I was interested to read your market report with reference to User Class 4 (UC4) posts failing and reference to the Fencing Contractors Association.
If these goods were treated to UC4 they should have had the name of the supplier stamped on the end for easy recognition.
I have been supplying UC4 goods for over eight years and not one single post has been notified as failing! If customers want genuine UC4 products they are available, branded with the supplier’s name and guaranteed for 15 years.
If end users are not specifying UC4 for in-ground contact fencing they only have themselves to blame. Too often they think if it’s green then it’s treated and should be fit for purpose.
Treatment companies should have access to kilns to dry the timber to 28% moisture content prior to treatment. Spruce is not suitable to be treated to UC4 due to its poor uptake of solution.
Perhaps the Wood Protection Association would also like to explain why it voted to remove chrome from UK wood treatment formulations.
Brian Griffiths
Woodbank Timber
