EN 275:1992

Overview

EN 275:1992 - Wood preservatives: Determination of the protective effectiveness against marine borers is a CEN European standard that defines a marine test method to evaluate how effectively wood preservatives protect timber from marine wood-boring organisms. The standard applies to preservatives that achieve complete penetration of the timber (for example, via vacuum/pressure impregnation) and assesses treated timber performance in real sea-water exposure relative to a reference preservative applied by a standard treatment.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Specifies a marine test method for determining the relative effectiveness of wood preservatives against marine borers.
• Treatment types covered: Intended for preservatives applied by vacuum/pressure impregnation or other processes providing complete penetration of the wood.
• Comparative assessment: Protective effect is measured in relation to a reference preservative applied under a standardized treatment regime.
• Real-world exposure: Uses marine exposure (sea-water) to evaluate attack by marine wood-boring organisms rather than purely laboratory assays.
• Target organisms: Focused on marine borer species that attack timber in sea-water environments (commonly relevant in coastal and submerged timber structures).
• Test intent: Provide reproducible, comparable data to support product claims, specification writing, and regulatory compliance.

Applications

• Product evaluation and development for wood preservatives intended for marine use.
• Quality assurance and performance benchmarking by preservative manufacturers and treatment plants using vacuum/pressure impregnation.
• Independent testing laboratories validating preservative efficacy under marine exposure conditions.
• Specification and procurement guidance for marine construction, including piles, wharves, jetties, marinas, and other submerged timber structures.
• Support for regulatory compliance, durability assessment, and life-cycle cost planning for timber used in sea-water environments.
• Useful to consultants, architects, engineers, and asset owners managing coastal and offshore timber infrastructure.

Related standards

• EN 275:1992 sits within the broader family of wood-protecting chemicals and marine exposure test methods. Users should also consult other CEN/ISO standards on wood preservation, impregnation processes, biological testing methods, and maritime construction specifications for complementary requirements and harmonized testing approaches.

Keywords: EN 275:1992, wood preservatives, marine borers, marine test method, vacuum/pressure impregnation, timber protection, CEN standard, wood-protecting chemicals.