InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel
InfraLensInfraLens
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRRulesAbout Join Channel
Join
IS CodesIRCToolsSORHandbookQA/QCPMCFormatsCPHEEOMapsProjectsDCRDesign RulesBIMAbout Join WhatsApp Channel

IS 707 : 2011Timber Technology And Utilization of Wood, Bamboo and Cane - Glossary of Terms

PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
ISO 24294 · ASTM D9-09(2021) · EN 13556
CurrentSpecializedTerminologyMaterials Science · Timber and Timber Stores
PDFGoogleCompareBIS Portal
Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewInternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 707:2011 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for timber technology and utilization of wood, bamboo and cane - glossary of terms. This standard is a comprehensive glossary defining terms related to timber technology, wood, bamboo, cane, and engineered wood products. It provides standardized vocabulary to ensure clear communication and prevent ambiguity in structural specifications, contracts, trade, and research.

Timber Technology And Utilization of Wood, Bamboo and Cane - Glossary of Terms

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Timber and Timber Stores
Type
Terminology
International equivalents
ISO 24294:2021 · ISO (International Organization for Standardization)ASTM D9-09(2021) · ASTM International (USA)EN 13556:2003 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
Typically used with
IS 287IS 399IS 883
Practical Notes
! Always use the exact terminology defined in this code for Bills of Quantities (BOQ) and tender documents to avoid legal or contractual disputes regarding timber quality or defects.
! Highly useful for accurately identifying and legally defining natural wood defects (such as knots, shakes, checks, and wanes) during material inspection at the site.
timberwoodbamboocaneengineered wood

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ISO 24294:2021ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Wood — Terminology
Provides internationally agreed-upon terminology for wood, overlapping on wood anatomy, defects, and processing.
ASTM D9-09(2021)ASTM International (USA)
HighCurrent
Standard Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
Covers a comprehensive list of terms related to wood, wood-based products, and defects, common in North America.
EN 13556:2003CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Round and sawn timber - T-list - List of terms used in the timber trade
Focuses on terms used in the European timber trade, providing multilingual equivalents, overlapping on commercial timber terms.
BS 6100-4:2012BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Glossary of building and civil engineering terms. Forest products
A former UK-specific glossary, whose content is now largely covered by the adoption of European and ISO standards.
Key Differences
≠IS 707 explicitly and extensively covers terminology for Bamboo and Cane, which are largely absent from primary international wood glossaries like ISO 24294 and ASTM D9. International standards typically address these materials in separate, specialized documents (e.g., ISO 22156 for bamboo structures).
≠The Indian Standard includes numerous terms specific to Indian forestry, local timber species, and traditional utilization practices that do not have direct equivalents in international standards focused on European or North American contexts.
≠IS 707 provides specific dimensional definitions for sawn timber categories like 'Plank', 'Batten', and 'Scantling'. International standards are often less prescriptive on dimensions in a terminology standard, as these are considered trade- or region-specific and are covered in product or grading standards.
≠The structure of IS 707 is a single, comprehensive glossary. Historically, European standards (like the EN 844 series) were divided into multiple parts for different topics (e.g., general terms, round timber defects, sawn timber defects), though this is now consolidating around ISO 24294.
Key Similarities
≈Fundamental terms related to wood anatomy and structure, such as 'Heartwood', 'Sapwood', 'Growth Ring', 'Pith', 'Grain', and 'Texture', are defined based on the same botanical and physical principles across all standards.
≈Definitions for common natural defects in timber are conceptually identical. Terms like 'Knot', 'Shake', 'Check', and 'Split' describe the same physical phenomena, although classification details might vary slightly.
≈The physics-based concepts related to moisture in wood, including 'Fibre Saturation Point (FSP)', 'Moisture Content', 'Seasoning', and 'Green Timber', are universally understood and similarly defined.
≈Core terminology for the conversion of logs into timber, such as 'Sawing', 'Plainsawing' (Flat-sawn), and 'Quartersawing' (Quarter-sawn), describes the same fundamental processing methods.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
HeartwoodThe inner and usually darker coloured central portion of a tree trunk, which has ceased to contain living cells...Inner layers of the wood in a growing tree that have ceased to contain living cells and in which the reserve materials...have been removed or converted into heartwood substances.ISO 24294:2021
Fibre Saturation Point (FSP)The stage...at which the cell walls are saturated with water and the cell cavities are free from water...usually taken as 25 to 30 percent moisture content.Moisture content at which the cell lumina are empty of free water but the cell walls are fully saturated.ASTM D9-09(2021)
KnotA portion of a branch or limb which has been surrounded by subsequent growth of the stem.Portion of a branch embedded in the wood.ISO 24294:2021
Plank (Dimensional Definition)A piece of sawn timber 50 mm or more in thickness... and 150 mm or more in width...Not universally defined in terminology standards; dimensions are trade/regional. In the US, a plank is typically 2" to <4" thick and >6" wide.US Customary Lumber Standards
BambooA perennial, giant, woody grass of the family Gramineae (Poaceae), subfamily Bambusoideae.Not defined in primary wood/timber glossaries. Functional definitions exist in specific standards (e.g., 'part of a bamboo plant used as a structural material' in ISO 22156).ISO 22156:2021
GrainThe direction, size, arrangement and appearance of the fibres in wood or sawn timber.The direction, size, arrangement, and appearance of the cells in a piece of wood.ASTM D9-09(2021)
ShakeA separation along the grain, the greater part of which occurs between the rings of annual growth.Separation of wood fibres, generally parallel to the grain and between the growth increments.ISO 24294:2021
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values0

No quick reference values available for this code yet.

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
No clauses data

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 287:2022Code of Practice for Design of Timber Structu...
→
IS 399:1966Classification of Commercial Timbers and Thei...
→
IS 883:1994Code of Practice for Design of Timber Structu...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is the primary purpose of IS 707?+
It acts as a standard dictionary for timber, bamboo, and cane terminology to ensure uniform understanding across the construction and woodworking industries.
Does IS 707 provide grading criteria or permissible stresses for timber?+
No, it only defines terminology. For grading rules and structural design, refer to IS 3376, IS 1331, or IS 883.
Are engineered wood products included in this glossary?+
Yes, it covers terms related to plywood, blockboards, particle boards, and seasoning/preservation techniques.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

📋
QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.
Browse all 300 templates →