UK National Structural Timber Specification (NSTS)
The UK’s National Structural Timber Specification (NSTS) provides the construction industry with a set of best practice guidelines.
It has been produced by the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) as a step towards a national specification for structural timber. You can access it by registering on the TRADA website. The NSTS Guidance section includes documents in TRADA’s Wood Information library which are also available once registered.
The NSTS needs to be read in conjunction with TRADA’s Project Specification as this includes additional project specific data.
See checklist below for matching APA products, NSTS material clause number and the relevant EU standard:
APA CE Marked Structural Products |
NSTS
Material Clause No. |
European Standard |
---|---|---|
Plywood | 5.2.5 | EN 13986 |
OSB | 5.2.4 | EN 13986 |
LVL | 5.2.3 | EN 14374 |
I-joists | 5.3.1 | See individual manufacturers appropriate European Technical Assessment |
Glued laminated timber | 5.2.2 | EN 14080 |
Cross-laminated timber
|
5.2.7 | Refer to the appropriate European Technical Assessment from each manufacturer |
Structural softwood lumber | 5.2.1 | EN 14081-1 |
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) |
5.4.2 | Refer to the appropriate European Technical Assessment from each manufacturer |
TRADA’s Project Specification covers such areas as:
- Information required by the timber contractor
- Information to be supplied by the timber contractor
- Materials
- General workmanship
- Fabrication
- Protective treatments and finishes
- Quality assurance.