Carpentry is a skilled trade that focuses on working with wood and other building materials to create structures, furniture, and fixtures. In Industrial Arts, carpentry plays a foundational role in teaching students the fundamentals of construction. Learners are introduced to:
Basic woodworking tools and machinery, including saws, hammers, drills, and measuring instruments.
Woodworking techniques like cutting, joining, sanding, and finishing.
Blueprint reading and interpretation, so they can follow construction plans accurately.
Safety practices in the workshop to avoid injuries and maintain a productive learning environment.
Students not only build practical projects like chairs or shelves, but they also develop problem-solving skills, precision, and an appreciation for craftsmanship.
Students taking carpentry in Industrial Arts will learn a wide range of skills, including:
Measuring and marking wood accurately
Cutting wood using hand tools and power tools
Assembling and joining wood using nails, screws, and adhesives
Sanding and finishing surfaces for a clean and polished look
Reading and interpreting working drawings and blueprints
Understanding wood types, grain patterns, and appropriate uses
Estimating material quantities and planning projects
Applying safety standards and proper tool handling procedures
Problem-solving: figuring out solutions to design or measurement issues
Attention to detail: ensuring precision in every cut and assembly
Teamwork: working together in group projects or construction settings
Creativity: designing functional and aesthetic wooden projects
There are several types of carpentry that students may explore:
Rough Carpentry – Focuses on building structural frameworks like walls, roofs, and floors.
Finish Carpentry – Involves more detailed work like installing moldings, doors, and cabinets.
Furniture Making – Designing and building furniture pieces like tables, chairs, and shelves.
Cabinetry – Creating storage units, kitchen cabinets, and built-in furniture.
Formwork Carpentry – Constructing temporary molds for concrete structures.
Understanding and following codes and standards in carpentry is essential for ensuring quality, safety, and professionalism in woodworking and construction projects. These standards provide guidelines that carpenters and builders must follow when creating structures, furniture, or components using wood and other materials.
Safety – Prevents accidents and structural failures in homes, buildings, and public spaces.
Quality – Ensures the durability and proper function of woodworks and carpentry structures.
Legal Compliance – Protects both builders and clients by following government-mandated rules.
Professionalism – Demonstrates responsible workmanship and ethical practice.
Uniformity – Ensures consistency and compatibility in design and construction methods.
Plywood is a type of engineered wood product made by bonding together thin layers of wood veneer, known as plies, using strong adhesives. These layers are arranged so that the grain of each sheet is rotated 90 degrees from the one below it—a process called cross-graining. This design gives plywood its strength, stability, and resistance to warping and cracking, making it one of the most versatile and widely used materials in construction and manufacturing.
Each plywood sheet is typically made from an odd number of plies (e.g., 3, 5, 7), ensuring the panel is balanced and less likely to bend or twist. The outer layers, called face and back veneers, are often selected for appearance, while the inner core layers provide strength and structure.
ISO 12465:2007 is an international standard that provides comprehensive specifications for plywood panels intended for use in construction, furniture, packaging, and general applications. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard ensures that plywood products meet global expectations for quality, durability, and performance.
It covers aspects such as:
Thickness and size
Types of wood veneers
Bonding quality (glue strength)
Surface appearance
Testing methods
Scope
This section outlines the specific scope of the standard. It defines the quality characteristics of plywood made from tropical wood species that comply with the standard. It includes plywood that meets requirements for various applications such as construction, furniture, and other specialized uses, ensuring high standards for durability, strength, and quality.
Example:
A construction company needs plywood for building scaffolding. The plywood must conform to ISO 12465:2007 to ensure it has the required strength and durability for outdoor use in tough weather conditions.
Another example could be using plywood in furniture production where visual appearance and strength are critical, ensuring the panels meet aesthetic standards and can support weight.
Normative References
The normative references section mentions other standards and regulations that are referenced and followed while implementing the guidelines of ISO 12465:2007. These references help maintain consistency and ensure that all processes related to manufacturing, testing, and quality control align with globally recognized norms.
ISO Guide 65, General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems
ISO 1954, Plywood — Tolerances on dimensions
ISO 2074, Plywood — Vocabulary
ISO 2426-2, Plywood — Classification by surface appearance — Part 2: Hardwood
ISO 2426-3, Plywood — Classification by surface appearance — Part 3: Softwood
ISO 9426, Wood-based panels — Determination of dimensions of panels
ISO 9427, Wood-based panels — Determination of density
ISO 12466-1, Plywood — Bonding quality — Part 1: Test methods
ISO 12466-2, Plywood — Bonding quality — Part 2: Requirements
ISO 16572, Timber structures — Wood-based panels — Structural properties1)
ISO 16978, Wood-based panels — Determination of modulus of elasticity in bending and of bending strength
ISO 16979, Wood-based panels — Determination of moisture content
Example:
If a plywood manufacturing company follows a set of international standards for wood adhesives (like ISO 9001 for quality management), they must also ensure their plywood meets specific strength and durability requirements stated in ISO 12465:2007. The standard could reference other specific industry standards related to wood moisture content or treatment methods.
Terms and Definitions
This section defines key terms used throughout the standard. Important terms like plywood, veneers, bonding quality, and moisture resistance are explained clearly to ensure that everyone involved in manufacturing or inspecting the plywood follows the same understanding of the technical terms.
Example:
Plywood: A product made from layers (or "plies") of veneer, glued together, with the grain of each layer running at right angles to the layer above or below it.
Bonding Quality: Refers to how well the layers of veneer stick together. This ensures that the plywood won’t delaminate or separate under use.
Shear Strength: The resistance of the plywood layers to being pulled apart along the plane of the panel.
Materials
This part covers the materials required for manufacturing plywood. The wood species used must meet specific standards to ensure they have the appropriate characteristics (strength, moisture content, and absence of defects). It also addresses the adhesives and other chemicals used in the bonding process that ensure the plywood panels meet durability standards.
Example:
Plywood used for external cladding in a house may require tropical hardwoods with high durability, such as mahogany or teak, because these woods can withstand moisture and are resistant to decay.
Adhesives used in the manufacturing process must be durable enough for outdoor environments and able to withstand extreme temperatures.
Manufacturing of Panels
Here, the process of manufacturing plywood is outlined. It includes the selection of veneers, which are carefully inspected and chosen for their thickness, flatness, and strength. It also discusses the bonding process, in which layers of veneer are adhered together using specific adhesives under pressure and heat. The plywood is then dried to ensure that the adhesive sets properly.
Example:
In the plywood manufacturing plant, veneers are sliced from logs and carefully selected for uniform thickness. Each veneer is glued using phenol formaldehyde adhesive to make the layers stick together, and the plywood is pressed under high heat to create strong bonds.
Dimensions and Tolerances
The standard sets specific dimensions for plywood panels. This includes allowable tolerances in the length, width, and thickness of the plywood. The guidelines ensure that all plywood produced is consistent in size, making it easier to integrate into construction projects, furniture, or other applications.
Example:
For a construction project, plywood sheets might need to be 4 feet by 8 feet in dimension with a tolerance of ±1/16 inch. If a sheet of plywood is slightly larger or smaller than the required dimensions, it might not fit properly in construction framing, which can cause delays and increased costs.
General Requirements
This section outlines the general performance requirements for plywood. This includes characteristics such as strength, appearance, and moisture resistance. The plywood must be sufficiently durable for its intended application, whether it's for internal or external use. It also includes aesthetic aspects, ensuring the plywood meets visual standards and is free from unacceptable defects like cracks or gaps.
Example:
Plywood used for indoor furniture should meet specific strength requirements to prevent the material from bending under weight. This could include load-bearing tests that ensure the plywood holds a certain amount of weight without warping.
Appearance: Plywood for paneling should have no visible defects like cracks or knots on the finished side.
Bonding Quality
A critical element in plywood production is the bonding quality. This section focuses on ensuring that the adhesive used in bonding the veneer layers is strong and durable. The plywood should meet specific shear strength and bond integrity tests. The quality of the bond ensures the longevity and effectiveness of the plywood under various environmental conditions.
Example:
During quality control, shear tests are conducted on samples of plywood. For instance, plywood intended for furniture might undergo a shear strength test where the layers are pulled apart under pressure to ensure the adhesive bond is strong enough to hold the veneer layers together during normal use.
Supplementary Properties
This section addresses additional characteristics that may be required for specific types of plywood, such as fire resistance, moisture resistance, and chemical resistance. Plywood may be treated with chemicals or coatings to enhance its performance in these areas, depending on its intended use.
Example:
A plywood panel used for outdoor furniture may be treated to resist moisture absorption and prevent swelling. This could be an example of a plywood product needing moisture resistance properties.
In some cases, fire-resistant plywood may be treated with chemicals to help prevent ignition when used in areas where fire safety is a concern.
Conformance
This section specifies the methods used to test and inspect plywood to ensure it meets the requirements set forth in the standard. It covers sampling methods, the testing procedures for strength, moisture content, and dimensional accuracy, and the certification process that confirms the plywood's compliance with ISO 12465:2007.
Example:
A company producing plywood for government projects may need to show that their products pass testing for dimensional accuracy and bonding quality. They might send samples to an independent testing lab to confirm compliance with ISO 12465:2007.
If the plywood meets all requirements, the company will receive a compliance certificate indicating that it conforms to the standard.
Marking, Identification, and Documentation
The final section addresses the marking and identification requirements for plywood panels. It specifies that plywood should be clearly labeled with information such as:
Manufacturer’s details
Batch number
Compliance with ISO 12465:2007
Certifications (if applicable)
Proper documentation ensures traceability of the product from manufacturing to final use, helping ensure that the quality and source of the plywood can be verified.
Example:
Each plywood sheet is marked with a stamped label or printed code that includes:
The manufacturer’s name.
The batch number for traceability.
The certification mark showing compliance with ISO 12465:2007.
This ensures that customers can verify the quality and origin of the product before purchasing or using it in construction or other applications.
By defining specific material standards, manufacturing methods, and testing procedures, ISO 12465:2007 ensures that plywood products meet consistent quality standards. This helps manufacturers produce reliable and durable plywood that performs as expected in different applications, such as construction, furniture making, and flooring.
The standard ensures that plywood meets safety and performance criteria like strength, bonding quality, and moisture resistance, especially in environments where the material is exposed to varying weather conditions, or heavy loads. This can prevent issues like warping, cracking, or delamination, which could pose risks in construction projects or commercial products.
ISO 12465:2007 includes guidelines on the sourcing of materials and sustainable manufacturing practices. It helps manufacturers ensure that the plywood they produce is not only high-quality but also sourced from responsibly managed forests, contributing to environmental conservation.
Plywood manufacturers who adhere to ISO 12465:2007 can demonstrate that their products meet international standards, making it easier to trade plywood globally. Compliance with ISO standards often leads to broader market access, because it assures consumers and businesses that the product is safe, durable, and reliable.
For companies operating in countries with strict building codes or product certification requirements (such as the Philippines), following ISO 12465:2007 helps ensure that their products meet local regulations and industry certifications, which are critical for obtaining necessary permits and approvals.
In essence, ISO 12465:2007 plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and quality of plywood used in both commercial and residential construction, making it an indispensable standard in the global wood product industry.
PNS 196:2000 stands for Philippine National Standard for Plywood – Specification, established by the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). This standard defines the minimum requirements for general-purpose plywood used in construction, furniture, cabinetry, and industrial applications. It sets clear specifications on the materials, manufacturing processes, and testing methods to ensure that plywood products are safe, reliable, and suitable for their intended use.
In the Philippines, the Philippine National Standard (PNS) 196:2000 was the local standard used to specify the quality of tropical plywood. However, to align with global best practices and ensure compatibility with international trade, the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) officially adopted ISO 12465:2007 as the new national standard—replacing PNS 196:2000.
PNS 196:2000 was a national guideline for tropical plywood quality.
ISO 12465:2007, now adopted as PNS ISO 12465:2007, provides updated and internationally recognized requirements.
This change helps Filipino manufacturers meet international market standards, improves product quality, and supports consumer protection and safety.
For detailed information, click here to view PNS 196:2000.
The NSCP sets the minimum design and construction requirements to make sure that buildings and other structures are safe and stable under different conditions, such as strong winds, heavy loads, and earthquakes. It includes technical guidelines for materials such as concrete, steel, and wood — which is where carpentry comes in.
1. Wood Construction Standards
The NSCP contains a dedicated section on Timber (Wood) Structures.
It provides detailed guidelines on how to properly size, space, and connect wood framing members like beams, joists, studs, and trusses—all of which are key carpentry components.
2. Load-Bearing and Structural Integrity
Carpentry involves creating parts of a structure that may carry loads (weight). The NSCP ensures that these wooden elements can safely support live loads (people, furniture, etc.) and dead loads (the weight of the building itself).
3. Seismic and Wind Resistance
The NSCP provides rules to make wooden structures more resistant to earthquakes and strong winds, which is crucial in a country like the Philippines.
Carpenters must follow NSCP standards to ensure that wooden frames or partitions do not collapse under pressure or vibration.
4. Proper Connections and Fasteners
Carpentry involves a lot of joining and fastening—like using nails, bolts, or brackets.
The NSCP outlines what types of fasteners should be used, their spacing, and strength to make wooden connections safe and durable.
5. Fire Safety and Material Treatment
NSCP promotes the use of treated wood to resist decay, termites, and fire.
Carpenters must follow these standards especially when building in residential and commercial structures.
For detailed information, click here to view NSCP
National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) provides specific standards related to carpentry under its provisions for wood construction. These are typically found in the chapter or section related to Timber Structures (often Chapter 6) in NSCP. Here are some specific standards and topics within NSCP that directly relate to carpentry:
1. Allowable Stress Design (ASD) for Wood
Guidelines on using Allowable Stress Design when working with wood.
Includes limits for bending, shear, compression, and tension.
2. Design of Wood Beams and Joists
Tables for maximum spans based on species, size, and load type.
Rules for continuous and simple-span beams.
3. Lumber Grading and Classification
Wood must be graded and classified (e.g., Select Structural, No.1, No.2).
Use of structurally rated lumber in critical areas like framing.
4. Fasteners and Connections
Standards for nails, bolts, lag screws, wood screws, and connectors.
Minimum edge distances and spacing of fasteners.
Required metal connector types for joints in roof framing and walls.
5. Roof and Floor Framing
Load limits for rafters, trusses, and joists.
Roof pitch and bracing requirements.
Required tie beams and collar ties in traditional Filipino roof framing.
6. Shear Walls and Braced Frames
Details for wood-framed shear walls used in resisting lateral forces (e.g., wind or earthquakes).
Minimum thickness and fastening of wood panels or boards.
7. Wood Column and Post Design
Allowable slenderness ratios and axial load capacities.
Bracing requirements to prevent buckling.
8. Decay and Termite Protection
All wood in contact with soil or concrete must be pressure-treated or naturally durable.
Requirements for barriers or insulation against moisture.
9. Fire Safety Requirements
Minimum fire resistance rating for structural wood in certain occupancies.
Protection of wood from direct exposure to flame.
10. Temporary Wooden Structures (e.g., formwork, scaffolding)
Design loads for temporary supports.
Requirements for safe assembly, bracing, and removal.
Table 6.2 – Maximum spans for floor joists based on lumber size.
Table 6.3 – Minimum nail sizes and spacing for wood panel sheathing.
Section 6.4.2.3 – Design equations for wood in bending.
Section 6.5.1 – Requirements for bolted and nailed joints.
Section 6.7 – Design of timber trusses.
Professional carpenters and construction workers
Contractors and engineers involved in building design and inspection
Students and trainees learning woodworking and construction practices
Homebuilders and renovators using wood in their projects