CEN/TC 38/WG 28 - Performance classification

This document gives guidance on the selection of wood and wood-based products for use in situations where they can be subject to degradation by fungi, wood destroying insects or marine borers. This guidance includes information on factors that can influence the service life of a wood or wood-based product when considering biological degradation. In many end uses, design, workmanship and maintenance will also influence the service life of the wood or wood-based product.
This document is a step toward the evaluation of the service life of a wood product.
This document does not consider:
1)   the durability characteristics of the glue used in wood-based products;
2)   the aesthetic function of wood products (discoloration, surface weathering, mould).

This document details a method for determining the water uptake and the effectiveness of the drying process on solid wood, wood-based materials or coated wood by means of water absorption and water vapour desorption. This document lays down a method to assess the moisture dynamics of wooden products which can be a contributing factor to the susceptibility to wood decay.

The scope of WG28 Performance Classification is expressed in this Technical Report:
Guidance on the determination of end use performance of wood products: utilization and improvement of existing test methods to estimate service life, in order to give input to the harmonized product standards dealing with the durability requirement of the CPD and future Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (The Construction Products Regulation CPR).
This Technical Report brings together the evaluations and discussions to date that have occurred within CEN/TC38/WG28 Performance Classification.
This technical report does not address panel products specifically.