J-FRAME 8 is a general purpose Structural Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) gauged Framing timber manufactured by Juken New Zealand Ltd (JNL) from Radiata Pine. A reliable straight and durable product, J-Frame 8 can be used in a wide range of applications including residential and commercial framing and truss systems. J-FRAME 8 is CodeMark certified, an engineered wood product, being manufactured to AS/NZS 4357 (Structural LVL), AS/NZS 1491 (Finger Jointed Structural Timber), supported by ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System). (Refer Product & Process Integrity comments).
Bond
J-FRAME 8 Structural LVL uses Phenol Formaldehyde Resin to produce an A Bond classification. This bond has a proven, internationally recognised durability record for exposure to moisture and stress. Australian Standard / New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 2754.1 “Adhesive for Timber and Timber Products” states for A Bond:
“……. can be used in applications involving extreme long-term exposure to weather or wet or damp conditions and/or long-term structural performance requirements without glue line break-down or glue line creep.”
Moisture Content
J-FRAME 8 is supplied to market with a targeted moisture content of 18%. Glue lines in LVL can affect moisture content measurements. Moisture equivalency tables for J-Frame 8 developed by Scion are available here
Treatment
J-Frame 8 has CodeMark product certification for use where Hazard Class H1.2 or less applies.
Stress Grading
J-FRAME 8’s design and manufacturing process, ensures consistency in strength, stiffness and stability. Two structural grades of J-Frame are produced. The characteristic properties of J-Frame are above the minimum of MSG8 in respect of J-Frame 8 and above the minimum of MSG10 for J-Frame 11 as documented in table 2.3, NZS3603:1993 (Timber Structures Standard).
Finger Jointing
Standard lengths of J-FRAME 8 over 3 metres will have one finger joint per length. Finger jointing is audited by the EWPAA to confirm manufacture in compliance with AS/NZS1491 Finger Jointed Structural Timber.
Product Identification
J-FRAME 8 is print branded to show product name and grade, applicable standards, Hazard Class applications of use treatment classification, and certifying bodies.
J-FRAME 8 should be kept dry when being stored. Place on ground with packers and cover with water proof plastic to prevent moisture.
- Minimise exposure to weather and rain.
- Protect Frames and Trusses from weather as soon as possible.
- Dry out before covering/lining after exposure to wetting.
Product and Process Integrity
The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) http://www.ewp.asn.au, SGS Timber Labs and Bureau Veritas, audit and/or test JNL J-Frame to verify JNL’s quality systems and products.
JNL is certified to both ISO9001 Quality, and ISO14001 Environmental, Management System Standards, both of which demand in-house documented procedures, training programs and process control systems.
Rigorous product testing as stipulated in the applicable standards and certification scheme rules are performed on each J-FRAME 8 manufacturing batch by JNL’s Quality Assurance Department. The internal testing is continually verified by the EWPAA independent testing of product, in its NATA accredited laboratory.
The JNL Wairarapa Mill has been manufacturing LVL for over 20 years and has attained Forestry Stewardship Council® (FSC® C009303) Chain of Custody (COC), testifying that the Pinus radiata used in J-FRAME 8 is from a sustainable, environmentally managed forest resource.
Design & Installation Guide
Product certification (CodeMark) is a voluntary scheme that provides an easily-understood and robust way to show that a building product or system meets the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
