Australians will have until February 7, 2025, to provide feedback on a new industry standard for exterior timber wall cladding with Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) looking to introduce a new non-mandatory deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) solution that, if approved, will provide a clear compliance pathway to meet the condensation and weatherproofing provisions of the National Construction Code (NCC).
The draft standard, Design and Installation of Exterior Timber Wall Cladding, was established following extensive consultation with various stakeholders, including timber cladding manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and building associations. It was also developed in accordance with the Australian Building Codes Board’s Protocol for the Development of National Construction Code-Referenced Documents.
“By simplifying compliance requirements, we’re not only reducing costs and project delays but also empowering builders and designers to choose timber as a preferred material,” said Boris Iskra, FWPA’s National Codes and Standards Manager, who said the new industry standard will expand the market opportunities for timber products.
The FWPA will now seek to reference the proposed standard in the NCC for compliance purposes, noting that:
- Currently, there are no commercial building DTS solutions for using exterior timber wall cladding Volume One of the NCC.
- This standard provides a first-of-its-kind pre-approved solution, significantly reducing the need for costly, customised Performance Solutions. For domestic projects under Volume Two, it accounts for modern cladding systems and updated installation methods, simplifying and expediting compliance.
“By establishing a clear pathway, this standard minimises project delays cuts construction costs, and encourages the broader adoption of timber as a sustainable material,” the FWPA said. “This shift not only positions our industry’s products as a more attractive option but also expands market opportunities by lowering barriers to use in both commercial and residential construction.”
The new standard follows two other “industry-owned” standards—FWPA Standard G01 Recycled Structural Timber and FWPA Standard G02 Recycled Decorative Timber—which were announced in September with the FWPA taking full ownership over the standards’ intellectual property, and thus eliminating the need for FWPA members to purchase standards from external organisations.
- To learn more about the draft standard, Design and Installation of Exterior Timber Wall Cladding and provide feedback, visit the FWPA’s dedicated link.
