Visual Strength Grading – Softwoods: Five-day training course (2-6 Mar)

Course Content

A practical five-day course to grade softwood to the visual strength grades set out in BS 4978: 2007+A2:2017 'Visual strength grading of softwood. Specification'.

Through classroom based interactive learning, practical days spent in the timber yard and a practical examination, this course will provide delegates with:

• An introduction to timber, including the uses of strength graded timber
• The meaning of strength classes, an explanation of strength grading and the marking systems
• An understanding of the responsibilities of the grader and the grading company
• An introduction to the natural growth characteristics of wood using handheld samples
• Practical exercises grading lengths of softwood timber.

The course also includes:

• Practical exercises
• A written test.
• In passing the test a delegate is classed as competent to grade. However, only individuals that are certified within an approved certification scheme and issued with a grader number will be eligible to mark product, this can incur further cost.

This course is designed for:

• Those involved in the selection and supply of softwood for structural use.

Pre-course Requirements

• During the course, 3 metre lengths of timber will be handled on a daily basis.
• All delegates must bring suitable clothing such as hi-vis vest/jacket and protective safety/footwear.
• Delegates must also be aware of the correct manual handling techniques.

Please note: It is a legal requirement for all structural timber used in the UK to be strength graded, UKCA or CE marked and stamped in accordance with Annex ZA of BS EN 14081-1. In order to do this you will be required to join a certification scheme operated by a UK Approved Body such as BM TRADA or an EU Notified Body such as our sister company Element BV. Only individuals that are certified within an approved certification scheme and issued with a grader number will be eligible to mark product, this can incur further cost.

Your Tutor

Nick Clifford, Timber Technical Consultant

Nick Clifford has over twenty years’ experience of providing clear, concise, high-quality advice on timber-related issues to architects, engineers, contractors, developers, conservation bodies and public clients.

A qualified visual strength grader for timber, Nick carries out independent condition surveys and inspections, diagnoses defects and writes expert witness reports.

His areas of expertise include assessing the condition of timber structures, flooring, cladding and decking. That specialist knowledge extends to species identification, fungal decay, insect damage and wood preservation.

Nick teaches visual strength grading and is a regular public speaker on timber-related subjects.

More Information

If you have any questions, please email training@bmtrada.com.