not to exceed 1/4 of the face width
MS 1746-1:2003
Blue Stain Allowance (Top Grade)
Light stain on one face and two edges, not more than 20% of area
Light stain is permitted on one face only
MS 1746-1:2003
Thickness Tolerance (for thickness up to 50 mm)
+3.0 mm, -1.0 mm
+3.0 mm, -2.0 mm
MS 1746-1:2003
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Average moisture content for Seasoned Zone I12 percent, max
Average moisture content for Seasoned Zone II14 percent, max
Minimum net dry salt retention of CCA preservative (Interior use)4.0 kg/m³
Minimum net dry salt retention of Boric Acid (Interior use)4.0 kg/m³
Permissible bow in any 2 m length12 mm
Permissible cup in 150 mm width3 mm
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Permissible Defects in Sawn Timber from Rubber Wood
What is the required moisture content for seasoned rubber wood?+
The maximum average moisture content is 12% for Zone I and 14% for Zone II, as defined in IS 287 (Clause 4.1).
Is rubber wood suitable for outdoor applications?+
No, this standard covers timber for interior use only (e.g., furniture, panelling). It is not durable enough for exterior exposure.
What type of preservative treatment is specified?+
The timber must be treated, preferably by a pressure process, with preservatives like Copper-Chrome-Arsenic (CCA) or Boron compounds to specified retention levels (Clause 4.2).
What are the common uses of timber conforming to IS 14960?+
It is intended for furniture, cabinets, joinery, partitions, panelling, and toys.