The NSTS will be formally launched at an event held at Arup’s offices in central London on September 17, with government chief construction adviser Peter Hansford being the keynote speaker.

Both the steel and concrete industries already have National Specification publications – in fact steel’s ‘black book’ is already into its fifth edition – but it’s fair to say the timber industry has been somewhat backward in this area. Until now, that is.

The brainchild of TRADA, the NSTS takes on the steel and concrete industries, while for the first time giving the construction industry a set of best practice guidelines against which timber buildings can literally be erected. It’s also perfect timing. Timber might be the oldest building material, but it’s also one of the most innovative and new forms of structural timber (such as glulam or crosslaminated timber) and new product types continue to push the boundaries.

"New developments in engineered timber and computer machining, mean that it is now the ideal material for rapid prefabrication and erection," said Andrew Lawrence, Arup’s Timber Specialist. "A standard UK timber specification is a vital part of helping timber realise its potential as a standard construction material for larger buildings alongside steel and concrete."

Working with industry specialists, TRADA has developed a recognised comprehensive specification that covers information exchange, materials, fabrication, erection, protection and quality assurance. It’s a real game-changer for an industry that has – to this point – relied on using documentation from previous projects to fit the latest one.

The NSTS will focus on structural uses of kiln-dried softwoods for use in three main areas. The first is light-frame construction – usually known as ‘timber frame’ – the main application for this being housing. These can be ‘open panel’ and ‘closed panel’ as well as floor cassettes. It also includes heavy-frame construction – typically glulam and other engineered timber post and beam structures – as well as panel construction (typically cross-laminated timber and structural insulated panels).

These systems establish methods of erection and tolerances. It is conceivable that the specifier might choose to adopt a ‘different’ system from that normally expected. For example, a closed panel timber frame could be installed to ‘panel’ standard. The design of NSTS has deliberately followed Eurocode 5. There has been no provision for BS 5268 because it has been withdrawn. In future editions, it will be possible to create further modules to cover non-structural uses of timber – joinery, decking, cladding, flooring etc. Another area for future consideration will be hybrid construction (where timber is combined structurally with other materials).

The development and quality of the National Structural Timber Specification is supported by a team of expert TRADA members. Nick Milestone of B&K Structures chairs the steering group, which includes representatives from Kingspan, Arup and BM TRADA.

Peer reviewing was provided by representatives from Smith and Wallwork, BAM Construct UK, Ramboll, Waugh Thistleton and NHBC, followed by a wider consultation among TRADA members. Commenting on the development of the new specification, Simon Smith, director at Smith and Wallwork, said: "The NSTS represents a milestone for timber construction in the UK.

We now have a document that addresses all the issues required to successfully specify both traditional and modern engineered structures at any scale."