South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA)
Promoting timber treatment and treated timber products. SAWPA is the association preserving confidence in commercially grown timber in South Africa.
Technical Datasheets
Browse technical specifications and product data
BUY ONLY CERTIFIED TREATED TIMBER POLES THAT CARRY THE CORRECT MARKINGS
BUY ONLY CERTIFIED TREATED TIMBER POLES THAT CARRY THE CORRECT MARKINGS
Buying and using preservative-treated timber
Ensure your projects meet South African standards with this guide to buying and using preservative-treated timber. Understand hazard classification, compliance requirements, and proper handling for lasting, durable resultsโin construction, agriculture, and design.
CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate) Preservative Treated Wood
CCA Preservative Treated Wood SAWPA SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS FOR USE, HANDLING AND DISPOSAL
CCA Treated Timber
CCA (Copper-Chrome-Arsenate) is an industrial wood preservative and is widely used in South Africa. When applied to timber it enhances the durability by preserving it against biological deterioration such as insect attack (wood borer and termites) and fungal decay (rot). In South Africa only CCA Type C is allowed to be used as it is internationally recognised as the most stable and effective type, i.e. apart from its efficacy as a timber preservative, it successfully fixes to the lignocellulose material in wood. CCA may only be applied by industrial high pressure process from where the familiar term โpressure treated woodโ hails from.
Disposal of Treated Wood
Our guidance note, endorsed by the South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA), provides essential information on the responsible disposal of treated wood waste, highlighting identification methods and proper handling procedures to minimise health and environmental risks.
Guidance Note Carpenter Bees and how to control them
Carpenter bees are species in the genus Xylocopa that include some 500 bees and are found on every continent except Antarctica. They resemble bumblebees as they are similar in size, i.e. 12-25 mm long, but they are not bumblebees. They are mainly black in colour but can range from greenish-black to blueish black or purple […]
Guidance Note Winter poles โ Simply a case of appearance
Winter pole is not only found on creosote-treated poles, which normally have a dark brown/black appearance instead of a lighter appearance as can be seen in the above picture. It is also found on poles treated with waterborne preservatives e.g., CCA, borates, etc, but it is not as obvious since waterborne preservatives are usually not […]
Guidance Note: Treated Wooden Poles
Treated wooden poles (excluding utility poles) can be produced under either SANS 457 or SANS 1288.
Hidden Away in a Shed
Finding storage space for all those things that don’t quite fit in the garage is easy when you have a garden shed. When you build one with durable pressure treated SA Pine you can count on some long-lasting protection for all those items you need to stash away and secure. This plan is adaptable to […]
Houtbehandeling en die wet
Houtbehandeling en die wet
How to plant a pole
How to plant a pole – guidance note The process of proper preservative treatment of timber requires for the preservative to be deeply impregnated into the permeable or treatable sapwood, resulting in a deep envelope of preservative treatment around the central and inner impermeable or untreatable heartwood. It is preferable that timber is purchased in […]
Jungle Gym
With our ideal weather, why not put up a jungle gym in your garden for the children. This jungle gym is simple to construct and because of its rustic look, it won’t make the garden look messy, but will enhance it. But this doesn’t compare with how much the kids will love it.
Kalafo Ya Legong Le Molao
Kalafo Ya Legong Le Molao
KHA VHA RENGE BALAGA/THANDA DZO ?ODZWAHO MUSHONGA DZO MAKIWAHO/TALIWA NGONA
KHA VHA RENGE BALAGA/THANDA DZO ?ODZWAHO MUSHONGA DZO MAKIWAHO/TALIWA NGONA
Mulayo Na Tsireledzo Ya Mabulannga
Mulayo Na Tsireledzo Ya Mabulannga
Natural durability of wood
An important consideration when building with timber is predicting how long the structure will last. Whilst insects, decay or rotting organisms and marine borers can all attack wood, some timber species have the ability to resist attack better than others. The natural durability of a species to resist attack by wood destroying organisms is an […]
Poolside Bar
Serve drinks around the pool with a poolside bar made from treated timber. The bar we are making has a roof section but you can choose to leave this out. See the photos of both kinds to see which is most suitable for you.
Preservative treated wood - a sustainable choice | SAWPA
Preservative treated wood – the sutainable choice. Wood offers a simple way to reduce the CO2 emissions and carbon storage effect.
Preservatives for Pressure Treatment of Wood
Our Guidance Note provides comprehensive information on approved wood preservatives in South Africa, categorising them into water-borne, boron-based, oil-borne, and light organic solvent types, ensuring suitability for various applications and hazard classes.
REKA FELA DIKOTA Tล E DI ล OMILWEGO Tล A GO NETEFATล WA Tล EO DI NAGO LE MASWAO AO A NEPAGETล EGO
REKA FELA DIKOTA Tล E DI ล OMILWEGO Tล A GO NETEFATล WA Tล EO DI NAGO LE MASWAO AO A NEPAGETล EGO
SAWPA | Exterior Wood Finishes: Selection, Application, Maintenance and Renovation
Exterior surface coatings play an important role in the final steps of the manufacture or construction and later, in the maintenance and renovation of wooden objects and structures. The consumer expects a reasonable level of performance from these finishes. However, the performance and hence the selection of an acceptable finish for an exterior wooden structure […]
SAWPA | Guidance Note: Wooden Piling or Foundation Poles Used for Permanent Buildings
This Guidance Note provides guidance to specifiers, designers, engineers, timber frame builders, or any other person or company regarding the correct use of treated timber poles for pilings or foundation poles in permanent buildings. This note gives information on the correct Hazard Class treatment needed for such poles as well as a remedial inspection and […]
SAWPA | Sapwood and Heartwood
A tree trunk has three main zones; the bark, the sapwood and the heartwood. Trees are basically triangular in shape and they gain height by growing outwards and upwards. At the start of each growing season, a new layer is added to the outside of the wood so that every part of the tree gets […]
SAWPA | Wooden Deck
Building a wooden deck is a very popular project among DIYers, so here’s a deck to inspire and challenge you.
THENGA KUPHELA AMAPHOLI EZINGODOAQINISEKISIWE FUTHI AQUKETHE IZIMPAWU EZIFANELE
THENGA KUPHELA AMAPHOLI EZINGODOAQINISEKISIWE FUTHI AQUKETHE IZIMPAWU EZIFANELE
THENGA KUPHELA IIPALI ZAMAPLANGA EZIQINISEKISIWEYO EZINEEMPAWU EZICHANEKILEYO
THENGA KUPHELA IIPALI ZAMAPLANGA EZIQINISEKISIWEYO EZINEEMPAWU EZICHANEKILEYO
Timber Decking Substructure Regulations and Preservative Treatment
Ensure your timber decking projects are built to last with expert guidance on substructure specification, SANS 10005 standards, and preservative treatments. SAWPAโs note offers practical compliance advice for architects and contractors in South Africa.
Timber Treatment & the Law
Timber Treatment & the Law In South Africa there are two regulations applicable to preservative-treated timber.
Tshireletso Ya Mapolanka Ka Dibaballi Le Molao
Tshireletso Ya Mapolanka Ka Dibaballi Le Molao
Ukhuselo Lwamaplanga Ngezilondolozi Nomthetho
Ukhuselo Lwamaplanga Ngezilondolozi Nomthetho
Ukunakekelwa Kwepulangwe Nomthetho
Ukunakekelwa Kwepulangwe Nomthetho
Understanding hazard classes
The "Understanding Hazard Classes" guidance note delineates how timber is treated based on hazard classifications (H Class), with marking requirements outlined in SANS product standards to indicate service conditions and examples provided for each hazard class.
Understanding the markings on treated timber
The guidance note delineates the required markings on treated timber products as per South African Standards SANS 1288, SANS 457-2/3, and SANS 753/4, including unique treatment plant identifiers, product certification marks, SANS standard numbers, hazard classes, and manufacturing dates.
Understanding Timber Preservation
Understanding Timber Preservation, a guide to timber and its preservative treatment against biological degradation.
Wood Preservation Regulations - Interpretation
There are two regulations in South Africa that apply to wood preservation. Both these regulations refer to compliance of SANS 10005, and in order for the reader, end-user, specifier, regulating authority etc. to fully understand the interpretation or intent of each regulation, one needs to read it in context with the relevant clauses given in SANS 10005, The preservative treatment of timber. SANS 10005 (previously SABS 05) is the code of practice that was developed many years ago as a guidance document on all matters pertaining to wood preservation, i.e. wood preservative types, processes, methods, treatment requirements, hazard classifications, reference to the relevant product specifications, handling precautions etc. SANS 10005 is commonly referred to by industry as โthe bibleโ of wood preservation...
Wood-destroying insects
Wood-destroying insects responsible for most damage to timber structures in South Africa.
Company Videos
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Timber Preservation Process
Timber Preservation Process with SAWPA High-pressure full-cell process most commonly used in the primary preservative treatment of timber. Please be advised that this is a generalisation and does not discuss or imply any technical data or specifications.
Address
South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA)
SAFCA Building, 6 Hulley Road, SAFCA Building, 6 Hulley Road, Isando, Gauteng, 1601, South Africa
Phone Numbers
Reception
9741061Email Addresses
Enquiries
admin@sawpa.co.zaWebsite
Website
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