BS EN 113-3:2023

Durability of wood and wood-based products. Test method against wood destroying basidiomycetes. Assessment of durability of wood-based panels | Status: Current

1 Scope This document describes a method for assessing the durability of wood-based panels or analogue wood products to attack by wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi growing in pure culture. The test method described in this document is intended to complement EN 113‑2 with focus on specific aspects of wood-based panels or analogue wood products. This document is not intended to determine the effectiveness of wood preservatives used to prevent decay, which is covered by EN 113‑1.

NOTE This method can be used in conjunction with an appropriate ageing procedure, for example EN 73 or EN 84.

The method is applicable to uncoated, rigid wood-based panel products. It is applicable to the determination of the decay resistance of wood-based panel products:

• — made from naturally durable materials;
• — made from materials treated with preservatives prior to manufacture;
• — treated with a preservative which is introduced during manufacture, for example as an additive to the adhesive;
• — specific treatments to increase durability of wood-based panels, e.g. wood modification.

Annex A (informative) contains a guidance on sampling. Annex B (normative) contains some methods of sterilization. Annex C (informative) contains information on the culture vessels. Annex D (informative) contains an example of a test report. Annex E (informative) contains information on the test fungi. Annex F (informative) contains the assessment of the results. Annex G (informative) contains extra info on moisture dynamics, coatings, composites and impact of dimensions.