alternative to treated koppers logs

Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by -, Aug 15, 2004.

  1. Guest

    we are about to build a carport over some temporary accomodation (being a bus) and do not want to use steel as the support poles, due to the embodied energy used to make them. I don't want to use arsenic treated koppers logs, are there any alternative treating materials that can be used to deter white ants.

    I am going to look into giant bamboo, as they do not attract white ants - but our roof also needs to hold solar panels and potentially a solar heater.

    any advice greatly appreciated.

    many thanks, happy days
    tanya
     
  2. Mont

    Mont Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2002
    Messages:
    122
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Alternative to koppers logs

    Tanya, here is an item from the Wilderness Society's Timbershop site (https://www.timbershop.org) that might help. Also, I think planet ark shops stock various relatively safe timber-treating products.

    Mont


    Preservatives
    Contents: Minimise use Types and usage Dispose safely

    Minimise use
    Specify to minimise the need for preservatives: design rot and termites out with careful detailing and the use of forest-friendly substitutes, as an example, consider highly reusable and recyclable concrete stumps instead of red gum.

    Specify to avoid CCA treatments where possible.

    Specify the minimum level of preservative that meets performance requirements; refer to Australian Standard (AS 1604).

    The use of preservatives raises an important issue: the introduction of toxic compounds to supplement non-durable timbers rather than using naturally occurring durable species. Toxic treatments such as CCA are not ideal, especially where there are arguably superior alternatives. However, the effects of their use are a better-understood risk than the loss of native forests where most durable timbers grow.

    Types and usage

    Product Use Advantages Disadvantages
    CCA - copper chrome arsenic solution (tanalized) Available as a water or ail base. (Also known as PROCCA, Tanalith.) Preservative, fungicide and insecticide suitable for in-round applications. Refer to AS 1604 for loadings. Lowest initial dollar cost, paintable, highly effective. Oil based variant offers improved resistance to surface weathering of timber. Paintable. Cannot be safely disposed of except as landfill: highly toxic smoke from burning, cannot be mulched. Not presently reusable for timber products. Any shavings and offcuts must be disposed of as landfill. Effectively prohibited in Japan and some European countries.
    ACQ - ammoniacal copper quaternary Preservative, fungicide and insecticide suitable for in-ground applications. Refer to AS 1604 for loadings. Highly effective. Contains no high toxicity arsenic / chromium compounds. Can be safely burnt and mulched. Effectively unavailable for most applications (refer to List of Suppliers). Higher initial dollar cost.
    PEC - pigmented emulsified creosote (Cleansote) Preservative, fungicide and insecticide suitable for in-ground applications. Refer to AS 1604 for loadings. Cleaner form of traditional Creosote. Highly effective, low toxicity, may be safely disposed of my incineration. Suitable for some domestic uses. Effectively unavailable for most applications (refer to List of Suppliers). Not paintable.
    Creosote Preservative, fungicide and insecticide suitable for in-ground applications. Refer to AS 1604 for loadings. High efficacy. Extremely high toxicity and restricted use, such farm posts. Not paintable. Strong smelling.
    LOSP - light organic preservatives (Protim) Preservative, fungicide and insecticide . Refer to AS 1604 for loadings. Low / non toxic, commonly available. Low initial cost. Not suitable for in-ground applications. Oil-based primer solvent may be required for painted applications (check with suppliers' instructions).
    Boron / fluorine products Preservative, fungicide and insecticide. Refer to AS 1604 for loadings. Low / non toxic, commonly available. Low initial cost. Must be replenished regularly (often 3 to 5 years). Primarily a maintenance product.


    Dispose safely
    Minimise the environmental and health impacts of toxic chemicals on site. Where preservatives are used on site, these must be disposed of in an approved manner (refer to local authority requirements).

    DO NOT burn surplus treated timber. If there is a need to dispose of surplus preservative materials or treated wood, this should be done in accordance with appropriate procedures, with regard for the environmental and public health and safety.
     

Share This Page

-->