Classes of risk is a concept defined by norms in order to try to evaluate the risk of attack by xylophageous agents, as a function of the location where the wood is to be installed. The European Committee for Standards and Norms (CEN) has identified 4 classes of risk that are differentiated on the basis of the humidity to which the wood is subjected during its various conditions of use. The greater the risk, the greater the need to increase the natural resistance of the wood with treatment. The classes of risk mainly depend on the degree of humidity that the wood can achieve in its useful life (less than 18%; sometimes greater than 20%; frequently greater than 20%; or permanently greater then 20%). Other factors used to evaluate classes of risk are whether the wood is in contact with the ground, with fresh water or with seawater or if it is exposed to the elements.
The development of SURFASAM will, moreover, enable the use of a new scientific basis for controlling European Directives and for reducing chemical compounds which are toxic to humans, animals and for the environment.
In this project those involved in R+D are commissioned by business associations with undertaking technological research work.
The consortium for this project is made up of 6 business associations from the timber sector: Organisation Comérciale des Bois Francais (OCDBF) from France, the Estonian Forest Industries Association (EFIA), Lietuvos Mediena (LM) from Lithuania, Arbio ab – skogsindustrierna (ARBIO) from Sweden, Asociata Producatoriloc de Stratificate din Lemn din Romania (APSL) from Rumania and the Western European Institute for Wood Preservation (WEI) in Belgium.
The Basque techological centre CIDEMCO is one of the two technological R & D performers of the project and is playing a significant role in the achievement of the targeted technological objectives. The polytechnic institute or INP at Toulouse is leading the project which involves more than ten enterprises.