With regard to the structure of Eurocode 5 ‘Design of buildings and civil engineering works and timber structures’, Timber Construction Europe is calling for better applicability. Especially with regard to the ‘Execution’ part of Eurocode 5 for structural engineers and manufacturers. The association represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in European timber construction and formulates five principles for the harmonisation of Eurocode 5. The draft on the ‘Execution of timber structures’ has been continuously developed over the last three years. However, important steps towards harmonisation among the member states and application still need to be taken.

Focus on documentation of manufacturing and assembly instructions

Timber Construction criticises the fact that the main focus of the current draft is on the documentation of manufacturing and assembly instructions. Although this would make responsibility for defects traceable, it would not really help to avoid these defects, according to a statement from the association. The system presented in the current draft causes unnecessary effort for SMEs and burdens them with additional costs. It is important to take measures to ensure that what is built corresponds to what the designer intended according to Eurocode 5.

The knowledge of the different training levels of European construction workers must therefore be taken into account. In many Central European countries, the relevant professional qualification leads to an appropriate level of competence of timber construction companies and an applicable level of documentation.

Furthermore, the passages on documentation and responsibilities mentioned in the current draft contradict national construction contract law and, in part, national requirements.

Five principles for improved application

In order to get a final draft that is accepted throughout Europe, the following principles should be applied:

• The draft on "execution of timber structures" must not regulate anything that is already regulated in the CPR, the product standards or in national legal provisions.
• In principle, safety relevant information and requirements must remain under national sovereignty. Therefore, information in the execution draft should be defined in an orienting and recommending manner.
• The draft on "execution of timber structures" should provide guidance and assistance for a safe execution according to the design.
• The draft on "execution of timber structures" should not anticipate any allocation of responsibilities concerning the documentation of compliance with tolerances and analogous requirements. Furthermore, it must not run the risk of violating national contract law.
• A clear differentiation should be made with regard to the verifiability and the timing of the verification of the required tolerances. Some specifications are only indications for the execution and cannot be checked in the final state.