Timber grading course: properties and value of softwood timber

Enjoy 25% off our practical hands-on visual strength grading course with Phil O’Leary for forest owners, forest managers, architects, timber frame manufacturers and merchants

Following on from the very successful “Timber 101” sessions held at WoodBUILD 2024 this one-day course will be an opportunity to learn more about the features used to visually strength grade softwood timber. The course will cover knots, compression wood, resin pockets, grain angle, density, growth rates, rot, fissures, and cracks.

As a pilot offering, all participants will benefit from a 25% discount on this exciting new course. Additional subsidies are also available. Please contact Ceri Loxton through the ‘Apply for a subsidy’ button.

Members of our Sawmillers Community of Practice (CoP) are advised to apply for complimentary CoP course on Saturday 18 October.

What to expect: During the day you will do a little bit of theory backed up with lots of opportunity to handle both small and large sections of timber. You will be shown how to use features such as, knots, compression wood, grain angle etc. to visually strength grade softwood timber. There will then be opportunity to practice your skills on specifically selected samples to help embed the learning. In addition, there will be lots of opportunities to exchange knowledge and get invaluable industry insights from Phil O’Leary who has worked in the sector for over 30 years.

Who should attend: This information will be useful to you/your staff/your organisation if you are involved in any part of the timber supply chain including:

• Forest owners and managers – understand the potential value in your crop and why/how you need to manage it.
• Primary processors – how to get the most out of the logs you process. This course will also be useful if you are considering doing a full visual stress grading course or want a refresher before regrading.
• Builders’ merchants – this will be a perfect course if you/your staff deal with customers to help you explain solid timber products to them.
• Timber frame manufacturers – to help you/your staff identify and understand features in timber so that it can be used to its best advantage and therefore avoid possible problems down the line.
• Architects – learn about this valuable resource, the grading process, and how it relates to strength classes.  And importantly, why you should not over specify on a job.

Learners completing the course will receive a certificate of completion from Woodknowledge Wales. These courses are especially useful for those working in the timber and allied industries or for other professionals working in the construction industry.

Cost:

• Members:  £125.00 £93.75 inc. VAT
• Non-members:  £250.00 £187.50 inc. VAT
• Subsidies: Financial support is available upon request via the ‘Apply for a subsidy’ button.
• Sawmillers CoP Members are advised to apply for our complimentary CoP course on Saturday 18 October.

While some events will first be advertised to our members or Communities of Practice, Woodknowledge Wales (WkW) endeavours to ensure all its events and training is as inclusive and accessible to all. Please note that students may claim membership level fees if their university is a WkW’s member. Additionally, both students and low income professionals may apply for subsidised participation.

What to bring: Bring warm clothing. This event will be taking place primarily in a large unheated barn. Toilets are available on site but there is a walk between buildings. Bring a flask and lunch. There is a café on site where hot drinks and food can be purchased.

About your subject expert: Phil O’Leary

Phil is Director of Filros Timber Consultancy and has over 25 years of experience in the design, specification, structural grading, supply, installation, and performance in service of timber, including 20 years of experience as an expert witness. 

Previously Phil was head of Timber Consultancy at BM TRADA, the technical authority behind TRADA. With over 30 years of post-qualifying experience, Phil has published in local and international journals about wood science.

Phil is one of the UK’s leading authorities for visual strength grading and specialises in:

• Timber quality, performance characteristics, deterioration, and preservation.
• Condition surveys of historic buildings, performance assessments and determining the structural strength of timber in many situations.
• Serving as an expert witness in establishing the causes of timber failures.
• Developing and presenting highly regarded topical and bespoke training courses on a range of timber subjects.

Phil is chairman of BSI’s Wood Preservation Committee and a member of the Wood Protection Association’s Technical Committee.