ISO 18333:2014

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 18333
Second edition
2014-07-01
Pallets for materials handling —
Quality of new wooden components
for flat pallets
Palettes pour la manutention et le transport de marchandises —
Qualité des composants neufs en bois pour palettes plates
Reference number
©
ISO 2014
© ISO 2014
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ii © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Species . 3
5 Quality characteristics. 3
6 Moisture content of components . 3
7 Preparation of pallet components . 3
7.1 Manufacturing tolerances . 3
7.2 Deckboard chamfer . 5
7.3 Stringer notches . 5
Bibliography . 7
Foreword
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The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 51, Pallets for unit load method of materials
handling.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 18333:2002), which has been technically
revised.
iv © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Efficient international transportation of products depends on both pallet strength and functionality,
or fit, to the material handling systems. Existing International Standards address issues of strength
and some issues regarding functionality of pallets. However, major issues related to the minimum
material quality and manufacturing and repair workmanship are not addressed in current International
Standards. These factors can significantly impact the efficiency of international unit load material
handling practices.
The purpose of this International Standard is to establish internationally recognized minimum
acceptable quality levels for wooden parts commonly used for the assembly of timber pallets. These
parts are stringers, stringerboards, blocks, and deckboards. The properties of these components affect
pallet performance.
There are four related International Standards:
— ISO 15629;
— ISO 18333;
— ISO 18334;
— ISO 18613.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 18333:2014(E)
Pallets for materials handling — Quality of new wooden
components for flat pallets
1 Scope
This International Standard gives guidance on minimum recommended timber quality characteristics.
It is applicable to new stringers, stringerboards, blocks, and deckboards used for flat wooden pallet
assembly.
This International Standard does not address the phytosanitation and safety problems, if any, associated
with the use of these components.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 445, Pallets for materials handling — Vocabulary
EN 844-3, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 3: General terms relating to sawn timber
EN 844-9, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 9: Terms relating to features of sawn timber
EN 844-10, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 10: Terms relating to stain and fungal attack
EN 844-12, Round and sawn timber — Terminology — Part 12: Additional terms and general index
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication No. 15 (ISPM 15), Regulation for wood
packaging material in international trade
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 445, EN 844-3, EN 844-9,
EN 844-10 and EN 844-12 and the following apply.
3.1
bark pocket
bark that is partly or wholly enclosed in the wood
3.2
boxed heart
pith that is present and not visible in any face or edge
3.3
decay
disintegration of the wood substance due to actions of wood-destroying fungi
3.4
exposed pith
pith that is visible on a part or the full length of a face or on an edge
3.5
face shake
fissure showing on a face and possibly at the end
3.6
fungal decay
biodeterioration caused by fungi
3.7
heart shake
radial end shake originating at the pith
3.8
intergrown knot
knot that, on the surface considered, is intergrown with the surrounding wood for more than three
quarters of its cross-sectional perimeter
3.9
oblique shake
fissure at an angle to the arris, showing on a face and/or an edge
3.10
resin p
...