SIST EN 839:2015

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 839:2015
01-januar-2015
1DGRPHãþD
SIST-TS CEN/TS 839:2008
=DãþLWQDVUHGVWYD]DOHV8JRWDYOMDQMHSUHYHQWLYQHXþLQNRYLWRVWLSURWLJOLYDP
RGSUWRWURVQLFDP3RYUãLQVNRQDQDãDQMH
Wood preservatives - Determination of the protective effectiveness against wood
destroying basidiomycetes - Application by surface treatment
Holzschutzmittel - Bestimmung der vorbeugenden Wirksamkeit gegen Holz zerstörende
Basidiomyceten - Anwendung mit Oberflächenverfahren
Produits de préservation du bois - Détermination de l'efficacité protectrice vis-à-vis des
champignons basidiomycètes lignivores - Application par traitement de surface
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 839:2014
ICS:
71.100.50 .HPLNDOLMH]D]DãþLWROHVD Wood-protecting chemicals
SIST EN 839:2015 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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

SIST EN 839:2015

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

SIST EN 839:2015

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 839

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
November 2014
ICS 71.100.50 Supersedes CEN/TS 839:2008
English Version
Wood preservatives - Determination of the protective
effectiveness against wood destroying basidiomycetes -
Application by surface treatment
Produits de préservation du bois - Détermination de Holzschutzmittel - Bestimmung der vorbeugenden
l'efficacité protectrice vis-à-vis des champignons Wirksamkeit gegen Holz zerstörende Basidiomyceten -
basidiomycètes lignivores - Application par traitement de Anwendung mit Oberflächenverfahren
surface
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 30 August 2014.

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. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists 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, 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

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 839:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .4
Introduction .5
1 Scope .6
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions .6
4 Principle .7
5 Test materials and apparatus .7
5.1 Biological material .7
5.2 Products and reagents .8
5.3 Apparatus .9
6 Sampling of the preservative .9
7 Test specimens . 10
7.1 Species of wood. 10
7.2 Wood quality . 10
7.3 Provision of the test specimens . 10
7.4 Dimensions and density of test specimens . 10
7.5 Number and distribution of test specimens . 11
8 Procedure . 11
8.1 Preparation of the untreated test specimens . 11
8.2 Preparation of the treated test specimens . 12
8.3 Exposure to fungi . 13
8.4 Culture conditions and duration of test . 13
8.5 Assessment of test . 13
9 Statement of results . 15
10 Test report . 15
Annex A (informative) Test fungi . 17
A.1 General information on maintenance and acquisition of test strains . 17
A.2 Maintenance and treatment of test fungi . 17
A.3 Information regarding obligatory fungi . 18
Annex B (normative) Methods of sterilization . 20
B.1 Ionizing radiation . 20
B.2 Epoxyethane-based sterilant . 20
B.3 Epoxypropane-based sterilant . 21
B.4 Steam . 21
Annex C (informative) Examination of colonisation . 22
C.1 General . 22
C.2 Procedure . 22
C.3 Assessment of test . 22
C.4 Validity of results . 23
2

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

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
C.5 Statement of results . 23
Annex D (informative) Example of a test report . 25
Annex E (informative) Environmental, health and safety precautions within chemical/biological
laboratory . 28
Bibliography . 29

3

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

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
Foreword
This document (EN 839:2014) 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 European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2015 and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the
latest by May 2015.
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 839:2008.
In comparison with the previous version of the document, EN 839:2014 has been revised editorially.
This document includes annexes; Annex A, Annex C, Annex D and Annex E are informative and Annex B is
normative.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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 the United Kingdom.
4

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

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
Introduction
This European Standard specifies a laboratory method of test which gives a basis for assessing the
effectiveness of a wood preservative, when applied as a surface treatment, against wood destroying
basidiomycetes. It tests whether the applied treatment is able to prevent the penetration of the fungi into the
untreated interior of the test specimens under the conditions of test.
This laboratory method provides one criterion by which the effectiveness of a product can be assessed. In
making this assessment, the methods by which the preservative may be applied should be taken into account.
It is also recommended that results from this test should be supplemented by those from other relevant tests
and above all by practical experience.
The procedures described in this European Standard method are intended to be carried out by suitably trained
and/or supervised specialists.
Suitable precautions should include the use of separate rooms, areas within rooms, extraction facilities,
conditioning chambers and special training for personnel. Also see Annex E for environmental, health and
safety precautions.
5

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

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies a method of test for the determination of the protective effectiveness of a
wood preservative, applied to the surface of the wood, against wood destroying basidiomycetes cultured on
an agar medium.
The method is applicable to all products which are to be applied by superficial application processes. This
includes:
— organic solvent-based wood preservatives; or
— organic water-dispersible formulations, as supplied or as prepared in the laboratory by dilution of
concentrates; or
— water-soluble products; or
— chemicals which are being studied as active ingredients for application by superficial processes.
This method may be used in conjunction with an ageing procedure, for example EN 73.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods (ISO 3696)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
representative sample
sample having its physical and/or chemical characteristics identical to the volumetric average characteristics
of the total volume being sampled
[SOURCE: EN 1001-2, 4.71]
3.2
supplier
sponsor of the test (person or company providing the sample of wood preservative to be tested)
[SOURCE: EN 1001-2, 4.83, modified]
3.3
superficial application process
process which does not include particular features or procedures intended to overcome the natural resistance
of wood to penetration of a wood preservative in its ready to use form
[SOURCE: EN 1001-2, 4.82]
6

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

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
4 Principle
Several series of test specimens of a susceptible wood species are end-sealed with a material to prevent
penetration of the wood preservative under test into the end grain of the test specimens. The end-sealed test
specimens are treated with the wood preservative under test using the process and application rate specified
by the supplier.
NOTE Suitable application methods are brushing, pipetting and dipping.
The treated test specimens are exposed to attack by basidiomycetes in pure culture. The performance of the
test product is assessed in terms of its ability to prevent decay as determined by the maximum acceptable
loss in mass and the absence of visible decay of the surface and the untreated interior.
5 Test materials and apparatus
5.1 Biological material
The test fungi to be used are as follows:
5.1.1 Obligatory fungus in all cases
— Coniophora puteana (Schumacher ex Fries) Karsten (BAM Ebw. 15) on softwood.
Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %.
5.1.2 Obligatory fungus for particular hazards
— Coriolus versicolor (Linnaeus) Quélet (CTB 863A) on hardwood and/or on softwood as appropriate.
Loss in mass of beech in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %.
Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 15 %.
5.1.3 Two species to be used compulsorily on the basis of the nature of the test product
For all products except creosote-type products:
— Poria placenta (Fries) Cooke sensu J. Eriksson (FPRL 280) on softwood.
Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %;
— Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon ex Fries) Murrill (BAM Ebw. 109) on softwood.
Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %.
For creosotes and similar products:
— Lentinus lepideus Fries ex Fries (BAM Ebw. 20) on softwood.
Loss in mass of Scots pine sapwood in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %;
— Lentinus cyathiformis (Schaeffer ex Fries) Bresadola (CTB 67-02B) on hardwood.
Loss in mass of beech in 16 weeks: a mass fraction of minimum 20 %.
7

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
5.1.4 Optional fungi
For specific regional uses or conditions, it is also possible to select other fungi on an optional basis.
When optional fungi are used, information similar to that given in Annex A for the obligatory fungi should be
included in the test report.
5.1.5 Maintenance of strains
The strains shall be maintained and treated (frequency of subculturing, alternation of culture media, etc.) in
accordance with the instructions of their laboratory of origin (see A.2). The parent strain shall be maintained in
the laboratory of its origin so as to conserve and to ensure its vigour.
If tests are not undertaken regularly or if a strain shows signs of degeneration a new standard culture of the
strain should be obtained from the laboratory of its origin for each test (see A.2). When new strains are
received, the virulence shall be tested to ensure the strain can achieve the minimum loss in mass (see 5.1.1,
5.1.2 and 5.1.3).
5.2 Products and reagents
5.2.1 Culture medium
The culture medium is 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;
— water conforming to grade 3 of EN ISO 3696.
— quantity to make up to 1 000 ml.
Prepare this medium by warming the mixture in a boiling water bath or steam bath, stirring until completely
dissolved.
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.
5.2.2 Solvents and diluents
For water soluble or water dispersible preservatives:
— water conforming to grade 3 of EN ISO 3696.
For preservatives to be diluted or dissolved in an organic solvent:
— suitably volatile liquids that leave no residue in the wood that would have a toxic effect on the fungi at the
end of the post-treatment conditioning period.
8

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
NOTE Toluene and xylene of recognized analytical grade have been found suitable.
5.2.3 Fumigant (if necessary)
Xylene technical grade.
5.2.4 End-seal compound
A material resistant to the penetration of the wood preservative under test and the test fungi, or separate
materials for each, and without any fungistatic or fungicidal activity within the test specimen.
NOTE Three brush coats of a 2-component epoxy lacquer, with drying between each application, have been found to
be suitable.
5.3 Apparatus
5.3.1 Culture vessels, Kolle flasks or equivalent vessels with a capacity of between 400 ml and 650 ml,
2 2
providing a flat surface area of between 85 cm and 120 cm for the medium.
NOTE 1 Examples of suitable vessels are given in EN 113.
NOTE 2 Kolle flasks are usually plugged with a wad of cotton wool. Other culture vessels are usually fitted with leak
proof 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.
5.3.2 Drying oven, capable of being controlled at (103 ± 2) °C.
5.3.3 Desiccators, with efficient desiccant (silica gel for example).
5.3.4 Conditioning chamber, well ventilated and controlled at (20 ± 2) °C and (65 ± 5) % relative humidity.
5.3.5 Drying supports, which will give a minimum contact with the treated test specimens. The supports
shall be of a material that does not react with the test solvent or test wood preservative, for example glass for
organic products.
5.3.6 Culture chamber, (incubator or room), dark and controlled at (22 ± 2) °C and (70 ± 5) % relative
humidity.
5.3.7 Test specimen 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 the test wood preservative, or of
being itself modified. Supports can be capable of holding either one or two test specimens. The supports are
used to prevent direct contact of the test specimens with the culture medium, but shall not separate them from
it by more than 3 mm.
If abnormally high moisture contents in the test specimens are experienced consistently, use of test specimen
supports of approximately 5 mm thick can help to control the problem. If thicker test specimen supports are
used, this should be recorded in the test report.
5.3.8 Ordinary laboratory equipment, including a balance capable of weighing to the nearest of 0,01 g and
an autoclave.
6 Sampling of the preservative
The sample of the wood preservative shall be representative of the product to be tested. Samples shall be
stored and handled in accordance with any written instructions from the supplier.
9

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
For the sampling of wood preservatives from bulk supplies, the procedure given in EN 212 should be used.
7 Test specimens
7.1 Species of wood
The species of wood to be used shall be susceptible to attack by fungi and shall be readily penetrated by
liquids.
The reference species are Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus) representing softwoods and beech (Fagus
sylvatica Linnaeus) representing hardwoods.
Additional tests may be undertaken using other species corresponding to the above characteristics, and of
particular importance for certain countries, but if so this shall be stated in the test report.
7.2 Wood quality
The wood shall be free from 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 can 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.
7.3 Provision of the test specimens
Prepare planed strips having a cross section of (25 ± 0,5) mm × (15 ± 0,5) mm. The longitudinal faces shall be
parallel to the direction of the grain. The annual rings shall have a contact angle of (45 ± 15)° to the broad
faces. Make transverse cuts, neatly to give sharp edges and a fine-sawn finish to the end-grain surfaces, to
give test specimens (50 ± 0,5) mm long.
For treatment, drying and ageing, the test specimens can be retained in planed strips of a length sufficient to
provide one test specimen for exposure to each of the test fungi. Each strip should be end-sealed prior to
treatment.
The specimens shall originate from a minimum of three trees or shall be taken at random from a stock
originally of more than 500 test specimens and originating from at least five planks.
7.4 Dimensions and density of test specimens
The dimensions of each test specimen at a mass fraction of (12 ± 2) % moisture content shall be
(50 ± 0,5) mm x (25 ± 0,5) mm x (15 ± 0,5) mm.
NOTE A moisture meter of the two-pronged electrical conductivity type is suitable for assessing moisture content.
2
The total surface area of the faces to be treated is theoretically 40 cm but an allowance shall be made for any
encroachment of the sealing compound on to these faces.
In a batch of test specimens to be treated, the density of an individual is permitted to differ from the mean
value of the batch by ± 10 %. This tolerance is increased to ± 20 % for the untreated test specimens. The
mean density for the treated test specimens used for the test shall be recorded in the test report.
10

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
7.5 Number and distribution of test specimens
The test specimens are divided into:
a) e treated test specimens:
1
— These are the treated test specimens subjected to attack by the wood destroying fungi. Use at least
six test specimens for each combination of preservative, quantity to be applied, preservative
concentration, test fungus and for each timber species.
— In case of dipping select at least 6 test specimens within a range of 10 % from the target retention.
Supplementary samples shall be treated, in order to have a sufficient number of correctly treated
specimens to put in test.
The treated test specimens are assessed by visual examination for decay of their surfaces and/or interior by
the test fungi. If optional tests for colonisation of the test fungi are required as an additional method of
assessment, this should be carried out on a parallel series of treated test specimens (Annex C).
b) e untreated test specimens:
2
— e untreated control test specimens: these are untreated test specimens, equal in number to the
2.1
treated test specimens e and of the same wood species, which are placed one in each culture
1
vessel together with a treated test specimen;
— e virulence control test specimens: these are untreated test specimens which are subjected to
2.2
attack by the test fungi to monitor vigour. Use six of these for each combination of test fungus and
timber species used in the test.
c) e treated check test specimens for calculation of the correction value:
3
These are test specimens treated in exactly the same way as the e test specimens. Use at least six test
1
specimens for each combination of preservative, quantity to be applied and preservative concentration
and of the same wood species. They are placed, after drying, conditioning and any appropriate ageing in
uninoculated culture vessels, two in each vessel. Variations in mass of these test specimens make it
possible to determine the correction factor (C) of the variations in mass of the treated test specimens e
1
resulting from factors other than attack by the test fungi. At a given treating concentration, factor C is the
mass fraction change of the e test specimens.
3
Mark each specimen so that it can be identified throughout the test.
8 Procedure
8.1 Preparation of the untreated test specimens
Place the numbered untreated test specimens (e and e ) in the oven (5.3.2) and leave them there for 18 h
2.1 2.2
1)
to 24 h . Cool to room temperature in a desiccator (5.3.3) and weigh to the nearest 0,01 g to determine the
initial dry mass (m ). Place the test specimens in the conditioning chamber (5.3.4) until they need to be
0
sterilized (8.3).

1) In the case of supplementary tests (7.1) using species of wood other than Scots pine sapwood or beech, this drying
time may need to be longer than 18 h to 24 h; the drying time should be such that the test specimens achieve constant
mass. This can be established by selecting at random from the batch being dried 10 test specimens; after drying and
cooling as directed, determine the total mass, return the test specimens to the oven and repeat the operation at intervals
of not less than 4 h. Constant mass is achieved when the total mass of the selected specimens does not lose more than
0,05 g between weighing.
11

---------------------- Page: 13 ----------------------

SIST EN 839:2015
EN 839:2014 (E)
NOTE Untreated test specimens are not end-sealed.
8.2 Preparation of the treated test specimens
8.2.1 Preparation
Place the numbered test specimens to be treated (e and e ) in the oven at (103 ± 2) °C (5.3.2) and leave
1 3
1)
them there for 18 h to 24 h . Cool to room temperature in a desiccator (5.3.3) and weigh to the nearest 0,01 g
to determine the initial dry mass (m ). Place the test specimens in the conditioning chamber (5.3.4) until they
0
need to be end-sealed (8.2.2).
8.2.2 End-sealing
Apply the end-sealing compound resistant to the penetration of the test wood preservative (5.2.4) to both end-
grain surfaces of each test specimen to be treated (e and e ). Allow to dry in the conditioning chamber (5.3.4)
1 3
for at least 24 h after the last application.
Since variation in end seal amount can create errors on mass loss careful operation in applying the end seal
as evenly as possible is required. As quality control guideline a variation within a 10 % limit should be
envisaged and additional absolute mass correction to all specimens could be useful.
8.2.3 Treatment with the test wood preservative
Treat the test specimens e and e on the unsealed longitudinal faces. If application is by brushing or by
1 3
pipette, calculate the amount of test product required to treat each face. Apply the amount evenly to each face
individually and weigh the test specimen before (m ) and after (m ) each application to the nearest 0,01 g.
1 2
Allow to dry between applications. Calculate the uptake of wood preservative solution for each face of each
test specimen (m - m ). Calculate the total uptake for each test specimen and express it in grams of wood
2 1
preservative per squa
...