NZQA registered unit standard
155 version 6
Page 1 of 3
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of the properties of wood
Level
3
Credits
10
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
knowledge of: physical properties of wood; permeability in
wood; and density and moisture content in wood.
Classification
Wood Manufacturing - Generic Skills > Wood Manufacturing
Foundation Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Unit 736, Demonstrate knowledge of physical characteristics of
wood, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Explanatory notes
All evidence requirements must be demonstrated and assessed in accordance with the
reference text: Physical Properties of Wood, published by Competenz and available from
Competenz at http://www.competenz.org.nz, or Competenz, PO Box 9005, Newmarket,
Auckland 1149.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of physical properties of wood.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The physical properties of wood are defined.
Range
density, moisture content, microstructure, growth features.
1.2
Sapwood and heartwood in radiata pine are compared in terms of strength,
formation, characteristics, and pits.
1.3
Major cell types found in hardwood and softwoods are compared in terms of
their function, size, and the type of tree in which they occur.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
vessels, tracheids, rays.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1.4
155 version 6
Page 2 of 3
Effects of extractives on the properties of wood are explained.
Range
properties – colour, permeability, durability.
1.5
Chemical components of cellulose and hemi-cellulose are described in terms of
their effect on the shrinkage and swelling of wood.
1.6
The difference between corewood and outerwood is explained in terms of its
impact on wood quality.
1.7
Compression wood and tension wood are described in terms of the location in
the tree, causes, appearance, and processing effect.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of permeability in wood.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Permeability is defined in relation to wood.
2.2
Effects of permeability on wood drying and treatment processes are explained.
2.3
Factors affecting permeability in wood are explained.
Range
factors include – species, heartwood and sapwood, early wood
and latewood, density, compression wood, extractives, cutting
patterns.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of density and moisture content in wood.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The relationship between density and moisture is explained and the formulae
stated.
3.2
Effects of moisture content and density on wood are described in terms of
preservation, drying, stiffness, and strength.
3.3
Effects of age, geographical location, and climatic conditions on density are
explained for radiata pine in New Zealand.
3.4
Trends in fibre length and density of radiata pine from pith to bark are
described.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
Planned review date
155 version 6
Page 3 of 3
31 December 2015
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
5 July 1993
31 December 2012
Review
2
24 October 1996
31 December 2012
Review
3
10 February 1999
31 December 2012
Revision
4
14 March 2000
31 December 2012
Review
5
18 December 2006
31 December 2012
Review
6
15 April 2011
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0173
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Competenz at info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes
to the content of this unit standard.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016