Since the wood preservation sector is developing in favour of defining exactly the utilization of wood products and preservation techniques as a function of the envisaged hazard class, more in particular the hazard classes 3 and 4 (EN 350) there is obviously a need for a test method evaluating natural durability for out of ground contact applications. Based on the L-joint test as described in the European standard EN 330 a test method is under evaluation to determine the out of ground contact durability of various temperate and tropical wood species. Major parameters in the accelerated L-joint durability test are: the open joint structure, an exposure with 10° inclination facing sout west, tenon members in a 50/50 beech - Scots pine sapwood combination and a controlled drip irrigation system in the joint corner. This new concept is independent of specific coating systems and minimizes the variability in testing due to long dry periods under certain climatic conditions.

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