Maintenance and Storage of Wood - Course: Manual woodworking techniques. Instruction examples for practical vocational training (Institut f�r Berufliche Entwicklung, 15 p.)

Pile stones of concrete or natural stone

Dimensions:

Width: at

least 400 mm

Length: at

least 400 mm

Height: at

least 300 mm

Squared timbers (impregnated with preservatives)

Dimensions:

Width: at

least 100 mm

Length: at

least 1000 mm

Thickness: at

least 100 mm

Sequence of operations

Comments

1. Decide on the location of the sawn timber storage yard.

Take into account the necessary distances to neighbouring premises and the main wind direction.

2. If necessary, clean the yard to remove dirt, wood and bark waste.

3. Plane the yard (if necessary).

4. Lay out the pile stones on the yard with equal length and width distances.

Make sure that the centre-to-centre distance are correct with respect to the dimensions and type (different weights) of the wood to be stored.

5. Check the position of the pile stones for horizontal position and alignment in height as well as straightness in length and width by means of long straightedge or stretching line and water level.

Put the straightedge on the pile stones in longitudinal and transverse directions and compare or tightly stretch the line over the pile stones and compare. Put water level on the straightedge or hold it at the line.

6. If necessary, change the position of the pile stones until the required position as per 5. above is achieved.

Adjust the height alignment of the pile stones by adding or removing soil on the yard.

7. Put the squared timbers on the aligned pile stones in a straight line and in parallel with each other.

The longitudinal grain direction to be in main wind direction.

8. Check the position of the squared timbers as per steps 5. and 6. above.

Similarly take into account the comments on steps 5. and 6. above.

Non-edged or edged boards

Dimensions:

Width:

as available

Length:

at least 2000 mm

Equal thickness:

at least 25 mm

Dimensions:

Width:

25 mm to 50 mm

Length:

at least 1000 mm

Thickness:

at least 25 mm

Ladder (scaffold), covering plates, identification plate, nails

Sequence of operations

Comments

1. Check the prepared timber yard and pile base for meeting of requirements.

Check the position of the pile stones for joint horizontal and aligned height and for straight-ness in length and width by means of long straightedge or stretching line with water level. If necessary, adjust the position of the pile stones until the required position is achieved.

2. Put pile strips longitudinally on the squared timbers of the pile base.

The grains of the squared timbers and of the pile strips to have the same direction. Put one pile strip on each squared timber. Make sure that the pile strips have the same thickness.

3. Put several boards side by side and transversely on the pile strips until the intended pile width is reached.

The faces of the boards nearer to the heart to show upwards. Always let the edges of one cross-grained face (cross-sectional area) of all boards end with the edges of an outer pile strip.

4. Put the second layer of pile strips on the first layer of boards according to step 2. above.

Put the pile strips exactly vertically above the pile strips beneath (check with water level).

5. Put on the second layer of boards according to step 3. above.

Take into account the comments on step 3. above. Put the frontal longitudinal narrow face of the first board and one cross-grained face each vertically above the narrow faces of the bards-beneath (check with water level).

6. Repeat the steps 4. and 5. above until the intended pile height is reached.

Use safe ladder or scaffold when working in bigger height. Secure covering plates by fixing against weather influences.

7. Cover the top of the box-type pile with covering plates.

8. Identify the pile by fixing an identification plate.

Dimensions:

Width:

as available

Length:

at least 2000 mm

Thickness:

at least 25 mm

Pile strips

Dimensions:

Width:

25 mm to 50 mm

Length:

double the bigger board width (trunk diameter) + 200 mm

Thickness:

at least 25 mm

Ladders (scaffold), covering plates, identification plate, nails

Sequence of operations

Comments

1. Check the prepared timber yard and pile base for meeting of requirements.

Check the position of the pile stones for joint horizontal and aligned height as well as for straightness in length and width by means of long straightedge or stretching line and water level. Check the position of the squared timbers.

2. Arrange the boards to origin with respect to tree trunk and to order of sequence.

Measure and compare the width of the boards. Visually check and compare the course of the longitudinal edges of the boards and of the annual rings (at the cross-sectional areas).

3. Put pile strips longitudinally on the squared timbers of the pile base.

4. Put two outer boards from different trunks (blocks) side by side and transversely on the pile strips.

The faces of the boards nearer to the heart to show upwards. Ensure a sufficient centre distance of the boards to each other and to the outside in accordance with the biggest board width of the trunks (blocks).

5.. Put the second layer of pile strips on the first layer of boards as per step 3. above.

Put the pile strips exactly vertically above the pile strips beneath (check with water level).

6. Put on the next two boards according to step 4. above.

Take into account the comments on step 4. above.

7. Repeat steps 5. and 6. above until the last two outer boards of the different blocks are stored.

8. Continue storing boards from other trunks on the lower blocks according to steps 3. to 7. above until the intended pile height is reached.

9. Cover the top of the double-block pile with covering plates.

Secure the covering plates by fixing them against weather influences.

10. Identify the pile by fixing an identification plate.