Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 6, Issue 4, 2001

Treatment

Treatment

1.Tanalised: The tanalith was brought by truck from Christchurch in drums. A large cylinder containing timber on trolleys at the end of Bird Lane was filled with tanalising liquid and then pressurised until treatment was completed. The liquid was then pumped out to a storage tank, while the trolleys of timber were pulled out and drained on a concrete pad. The timber was then filleted and dried. This treatment extended the life of timber and posts, and prevented borer or marine life infestation.
2.Boric treatment: Near the tanalith plant was a tank half filled with water to which boron was added. The temperature in the tank was raised to below boiling point by diesel-heated hot-air pipes. Timber was lowered into it by winch for between 5 and 10 minutes, until there was sufficient penetration, and then lifted out and drained. The packets of timber were then placed in a sealed bay so that diffusion (absorption) could take place. The process took eight weeks to complete, and borer-proofed the timber which was used for building purposes.