Non-Compliant LVLs Enter the Australian Market

What You Need to Know About Non-Compliant LVLs

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is a high strength engineered timber product used primarily for structural applications. It is comparable in strength to steel and is manufactured using multiple thin layers of wood veneers, bonded together using Type-A adhesives. This results in a product that is incredibly strong and durable and available in long lengths and a wide variety of sizes.

This incredibly versatile product is rigorously tested to meet AS/NZS 4357, verifying its structural integrity. However, imported versions that fail to meet these strict guidelines have been sold to builders and trades putting the structural integrity of their project, safety and businesses at risk.

Here’s what you need to know.

What’s Happening in the Industry

Non-conforming LVLs have recently been sold via reputable companies to builders and trades for structural use. These cheaper, yet non-compliant LVLs, are often not certified, have not been batch tested and do not meet the AS/NZS guidelines, therefore placing builders, trades and homeowners at risk.

According to Donovan Shortt, Bowens DC Inventory & Product Category Manager, Bowens became aware of this issue when offers of LVL products from unknown suppliers were received.

“On further investigation regarding LVL compliance to Australian Standards, they were not able to supply certification on structural performance of the sizes we intended to purchase. The test data used as evidence were product grades different to the product under consideration and the dates of the report had also expired.

“The test data used as evidence were product grades different to the product under consideration and the dates of the report had also expired.”

We started to receive more and more offers of cheap LVLs from other suppliers wanting to sell to Bowens and we were not supplied with any evidence that the product complies. We were also concerned that the products offered weren’t adequately batch tested, a process that all reputable LVL’s conduct. We then started to receive quotes and cheap pricing from Builders who were getting approached directly by these suppliers.”

The “Approval” Process

For your building to comply with AS1720 – ‘Timber structures’, LVLs need to conform to LVL product standard, AS/NZS 4357.0 Structural LVL. If the LVL you are using does not comply with AS/NZS4357.0, it does not meet the ‘deemed-to-satisfy’ requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). This means that not only does the use of non-compliant LVLs raise safety concerns, it also prevents a building from being certified under the NCC. This, as a result, presents a range of issues for the builder.

What Makes an LVL Compliant?

Image Source: Non-Conforming Timber: Protecting Australia’s Building Industry – Wesbeam

Builders should look for timber branded in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standards. This branding should provide the following information;

• Reference to the Standard the product conforms to; AS/NZS 4357.0
• Manufacturer’s name or registered mark
• A structural property identifier or product name; or where an F-grade classification is used, an F-grade
• Any limitation for use, e.g. beams used on edge application only
• Preservative treated branding in accordance with AS/NZS 1604.1
• The adhesive bond type; must be A-Bond for AS/NZS 4357.0 compliant products
• Formaldehyde emission class.

If the stamp (or label for pressure treated products) is not present on the LVLs, they do not meet AS/NZS 4357.0.

Many LVLs are also third-party tested by NATA accredited agents in Australia so the results cannot be influenced by the manufacturer. In addition, the manufacturer’s website should also provide detailed product information and ongoing technical assistance.

If these items are not readily available, it is a good indicator the LVL does not come from a reputable supplier.

Who Can Builders and Trades Contact to Report Non-Compliant LVLs?

Governing bodies can vary by state, but the first point of call in Victoria should be:

1. The Australian Building Codes Board
2. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA)
3. The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (They can help assist & raise awareness).

Bowens spoke with Peter Board, General Manager – Sales & Marketing at Wesbeam and he reinstated the importance of reporting these issues.

“We know there are non-conforming products in the industry and there have been builders and resellers found to be using or selling non-compliant materials. The whole Australian supply chain – manufacturer or importer through to the builder – all have a responsibility if issues arise. Prevention is always better than a cure, so do your due diligence and purchase materials that you know conform to the relevant standards.”

“The whole Australian supply chain – manufacturer or importer through to the builder – all have a responsibility if issues arise.”

Bowens LVLs Standards

You can be confident the LVLs you purchase from Bowens comply with AS/NZS 4357.0. All LVLs purchased through Bowens have been through process-based quality control requirements.

For more information on LVL compliance or for any supplier information, feel free to contact your Bowens Account Manager.