CATAS News n° 1 2012

QUARTERLY NEWS EDITED BY CATAS YEAR 17 / N. 01 MARCH 2012

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Management, Editing and AdministrationCATAS spaVia Antica, 24/333048 San Giovanni al NatisoneUdine / ItalyTel. 0432 747211Fax 0432 747250www.catas.com

PresidentMichele Bressan

Managing DirectorAndrea Giavon

Coordination CATAS NewsFranco BulianFranco PreteLuca Bertossi

Design Deeper ComunicationUdine / Italy

Layout and graphics Maurizio MarussiAnnamaria Franz

Reproduction or duplication of the contents of this quarterly on any support is authorized under condition that the source - © CATAS - San Giovanni al Natisone - Udine - Italy is being cited All rights reserved

01in this issue

04 UNI EN 1518:2011: Furniture - Resistance to surface wear

05 CATAS controls the air at school08 How do you say in English?09 Reactiontofire:theimportanceofthe

“spot test”12 RAPEX cases reported in 2011: analysis of

data on furniture14 News from the register of experts and

technical consultants of Federlegno15 The light fastness of wood coated

surfaces. The effectiveness of UV absorbers.

18 Safety and training: a culture of sustainability

19 How does the SISTRI work?20 Standardization. UNI Wood Committee. Working group “Finishing“21 Publications

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UNI EN 15185:2011 Furniture – Resistance to surface wear

Few months ago a new European standard about abrasion resistance has been publi-shed. This document replaces the old and much disputed Italian standard UNI 9115 used for 25 years by the furniture sector.For a faster approach to the new test we propose a simple table illustrating the main differences between the two standards. In any case, we recommend a careful reading of the entire new document to consider any other important detail.

Examples of abrasion tests on coated wood sample. Methylene blue is used to improve the assessment of the areas where the clear coat has been removed by the abrasive action of the wheels.

Claudio Caon

UNI 9115 UNI EN 15185

Rubber wheels Hardness 50-60 IRHD Hardness 60-70 Shore A

Light No prescription In case of artificial light, the colour temperature shall be 6500 K with an intensity of 1200 lx.

Sample conditioning before the test 3 days 7 days

Calibration specification (130 ± 20) mg (120 ± 20) mg

Maintenance Not required Alignment of the arms with a calibration block

End of test When the initial point is reached IP (see picture)

Classification (test level) From 1 to 5 No classification

Substitution of abrasive paper Every 500 turns Every 200 turns

Weight loss Not required

Initial point not reached Initial point reached Initial point exceeded

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Stefano RigonatIacopo Deiuri

CATAS controls the air at school

During 2011 CATAS, in collaboration with the Istituto Tecnico Industriale Malignani 2000 in Cervignano del Friuliandinparticularwiththestudentsofthefifth-yearclass (chemistry technicians) has started the project cal-led “Clean Air”.The project was designed to assess air quality in the school environments of the technical Institute located in Cervignano del Friuli (Udine), by means of a monitoring campaign of different physical parameters determining the perception of thermal comfort, and with accurate control of the presence and concentration of chemical and biological pollutants.For the analysis of organic pollutants in indoor envi-

ronment INAIL (WORKERS COMPENSATION AUTHO-RITY) and the Ministry of Health ([1] [2] [3] see box) gui-delines indicate the reference values. For the chemical pollutants we referred to the values given for a working environment because the students, during the activity of the chemical laboratory, can be considered as ordi-nary workers. As regards the microclimate, the limit va-luesareexpressedinthedocumentsspecified inAn-nex IV point 1.9 Microclimate [4] or in the UNI EN ISO 7730:2006 “Ergonomics of the thermal environment - Analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort using calculation of indices PMW and PPD cri-teria and thermal comfort”.As currently there are no mandatory limits for school en-vironments,thisstudycouldalsorepresentafirstrefe-rencepointforthepossiblefuturedefinitionofspecific

limitations.The project will soon be offered to all educational institu-tes in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The parameters on which the school survey is based can be divided into three main categories:1. climatic parameters;2. chemical pollutants;3. biological pollutants.

Climatic parameters (microclimate)This category includes air temperature, humidity and ventilation being considered as air speed and as the number of air exchanges in the working environment.The temperature comfort highlighted by professionals in a work environment and considered “moderate” is a condition in which the subject does not feel heat or cold sensations, but at the same time, expresses a feeling of psychological satisfaction against environmental micro-climatic conditions.The integration of all the physical and physiological pa-rameters into a single “number” can estimate the de-gree of well-being, namely the use of thermal indices, has proved in practice a highly desirable attempt to pro-videbenchmarksforavalididentificationandrealizationmicroclimatic conditions of well-being.

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Franco Bulian

Il CATAS tra internazionalizzazione,innovazione e realtà quotidiana

CATAS controls the air at school

Chemical PollutantsThere are a wide variety of chemicals that may represent risk factors for all the people in schools. They can derive from internal or external sources. Among the internal pol-lutantssourcesthereis,firstlythehumanpresencethatmay contaminate the environment mainly with products

of the metabolic activity (CO, CO2, NH3, odours, etc.). Particularly important are building structures that can re-leasenaturalorartificialmineralfibres,dust,andradon.Also furnishings and various equipments (photocopiers, etc.) are potential sources of dust, formaldehyde, volatile organiccompounds,ozone,etc.Finally,aninsufficientair-exchange of rooms increases the concentration of pollutants in indoor air.

Biological PollutantsThe atmospheric contaminants of biological origin inclu-de bio aerosols, airborne particles composed of living organisms and their derivatives. For indoor work envi-ronments(offices,classrooms)theevaluationofthetotalmicrobialload(bacteriaandfungi)canbesufficient,asthe presence of potentially pathogenic agents may be considered accidental.

Toassessairqualityafewspecificareasrepresentati-vetheschoolbuildingwereidentifiedandselected.Theenvironmentstobemonitoredwereidentifiedbyconsul-ting the map of the school and with the help of the Head of the Prevention and Protection (RSPP).The sampling plan was presented to the competent au-thority, in this case represented by the Head Teacher of Institute, who approved the project.The work was actively carried out involving the class V CH, both as regards the sampling and for the labora-tory analysis. Some analyses were performed in paral-lel by the students and by the analytical CATAS staff in their laboratories. Finally the data achieved by the two laboratories were compared with each other. Students

also visited the CATAS laboratories where they were also able to assist the execution of tests carried out during the project. The data obtained were discussed at CATAS among professors, students and CATAS technicians in charge of the chemical department.For this survey different environments were selected in-cluding:classrooms,officesandlaboratoriesbeingcon-sidered a representative sample of all the environments present in the Institute. In each environment some se-lectedpollutantswere researched and verified. In thechemical andmechanical laboratories, specific atten-tion was focused on the research of chemical agents, whileinenvironmentssuchasclassroomsandofficesorganic pollutants and microclimatic parameters were

mainly monitored. In some classrooms the microbiolo-gical contamination limit value was exceeding, while in chemical laboratories different chemical substances ne-cessaryfortheeducationaltestshavebeenidentified.Since the analytical campaign was repeated in different seasons (Spring and Winter), a comparison of the results suggests that the rise in temperature caused an increase in bacterial growth in school environments.


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The analysis of the chemical agents were made to sup-port the evaluation of chemical risk, provided in [4] to Tit-le IX “Dangerous” - Chapter I “Protection from chemical agents” - Article 223 “Risk Assessment”.For the year 2012 a continuation of the project is ex-pected with a new analytical campaign that will monitor the same parameters and settings that have presented a situation of discomfort in this campaign.Wewillalsomonitormorechemicalpollutants,asdefi-ned in accordance with the Head of the Prevention and Protection.ThefinalreportofthestudyhasbeenpublishedinItalianlanguageandisavailableattheofficesofCATAS.

EDIZIONI CATAS 01/2011

PROGETTO ARIA PULITA

Relazione conclusiva

[1] Il rischio biologico nei luoghi di lavoro - Schede tecnico-informative Edizione 2011 INAIL

[2] Il monitoraggio microbiologico negli ambienti di lavoro - Campionamento e analisi - Edizione 2010 INAIL

[3]Lineeguidaperlatutelaelaprevenzionedellasalutenegliambienticonfinati(G.U. del 27 Novembre 2001, n° 276, SO n° 252)

[4] Decreto Legislativo 9 aprile 2008, n.° 81 - Testo unico in materia di salute e sicurezza nei luoghi di lavoro

http://www.inail.it/Portale/appmanager/portale/desktophttp://www.governo.it/GovernoInforma/Dossier/aria/linee_guida.html

http://www.elettrosmogcontrol.com/microclima.htm


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Franco Bulian


How do you say in English?Franco Bulian

In an increasingly global market, it is frequently necessary to

use terms in a different language than our mother tongue.

Although a basic knowledge of English is generally widespre-

ad among Italian technicians of the wood and furniture sector,

some language “traps” are sometimes possible.

Such traps consist of simple terms which translation is ap-

parently easy and immediate because of a certain similarity

with Italian. These situations may not only bring to possible

mistakes but also to serious misunderstandings.

The typical example in the coating sector is perhaps the word

“opaco” which in Italian is mainly used to indicate a low glossy

surface. The English term “opaque” that would appear the

more spontaneous and immediate translation has, anyhow, a

different meaning. Opaque is the opposite of transparent, so

that a surface that does transmit the incident light. An opaque

coating is a paint or “pittura” in the Italian language.

A low-glossy surface is said “matt” in English. Some Italian

standards have even translated this word into “matta” being

andadjectivewhichdefinitelymeans“crazy”.

Remaining in the world of coatings, other terms are often pos-

sible sources of mistakes. A “coating system” (ciclo di verni-

ciatura) is not a “sistema di verniciatura” being an Italian ex-

pression to indicate a plant (roller coater, curtain coater, etc.).

Moreover, each single coat of a coating system is said “mano”

in Italian which literal translation in English is “hand”.

There are even possible embarrassing cases as the English

term “preservative” that shall be absolutely translated into Ita-

lian as “preservante”. Other possible translations “by ear” may

not only be improper but also obscene in this case.

Certainly there would be other examples to mention, but this

article cannot be a language lesson and neither a glossary.

We just want to remember to pay particular attention to the

technical terminology that is becoming increasingly important

in our world and that still is not always easy to deal with. A

problem in this view is surely a certain lack of reliable reference

points.

The only advice we can outline is the usual caution and above

all, the consultation of the dear old dictionary, certainly a more

reliable translation tool than the new systems on Internet.

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In number 1 - January 2009 of CATAS News we considered a very important topic for the manufacturers/suppliers of uphol-stered furniture in Italy and in particular for the activities under the control of the Fire Brigades. Peopleworkinginthisfieldknowthat,sincemanyyears,therearespecificlegalprovisionsprescribing1.IMclassfortheseproducts.Thisclassshallbecertifiedbyalaboratoryautho-rizedbytheItalianHomeOfficeand,forthoseproducedinseries, the approval granted by the same Ministry shall be in-cluded.In that article was evident the importance of a proper evalua-tion in the choice of the materials with which the upholstered parts of furniture are made, and that must be tested (cover materials, interlinersandfillingmaterials)considering thatagoodfirebehaviourofthesecomponentsisessential,thou-ghnotalwayssufficient,toobtainthe1.IMclass.Thisasses-sment is crucial for the following reasons:- for thefulfillingof thetests is importantthatthematerialsassembly is adequate, not only the single components;-theprovisionsoftheHomeOfficerequiretheauthorizedla-boratories to request an advance payment for this type of cer-tification(seeart.8andart.10ofD.M.26.06.1984asamen-ded by D.M. 03-09-2001);-thecostofthesecertificatesmayalsobeveryrelevantandconsequently it is appropriate to minimize the risk of a fail re-sult in the subsequent tests.

One part of the conclusions of the article written three years ago were the following:“It is certainly risky to always assume that the two materials, eachwithanexcellentreactiontofireclassification,canensu-re in all cases the 1.IM class when tested together.The aspects that many manufacturers do not take into consi-deration are the following:

1) almost always the test methods are not comparable among themselves,thetestconfigurationforasuspendedmaterialiscompletely different from that provided for upholstered furni-ture;2) the best class achieved from any single material can “hide” afirebehaviourwhoseparametersareclosetothelimitofthelower class;3) the chemical reactions that are triggered during the test are not easily predictable so that sometimes the results have poor repeatability even in the presence of the same operator, the same test conditions and test pieces obtained from the same batch.It is therefore necessary to be very cautious in making predic-tions about the behaviour of the materials even after they have possibly occurred through pre-testing purposes only reduced exploratory samplings made of materials not conditioned ac-cording to UNI 9175 criteria”.

The conclusions of such article considered the possible exe-cution of pre-tests under certain conditions: they are special tests called “spot” by CATAS”, a term coined by us to identify asimplifiedprocedurewhichhasthedualpurposeoftestingthe materials in advance, but at a lower cost.We shall remember three standard deviations to the test that we propose to our customers:1) no prior conditioning of materials;

2) non-execution of the two applications of 20 seconds of the burneronfillingmaterial;3) once application for 20 - 80 and 140 seconds of the burner tubeonaspecimen”cover-interliner-fillingmaterials”insteadof two.It’s obvious that the result obtained under these conditions can not be considered as absolutely “true” not being 100% sure that the result will be repeated when tested in full com-

Fire Department Staff

Reaction to fire: the importance of the “spot test”

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pliance with the UNI 9175, but certainly if already in the spot test are observed dangerous combustion phenomena, it is very likely that theywilloccureven in thecertificationtestswith a consequent possible fail result.In recent years more and more customers have positively considered this opportunity deciding to reduce this risk, espe-cially in the cases where the covering material is imposed by thefinalcustomer/userofupholsteredfurniture.We had consequently the opportunity to compare a number ofsignificantresultsandtoevaluatetheeffectivenessofthissimplified test. Thedatawehavedeveloped, for the years2008 to 2011, can be summarized as follows:a)in76%ofthecasestheresultofthespottestingwasconfir-medinthecertificationtests;b)in11%ofthecasestheresultwasnotconfirmed,equallydividedbetweenpassspottest/failcertificationtestandviceversa;

c) in 13% of the cases the evidence of the spot test gave ini-tiallyafailresult,whichledtotheirrepetitiononamodifiedassemblywherethepassresultwasconfirmedinthecertifi-cation tests.

It should be emphasized the fact, especially in reference to

point b), that certain assemblies of materials present a “bor-derline” behaviour or get a result close to the limit between a class and the other. It points out that if the combustion phe-nomena,withandwithoutflames,ceasewithin120secondsfrom when it leaves the burner, the single application is suc-cessfully passed, from 121st second the application means failure and then in any case the result cannot be 1.IM class. Fromthepointofviewofthefinalresultitseemsahugedif-ference, but if we evaluate the behaviour of materials, someti-mes it is found that the combustion lasted a few seconds, very close to the limit.

Finallyourstatisticsconfirmthatin3casesof4theresultofthespottestdidnotchangewhenthetestwasthen“officially”performed. This is a sign that the deviations from the standard proposedbyCATAShavearelativeinfluence.The13%datais an indicator of advance payments saved; it is very likely, in fact,thatifinthesecasesthedirectofficialtestswouldhaveproduced a fail result. The cost paid was not just a useless expense,butalsoawasteoftimetoobtainthetestcertificateand the possible ministerial approval.As said, the 11% of the cases which cannot be reset because of the variability of results is inherent in the concept of labora-torytest.UNIfirereactionstandardsrequirethetestnotonasingle specimen but on multiple ones.The risk therefore remains and then it is important to reduce it through careful choice of materials, or better, their assemblies, perhaps also based on the experiences that our laboratory hasdevelopedinthisfieldinmorethan20years.

In this article we spoke of upholstered furniture, but the same considerations can be made for other materials: fabrics for curtains, plywood boards and plastics for non-upholstered seats,newmaterialsthatneedaset-upoftheirfirereactionperformance, etc.AsalwaysCATASoffersitsassistancetohelpclientstofindthe quickest route, effective and economical way to reach their goals.

Reaction to fire: the importance of the “spot test”Fire Department Staff

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Fire Department Staff

Extract from the Ministerial Decree 26/06/1984 “Reaction to fire classification and approval of mate-rials for the purpose of fire prevention” amended by DM 03/09/2001

Article 8Procedures for the approval of materials

8.1-ClassificationofmaterialsforapprovalFortheclassificationpurposeofthematerialprototype,themanufacturershallsubmitanapplicationwiththerelevant data sheet to the CSE (Centro Studi ed Esperienze) laboratory or other Body legally recognized by

theHomeOffice.

8.1.1-IftheclassificationiscarriedoutbyCSEthefollowingprocedureapplies:within 30 days from the application receipt, the CSE requires the necessary samples for carrying out the tests and also the “reference sample”. Moreover the laboratory shall receive the payment required for the execu-

tion of the tests.The applicant must submit the required samples and receipt of payment above mentioned, within 60 days fromthedateofnotificationbytheCSE.TheCSE,afterthereceiptofallthingsrequired,enrollsthepracticewithin15daysinthespecificchronologicallistwithacode,whichwillconstitutethereferenceforapproval

and that will be reported to all documents relating to the practice and on the samples received.After60dayswithoutresponse,theapplicationisfiled.Within90daystheCSEwillissuethetestcertificate.

8.1.2-Iftheclassificationforapprovalismadebylegallyrecognizedlaboratories,theyshallfollowtheproce-dures established by the CSE. These laboratories will send to the CSE, together with the release of the test

certificatetotheapplicant,acopyofthedatasheetandtestcertificate.

(omissis)

Article 10Procedures for classification of materials, not for approval

Fortheclassificationofmaterialsfordifferentpurposesthantheapproval,forexamplethecaseofmaterialsalreadyinuse,materialsforspecificapplications,materialsforuseinlimitedtime,materialsoflimitedpro-duction, the same procedures as in art. 8.1 shall apply by replacing the data sheet with a substitute sheet, prepared according to models established by the CSE, showing also the place where the material is (or will

be) installed.

Samples of these materials, and the preparation of the relevant descriptive sheet, shall be under the control ofCSEoruponrequestofthelocalHeadofthefiredepartment,ifthecertificationisrequiredbythelatter.

In the case of limited production, if it is not possible to indicate the place where the material will be installed, a methodofidentifyingthebatchwillbespecifiedbytheCSE.

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Franco Bulian


Introduction

The annual event of the data examination of the reported cases in the RAPEX website (http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/dyna/rapex/rapex_archives_en.cfm) related to furniture and furnishing, provides among other things some thoughts on how the use of this fundamental defence instrument of consumer safety will evolve and change. This tool has now become an integral part of the“EuropeanSystem”anditisalandmarkandapointofobservationsforallthoseworkinginthefieldofconsumerproducts.Itshouldbenotedthatthenumberofnotificationsrelatedtoyear2011(1568)hassignificantlydecreasedcomparedtothatof2010 (1984), about 21% less, coming back to the value of 2008 (1557).Forthemomentitisratherdifficulttogiveaclearviewofthisnumericaldata,whetheritisasignoftheproductsimprovementbeing also possibly related to the dynamics of a tired and troubling market, with much lower volumes than in the past. The courseofthisyearandmostlikelytheaftertheoverallbalancewewilldoaboutthismatter,wewillperhapsfindananswertothis question, not simple but it certainly will affect the UE approach to the problem.

Data analysis

Unlikethetableofthelastyear,IhavealsoinsertedinthisreportthemeasurestakenbyCountrieswhichhavenotifieddangerous products. I really believe that an examination of these measures will lead us to some interesting and useful thoughts for those who are dealing with these products.

ThenumberofcasesreportedbyRAPEXwas27in2011and31recordedin2010.Thisisinitselfasignificantfact;ifthe attention of Member States has remained the same, it might indicate at least one non-destructive decline in the safety of the furniture.Except in the fatal case occurred in Italy at the beginning of last year (http://gazzettadimantova.gelocal.it/crona-ca/2011/03/22/news/travolto-in-casa-da-un-mobile-muore-un-bimbo-di-tre-anni-3747413) but not reported on the RAPEXwebsite,therearenonotificationsoffurnitureasaresultoffatalcases.

The number of accidents is high (26) although limited to two furniture types such as folding chairs and storage furniture

RAPEX cases reported in 2011: analysis of data on furniture

Andrea Giavon

Type of furnitureN° of

notifications

N° ofaccidents Measures adopted by RAPEX notifying country

Children seating 4 / Voluntary withdrawal from the market and consumers/withdrawal ordered

Cots and cradles 3 / Import rejected/sales ban ordered by the authorities

High chairs 3 / Voluntary withdrawal from the market/sales ban orde-red by the authorities

Playpens 1 / Withdrawal from the market ordered

Indoor blinds 1 / Voluntary corrective action taken by the importer

Upholstered furniture (firereaction)

1 / Voluntary withdrawal from the market

Chairs 2 11 Voluntary withdrawal from the market and consumers

Step stools 3 / Voluntary withdrawal from the market and consumers

Ladders 2 / Voluntary withdrawal from the market/sales ban orde-red by the authorities

External blinds 1 / Voluntary withdrawal from the market and consumers

Safety barriers 1 / Withdrawal from the market ordered

Cabinets 3 15 Voluntary withdrawal from the market and consumers

Taps 1 / Seizure of product

Playground equipment 1 / Voluntary corrective actions taken by the producer

Total 27 26

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Sara ZanchielloGli appartamenti - palestra

Andrea Giavon

(wardrobe).Inthefirstcaseentrapmentofthefingerswasrecorded,whileinthesecondcasethereisaneventwithsevere cuts due to falling off the door mirrors. In both cases the measures were adopted both the voluntary withdrawal from the market and consumers. Once again, children furniture is the type of product most frequently present on the web site, with cots and high chairs always on the top. Also playpens are present in one case. In all of these products the danger was due to aspects co-vered by the relevant safety standards and in all cases non-conformity to these standards was claimed (EN 716, EN 14988 and EN 12227 respectively).Within this category there are four cases this year, new entry products, reporting of children seating. It is worth to pay specialattentiononthesecasesbecauseofthevarioussourcesofrisk,rangingfromseverefingerpinchpoints,de-tachableparts,tohighcontentofDEHP(phthalates)andleadinthecoveringoffillingmaterials.In these cases the measures were among the most diverse, being: the voluntary withdrawal, the withdrawal ordered by the authorities to sales ban and also the import rejection. The examination of these cases will surely help in the prepa-ration of future standard on children seating, on which WG2 of CEN/TC207 is currently working on.One single case of indoor blinds on which so much has been talked about during the 2010 and 2011. The usual non-compliance to the standard was claimed (EN 13120) but in this case the measure was a corrective action by the im-porter.

Once again the safety barriers are the subject of particular attention by the authorities that in 2011, in one case, have ordered the withdrawal from the market and consumers. Even in this case the non-conformity to the standard (EN 1930) isthereasonofthenotification.Iwouldliketoremindthatthistypeofproducthasbeenthecauseofveryseriousac-cidents in the recent past.TwonotificationsforladdersduetothelackofconformitytothestandardEN131;inonecasetherewasthevoluntarywithdrawal while in the second the sales were banned from the authorities.It is really very peculiar the case of an external blind. I want to remind that this product falls under the Construction Products Directive, now European Regulation n. 305/2011, and requires the CE marking for the free circulation among the Member States. Thus we see that even in a mandatory area of products with regard to safety, sometimes you may have abnormal situations like this. Although a case is not a rule, I think that the case should raise some questions or at least very serious considerations on the effectiveness of the required procedures. The measure adopted was a volun-tary recall of the importer.Finally I will touch on a fairly unique event that sees Italy as a country that has made the report and concerns a case ontaps.Thecauseofthenotificationisintheriskofingestionofheavymetals,includinglead,inthealloyconstituentthe tap and the water passed through it. Besides this, there was also the presence of metal splinters in the water. The measure adopted by our Country was justly severe: seizure of the product.

Considerations

RAPEXhasbecome,injustoverfiveyears,animportanttoolfortheUECountriestomonitorconsumerproductsandoverseeingthesafetyofconsumers.Furnitureisdefinitelynotsocriticastoysorappliances,butalsowithinitsareasshows situations to keep into very high consideration.Children furniture is always in the spotlight of all and it is therefore quite understandable that it is the object that appears most frequently. Also chairs, especially folding chairs, are revealing once again the subject is very “delicate” from the safety point of view. Glass mirrors, in the examined cases, again demonstrate the importance of a proper design and construction in all the cases where furniture includes this material.

A positive element to be emphasized and underlined is the fact that more and more often the adopted measures are voluntary acts of the manufacturer or importer, being a sign of a fast growing civic consciousness, so we should be fairly positive about our future.

The fact remains unequivocal of centrality of European standards as criterion for judging furniture (and not only). This objective data does not discriminate on the basis of “fads” or attitudes due to the “heat of the moment” but based on objective criteria, always under improvement, measure performance of furniture in relation of the safety of the user.At a time like this when we criticize as Europeans, we should record European standardization as one of the things to be very proud.

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Franco Bulian


News from the register of experts and technical consultants of FederlegnoStaff CATAS

In this article some information about the activity programme of the Register for the year 2012 is reported. More details can be directlyachievedontheFederlegnowebsitespecificallydevotedtotheRegister.

Exam sessionsMilan - Wednesday, May 16, 2012Milan - Wednesday, November 21, 2012

TrainingWithregardtothetrainingprogrammeforthemembersoftheRegister,followingappointmentshavebeendefined:

Friday,March23,2012–MilanatFederlegnooffices(ArmelliniHall)“Introductiontoinstrumentationandmeasurementmetho-dology”.The course, which will take place throughout one day, is restricted to the Register members. It will address the following issues:- measurement, reference standards, calibration and maintenance of instruments;- types of instruments and their use;- basic knowledge of statistics;- case studies.

Friday, May 11, 2012 (location to be determined) “External wood doors and windows”. It will address the following issues:- suitability and compatibility of wood species;-adhesivesandfinishes;- installation according to the “state-of-art”;- energy saving and noise.This meeting will be open to participation of professionals interested in the subjects.

Wednesday,November7,2012attheofficesoftheMilanFurnitureFederlegno(Armelliniroom)amembers-onlymeetingisdevoted to “How to manage a dispute”.

Other activitiesThe Operations Committee has evaluated the feasibility of creating a database, for the exclusive use of members, which include the experiences of individual consultants gathered by means of simple data sheets.This instrument is thought to be useful to share similar experiences already conducted by colleagues belonging to the Register.

Bibliographic References for the exam of the experts and consultants of Federlegno Arredo

Subject: Wood Technology•GuglielmoGiordano“AntologiadelLegno”,Ed.ConsorzioLegnoLegno,1997;•AutoriVari,“Ilparquet.Dalprogettoallaposainopera”(capitolo1),Ed.A.I.P.P.L.-EdilegnoArredo,2009•AutoriVari,“Lineeguidaperl’ediliziainlegnoinToscana”(Capitoli2e3,pag.23-87),Ed.RegioneToscana,2009freelydown-loadable from the web site: http://www.regione.toscana.it/regione/export/RT/sito-RT/Contenuti/pubblicazioni/visualizza_asset.html_1297123639.html•F.Bulian“Materialietecnologiedell’industriadelmobile”,GoliardicaEditrice(2011)(www.edizionigoliardiche.it).

Subject: Adhesives and coatings•Manuale“Ilparquet.Dalprogettoallaposainopera”(capitolo6)Ed.A.I.P.P.L.–EdilegnoArredo(2009)•F.Bulian“Verniciareillegno”,Hoepli(2009)(www.hoepli.it)•Materia:NORMATIVATECNICA:seewebsiteUNI(EnteNazionaleItalianodiUnificazione):http://www.uni.com/http://www.uni.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=141&Itemid=157&lang=it

Subject: Legal aspects•artt.da191a201cpc(codicediproceduracivile)artt.696e696biscpc(codicediproceduracivile)artt.da89a92dispo-sizioni attuazione cpc (codice di procedura civile)Note:For the window sector the following publications are recommended: •Manuale“Finestre,porte-finestreechiusureoscuranti:lineeguidaall’installazioneealladefinizionedeicriteriprogettuali,Ed.EdilegnoArredo, 2008 •Manuale“Ported’Ingressoresistentiall’effrazione”,Ed.EdilegnoArredo,2011Fortheflooringsectorthefollowingpublicationsarerecommended:•Manuale“IlParquet.Dalprogettoallaposainopera”Ed.A.I.P.P.L.-EdilegnoArredo,2009

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Sara ZanchielloGli appartamenti - palestra

Franco Bulian

IntroductionLightfastnessisdefinedastheattitudeofasurfacetomaintainitsappearanceundertheactionofsunlightfil-tered behind glass. The natural dyes of wood, or those added to paints and varnishes, can degrade or otherwi-se change by the effect of light, producing unwanted co-lourchanges.Alsothesamecoatingfilmmaybesubjectto discolouration in consequence to complex photoche-

mical reactions with a normal shifting towards yellow.If in the case of paints (opaque coatings) the discoloura-tion caused by light can be totally ascribed to the coa-ting composition, if clear coatings are directly applied to wood surfaces, the origin of surface discolorations may be more complex. The colour change of a wood surface coated with clear products depends on several factors, the major of which can be considered the following:•thecolourchangeofwood;•thecolourchangeofthecoatingfilm;• theprotectiveeffectof thecoatingfilm towards thewood substrate.Asregardsthefirstfactor,weshallconsiderthatwoodisnot a homogeneous material and its variations in colour

are different not only among the various wood species but also between adjacent areas of a single wood ele-ment.Thecolourchangeofacoatingfilmbasicallydependson its composition; the use of aromatic-based resins or hardeners produces coating filmsmore prone to yel-lowing phenomena (e.g. polyurethane coatings cured with aromatic isocyanates).

The third factor mentioned above is associated with the capacityof thecoatingfilm to screen the lightwave-lengths responsible for the colour change of the wooden substrate. The addition of special additives, absorbing the UV radiation (UV absorbers) is the most common strategy to give the coating a protective capacity to-wards light.In any case, it should be remembered, the percenta-ge of low wavelength electromagnetic radiation (UV) is normally negligible in the light of indoor environments in consequence to the screening effect of window glasses. It has been demonstrated by several studies, the disco-louration phenomena are actually caused also by the visible light whose shielding, however, would cause the

The light fastness of wood coated surfaces. The effectiveness of UV absorbers.

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Franco Bulian

The light fastness of wood coated surfaces. The effectiveness of UV absorbers.

lossoftransparencyofthecoatingfilm.

Experimental dataWe report in this regard a table showing the results of a simple study carried out some years ago in the context of coating standardization (Unichim committee “Paints and varnishes for wood”).The aim of this study was to acquire a basic knowledge on the colour changing of coated wood. Four two-pack acrylic coatings were prepared by four different coating manufacturers. Each of such four coatings was formulated in two versions, one with UV absorbers and the other without such additives.All the coatings were then applied on a white tile (non-yellowing) and four different wood species.The table below shows the results of the light fastness test carried out according to UNI 9427 standard (similar to the currentUNIEN15187).Thetestiscarriedoutwithspecialequipmentsequippedwithaxenonlampproperlyfilteredto reproduce the sunlight spectrum behind glass. ThetablereportsboththevaluesofΔE(colorimetricmeasurebeforeandafterlightexposure)andthoseofthe“grey

Without UV absorber With UV absorber

White tile ΔE Grey scale ΔE Grey scale

1 0,55 4/5 0,16 5

2 0,60 4/5 0,17 5

3 0,79 4/5 0,11 5

4 0,56 4/5 0,21 5

Maple ΔE Grey scale ΔE Grey scale

1 6,64 2 1,33 4

2 9,32 1/2 1,35 4

3 7,08 2 1,85 4

4 9,73 1/2 4,62 2/3

Cherry ΔE Grey scale ΔE Grey scale

1 5,36 2/3 4,76 2/3

2 7,28 2 3,56 3

3 6,07 2 6,22 2

4 8,68 1/2 4,47 2/3

Beech ΔE Grey scale ΔE Grey scale

1 4,01 3 1,12 4/5

2 5,69 2/3 2,94 3

3 2,46 3/4 1,36 4/5

4 5,32 2/3 3,75 3

Ash ΔE Grey scale ΔE Grey scale

1 5,44 2/3 4,86 2/3

2 6,95 2 4,78 2/3

3 4,67 2/3 3,98 3

4 7,07 2 3,87 3

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Sara Zanchiello (AREA SCIENCE PARK)Franco Bulian

scale”.The results clearly show an improving effect of coatings containing UV absorbers than the same formulations wi-thout such additives.It is also remarkable the difference observed between the various wood species. A remarkable improvement is more evident with Maple whereas in the case of Ash, the addition of UV absorbers is less effective.In any case, all the coatings are not able to completely prevent the colour change of wood substrates.

ConclusionsThe colour change of a coated wood surface depends on several interconnected factors but also hardly to be the-orized and predictable.A key aspect of this issue, also derived from the data of the Unichim study, concerns the evidence that the colour change of natural wood caused by light can only be reduced or otherwise slowed down but never completely elimi-nated by the screening effect of a clear coat.

NoteThis article is based on the book Materials and Technology of Furniture Industry (language = Italian) recently publi-shed by Dr. Franco Bulian CATAS (www.edizionigoliardiche.it).

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In a recent interesting conference one of the speakers, who was talking about wide-ranging sustainability, among other things listed those that are the cornersto-nes on which “sustainable” policies or sustainability are or should based. I was very impressed to list that educa-tion, training and culture were mentioned among them. The matter seems to me very important as these words are frequently used without “substance” and foundation based on the necessary knowledge and understanding. Startingfromthedefinitionofsustainabledevelopmentgiven by the Burtland Report (1987) “Sustainable deve-lopment is development that meets present needs wi-thout compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” and attaching it on the axes men-tioned above (there are other, but for the purposes of our discussionIwillconfinemyselftothese),wecanmakesome interesting observations on the role of our institute.With the increase in the number of published European standards, especially after the introduction of the “new approach”, standardization activity has had a considera-ble increase in speed. The focus of standards and the re-sulting testing activity have increasingly turned towards the assessment of safety, especially those of consumer product.In the beginning the safety issue was limited to the “ou-ter form” (design) and mechanical (strength and dura-tion) aspects, then it moved on the chemical side with the formaldehyde issue to pioneer (during the eighties). Now other important aspects of safety have been ad-ded, such as the emission of volatile organic compoun-ds (VOC), the presence of heavy metals, plasticizers, DMF, up to a quantitative assessment of energy and environmental costs of the product. Moreover also an estimate of the disposal costs at the end of life is now considered.In this evolution process towards a greater complexity of safety, CATAS has been a leading actor in both stan-dardization sites (CEN and UNI) and as a laboratory daily

using EN standards. This activity has been accompa-nied by an intensive information programme (dedicated seminars and articles) held in favour of companies in the sectors concerned. Over the years we have experienced that this process of information has become essential in light of the reliability of our work, and not least as a re-tention tool for our client companies. Over time we also managed to give a structure adapted to this more and more strategic activity.Information on a new standard, especially when it is gi-ven through the experience of its drafting and laboratory experience, becomes an important educational oppor-tunity for those involved. I think our organization through the people working here and being also directly involved in such meetings has succeeded to carry out this fun-ction of “real” training.As we saw earlier, the environmental costs are now an essential aspect of assessing a product. The initial start with the safety has been presently enhanced with other features providing in this way technical and measurable characteristics to the concept of sustainability. In this one-way street, the activity of emission control in chimneys (mandatory) and the air quality and microcli-mateofindoorlivingenvironmentscontrol(voluntary)fitswell, being the latter the next frontier on which we will be involved at all levels.In this pattern the various activities we do in the food sector are easily installed and readily understandable especially if we think of safety related to health.We have thus seen as the activities of a centre as CATAS provide correct information that results in training for the sectors concerned and where there is a “fertile ground” (a stimulating, young and open) can lead to culture, the only instrument to work towards the future.The interconnection that now binds all these subjects places these processes, i.e. the user as primary care, mandatory.

Safety and training: a culture of sustainability Andrea Giavon

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Marco RighiniHow does the SISTRI work?

These last two months have been intense in terms of Italian le-gislative output, even with respect to environmental complian-ce. This legislative activity has been mainly motivated by the needtodealwithspecificdeadlinessuchasthesubmissionof the declaration and operation of SISTRI.

Let’sstartwiththedefinitionofSISTRI.TheItalianWasteTra-ckingSystemSISTRIwasofficiallypublishedin2009andthefirst implementation is due to theDecree of 17December2009, the same day when CATAS has organized a seminar on the SISTRI subject. The idea of SISTRI is that of tracking the waste movements, with the real-time control of the waste routefromtheproductionsitetothefinaldestination.

The SISTRI is organized by means of a web-based system (www.sistri.it), which will replace all paper obligations provided for waste handling: records, forms and the annual declaration called MUD.

The use of SISTRI will replace the annual waste declaration to the Chamber of Commerce. All the data will be actually avai-lable to all the interested bodies immediately after their regi-stration in the network. Nevertheless, the continuous delay in the full operation of SISTRI has necessary caused a restore of the annual waste declaration that can be made either through the same SISTRI or with the “classic” MUD declaration ad-dressed to the Chamber of Commerce. For the same reason an extend to April 30, 2012 for the submission of the annual waste handled in 2011 was published in late December. The same document shifts the full operation of SISTRI to the fol-lowing new deadlines:

- April 2, 2012: deadline for the exclusive operation of SISTRI for companies registered as waste producers with more than

10employeesandmanagersofwaste(thecompletefigureisthat represented art. 188-ter, paragraph 1 of Legislative De-cree n. 152/2006 as amended);- 1 June 2012: deadline for the exclusive operation of SISTRI for companies registered as waste producers with less than 10employees(fullfigureisthatrepresentedart.188-ter,para-graph 1, lett. B of D.L.vo n. 152/2006 as amended);- July 2, 2012: deadline for registration to SISTRI by farms: performance concerns that farmers who produce and deliver a platform to supply, or give to a circuit organized collection, their own hazardous waste on an occasional and socially.

In addition to these delays, a further request for extension of operations SISTRI to June 30 was made. In any case it should be emphasized that SISTRI is already mandatory for those who must be enrolled and consequently they shall pay the annual contribution.

Compared to the MUDs declaration, it is important to empha-size that the Chamber of Commerce still remain the reference officeforanycommunicationwhichthisyearincludesanewapplication forms, articulated as follows:

- Section for municipalities or their unions and/or consortia and mountain communities to be used for information relating to the collection of municipal waste;- Section for producers of electrical and electronic AEE and RAEE enrolled in the National Register of Collective Systems Financing;- Section for CONAI or other persons referred to in Article 221, paragraph 3, letters a) and c) of D.L.vo n. 152/2006 and s.m.i.;- Section for processing activities of old vehicles and their components and materials.

Companies are registered in the register www.registropile.it batteries that are required to submit by March 31, the com-munication on the types and quantities to be sold in 2011.

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Standardization. UNI Wood Committee. Working Group “Finishing”

As mentioned in a previous issue of CA-TAS News, within the UNI Wood Com-mission, a new Working Group on “Fi-nishing” has been recently established.The role of this WG is to coordinate all

standardization activities in the world of wood and furniture involving surface co-atings.After the first “preparative”meeting of2011, the 25th of January of the new

year the task of this working group has officially begun. The field of activity isvery wide considering: timber for con-struction, furniture and coating mate-rials.The following table briefly reports thefirstsubjectsconsideredand the initial

proposals on which the group is there-fore working in collaboration with other committees and WG of UNI.

Franco Bulian

Subject Proposal

UNI11216“Domesticfurniture-Performancespecifica-tions for wood coated surfaces”

Review in the light of the new Italian and European standards and revisions.

UNI9241:1987“Furniture-Testonsurfacefinishing-As-sessment of the resistance to cigarette burning”.

Proposal for the withdrawal of the standard as obsolete and no longer required by the changed market conditions including legal

issues.

UNI9300:1988“Furniture-Testonsurfacefinishing-As-sessment of dirt retaining.

Revisioninparticularonthebestdefinitionofthesubstancesusedand on the cleaning method of the surface after the test.

Insertion of repeatability and reproducibility of the method.

UNI 9429:1989 “Furniture - Assessment of the resistance to temperature changing.

Revision of the method in particular for what concerns the condi-tions of cooling and heating of the samples. The proposed revision also considers the possible reduction in the testing time which is

currently 3 weeks.Insertion of repeatability and reproducibility of the method.

UNI 10782:1999 “Coating materials - Assessment of surface hardness - Pencil test”.

Revision of certain editorial aspects.

Performancespecificationsforwoodflooringcoatedsurfaces”

Proposal of a standard supporting the producers of coatings, flooringmanufacturersandusersintheformulationandselectionofcoating systems best suited for a particular environment (domestic,

lowattendancecommercialandhightrafficcommercial).

The next meeting of the Working Group “Finishing” is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

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Title GLUING WOOD Purchase CATAS ([email protected])Author Alberto Bandel CATAS Subscriber € 35,00 + IVAEditor CATAS SpA Non CATAS Subscriber € 45,00 + IVA

Gluing Wood was written by dr. Alberto Bandel, one of the greatest European experts in the field of wood adhesives thecnology. Since the first edition (1994), the book has represented a good theoretical basis but, moreover, a signifi-cant working tool for all the manufacturers.The book is written in a simple style, with many practical examples, pictures and tables. The collaboration with CA-TAS (and in particular with ing. Speranza, dr. Giavon and dr. Bulian), especially for the normative parts, has completed the book also with some useful references to test methods and standards.The book is divided into three chapters: Adhesives in the wood Industry- Materials in the Wood Industry and Gluing Technologies) which contain different pharagraphs about subjects related both to the raw materials and the working processes.

Title THREE DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE OF WOOD. A scanning Electron Microscope StudyAuthors B.A. Meylan and B.G. Butterfield Purchase CATAS ([email protected])(Italian translation by Angelo Speranza) CATAS Subscriber € 25,00 + IVAEditor CATAS SpA Non CATAS Subscriber € 45,00 + IVA

This book is a collection of scanning electron microscope photographs selected to illustrate various features of the structure of wood. Althought is intended to supplement general plant anatomy texts for Botany and Foresty students at the upergraduate level, it should also be useful work for anyone interested in wood science.The lists of further reading included in each section contain only general texts and revelant paper on each topic.

Title WOOD COATINGS. THEORY AND PRACTICE Authors Franco Bulian and Jon Graystone Purchase Specialised bookstores - Language English Internet web sites: www.elsevier.com,Editor Elsevier www.amazon.com

Wood Coatings, written by Franco Bulian (CATAS) and Jon Graystone (Paint Research Association) addresses the factors responsible for the performance of wood coatings in both domestic and industrial situations. The term ‘wood coatings’ covers a broad range of products including stains, varnishes, paints and supporting ancillary products that may be used indoors or outdoors. Techniques for coating wood go back many centuries but in recent decades there has been a move towards more environmentally-friendly materials, for example, the use of water-borne rather than solvent-borne chemicals. A major objective of Wood Coatings is to explain the underlying factors that influence selection, application and general operational issues. Basic information on the chemistry and technology of coatings is included for the benefit of students and laboratory technicians. Additio-nally, the book includes individual chapters of interest to architects, specifiers, and industrial users.

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CATAS News n° 1 2012

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Transcript of CATAS News n° 1 2012