SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013

Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air processes for curative uses against wood destroying organisms

This Technical Report specifies the minimum performance requirements for hot air treatment intended for application against specific classes of wood attacking organism. It specifies the minimum performance criteria to be achieved by hot air treatment. This document is applicable only to hot air treatment, in so far as it is intended to cure attack by wood destroying beetles and the dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans). This Technical Report is not applicable to eradicate an attack by termites or by fungi other than the dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans). Hot air treatment as described in this document does not provide subsequent preventive protection against attack by wood-destroying organisms. This document does not define the equipment, techniques or precise operation procedures required to achieve the parameters given in Clauses 4 and 5 for any set of practical circumstances. Specifications for particular practical circumstances have to be developed on a case by case basis by expert advisers/consultants.

Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Kriterien für Heißluftverfahren zur Bekämpfung von holzzerstörenden Organismen

Dieser Technische Bericht legt die Mindestleistungsanforderungen an eine Heißluftbehandlung fest, die zur Anwendung gegen verschiedene Gruppen von Holz zerstörenden Organismen vorgesehen ist. Er legt die Mindestkriterien fest, die bei einer Heißluftbehandlung erfüllt werden müssen. ANMERKUNG Bisher liegen ausreichende praktische Erfahrung sowie Ergebnisse aus wissenschaftlichen Versuchen nur für Hitzebehandlungen vor, die Heißluft als Medium nutzen, um die Temperatur innerhalb von Bauteilen über die für Holz zerstörende Organismen tödliche Schwelle zu erhöhen. Daher ist dieses Dokument auf eine Heißluftbehandlung beschränkt, obwohl andere Maßnahmen, wie zum Beispiel Mikrowellen oder elektrische Heizmatten für begrenzte und spezielle Anwendungen, nützliche Mittel sein können. Dieses Dokument gilt nur für eine Heißluftbehandlung, die vorgesehen ist, einen Befall durch Holz zerstörende Käfer und den Echten Hausschwamm (Serpula lacrymans) zu bekämpfen. Dieser Technische Bericht gilt nicht für die Bekämpfung eines Befalls durch Termiten oder andere Pilze als der Echte Hausschwamm. Eine Heißluftbehandlung, wie sie in diesem Dokument beschrieben wird, bewirkt keinen nachfolgenden vorbeugenden Schutz gegen Holz zerstörende Organismen. Dieses Dokument legt keine Ausrüstungen, Techniken oder genauen Durchführungsverfahren fest, die notwendig sind, um die in Abschnitt 5 festgelegten Bedingungen unter allen möglichen praktischen Umständen zu erfüllen. Festlegungen für bestimmte praktische Umstände müssen von Fall zu Fall durch Experten/Fachberater entwickelt werden.

Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Critères s'appliquant aux procédés à air chaud à usages curatifs contre les organismes lignivores

Le présent Rapport technique spécifie les exigences minimales de performance s'appliquant au traitement par
air chaud destiné à être appliqué contre des catégories spécifiques d'organismes lignivores. Il spécifie les
critères minimaux de performance à remplir par le traitement par air chaud.
NOTE A l'heure actuelle, l’expérience pratique et les résultats d'essais scientifiques dont on dispose ne sont
applicables que pour les traitements à la chaleur utilisant l'air chaud comme moyen pour faire augmenter la température à
l'intérieur des composants d'une construction jusqu'à un niveau létal pour les organismes lignivores. Par conséquent, le
présent document est limité aux traitements par air chaud, bien que d'autres mesures, comme par exemple l'utilisation
d'ondes radio ou de dispositifs électriques, puissent s'avérer utiles pour des applications limitées et particulières.
Le présent document ne s'applique qu'au traitement par air chaud, dans la mesure où il est appliqué à la lutte
contre les dégâts causés par les insectes à larves xylophages et par la mérule (Serpula lacrymans).
Le présent Rapport technique ne s'applique pas à la lutte contre les termites ou contre des champignons
autres que la mérule (Serpula lacrymans).
Le traitement par air chaud décrit dans le présent document ne permet pas d'assurer ensuite une protection
préventive du bois contre les organismes lignivores.
Le présent document ne définit pas l'équipement, les techniques ou les modes opératoires permettant de
satisfaire aux paramètres indiqués à l'article 5 dans toutes les circonstances pratiques. Les spécifications
s'appliquant à des circonstances pratiques particulières doivent être élaborées au cas par cas par des
conseillers/consultants experts.

Trajnost lesa in lesnih proizvodov - Merila za uporabo vročega zraka za zaščito proti organizmom, škodljivim lesu

To tehnično poročilo določa minimalne zahteve učinkovitosti obdelave z vročim zrakom za uporabo proti posebnim vrstam organizmov, ki napadajo les. Določa minimalna merila učinkovitosti, ki jih je treba doseči z obdelavo z vročim zrakom. Ta dokument se uporablja samo za obdelavo z vročim zrakom ter za odpravljanje posledic napada hroščev, ki so škodljivi za les, in solzivk (Serpula lacrymans). To tehnično poročilo se ne uporablja za odpravljanje posledic napada termitov ali gliv, razen solzivk (Serpula lacrymans). Obdelava z vročim zrakom, opisana v tem dokumentu, ne zagotavlja poznejše preventivne zaščite proti organizmom, škodljivim lesu. Ta dokument ne določa opreme, tehnik ali natančnih postopkov za operacije, ki so potrebni za doseganje parametrov iz točk 4 in 5 v katerih koli praktičnih okoliščinah. Specifikacije za posebne praktične okoliščine morajo strokovni svetovalci razviti za vsak posamezen primer.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 29-Jun-2012
• Publication Date: 27-Dec-2012
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: LLZ - Les, lesni izdelki in zaščita lesa
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 27-Sep-2012
• Due Date: 02-Dec-2012
• Completion Date: 28-Dec-2012
• Directive: 89/106/EEC - Construction products
• Ref Project: CEN/TR 15003:2012 - Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air processes for curative uses against wood destroying organisms

Relations

• Replaces: SIST-TS CEN/TS 15003:2005 - Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air processes for curative uses against wood destroying organisms
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2013

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
01-junij-2012
7UDMQRVWOHVDLQOHVQLKSURL]YRGRY0HULOD]DXSRUDERYURþHJD]UDND]D]DãþLWR
SURWLRUJDQL]PRPãNRGOMLYLPOHVX
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air processes for curative
uses against wood destroying organisms
Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Kriterien für Heißluftverfahren zur
Bekämpfung von holzzerstörenden Organismen
Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Critères s'appliquant aux procédés
à air chaud à usages curatifs contre les organismes lignivores
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: FprCEN/TR 15003
ICS:
79.040 Les, hlodovina in žagan les Wood, sawlogs and sawn
timber
kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012


TECHNICAL REPORT
FINAL DRAFT
FprCEN/TR 15003
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE

TECHNISCHER BERICHT

April 2012
ICS 79.040 Will supersede CEN/TS 15003:2005
English Version
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air
processes for curative uses against wood destroying organisms
Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Kriterien für
Critères s'appliquant aux procédés à air chaud à usages Heißluftverfahren zur Bekämpfung von holzzerstörenden
curatifs contre les organismes lignivores Organismen


This draft Technical Report is submitted to CEN members for Technical Committee Approval. It has been drawn up by the Technical
Committee CEN/TC 38.

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, Romania, 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 Technical Report. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a Technical Report.


EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. FprCEN/TR 15003:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Contents
Page
Foreword .3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Terms and definitions .5
3 Wood destroying organisms .5
3.1 Beetles .5
3.2 Dry rot fungus .6
4 Performance requirements for curative hot air treatment .6
4.1 General .6
4.2 Health and safety considerations .6
4.3 Application against beetles .7
4.4 Application against the dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) .7
4.4.1 General .7
4.4.2 Building investigation .7
4.4.3 Hot air treatment .8
4.4.4 Preplanning and recording .8
4.4.5 Precaution against collateral damage .9
5 Monitoring requirements .9
6 Process validation . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Temperature control . 10
6.3 Equipment . 10
6.4 Locations for measuring . 10
6.5 Time schedule for measuring . 10
Annex A (informative) Example of a record for monitoring the hot air treatment to eradicate
wood attacking beetles . 12
A.1 General information . 12
A.2 Installation of the monitoring instruments: . 12
A.3 Monitoring record . 12
Annex B (informative) Example of a record for monitoring the hot air treatment to eradicate the
dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) . 13
B.1 General information . 13
B.2 Installation of the monitoring instruments . 13
B.3 Monitoring record . 13
B.3.1 Cross section A . 14
B.3.2 Cross section B . 14
B.3.3 Cross section C . 14
B.3.4 Cross section D . 14
B.3.5 Cross section E . 15
B.3.6 Data for the heating systems . 15
Bibliography . 16

2

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Foreword
This document (FprCEN/TR 15003:2012) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 38 “Durability
of wood and derived materials”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This document is currently submitted to the Technical Committee Approval.
This document will supersede CEN/TS 15003:2005.
This Technical Report gives the criteria for hot air treatment for curative uses against wood destroying
organisms. European Standard EN 14128 concerns the criteria for curative wood preservatives as determined
by biological tests.

3

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Introduction
This document should be used in conjunction with EN 14128 which describes the performance requirements
for curative wood preservatives as determined by biological tests.
The need for hot air treatment for curative use against wood destroying organisms depends upon a careful
diagnosis by expert, qualified specialists to determine the precise causes of the damage to be rectified. This
should include the type of wood attacking organisms involved and in the case of beetles whether they are
considered to be active, the environmental circumstances, the type of wood involved, the nature of the
building or construction, and the structural and physical significance of the timber which is damaged or at risk
of being damaged.
In particular the need for hot air treatment for curative use against the true dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans)
should include the precise identification of the dry rot fungus, the environmental circumstances, especially the
source and nature of any wetting, and the nature of the building or construction, including the masonry in
which the dry rot fungus is present.
NOTE So far, no reliable methods exist to determine whether the true dry rot fungus in a building construction is dead
or still alive, including dormant stage.
Hot air treatment for curative use should be used in an integrated way as part of a carefully prescribed
strategy involving a series of actions appropriate to the particular circumstances of each case. Associated
physical measures involving appropriate building works to remedy ingress of moisture and to dry out any
dampness can be an essential prerequisite for the use of any process for curative use. Expert diagnosis
should take into account all regional, practical, environmental, economical, safety and any other factors which
may be relevant to the prescriptive decisions to be taken.
If properly done hot air treatment does not influence the mechanical properties of the timber involved.
However, the temperature usually applied can influence materials other than wood.
It is not the purpose of this document to provide a specification, or even guidance in developing specifications
for remedial work to eradicate wood destroying organisms. It is intended to guide specifiers, users and others
in selecting and specifying hot air treatment on the basis of its effectiveness as demonstrated in accordance
with the criteria given.
4

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
1 Scope
This Technical Report specifies the minimum performance requirements for hot air treatment intended for
application against specific classes of wood attacking organism. It specifies the minimum performance criteria
to be achieved by hot air treatment.
NOTE Until now sufficient practical experience and results of scientific tests are available only for heat treatments using
hot air as a medium to increase the temperature inside building components up to a threshold lethal to wood destroying
organisms. Therefore, this document is restricted to hot air treatments although other measures like, for example, radio
waves or electric blankets may be useful means for limited and special applications.
This document is applicable only to hot air treatment, in so far as it is intended to cure attack by wood
destroying beetles and the dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans).
This Technical Report is not applicable to eradicate an attack by termites or by fungi other than the dry rot
fungus (Serpula lacrymans).
Hot air treatment as described in this document does not provide subsequent preventive protection against
attack by wood-destroying organisms.
This document does not define the equipment, techniques or precise operation procedures required to
achieve the parameters given in Clause 5 for any set of practical circumstances. Specifications for particular
practical circumstances have to be developed on a case by case basis by expert advisers/consultants.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
eradication
treatment of infested timber and/or masonry in order to kill the wood destroying insects and the dry rot fungus.
Note 1 to entry: An eradication not necessarily includes an preventive effect against a subsequent attack. This especially
concerns hot air treatment as specified in this Technical Report and which does not include any preventive effect.
2.2
lethal dose
total amount of heat as a combination of a particular temperature for a particular period of time necessary to
kill all stages of the wood destroying organisms in question
3 Wood destroying organisms
3.1 Beetles
The wood attacking beetles to which hot air treatment can be applied are:
 Hylotrupes bajulus (houselonghorn beetle) in the sapwood of softwoods;
 Anobium punctatum (common furniture beetle) in softwoods and hardwoods;
 Xestobium rufovillosum (deathwatch beetle) in hardwoods and softwoods, mainly in oak wood;
 Lyctus brunneus (powderpost beetle) in the starch containing sapwood of hardwoods;
5

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
 Hesperophanes cinnereus in the sapwood of hardwoods (occurs only in Mediterranean countries).
3.2 Dry rot fungus
The dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans = true dry rot fungus) occurs in buildings, causing brown rot in timber.
The fungus can develop at relatively low wood moisture contents and is able to penetrate damp masonry over
long distances in order to infect further timber or to develop its fruit-bodies. Typical is its capability to survive in
a so-called dormant stage where it is not active but still alive.
Serpula lacrymans is very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and can be eradicated effectively
by hot air treatment.
4 Performance requirements for curative hot air treatment
4.1 General
Experience indicates that the application of heat to a particular temperature for a particular period of time
under particular environment conditions, can successfully kill wood attacking organisms. This includes the
various stages of beetles inside wood, that is eggs, larvae, pupae and imagos, and the hyphae of the dry rot
fungus (Serpula lacrymans) inside wood or masonry.
NOTE In principle any form of increased temperature can be used, providing it meets the minimum requirements
given in 5.3 and 5.4. However, in practice, due to technical reasons, it is not currently possible to apply high temperature
sources, such as micro waves, to large components and especially not to masonry, to reach a sufficient dose of heat
(temperature x time) within reasonable time by these techniques. Therefore, generally only hot air will be suitable to
provide the temperatures required in the infested material.
Structural timber will generally require treatment in situ. This will generally include masonry in the case of
eradication of an attack by the dry rot fungus. Suitable precautions are necessary to keep the heat close to the
infested timber or masonry respectively. If necessary the components shall be covered by suitable materials,
such as tents or similar equipment. In the case of the dry rot fungus provisions shall be made as to transfer
the heat to the attacked building constructions as a whole which means from all sides, to confirm that the
required temperature will be met and kept evenly in the entire construction. For small components or objects
of non-structural timber it can be more appropriate to transport them to special treating chambers, containers
etc.
4.2 Health and safety considerations
Hot air treatment carries with it significant risks of damage for example to animals and human beings, of heat
sensitive materials or indeed ignition of vulnerable materials and structures. There is normally no risk of
ignition of materials by the heat itself. Local fire authorities shall be consulted before setting up heat units.
NOTE It may be necessary to notify the insurers of the building to be treated and agree procedures with them as well
as with the Fire Brigade.
The risk of damage depends upon the nature of the building, structure or commodity to be treated, the method
of applying the hot air, the duration of the heating period and the specific material or materials associated with,
or the target of the treatment.
To avoid damaging buildings and other building elements, a measuring and data collection system shall be
employed which responds to the temperature and relative humidity control devices.
Contractors, specifiers, users and clients shall take all necessary measures to obtain the appropriate
assurances that precautions to protect against risks have been taken and are appropriate to protect their
respective interests. All relevant specific national regulations shall be followed.
6

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

kSIST-TP FprCEN/TR 15003:2012
FprCEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Before applying curative hot air treatment in the surroundings of infested timber, it is necessary to check
whether there are any animals including bird’s eggs in the surroundings, which either shall be removed or the
treatment shall be postponed until the animals have gone before proceeding. This refers especially to
protected animals (e.g.
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
01-januar-2013
1DGRPHãþD
SIST-TS CEN/TS 15003:2005
7UDMQRVWOHVDLQOHVQLKSURL]YRGRY0HULOD]DXSRUDERYURþHJD]UDND]D]DãþLWR
SURWLRUJDQL]PRPãNRGOMLYLPOHVX
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air processes for curative
uses against wood destroying organisms
Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Kriterien für Heißluftverfahren zur
Bekämpfung von holzzerstörenden Organismen
Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Critères s'appliquant aux procédés
à air chaud à usages curatifs contre les organismes lignivores
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 15003:2012
ICS:
79.040 Les, hlodovina in žagan les Wood, sawlogs and sawn
timber
SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013


TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 15003

RAPPORT TECHNIQUE

TECHNISCHER BERICHT
September 2012
ICS 79.040 Supersedes CEN/TS 15003:2005
English Version
Durability of wood and wood-based products - Criteria for hot air
processes for curative uses against wood destroying organisms
Durabilité du bois et des matériaux dérivés du bois - Dauerhaftigkeit von Holz und Holzprodukten - Kriterien für
Critères s'appliquant aux procédés à air chaud à usages Heißluftverfahren zur Bekämpfung von Holz zerstörenden
curatifs contre les organismes lignivores Organismen


This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 13 August 2012. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 38.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2012 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 15003:2012: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
CEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Contents
Page
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Terms and definitions .5
3 Wood destroying organisms .5
3.1 Beetles .5
3.2 Dry rot fungus .6
4 Performance requirements for curative hot air treatment .6
4.1 General .6
4.2 Health and safety considerations .6
4.3 Application against beetles .7
4.4 Application against the dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) .7
4.4.1 General .7
4.4.2 Building investigation .8
4.4.3 Hot air treatment .8
4.4.4 Preplanning and recording .9
4.4.5 Precaution against collateral damage .9
5 Monitoring requirements . 10
6 Process validation . 10
6.1 General . 10
6.2 Temperature control . 10
6.3 Equipment . 10
6.4 Locations for measuring . 11
6.5 Time schedule for measuring . 11
Annex A (informative) Example of a record for monitoring the hot air treatment to eradicate
wood attacking beetles . 12
A.1 General information . 12
A.2 Installation of the monitoring instruments: . 12
A.3 Monitoring record . 12
Annex B (informative) Example of a record for monitoring the hot air treatment to eradicate the
dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) . 13
B.1 General information . 13
B.2 Installation of the monitoring instruments . 13
B.3 Monitoring record . 13
B.3.1 Cross section A . 14
B.3.2 Cross section B . 14
B.3.3 Cross section C . 14
B.3.4 Cross section D . 14
B.3.5 Cross section E . 15
B.3.6 Data for the heating systems . 15
Bibliography . 16

2

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
CEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 15003:2012) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 38 “Durability of
wood and derived materials”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes CEN/TS 15003:2005.
This Technical Report gives the criteria for hot air treatment for curative uses against wood destroying
organisms. European Standard EN 14128 concerns the criteria for curative wood preservatives as determined
by biological tests.

3

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
CEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Introduction
This document should be used in conjunction with EN 14128 which describes the performance requirements
for curative wood preservatives as determined by biological tests.
The need for hot air treatment for curative use against wood destroying organisms depends upon a careful
diagnosis by expert, qualified specialists to determine the precise causes of the damage to be rectified. This
should include the type of wood attacking organisms involved and in the case of beetles whether they are
considered to be active, the environmental circumstances, the type of wood involved, the nature of the
building or construction, and the structural and physical significance of the timber which is damaged or at risk
of being damaged.
In particular the need for hot air treatment for curative use against the true dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans)
should include the precise identification of the dry rot fungus, the environmental circumstances, especially the
source and nature of any wetting, and the nature of the building or construction, including the masonry in
which the dry rot fungus is present.
NOTE So far, no reliable methods exist to determine whether the true dry rot fungus in a building construction is dead
or still alive, including dormant stage.
Hot air treatment for curative use should be used in an integrated way as part of a carefully prescribed
strategy involving a series of actions appropriate to the particular circumstances of each case. Associated
physical measures involving appropriate building works to remedy ingress of moisture and to dry out any
dampness can be an essential prerequisite for the use of any process for curative use. Expert diagnosis
should take into account all regional, practical, environmental, economical, safety and any other factors which
may be relevant to the prescriptive decisions to be taken.
If properly done hot air treatment does not influence the mechanical properties of the timber involved.
However, the temperature usually applied can influence materials other than wood.
It is not the purpose of this document to provide a specification, or even guidance in developing specifications
for remedial work to eradicate wood destroying organisms. It is intended to guide specifiers, users and others
in selecting and specifying hot air treatment on the basis of its effectiveness as demonstrated in accordance
with the criteria given.
4

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
CEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
1 Scope
This Technical Report specifies the minimum performance requirements for hot air treatment intended for
application against specific classes of wood attacking organism. It specifies the minimum performance criteria
to be achieved by hot air treatment.
NOTE Until now sufficient practical experience and results of scientific tests are available only for heat treatments using
hot air as a medium to increase the temperature inside building components up to a threshold lethal to wood destroying
organisms. Therefore, this document is restricted to hot air treatments although other measures like, for example, radio
waves or electric blankets may be useful means for limited and special applications.
This document is applicable only to hot air treatment, in so far as it is intended to cure attack by wood
destroying beetles and the dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans).
This Technical Report is not applicable to eradicate an attack by termites or by fungi other than the dry rot
fungus (Serpula lacrymans).
Hot air treatment as described in this document does not provide subsequent preventive protection against
attack by wood-destroying organisms.
This document does not define the equipment, techniques or precise operation procedures required to
achieve the parameters given in Clauses 4 and 5 for any set of practical circumstances. Specifications for
particular practical circumstances have to be developed on a case by case basis by expert
advisers/consultants.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
eradication
treatment of infested timber and/or masonry in order to kill the wood destroying insects and the dry rot fungus.
Note 1 to entry: An eradication not necessarily includes an preventive effect against a subsequent attack. This especially
concerns hot air treatment as specified in this Technical Report and which does not include any preventive effect.
2.2
lethal dose
total amount of heat as a combination of a particular temperature for a particular period of time necessary to
kill all stages of the wood destroying organisms in question
3 Wood destroying organisms
3.1 Beetles
The wood attacking beetles to which hot air treatment can be applied are:
 Hylotrupes bajulus (houselonghorn beetle) in the sapwood of softwoods;
 Anobium punctatum (common furniture beetle) in softwoods and hardwoods;
 Xestobium rufovillosum (deathwatch beetle) in hardwoods and softwoods, mainly in oak wood;
 Lyctus brunneus (powderpost beetle) in the starch containing sapwood of hardwoods;
5

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
CEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
 Hesperophanes cinnereus in the sapwood of hardwoods (occurs only in Mediterranean countries).
3.2 Dry rot fungus
The dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans = true dry rot fungus) occurs in buildings, causing brown rot in timber.
The fungus can develop at relatively low wood moisture contents and is able to penetrate damp masonry over
long distances in order to infect further timber or to develop its fruit-bodies. Typical is its capability to survive in
a so-called dormant stage where it is not active but still alive.
Serpula lacrymans is very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and can be eradicated effectively
by hot air treatment.
4 Performance requirements for curative hot air treatment
4.1 General
Experience indicates that the application of heat to a particular temperature for a particular period of time
under particular environment conditions, can successfully kill wood attacking organisms. This includes the
various stages of beetles inside wood, that is eggs, larvae, pupae and imagos, and the hyphae of the dry rot
fungus (Serpula lacrymans) inside wood or masonry.
NOTE In principle any form of increased temperature can be used, providing it meets the minimum requirements
given in 4.3 and 4.4. However, in practice, due to technical reasons, it is not currently possible to apply high temperature
sources, such as micro waves, to large components and especially not to masonry, to reach a sufficient dose of heat
(temperature x time) within reasonable time by these techniques. Therefore, generally only hot air will be suitable to
provide the temperatures required in the infested material.
Structural timber will generally require treatment in situ. This will generally include masonry in the case of
eradication of an attack by the dry rot fungus. Suitable precautions are necessary to keep the heat close to the
infested timber or masonry respectively. If necessary the components shall be covered by suitable materials,
such as tents or similar equipment. In the case of the dry rot fungus provisions shall be made as to transfer
the heat to the attacked building constructions as a whole which means from all sides, to confirm that the
required temperature will be met and kept evenly in the entire construction. For small components or objects
of non-structural timber it can be more appropriate to transport them to special treating chambers, containers
etc.
4.2 Health and safety considerations
Hot air treatment carries with it significant risks of damage for example to animals and human beings, of heat
sensitive materials or indeed ignition of vulnerable materials and structures. There is normally no risk of
ignition of materials by the heat itself. Local fire authorities shall be consulted before setting up heat units.
NOTE It may be necessary to notify the insurers of the building to be treated and agree procedures with them as well
as with the Fire Brigade.
The risk of damage depends upon the nature of the building, structure or commodity to be treated, the method
of applying the hot air, the duration of the heating period and the specific material or materials associated with,
or the target of the treatment.
To avoid damaging buildings and other building elements, a measuring and data collection system shall be
employed which responds to the temperature and relative humidity control devices.
Contractors, specifiers, users and clients shall take all necessary measures to obtain the appropriate
assurances that precautions to protect against risks have been taken and are appropriate to protect their
respective interests. All relevant specific national regulations shall be followed.
6

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

SIST-TP CEN/TR 15003:2013
CEN/TR 15003:2012 (E)
Before applying curative hot air treatment in the surroundings of infested timber, it is necessary to check
whether there are any animals including bird’s eggs in the surroundings, which either shall be removed or the
treatment shall be postponed until the animals have gone before proceeding. This refers especially to
protected animals (e.g. bats).
Where heat source combustion gases are used directly to heat the structure, care shall be taken to ensure
that toxic gases or oxygen depletion are not a problem.
When operators enter a heated building the effects of the hot air on them shall be considered. Personnel can
need insulated protection when entering the heated zones. Operators entering a heated zone shall be
monitored by others who shall be able to evacuate an incapacitated in
...