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| HANDLING & STORAGE |
Data Sheet 7
Sep 2001 |
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Scope
Particleboard and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) requires special care in storage and handling to maintain the product in good condition for future use. Correct methods are of the highest importance in order to minimise damage and wastage. No special skills are required to fully protect the product and this data sheet briefly sets out the main considerations for storage and handling.
Transport and Delivery
Particleboard and MDF should be adequately protected by a waterproof covering and fully supported on equal size bearers during all transportation. It is particularly important that the edges are fully protected from damage by transport lashings or other banding and careful loading is necessary to avoid distortion. A cartnote or delivery docket should accompany each delivery, which will specify details of board type and quantity. Handling
The most vulnerable parts of board packs during handling operations are edges, corners and bottom sheets. Particular care by forklift trucks will minimise damage during handling operations, and regular cleaning of lift truck forks will avoid damage to the bottom sheets. This particularly applies to profiled boards such as tongued and grooved flooring.
Pallets or bundles of boards are easily handled by forklift trucks either into their place of storage, onto or off transport, or into position for use. If the packaging system includes the use of metal bands, these should be cut as soon as possible to avoid any long-term deformation of the sheets. When handling pre-finished boards it is essential to avoid any contamination of the surface likely to cause permanent damage. Surfaced boards should always be lifted from the pack to avoid damage, and never slide.
Storage
Particleboard and MDF like other wood based products and many other building materials, expands on taking up moisture from the surrounding air and shrinks on losing it.
Wood panels are manufactured to very close dimensional tolerances allowing close fit to be achieved on jointing and placing the boards into position. Careful storage is therefore very important if the board is to be maintained in the correct condition for its subsequent use. The storage area should be protected from sun, rain and wind that would otherwise bring about rapid changes in temperature and humidity. The stack should be kept dry and clear of the ground and placed so that it will not be exposed to mechanical damage. All packs should be evenly supported at each end and at intervals in between to maintain sheets in a flat condition. Spacing of supports should not exceed 600mm.
If wood panels must be stored in the open, they should be covered with a waterproof sheet, supported on battens laid on top of the pack so that air can circulate around and over the pack and at the same time protect its sides. To avoid staining and fading, the sheets should not be exposed to the weather while awaiting installation. It is essential to fully protect Standard Particleboard and MDF from rain and accidental soaking, and care should be taken with MR and Flooring types of boards to ensure that exposure is kept to a minimum. Where wood panels are to be used in dry warm areas the moisture content should be kept as low as possible to avoid unacceptable shrinkage after installation. The moisture content of Particleboard and MDF when it leaves the factory is usually 7-10%. The following
table gives approximate levels for different relative humidity of the surrounding air.
| Relative Humidity |
Approximate M.C. |
| 30% |
6 - 8% |
| 45% |
7 - 9% |
| 65% |
9 - 11% |
| 75% |
10 - 12% |
| 90% |
15 - 16% |
These levels can only be taken as a general guide and will vary with type and density of board.
Long term storage in damp conditions can cause roughening of the surface and damage to the edge of the board.
Once boards are laid they will gradually attain the moisture content dictated by the atmosphere within the building. Although it is not possible to give precise levels the figures below give a general indication of the moisture content of boards in various conditions.
| ¨ |
Building with central heating |
7 - 9% |
| ¨ |
Building with intermittent central heating |
9-10% |
| ¨ |
Unheated new building up to |
14% |
Any increase in moisture content will cause some slight expansion in the boards although again this cannot be precisely defined, as a rough guide an increase in moisture content:
| ¨ |
from 9% to 12% will increase length and width 1mm per metre run |
| ¨ |
from 12% to 16% a further 1mm increase per metre run |
Design precautions necessary to accommodate movement of the board are contained in the relevant Application & Installation sheets, available from the AWPA web site.
Storage Conditions
Boards should preferably be stored in an enclosed dry building. Where temporary storage outside cannot be avoided then the stacks should be covered with heavy-duty polythene or tarpaulin keeping all boards well clear of the ground.
If boards are to be stored in the building or room in which they are to be used it is recommended that they are conditioned by stacking each sheet to allow free circulation of air. This will allow them to achieve a moisture content in balance with the surrounding air.
Surface Treatments
Boards can be given protective surface treatments to avoid damage by water and dirt. These boards should be handled and stored as for untreated and other pre-finished boards. Particleboard and MDF will readily accept paint as a surface protection, however wood preservatives and water repellents should not be applied to wood panels unless specifically recommended by the board manufacturer.
Protective Measures
Reference has already been made to the protective measures that should be taken against weather. It is important to note that similar measures should be adopted to protect boards installed in position against moisture and dirt.
Particleboard will readily accept paint as a surface protection, however wood preservatives and water repellents should not be applied to wood panels unless specifically recommended by the board manufacturer.
Cleaning Up
Excessive wetting should be avoided when cleaning boards. Manufactures should be consulted before any proprietary cleaners are used. Boards may be lightly sanded to remove dirt stains. Wherever possible boards should not come in contact with moisture, however where this situation might occur the edge should be adequately sealed.
Stacking
Boards should be laid flat on a level surface, clear of the ground, adequately supported on bearers and with all four edges flush. Stacking on edge should be avoided whenever possible.
The ideal base is a close-boarded or slatted pallet, however, if these are not available, board should be carefully stacked on bearers suitably spaced to maintain the flatness in the sheets. Spacing of bearers should not exceed 600mm. Where packs are multiple stacked it is essential that bearers are positioned vertically one above the other. It is advisable to cover the top of the stack with a protective board or cover to prevent warping of the topmost sheet.
Where space will only permit edge stacking then the edges should not be permitted to come in contact with the floor and haphazard leaning against walls should always be discouraged.
Where thin boards are being stacked it is recommended that support be provided for the entire area of the board by placing a thick board (18mm) at the base of the pile.
Health & Safety Information
Normal health and safety precautions should be taken when working with wood panel products. Machine tools should be fitted with dust extraction and work areas should be kept clean. If dust levels exceed The National Occupational Health & Safety Commission's standards, the wearing of a dust mask (AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716) and safety glasses is recommended.
Storage and work areas should be adequately ventilated. If large quantities of Particleboard or MDF are stored in non-ventilated areas, formaldehyde emissions could accumulate to levels that may irritate some people.
For further information, please contact one of the manufacturers listed below for a Material Safety Data Sheet or download from www.woodpanels.org.au .
Whilst the information contained herein is based on data which to the best of our knowledge is reliable and accurate as of the date hereof, no responsibility can be accepted by us for errors or omissions. Since the information contained herein may be applied under conditions beyond our control, no responsibility can be accepted by us for any loss or damage caused by any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of this information.
Published by the Australian Wood Panels Association Incorporated, PO Box 158, Coolangatta Qld 4225, September 2001
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