TRADA’s Span tables have been in existence for decades now, helping designer and builders quickly look up the right sized softwood members for domestic projects.
In 1991 the Span tables were paid for by government and were included within the Building Regulations. Whilst they are no longer funded by government or contained within the Building Regulations, they are still referenced in Approved Document A and can now be purchased directly from our bookshop.
We have listed some other helpful resources below, which you may find useful.
Bookshop: Eurocode 5 span tables
Now in its 4th edition, the TRADA Span Tables publication is a must for any designer or builder.
Easy to look up tables allow the reader to choose the size of solid softwood timber members necessary to give adequate support to floors, ceilings and roofs in dwellings.
Other published guidance
Some key introductory guides on this subject include:
- Choose & Use: Timber strength and spans, which gives a simple explanation on how to use span tables and provides tables of some of the most commonly used sizes.
- Wood Information Sheet: Softwood sizes
- Wood Information Sheet: Timber strength grading and strength classes
- Wood Information Sheet: Introduction to timber frame construction
- Magazine Article: Span Tables – a look back and forwards
Design software
As a TRADA member you can select the most efficient timber cross-sections for your design, and identify appropriate connections in an instant with TRADA’s EC5-compliant Timbersizer and Connections software.
Training
TRADA’s service provider, Exova BM TRADA, provides a range of commercial training courses, including:
- Timber grading
- Timber frame construction
- Introduction to softwood and hardwood
For more information, see our Training page.
Telephone helpline
Contact our telephone helpline on +44 (0)1494 569601 to speak to our engineers. TRADA Members are able to use the phone line for free.
British and European Standards
Many new British, European and International Standards are continually added and updated in the TRADA Bookshop for purchase. A List of British Standards relating to timber is also updated on a regular basis, located in the Wood Information Library on the TRADA website.
A bespoke Standards monitoring service is also available via our bookshop. You will receive a monthly update based on the list you supply of standards held, advising you of any changes (or not), to ensure your standards are always kept up to date.
If you are interested in our standards monitoring service or you cannot locate a standard in our bookshop, please contact the Publications Team on +44 (0)1494 569602 or publications@trada.co.uk and we will add it to the Bookshop for you.
