prEN 113-3

Durability of wood and wood-based products Test method against wood destroying basidiomycetes - Part 3: assessment of durability of wood-based panels

This European Standard describes a method for assessing the resistance of wood-based panel products to attack by wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi growing in pure culture.
The method is applicable to uncoated, rigid wood-based panel products. It is applicable to the determination of the decay resistance of wood-based panel products:
— made from naturally durable materials;
— made from materials treated with preservatives prior to manufacture;
— treated with a preservative which is introduced during manufacture, for example as an additive to the adhesive;
— treated with preservative after manufacture.
NOTE 1 This method can be used in conjunction with an appropriate ageing procedure, for example EN 73 or EN 84.
NOTE 2 Wood-based panel products that have received a preservative treatment after manufacture can be susceptible to attack through the cut edges of the test specimens and the decay resistance indicated can be less than that of complete panels used in service.
Annex A (informative) contains a guidance on sampling.
Annex B (normative) contains some methods of sterilization.
Annex C (informative) contains information on the culture vessels.
Annex D (informative) contains an example of a test report.
Annex E (informative) contains information on the test fungi.

Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Prüfverfahren in Bezug auf Holz zerstörende Basidiomyceten - Teil 3: Bewertung der Dauerhaftigkeit von Holzwerkstoffen

Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Méthode d’essai contre les champignons basidiomycètes lignivores - Partie 3 : Évaluation de la durabilité des panneaux à base de bois

Trajnost lesa in lesnih proizvodov - Preskusna metoda proti glivam prostotrosnicam, ki uničujejo les - 3. del: Ocenjevanje trajnosti lesenih plošč

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 79.060.01 - Wood-based panels in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 38 - Durability of wood and derived materials
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 38/WG 23 - Fungal testing (basidiomycetes-microfungi)
• Current Stage: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 113-3:2021 - Durability of wood and wood-based products - Test method against wood destroying basidiomycetes - Part 3: Assessment of durability of wood-based panels

RELATIONS

• Revised: ENV 12038:2002 - Durability of wood and wood-based products - Wood-based panels - Method of test for determining the resistance against wood-destroying basidiomycetes
• Effective Date: 22-Feb-2017

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 113-3:2021
01-november-2021
Trajnost lesa in lesnih proizvodov - Preskusna metoda proti glivam
prostotrosnicam, ki uničujejo les - 3. del: Ocenjevanje trajnosti lesenih plošč
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Test method against wood destroying
basidiomycetes - Part 3: Assessment of durability of wood-based panels
Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Prüfverfahren in Bezug auf Holz

zerstörende Basidiomyceten - Teil 3: Bewertung der Dauerhaftigkeit von Holzwerkstoffen

Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Méthode d’essai contre les

champignons basidiomycètes lignivores - Partie 3 : Évaluation de la durabilité des

panneaux à base de bois
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 113-3
ICS:
79.060.01 Lesne plošče na splošno Wood-based panels in
general
oSIST prEN 113-3:2021 en,fr,de

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN 113-3:2021
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oSIST prEN 113-3:2021
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 113-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2021
ICS 79.060.01 Will supersede ENV 12038:2002
English Version
Durability of wood and wood-based products Test method
against wood destroying basidiomycetes - Part 3:
assessment of durability of wood-based panels

Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten -

Méthode d'essai contre les champignons Prüfverfahren in Bezug auf Holz zerstörende

basidiomycètes lignivores - Partie 3 : Évaluation de la Basidiomyceten - Teil 3: Bewertung der

durabilité des panneaux à base de bois Dauerhaftigkeit von Holzwerkstoffen

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee

CEN/TC 38.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations

which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other

language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC

Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and

United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are

aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without

notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 113-3:2021 E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
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Contents Page

European foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 5

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 6

2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 6

3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 7

4 Principle ............................................................................................................................................................. 7

5 Test material and apparatus ....................................................................................................................... 7

5.1 Biological material .......................................................................................................................................... 7

5.1.1 Test fungi ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

5.1.2 Solid wood stock .............................................................................................................................................. 8

5.2 Products and reagents ................................................................................................................................... 9

5.2.1 Culture medium ............................................................................................................................................... 9

5.2.2 Additive for white rot fungi ......................................................................................................................... 9

5.3 Apparatus ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

5.3.1 Conditioning supports ................................................................................................................................ 10

5.3.2 Conditioning room ....................................................................................................................................... 10

5.3.3 Culture chamber ........................................................................................................................................... 10

5.3.4 Culture vessels .............................................................................................................................................. 10

5.3.5 Ventilated drying oven ............................................................................................................................... 10

5.3.6 Desiccators ..................................................................................................................................................... 10

5.3.7 Test specimens supports ........................................................................................................................... 10

5.3.8 Safety equipment and protective clothing .......................................................................................... 10

5.3.9 Equipment for steam sterilization or access to a radiation source ........................................... 10

5.3.10 Ordinary laboratory equipment ............................................................................................................. 10

6 Test specimens .............................................................................................................................................. 11

6.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

6.2 Test specimen preparation....................................................................................................................... 11

7 Numbers of test specimens ....................................................................................................................... 11

7.1 Test product specimens ............................................................................................................................. 11

7.1.1 Test specimens .............................................................................................................................................. 11

7.1.2 Moisture content check specimens ........................................................................................................ 11

7.1.3 Wetting check specimens .......................................................................................................................... 11

7.2 Virulence control specimens ................................................................................................................... 12

8 Procedure........................................................................................................................................................ 12

8.1 Pre-conditioning ........................................................................................................................................... 12

8.2 Initial dry mass ............................................................................................................................................. 13

8.2.1 Test product specimens ............................................................................................................................. 13

8.2.2 Virulence control specimens ................................................................................................................... 13

8.3 Sterilization of test specimens ................................................................................................................ 13

8.4 Preparation of the culture vessels ......................................................................................................... 13

8.5 Inoculation ...................................................................................................................................................... 14

8.6 Exposure of test specimens ...................................................................................................................... 14

8.6.1 Preparation of additive for white rot fungi ........................................................................................ 14

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8.6.2 Test specimens .............................................................................................................................................. 14

8.6.3 Virulence control specimens .................................................................................................................... 14

8.6.4 Wetting check specimens .......................................................................................................................... 14

8.7 Culture conditions and duration of the test ........................................................................................ 14

8.8 Assessment of the test ................................................................................................................................. 15

8.8.1 Examination of the test specimens ......................................................................................................... 15

8.8.2 Final dry mass ................................................................................................................................................ 15

8.8.3 Validity of results .......................................................................................................................................... 15

9 Validity of the test ......................................................................................................................................... 15

10 Assessment of results .................................................................................................................................. 16

11 Test report ...................................................................................................................................................... 16

Annex A (informative) Guidance on sampling ................................................................................................ 18

Annex B (normative) Methods of sterilization ................................................................................................ 19

B.1 Ionizing radiation ......................................................................................................................................... 19

B.2 Steam ................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Annex C (informative) Culture vessels ............................................................................................................... 20

Annex D (informative) Example of a test report............................................................................................. 23

Annex E (informative) Test fungi ......................................................................................................................... 26

E.1 General information on maintaining and acquisition of test strains ........................................ 26

E.2 Maintenance and treatment of test fungi ............................................................................................. 26

E.3 Information regarding obligatory test fungi ...................................................................................... 27

E.3.1 Coniophora puteana (Schumacher ex Fries) Karsten [Synonym: Coniophora cerebella

(Persoon) Duby] ............................................................................................................................................ 27

E.3.2 Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacquin ex Fries) Kummer ................................................................................ 27

E.3.3 Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon ex Fries) Murrill [Synonyms: Lenzites trabea

(Persoon ex Fries) Fries - Trametes trabea (Persoon ex Fries) Bresadola] ............................ 27

E.3.4 Trametes versicolor (Linnaeus ex Fries) Pile [Synonyms: Polyporus versicolor

Linnaeus ex Fries - Polystictus versicolor (Linnaeus) Saccardo - Coriolus versicolor

(Linnaeus) Quelet ]....................................................................................................................................... 27

E.3.5 Rhodonia placenta (Fr.) Niemelä, K.H. Larss. and Schigel [Synonym: Poria placenta

(Fries) Cooke sensu J. Eriksson - Poria monticola Murrill] ............................................................ 28

E.4 Information regarding optional test fungi .......................................................................................... 28

Annex F (informative) Assessment of results .................................................................................................. 31

Annex G (informative) Moisture dynamics, coatings, composites and impact of dimensions....... 33

G.1 General information on moisture dynamics ....................................................................................... 33

G.2 Coated wood-based panels ........................................................................................................................ 33

G.3 Wood polymer composites and Natural fibre composites............................................................. 33

G.4 Impact of dimensions .................................................................................................................................. 33

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 35

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European foreword

This document (prEN 113-3:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 38 “Durability of

Wood and wood-based products”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede ENV 12038:2002.
Test results obtained with earlier versions of ENV 12038 are still valid.
Compared to current EN 113, the following modifications are:
— A third part has been included.

— The three parts of the new EN 113 deal with similar testing but relate to a different scope.

Compared to the ENV 12038:2002 version the following major changes have been introduced:

— Change of the title;
— The methods for sterilization are updated;
— All annexes are informative;
— Some additional validity requirements are introduced for control specimens.
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Introduction

This document describes a laboratory test method in which small samples of the wood-based panel

product under test are exposed to attack by a range of wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi in pure

culture. The thickness of the test specimens varies, since it is dictated by the thickness of the wood-based

panel product under test. The effect of constituents giving temporary protection is avoided by testing

after pre-conditioning of the cut specimens in a freely ventilated environment. The test method also

includes a minimum moisture uptake requirement.

The procedures described in this document method are intended to be carried out by suitably trained

and/or supervised specialists. Appropriate safety precautions should be observed throughout the use of

this standard.
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1 Scope

This document describes a method for assessing the durability of wood-based panels or analogous wood

products to attack by wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi growing in pure culture.

The test method described in this document is intended to complement EN 113-2 with focus on specific

aspects of wood-based panels or analogue wood products. This document is not intended to determine

the effectiveness of wood preservatives used to prevent decay which is covered by EN 113-1.

NOTE 1 Determining the efficacy of wood preservatives used to prevent decay is the scope of EN 113-1.

NOTE 2 This method may be used in conjunction with an ageing procedure, for example EN 73 or EN 84.

NOTE 3 Complementary to EN 113-2 this part focusses on specific test procedure for wood-based panels or

analogous wood products.

The method is applicable to uncoated, rigid wood-based panel products. It is applicable to the

determination of the decay resistance of wood-based panel products:
— made from naturally durable materials;
— made from materials treated with preservatives prior to manufacture;

— treated with a preservative which is introduced during manufacture, for example as an additive to

the adhesive;

— specific treatments to increase durability of wood-based panels, e.g. wood modification

NOTE 4 This method can be used in conjunction with an appropriate ageing procedure, for example EN 73 or

EN 84.
Annex A (informative) contains a guidance on sampling.
Annex B (normative) contains some methods of sterilization.
Annex C (informative) contains information on the culture vessels.
Annex D (informative) contains an example of a test report.
Annex E (informative) contains information on the test fungi.
Annex F (informative) contains the assessment of the results.

Annex G (informative) contains extra info on moisture dynamics, coatings, composites and impact of

dimensions
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
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3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
supplier

sponsor of the test, person or company providing the sample of wood/timber (wood-based panel) to be

tested
4 Principle

Specimens prepared from the wood-based panel product(s) under test, after pre-conditioning, and

control specimens of defined function are exposed to attack by pure cultures of wood-destroying

basidiomycete fungi.

After a prescribed period of incubation under defined conditions, the loss in dry mass of the specimens

is used as the criterion for determining the extent of attack.
5 Test material and apparatus
5.1 Biological material
5.1.1 Test fungi

The test fungi to be used are as follows and relate to corresponding virulence control specimens.

It is required that the reference timber virulence control specimens provide a median mass loss of at least

30 % with one of the test fungi.
5.1.1.1 Obligatory test fungi for all types of panel products
— Coniophora puteana (Schumacher ex Fries) Karsten (BAM Ebw. 15)

Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood virulence control specimens in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of

minimum 20 %
— Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacquin ex Fries) Quélet (FPRL 40C)

Loss in mass of beech virulence control specimens in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %

5.1.1.2 Species to be used compulsorily on the nature of the test product
For test products made only from softwood:
— Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon ex Fries) Murrill (BAM Ebw. 109)

Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood virulence control specimens in16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum

20 %
For test products made only from hardwood:
— Trametes versicolor (Linnaeus) Quélet (CTB 863A)
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Loss in mass of beech virulence control specimens in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %

For test products made from a mixture of softwood and hardwood, both Gloeophyllum trabeum and

Trametes versicolor shall be used.
5.1.1.3 Additional obligatory test fungus for modified wood

— Rhodonia placenta (Fr.) Niemelä, K.H. Larss. and Schigel (FPRL 280) for softwoods.

Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %.
5.1.1.4 Optional test fungi

For specific regional uses or conditions, it is also possible to choose other fungi on an optional basis .

5.1.1.5 Maintenance of fungal strains

The strains shall be maintained and treated (frequency of subculturing, alternation of culture media etc.)

in accordance with the instructions from their laboratory of origin (see Annex E). The parent strain shall

be maintained in the laboratory of its origin, so as to conserve and ensure its vigour.

If tests are not undertaken regularly, or if a strain shows signs of degeneration, a new standard culture of

the strain shall be obtained from the laboratory of origin for each test. When new strains are received,

the virulence shall be tested to ensure that the mass loss achieved is above the minimum value given in

Annex E.
5.1.2 Solid wood stock
5.1.2.1 Wood species
The following species shall be used for the test:
— Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus)
— European beech (Fagus sylvatica Linnaeus)
5.1.2.2 Quality of the wood

The wood shall be free from visible cracks, stain, decay, insect damage or other defects. The wood shall

not have been water-stored, floated, chemically treated or steamed.
NOTE Wood that has been kiln dried at temperatures below 60 °C may be used.

The Scots pine shall be exclusively sapwood containing little resin and having between 2,5 and 8 annual

growth rings per 10 mm. The proportion of latewood in the annual rings shall not exceed 30 % of the

whole.

The beech shall be even grained, free from tyloses and discoloration. It shall have between 2 and 6 annual

growth rings per 10 mm.
See Annex E for a non-comprehensive list of recommended optional fungi.
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5.1.2.3 Virulence control specimens

Prepare planed strips from the solid wood stock having a cross-section (25 ± 0,5) mm x (15 ± 0,5) mm.

The longitudinal faces shall be parallel to the direction of the grain. The annual rings shall not be parallel

to the faces (contact angle greater than 10°) but otherwise can run in any direction. Make transverse cuts,

neatly to give sharp edges and a fine-sawn finish to the end-grain surfaces, to give virulence control

specimens (50 ± 0,5) mm long.

The dimensions of each virulence control specimen at a mass fraction of (12 ± 2) % moisture content

shall be (50 ± 0,5) mm × (25 ± 0,5) mm × (15 ± 0,5) mm.

The specimens shall originate from a minimum of three trees or shall be taken from a stock originally of

more than 500 specimens.
5.2 Products and reagents
5.2.1 Culture medium
The culture medium shall be a malt agar medium with the following composition:

— malt extract: in concentrated form: (50 ± 0,5) g; in powder form: (40 ± 0,5) g;

— agar causing no inhibition of growth of fungi: (20 ± 0,5) g to (30 ± 0,5) g;
— de-ionized water; quantity to make up to 1000 g.
NOTE 1 Preferably use water conforming to grade 3 of ISO 3696.

Place in each culture vessel (5.3.1) a sufficient quantity of the medium to provide a minimum depth of

3 mm to 4 mm when in its in-use position. Close the vessels as specified in 5.3.1 and sterilize in an

autoclave at 121 °C for 20 min. Let the vessels cool in their in-use position.

NOTE 2 The quantity of culture medium required in each culture vessel varies with the thickness of the test

product (see 8.4).
5.2.2 Additive for white rot fungi

Anhydrated, laminar, aluminium-iron-magnesium silicate exfoliated to yield particles up to 3 mm

diameter. Particles less than 2 mm diameter shall be removed by sieving. Before use, mix the sample of

additive well. The additive shall be used only once.

This ‘vermiculite’ additive is always required in combination with the test fungus Pleurotus ostreatus.

This ‘vermiculite’ additive is also required for Trametes versicolor when thicker panels (>20 mm) are

under test.

Maximum thickness of panels that can be tested is 20 mm for brown rot fungi and 40 mm for white rot

fungi (see Annex G).

A moisture meter of the two pronged electrical conductivity type is suitable for assessing moisture content.

Vermiculite is suitable.
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5.3 Apparatus
5.3.1 Conditioning supports

Made of glass, stainless steel or any other inert material, that is to say with no risk of having any effect on

the test specimens. The supports shall provide free circulation of air around the test specimens whilst

having a minimum of contact with the test specimens.
5.3.2 Conditioning room
Well ventilated and controlled at (20 ± 2) °C and (65 ± 5) % relative humidity.
5.3.3 Culture chamber

Incubator or room, dark and controlled at (22 ± 2) °C and (70 ± 5) % relative humidity.

5.3.4 Culture vessels

Kolle flasks or equivalent vessels with a capacity of between 400 ml and 650 ml providing a flat surface

2 2

area of between 85 cm and 120 cm for the medium and close with a material that allows for air

exchange.
NOTE 1 Examples of suitable vessels are given in Annex C.

NOTE 2 Kolle flasks are usually plugged with a wad of cotton wool. Other culture vessels are usually fitted with

leakproof lids, the centres of which are pierced with a round hole of up to 15 mm diameter and plugged with a wad

of cotton wool.
5.3.5 Ventilated drying oven
Capable of being controlled at (103 ± 2) °C.
5.3.6 Desiccators
With an efficient desiccant, for example silica gel.
5.3.7 Test specimens supports

Made of glass, stainless steel or any other inert material, that is to say with no risk of having any effect on

the culture medium, the fungus, the wood, or of modifying itself. The supports are used to prevent direct

contact of the specimens with the culture medium, but shall not separate them from it by more than 3 mm.

If abnormally high moisture contents are experienced consistently, use of specimen supports of

approximately 5 mm thick may help to control the problem. If thicker specimen supports are used, this

should be recorded in the test report. Abnormally high moisture contents are those values of final

moisture content that are greater than 100 % (m/m).
5.3.8 Safety equipment and protective clothing
Appropriate for the test procedures, to ensure the safety of the operator.
5.3.9 Equipment for steam sterilization or access to a radiation source
See Annex B.
5.3.10 Ordinary laboratory equipment
Including a balance capable of weighing to an accuracy of 0,01 g.
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6 Test specimens
6.1 General

A minimum of three replicate panels of the wood-based panel product under test shall be sampled.

Ensure that the panels are clean and as free as possible of contaminants that might give misleading

results. More details on sampling can be found in Annex A.
6.2 Test specimen preparation
Reject from each of the three panels of the test product a strip 300 mm
...