In this story, our chemist Franske Stenden outlines the rigorous process of quality assurance that ensures our CCA timber preservative satisfies local and international standards.
The result is that our clients are receiving superior CCA that preserves timber to a high standard and satisfies the expectations of their own customers.
Our process starts at the point of purchasing of raw materials from reputable, reliable factories that only sell to reputable and legally compliant companies.
After this, our production process follows a strict bill of manufacturing and analysis, to ensure full compliance with the legal standards.
CCA needs to meet the minimum specifications for copper, chrome, and arsenic, as set out in SANS 673. It is important to note that 7,3 g/L minimum elemental concentration and a pH of 1.6 – 2.8 are needed to meet the requirements of SANS 673, explained Franske.
We test our CCA wood preservatives for these levels using the wet titration method, as described in SANS 673, as well as the more advanced Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Once our CCA has been manufactured, an external auditor evaluates our manufacturing and chemical analysis processes as well as the quality of our concentrate, to ensure that we have met both SANS 673 and international standards, including those of the American Wood Preservative Association.
Quality assurance starts at the point of purchasing raw materials and follows the entire production and supply process.
For additional peace of mind, batches are periodically quality-verified by an external, accredited laboratory such as SGS South Africa.
Finally, when a CCA order is received, the concentrate is weighed off in kilograms using a calibrated scale.
There is no minimum specification for the density of CCA concentrate, but in the industry a value of 1.80 kg/dm3 at 20⁰C is used as the minimum and nominal density value. However, the density of the solution can be slightly lower than 1.80 kg/dm3 in some instances, as the correct quantity of CCA is always weighed off and delivered, resulting in a slightly larger volume.
There are currently suggestions of updating SANS 673 to include a minimum density specification. As our product is sold by weight not by volume, implementing these changes will not affect our processes or quality assurance.
If the 7,3 g/L minimum elemental concentration and pH range meet the standards, the CCA will comply with the specifications.
The colour can vary between treatment cycles as the different density and sapwood proportions of the timber affect absorption.
After treatment, factors such as air circulation, relative humidity, and sunlight can also affect the fixation and colour of the product.
“Through our more than 20-year experience in bringing quality to the market, we have earned the trust of the industry and our customers,” said Bertus.
- MORE THAN JUST BUSINESS - December 9, 2024
- GLOBALISATION GIANT CONTINUES TO ROAR - December 9, 2024
- PAINSTAKING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BUILDS RESILIENCE - December 9, 2024
Comments are closed.