BS 6446:1997

Covers the manufacturing details of structural components such as box beams and stressed skin panels made from timber or wood-based panels that are glued together.

This British Standard specifies the requirements for the manufacture of structural components which have been designed using either: design or load testing data from BS 5268 : Part 2; properties established from European Technical Approvals; information derived from prototype testing according to BS 5268 : Part 2. In such components (e.g. box beams, single web beams, stressed skin panels, gusseted trusses) made from separate pieces of timber, plywood or other wood based panels that are glued together, the continued integrity of the glue line is essential for satisfactory performance in service. Requirements are specified for production facilities, materials, types of joint, production, production control, the use of preservative and flame retardant treated materials and storage. Glued laminated timber structural members and finger joints in structural softwood are specified in accordance with BS EN 386 and BS EN 385 respectively. NOTE. Components manufactured in accordance with this British Standard may not be suitable for use in service class 3 of DD ENV 1995-1-1 and BS 5268 : Part 2 where they are exposed directly to the weather, e.g. marine structures.