Forest Product Services and Research at FRIM [PDF]

FRIM in Focus MS ISO 9001:2008

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

SEPTEMBER 2011 ISSN 1394-5467

Forest Product Services and Research at FRIM HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ISSUE

1. HEAVY HARDWOOD PRODUCTS 2. ARE SOFA AND UPHOLSTERY SAFE FROM FIRE? 3. DRYWALL FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING 4. SERVICES BY THE WOOD ANATOMY LABORATORY

5.  MALAYSIAN RUBBERWOOD MEETS EU REQUIREMENTS 6. SERVICES OFFERED TO THE FOREST PRODUCTS RELATED INDUSTRY 7. FRIM APPOINTED AS CARB-APPROVED THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIER

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

HEAVY HARDWOOD PRODUCTS Dr Gan Kee Seng | [email protected] & Zairul Amin Rabidin

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MALAYSIA PRODUCES A WIDE RANGE OF TIMBER SPECIES WITH VARIED BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL AND PROCESSING PROPERTIES. TIMBER USES ARE GENERALLY GUIDED BY THEIR DENSITIES, MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND DURABILITY RATING. Traditionally, heavy hardwoods are used in heavy construction where both superior mechanical strength properties and durability are vital. medium and light hardwoods are used for less demanding construction works and for manufacturing of products such as mouldings, joinery and furniture, in which treatment with preservatives may be required. 1

The conversion of a particular timber into finished or semi-finished products destined for export or indoor uses depends greatly on the ease of kiln drying and the quality of the timber concerned. Generally, medium and light hardwoods can easily be kiln dried thus allowing high value

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Editorial Board

Advisors Dato’ Dr Abdul Latif Mohmod Dato’ Dr Abdul Rashid Ab Malik

Technical Editor Norhara Hussein

Editor & Writer Ida Suraini Abd Shukor

FRIM in Focus (FIF) is distributed free of charge upon request. We welcome feedback on any of the FIF articles. Address comments and enquiries to: The Editor & Writer of FRIM In Focus Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) 52109 Kepong, Selangor DE, Malaysia

Telephone : 603-6279 7501 | Facsimile : 603-6273 1076 E-mail : [email protected] | Website : www.frim.gov.my Design & Printing : DeezStudio

Bamboo veneer and moulded plates from FRIM Furniture Design Unit (forefront) and the hardwood flooring recently installed at the Shorea meeting room, FRIM (background)

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added processing to be conducted locally before export.

Timber Industries Development Fund (MTIDF).

Heavy hardwoods however, are more difficult to kiln dry and prone to drying defects. These timbers are normally sold or exported as green or air-dried sawntimber with little or no value-added processing done locally. However, in addition to constructional components and furniture, some heavy hardwood timbers are found to be suitable as flooring products both for indoor and outdoor uses.

The kiln drying trials both in the laboratory and the commercial chambers were conducted on resak, balau, red balau, keranji and bitis. Kiln drying of these timbers was a success except for bitis. On the other hand, since commercial chambers are normally built with a capacity of at least 40 tonnes, it is not practical to dry one type of timber in a single charge. Thus, changes were later made to the drying procedure by introducing a mixture of two types of timbers in a single charge for all the commercial trials. Some 200 tonnes of timber were kiln dried under this study. The kiln dried timbers were assessed for quality and were successfully processed into decking and indoor flooring strips and doorframe.

The production of flooring material requires the timber to be kiln dried for good gluing properties and to assure product stability during usage. However, until now kiln drying service providers and operators are not keen on drying these timbers because of the extended drying time and high rejects involved. To overcome the drying problem of heavy hardwood timber, a collaborative study was undertaken by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysian Wood Industries Association (MWIA), The Timber Kilning Association of Selangor (TKAS), Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) and Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) which involved kiln drying of selected refractory heavy hardwood timbers and developing high value-added products. The project was funded by the Malaysian

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ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHOR Dr Gan Kee Seng is currently the Head of the Green Technology Programme, Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

1. Moulded doorframe 2. Decking strips 3. Indoor flooring strips 4. Experimental drying trial 5. Commercial drying trial 6. Workers laying the hardwood flooring at the Shorea meeting room, FRIM 7. Heavy hardwood flooring strips from membatu wood ready for laying 8. The controller of a drying chamber

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

ARE SOFA AND UPHOLSTERY SAFE FROM FIRE? Dr Tan Yu Eng | [email protected] & Mohd Arshad Saru

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THERE HAD BEEN CONCERNS ON HOW SAFE IS THE FOAM FILLING IN THE SOFA AND UPHOLSTERY PRODUCTS ON SALE IN MALAYSIA, PARTICULARLY ON THE FLAMMABILITY ASPECT. ARE THE SOFAS AND UPHOLSTERY FIREPROOF? OR WILL THEY CATCH FIRE SOON AFTER CONTACT WITH A FLAME OR AMBER FROM A CIGARETTE BUTT? AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE IS SPREADING AMONG THE LOCAL FURNITURE INDUSTRY AND SO IS THE DEMAND FOR FLAMMABILITY TEST SERVICES.

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At the moment, such test facility is being set up at the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA)-accredited Furniture Testing Laboratory (FTL), which is based at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). In view of the growing demand and that such type of test has been made mandatory especially in the United Kingdom (UK), a special talk was organised by FRIM. The ‘Talk on Flammability Test Requirements for Furniture in the UK’ which was held this year on 26 January was intended to address the concerns of the members of the furniture fraternity. In his speech, Harshad Patel who is also a flammability test specialist from FIRA, pointed out that all upholstered furniture used in a domestic environment in the UK must comply with the legal document called “The UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire/Safety) Regulations”. The regulations cover a number of areas namely: - materials for filling are required to meet specified ignition tests - upholstery materials are required to be cigarette and match flame resistant - furniture are permanently labeled - furniture are required to display labels - furniture suppliers are required to maintain records for five years To further stress the significance of the UK led regulations, Patel related an incidence involving

a huge number of containers of imported sofas which was rejected and redirected to their country of origin. The sofas concerned were discovered without proper flammability test reports and their reject caused a heavy financial loss to the parties involved. Patel also demonstrated at the FRIM Furniture Testing Laboratory how easily a sofa model made from common materials in the market catches fire moments after a lighted cigarette is placed on it. Shortly after, the sofa burst into flames which required a fire extinguisher to control and finally put out the raging fire. Having explained the various types of tests available, Patel also reiterated on the relatively strict nature of the UK fire regulation on furniture products as compared to other countries in the Europe. It is therefore crucial that relevant furniture exporters adhere to such requirements. FRIM intends to set up such testing facility with the assistance of FIRA soon. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Dr Tan Yu Eng is the Head of Advanced Processing and Design Programme while Mohd Arshad Saru is the Head of Furniture Testing Laboratory, both of the Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

1. Participants of the talk delivered by Harshad Patel (seated second from right) with the author (seated in the middle) after the closing of the event 2. A lighted cigarette placed on the makeshift sofa model 3. Condition of the sofa model in picture 2 after the flames were put out

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DRYWALL FIRE RESISTANCE TESTING

Khairul Azmi Jabar | [email protected] & Dr Rahim Sudin

DRYWALL IS A TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL CONSISTING OF THIN PANELS OF GYPSUM BOARD THAT IS COMMONLY USED AS FINISH FOR A BUILDING’S INTERIOR. THE BOARD IS COMPOSED OF A LAYER OF GYPSUM ROCK SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO SHEETS OF THICK PAPER. DRYWALL IS WIDELY USED ALL OVER THE WORLD AS A FASTER ALTERNATIVE TO USING PLASTER-BASED INTERIOR FINISH TECHNIQUES. In Malaysia, the Uniform Building By Laws 1984 have since recognised gypsum board as part of the fire rated (resistant) building material. The advantage of drywall compared to cement plaster lies in its ease of installation mainly because of its lightweight and dry material properties. In modern buildings, the drywall boards are normally used for partition, ceiling and cladding. Gypsum-based drywall is fireresistant because of its main components of inorganic materials that are naturally non-flammable. Inorganic materials slow down the progress of fire because its crystalline form are bound by large amounts of water and every one square meter of a gypsum board contains over 2 quarts or 1.89 litres of water. When exposed to fire, water in the gypsum board vaporises as steam and slows down the transfer of heat through the wall; as such it is self resistant towards fire, up to a certain limit. If the fire within a structure exceeds this limit, the drywall will eventually catch fire but it still provides more time for people to escape from the burning building.

There are presently a few types of drywall available to suit the building requirements, budget and façade. No matter what type of drywall is preferred, the boards will be required to undergo testing to gauge its fire rating.

the five thermocouple points on the unexposed surface of the specimen either increase by more than 140oC above the initial temperature or 180oC at any point. A stability failure is deemed to occur once the drywall collapses.

Drywall testing involves erecting the board onto a steel frame and exposing it to fire at varying temperatures and time of exposure, according to the drywall fire testing standard procedures. The board attached to the steel frame is then mounted facing the gas-fired furnace which has six thermocouples attached for recording the temperature. The mean temperature within the furnace is controlled according to a standard temperature/time curve.

Integrity criteria are measured using cotton pads that are held between 10 and 30 seconds at a distance of between 25 mm from any opening on the unexposed side. Ignition of the cotton pads will be an indication of an integrity failure.

While the board is being heated, the internal pressure of the furnace is maintained slightly higher compared to the pressure within the testing laboratory. This pressure is measured and controlled within the range of 8 to 12 Pa with the pressure meter located at the top edge of the test specimen. Another five thermocouple discs are fixed approximately on the other side of the board to record the mean temperature of the unexposed face. The drywall is judged by its ability to comply with three criteria, namely insulation, stability and integrity. An insulation failure is deemed to occur when mean temperature of

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) currently offers drywall fire resistance testing to the industry which is conducted at its Fire Protection Laboratory. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Khairul Azmi Jabar is the Research Officer at the Wood Protection Branch under the Biocomposite and Wood Protection Programme which is headed by Dr Rahim Sudin, both of the Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). 3

Yusni Idris

1. The drywall setup for fire test at the FRIM Fire Protection Lab 2. Steam is seen escaping from the top of the drywall sample which is undergoing fire-resistance testing 3. Standing in front of the furnace used for fire testing: the Fire Department Officer (middle) during a visit to the Fire Protection Laboratory, flanked by the author (left) and Dr Rahim Sudin (right)

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

SERVICES BY THE WOOD ANATOMY LABORATORY Dr Ani Sulaiman | [email protected]

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WOOD ANATOMY LABORATORY HAS BEEN CONDUCTING WOOD IDENTIFICATION SERVICES EVEN BEFORE THE INCEPTION OF FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (FRIM) IN 1985. PRESENTLY, IT IS THE ONLY LABORATORY IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA THAT PROVIDES WOOD IDENTIFICATION SERVICES ON LOCAL TIMBER SPECIES USING MORE THAN 10,000 AUTHENTICATED WOOD SPECIMENS AS REFERENCE. Previously, services were rendered free of charge to the timber industry, government agencies and other interested parties. Later, after the Institute became a statutory body, a minimal charge of RM10 per sample was introduced. The charges were gradually increased over the years to meet rising expenses and by 2011, the charge per sample is RM50 for local timber and RM180 for foreign timber, depending on the availability of the reference materials. There are about 100 commercial and some lesser known timber groups that are identified as being used in the local market. Presently, it has become more challenging to identify emerging wood species that have not been encountered or rarely seen before. In addition, there were species in the local timber market that differ in appearances depending on their country of origin. The same species found in Peninsular Malaysia differs physically from those in Sabah, Sarawak and the neighbouring countries like Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines.

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There were species that were claimed to have been imported from countries in the African and South American continents which could not be identified. In cases such as these, wood samples from those countries will be needed to aid their identification. Therefore, it is advisable in such circumstances to supply authoritative reference samples from the country of origin to enable cross checking with the timber in question. Wood identification test is carried out based on wood anatomical structure and physical characteristics either at the laboratory or at the construction site upon request. Whenever necessary, microslides of wood slices are prepared for a detailed study of the wood structures. The wood cube is boiled in water until it softens and is cut using a sledge microtome into several thin slices of 25 µm from three angles of transverse, tangential and radial. These thin slices of wood will then be stained, washed, dried, mounted and fixed on glass slides with the different sections each on a single slide. Observation of the wood structure is carried out using the light microscope. Besides providing technical services, the Wood Anatomy Laboratory also conducts research and development, organises wood identification courses and is also involved in technical advisory and consultancy activities. The full listing of activities are provided as follows.

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The research and development activities conducted include • Wood anatomical structures of commercial and potential commercial timbers • Anatomical structures and wood quality of various plantation timbers such as acacia, batai, sentang, teak and mahogany including Khaya and Swietenia species • Utilisation of wood in relation to its anatomical structures, physical characteristics and wood properties

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Technical services that are being offered include • Wood identification test • Strength group classifications • Wood identification course • Advisory and consultancy Wood identification courses are conducted on topics such as • Various wood species in Malaysia • Wood classification worldwide and in Malaysia • Introduction to wood identification from different surfaces of wood • Introduction to physical characteristics of wood • Introduction to wood structures and tissues

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• A  pplication of physical, structure and tissue characteristics in wood identification Technical advisory and consultancy services offered include • Wood identification service at construction site upon request • Advising suitable timber species for specific uses • Evaluating the suitability and safety of various species for different uses

1. Transverse section of teak 2. Wood structure of kapur (Dryobalanops aromatica) on transverse section observed through light microscope 3. Samples of different species of wood 4. Wood structure of batai (Paraserianthes falcataria) on transverse section observed through stereomicroscope 5. Authenticated wood collection used as reference for wood identification. The wood samples are arranged in alphabetical order according to family, genus and species 6. Observation of wood structure through x10 magnification lens

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHOR Dr Ani Sulaiman is the Research Officer at the Wood and Non-Wood Quality Programme, Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

MALAYSIAN RUBBERWOOD MEETS EU REQUIREMENTS Boron Issues in the Europe Tumirah Khadiran | [email protected] & Dr Rahim Sudin

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RUBBERWOOD EMERGED AS AN IMPORTANT TIMBER SPECIES FOR FURNITURE-MAKING, WHICH WAS WELL ACCEPTED IN BOTH THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET SINCE THE EIGHTIES. RUBBERWOOD FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS IN MALAYSIA MOSTLY USE BORON COMPOUNDS AS PRESERVATIVE BECAUSE OF ITS LOW TREATMENT COST BUT YET HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AS INSECTICIDE. Boron is a naturally occurring element that is found in the form of borates in soil, sea, plants and animals. Borates are also an important ingredient in a variety of household and commercial products including textile, fiberglass, detergent, soap and personal care products, ceramic, agricultural micronutrients and many other industrial products. However, rubberwood products are lately facing various trade barriers in penetrating the European markets due to strict regulations imposed on boron-treated wood or furniture. The Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament for instance, limits the marketing of biocidal products to protect the health of humans, animals and the environment. Active

boron substance in the form of boric acid falls under the Category 2 preservative which is toxic to the reproduction system when values exceed the 5.5% limit. In addition, the Dangerous Substances Directive 67/548/ EEC also fixed threshold limits for boron compounds in the form of boric oxide, disodium tetraborate anhydrous and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate at 3.1, 4.5 and 4.6 respectively. Another Directive 2009/94/EC also requires that all related industries adhere to the provision by 1 September 2011. The new regulation may eventually jeopardise the RM8.7 billion worth of Malaysia rubberwood furniture exports for which about RM718 million are exported to European Union (EU) and Germany. Prior to the enforcement of the regulation, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), with assistance from Malaysia Timber Industry Board (MTIB), have collected and analysed boron content in samples of treated rubberwood supplied by 14 rubberwood furniture factories in Malaysia, which volunteered to participate in the project. The study achieved the objective

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of verifying the method for quantitative analysis of boron content in wood-based products while ensuring that products do not exceed the permissible limit set by the EU. All treated rubberwood samples tested were found to be within the range of 0.1–1.5% for active boron substances which is lower than the threshold limit value set by the EU (boric acid 5.5%, boric oxide 3.1%, disodium tetraborate anhydrous 4.5% and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate 4.6%). Based on the study, Malaysian rubberwood furniture industry may not expect to face problems of complying with the EU requirements. ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHOR Tumirah Khadiran currently serves as a researcher at the Biocomposite and Wood Protection Programme, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). She has been conducting research, service and consultancies related to wood protection technology since 2006. She obtained her first degree and second degree on chemistry from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Photos showing the flow of boron testing work 1. Weighing 2. Extraction 3. Filtering 4. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer analysis 5. Reaction with reagent

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (FRIM) OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING TESTING TO SUPPORT RELATED INDUSTRIES IN MALAYSIA. THE INSTITUTE, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE MS ISO 9001: 2000 CORPORATE ACCREDITATION ALSO, HAS 15 LABORATORIES ACCREDITED UNDER THE MS ISO/ IEC 17025.

SERVICES OFFERED TO THE FOREST PRODUCTS RELATED INDUSTRY

LOG PROCESSING WORKSHOP/ SAWMILL Khairul Masseat / Dr Gan Kee Seng Tel: 603-6279 7437 / 7395 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Yusni Idris

The services available including testing which are related to the forest products industry are provided below together with the contact person information. FURNITURE TESTING Mohd Arshad Saru / Dr Tan Yu Eng Tel: 603-6279 7481 / 7452 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

WOOD LAMINATION LABORATORY Ong Chee Beng / Dr Tan Yu Eng Tel: 603-6279 7442 / 7452 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

WOOD DRYING LABORATORY Dr Gan Kee Seng Tel: 603-6279 7395 E-mail: [email protected]

TIMBER ENGINEERING LABORATORY Dr Mohamad Omar Mohamad Khaidzir / Dr Tan Yu Eng Tel: 603-6279 7377 / 7452 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

WOOD ANATOMY LABORATORY Dr Ani Sulaiman / Dr Hamdan Husain Tel: 603-6279 7437 / 7463 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] NEW MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT Dr Hamdan Husain Tel: 603-6279 7463 E-mail: [email protected] WOOD COMPOSITE TESTING LABORATORY Dr Rafeadah Rusli / Dr Rahim Sudin Tel: 603-6279 7287 / 7375 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

PULP AND PAPER PROGRAMME Dr Rushdan Ibrahim / Mahmudin Saleh / Zaitun Said Tel: 603-6279 7314 / 7316 / 7293 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] HIGH TEMPERATURE DRYING (HTD) OF RUBBERWOOD Dr Sik Huei Shing Tel: 603-6279 7402 / 7431 E-mail: [email protected]

MACHINING & PROTOTYPING UNIT Dr Khairul Awang / Dr Tan Yu Eng Tel: 603-6279 7422 / 7452 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] WOOD FINISHING LABORATORY Dr Mohd Khairun Anwar Uyup Tel: 603-6279 7390 / 7375 E-mail: [email protected] WOOD PRESERVATIVE LABORATORY Salamah Selamat / Dr Rahim Sudin Tel: 603-6279 7283 / 7375 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] BIOENERGY LABORATORY Dr Wan Asma Ibrahim / Puad Elham / Shaharuddin Hashim Tel: 603-6279 7311 / 7312 / 7296 E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] Many of the services above have been featured in the past issues of FRIM in Focus especially the March 2009 issue. To read these articles visit www.frim.gov.my and click on tabs in the following order: Publications, FRIM in Focus, Archives; or you may also type http://www.frim. gov.my/?page_id=1194 on your browser. Happy surfing!

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

MAMALIA KECIL DI FRIM MATA AYER Mohammad Shahfiz Azman [email protected] & Mohd Ramly Mohd Saleh

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STESEN PENYELIDIKAN INSTITUT PENYELIDIKAN PERHUTANAN MALAYSIA (FRIM) MATA AYER DI NEGERI PERLIS MENJADI LOKASI PENSAMPELAN MAMALIA KECIL YANG DIJALANKAN ANTARA 15 HINGGA 20 OGOS TAHUN LEPAS. KEPELBAGAIAN DIVERSITI MAMALIA KECIL YANG TERDAPAT DI STESEN TERSEBUT TELAH DIKAJI DENGAN MEMASANG SEBANYAK 80 PERANGKAP BOLEH LIPAT DAN PERANGKAP SHERMAN YANG MENGGUNAKAN PISANG SEBAGAI UMPAN.

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Di akhir pensampelan, 13 penghuni hutan yang terdiri daripada lima spesies telah berjaya ditangkap. Haiwan tersebut tergolong di dalam empat famili iaitu Tupaiidae (tupai muncung besar), Sciuridae (tupai perut kelabu), Muridae (wirok hitam dan tikus duri hitam pudar) dan Viverridae (musang pulut). Tupai muncung besar ialah spesies yang paling banyak ditangkap iaitu sejumlah lima ekor. Hanya dua spesies tupai muncung dalam famili ini telah direkodkan di seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia iaitu tupai muncung besar (Tupaia glis) dan tupai muncung akar (T. minor). Tupai muncung besar boleh hidup dalam pelbagai habitat seperti hutan primer, hutan ladang dan hutan bandar kerana makanan kesukaannya yang pelbagai termasuklah mempelam, betik, biji-bijian, daun, semut serta serangga-serangga kecil lain yang merayap. Mamalia ini aktif pada waktu siang sama ada di atas tanah

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ataupun di atas pokok-pokok kecil. Menurut kajian, tupai muncung betina akan bunting pada bulan Februari, Mac, April dan September dan akan melahirkan satu hingga tiga anak pada satu-satu masa. Tupai perut kelabu (Callosciurus caniceps) yang merupakan salah satu daripada 27 spesies tupai famili Sciuridae yang terdapat di Semenanjung Malaysia turut ditangkap, yakni sebanyak dua individu. Tupai ini banyak dijumpai di kebun-kebun, belukar dan hutanhutan yang terganggu terutamanya di negeri-negeri di sebelah utara dan tengah Semenanjung Malaysia. Tupai ini juga pernah ditemui di kawasan-

kawasan pergunungan sehingga berketinggian 1432 dan 1371 meter dari aras laut iaitu di Gunung Hijau (Perak) dan di Cameron Highlands (Pahang) masing-masing. Tupai ini hidup bersendirian atau dalam kumpulan kecil dengan memakan buah-buahan, haiwan kecil dan serangga. Terdapat 27 spesies tikus dalam famili Muridae yang dijumpai di Semenanjung Malaysia, namun hanya dua spesies yang berjaya ditangkap sepanjang pensampelan ini iaitu wirok hitam (Bandicota indica) dan tikus duri hitam pudar (Maxomys rajah). Taburan wirok hitam hanya tertumpu di bahagian

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Utara Semenanjung Malaysia iaitu di Kedah dan Perlis. Wirok hitam yang mempunyai bulu kesat berwarna kelabu gelap atau kelabu coklat, pandai mengorek lubang yang akan digunakannya sebagai tempat simpanan makanan yang terdiri daripada biji-bijian, akar, buahbuahan dan kekacang. Spesies ini aktif pada waktu malam dan boleh melahirkan 10 hingga 12 ekor anak pada satu-satu masa. Wirok merupakan fauna perosak di kawasan-kawasan pertanian terutamanya di kebun getah. Wirok hitam di Stesen Penyelidikan FRIM Mata Ayer ditangkap di kawasan Petak Pelbagai Jenis A yang ditanam pelbagai pokok meranti temak nipis, kenanga, melembu dan yemane. Ia juga diperhatikan di Petak Pelbagai Jenis B yang ditanam pokok-pokok seperti tecoma, melembu, meranti temak npis dan nyatoh, masingmasing di Kompartmen 23, Hutan Simpan Mata Ayer. Selain wirok hitam, sebanyak tiga lagi individu spesies tikus duri hitam pudar yang ditangkap di petak merawan siput jantan, petak sentang dan di kebun biji benih pokok pain. Spesies tikus hutan ini hanya dijumpai di hutan tanah pamah dan kaki bukit dan hanya aktif pada waktu malam dan jika berada di kawasan kering. Tikus ini juga dapat melahirkan dua hingga lima ekor anak pada satu-satu masa. Selain itu, musang pulut merupakan satu-satunya spesies mamalia kecil dari Order Carnivora yang berjaya ditangkap. Musang merupakan spesies mamalia yang memburu untuk mendapatkan makanan.

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Makanan musang pulut yang utama ialah burung, buahbuahan dan juga tikus. Dipercayai juga, musang ini menjadikan ayam sebagai salah satu sumber makanannya. Musang pulut tinggal di atas pokok dan pada waktu siang ia tidur di atas ranting atau di dalam lubang pada pokok. Musang betina akan melahirkan tiga hingga empat ekor anaknya pada satusatu masa di dalam lubang pokok atau di bawah batu. Musang ini ditangkap di kawasan berdekatan asrama kediaman dan pejabat stesen. Pensampelan ini telah menyediakan data awal tentang diversiti mamalia kecil di stesen penyelidikan FRIM ini tetapi tidak memberikan gambaran keseluruhan tentang diversiti fauna di stesen tersebut. Kajian-kajian lain seperti taburan populasi, pergerakan dan interaksi antara mamalia kecil serta jenis buahbuahan yang terdapat di hutan tersebut akan lebih bermakna serta memberi nilai tambah kepada pengurus bagi mempromosikan stesen yang kaya dengan sumber biologi. TENTANG PENULIS Mohammad Shahfiz Azman ialah seorang pegawai penyelidik di Cawangan Zoologi, Bahagian Biodiversiti Hutan manakala Mohd Ramly Mohd Saleh ialah Pengurus di Stesen Penyelidikan FRIM Mata Ayer, Perlis.

1. Tikus duri hitam pudar (Maxomys rajah) 2. Tupai muncung besar (Tupaia glis) 3. Musang pulut (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) 4. Tupai teratak (Calloscirus caniceps) 5. Wirok hitam (Bandicota indica)

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Pada bulan Ogos 2011, Kedai Buku Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) telah menganjurkan dua peraduan silang kata sempena sambutan Ulang Tahun Kedai Buku FRIM yang ke-9. 'Peraduan Uji Minda Anda di Kedai Buku FRIM' telah dimenangi oleh Praveena a/p Balaikerishnan daripada FRIM. 'Peraduan Silang Kata di Kedai Buku FRIM' pula dimenangi oleh Wiwit Juwita dari Kajang, Selangor (hadiah utama), Samuel Koh Wee Han dari Bintulu, Sarawak, Moorty Kumar dari Skudai, Johor dan Nor Suhaida Mohd Zaini daripada FRIM. 1. Praveena a/p Balaikerishnan (empat dari kiri) memenangi peraduan teka silang kata sempena sambutan hari ulang tahun Kedai Buku FRIM yang ke-9 2. Penyampaian hadiah kepada seorang lagi pemenang peraduan teka silang kata: Nor Suhaida Mohd Zaini (kiri)

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KEDAI BUKU FRIM SAMBUT ULANG TAHUN KE-9

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

TUMBUHAN HIASAN PENYERI PEJABAT Nazimatul Azma Nazeri [email protected] & Samsol Bohari

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SELEPAS RUMAH KEDIAMAN, RUANG BEKERJA ATAU PEJABAT MERUPAKAN TEMPAT KEDUA BAGI SESETENGAH INDIVIDU MENGHABISKAN MASA MASING-MASING. JUSTERU, SUASANA DI PEJABAT JUGA HARUS SELESA DAN MENYENANGKAN SEPERTI KEDIAMAN SENDIRI. CONTOHNYA, PENGGUNAAN ELEMEN-ELEMEN HIJAU, WALAUPUN SEDIKIT, DAPAT MENYUNTIK SERI SERTA MENGUNDANG PERASAAN TENANG DI SAMPING MENAMBAHKAN KAREKTOR BAGI SESUATU RUANG. Ruang bekerja yang indah lagi nyaman memberi motivasi kepada manusia supaya bekerja dengan lebih baik dan lebih produktif. Tambahan lagi, kebolehan pekerja menyelesaikan masalah, melahirkan idea yang bernas dan kreatif juga turut meningkat dalam persekitaran pejabat yang mempunyai tumbuhan hiasan, iaitu menurut kajian Dr Roger Ulrich dari Texas A&M University, Amerika Syarikat. Seorang lagi

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penyelidik dari Amerika Syarikat, Dr Viginia Lohr pula telah mengaitkan antara kehadiran tumbuhan di ruang pejabat dengan berkurangnya tekanan serta meningkatnya produktiviti di kalangan pekerja pejabat tersebut. Pengumpulan gas karbon dioksida dalam sesebuah pejabat, terutamanya hasil daripada pernafasan manusia juga boleh memberi kesan yang kurang baik seperti menyebabkan perasaan lesu dan kurang tumpuan yang seterusnya menjejaskan produktiviti. Dalam konteks ini, tumbuhan hiasan dalaman di pejabat turut memainkan peranan penting untuk menukar gas karbon dioksida melalui proses fotosintesis kepada oksigen yang diperlukan oleh manusia. Selain itu, tumbuhan hiasan dalaman dapat mengekalkan kestabilan kelembapan di ruang pejabat dan menjadikannya mesra alam sekitar. Tambahan lagi, spektrum hijau yang terhasil daripada tumbuhan ini bertindak sebagai terapi untuk memberi kelegaan dan kesegaran kepada mata. Tumbuhan juga dapat membantu mengurangkan pencemaran bunyi di pejabat, jika ianya diletakkan di tempat yang betul. Cawangan Perhutanan Bandar, Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan (FRIM) telah membekalkan pokok hiasan pasuan di beberapa lokasi pejabat utama kampus FRIM seperti Pejabat Ketua Pengarah, Pejabat

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Timbalan Ketua Pengarah, Pejabat Ketua Program Eko Pelancongan dan Perhutanan Bandar dan beberapa lagi lokasi lain. Selain daripada pejabat-pejabat di FRIM, pokok hiasan pasuan turut dibekalkan ke Wisma Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar (NRE), Putrajaya, sejak dari tahun 2006 sehingga sekarang. TENTANG PENULIS Nazimatul Azma Nazeri ialah seorang pegawai penyelidik di Program Eko Pelancongan dan Hutan Bandar, Bahagian Perhutanan dan Alam Sekitar, FRIM. Beliau memperolehi Ijazah Sarjana Muda Sains Perhutanaan dari Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor.

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1. Pemilihan pokok oleh kakitangan Cawangan Hutan Bandar, FRIM 2. Costus woodsonii 3. Beaucarnea recurvata 4. Contoh susunan pokok pasuan yang diletakkan di pintu masuk utama bangunan NRE, Putrajaya

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Ong Poh Teck

Ong Poh Teck

Gunung Padang in Terengganu is associated with many rare species which prompted the exploration by a group of botanists from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). The mountain is situated at a fairly unknown location at the eastern side of Taman Negara, Pahang and along the fringes of the Terengganu state forest reserve. The peak of Gunung Padang towers up 1315 m above sea level and located on the map at 4º50’N 102 º52’E.

palm Liculala fractiflexa (Palmae). Interestingly, three new records for Taman Negara were also found such as the small ginger Globba unifolia (Zingiberaceae), Streblus glaber (Moraceae) and Kopsia pauciflora var pauciflora. G. unifolia is endemic in Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang and Johor whereas S. glaber is found in Perak, Pahang and Selangor.

FRIM researchers who were assisted by guides and porters from Duta Alam Resources spent 10 grueling days in the expedition. The task of the 20-member team was to document the flora and establish herbarium specimens from the base up to summit of the mountain. The Expedition collected in total of 446 species in 87 families, including 43 species of ferns and lycophytes. The list include species that are known from Terengganu Hills such as Pentphragma cyrtandriforme (Pentaphragmataceae) and the fan

Ummul Nazrah Abdul Rahman [email protected] Ruth Kiew & Rafidah Abdul Rahman

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHOR Ummul Nazrah Abdul Rahman is a Botanist at the Floral Biodiversity Programme, Forest Biodiversity Division. The expedition was also participated among others by Rafidah Abdul Rahman, Ong Poh Teck, Imin Kamin, Mohd Hairul Mohd Amin and Dr Ruth Kiew.

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The highlight of the expedition was the exciting discovery of several new species including the Ridleyandra sp nov (Gesneriaceae), the ginger species, Globba variety and a new species of Codonoboea (Gesneriaceae) which plant was both small and pretty. The importance of Taman Negara as a biodiversity conservation area in Peninsular Malaysia is evident through the expedition. These rare and endemic species can only be discovered by sheer effort and perseverance in conquering, in this case, the unrelenting peak of Gunung Padang.

1. Ridleyandra sp nov 2. New species of Codonoboea (Gesneriaceae) 3. Pentaphragma cyrtandriforme (Pentaphragmataceae) flower 4. Streblus glaber (Moraceae) flower

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

THE TAMAN NEGARA NATIONAL PARK COVERS A VAST AREA OF 4343 KM² IN THREE STATES NAMELY PAHANG, KELANTAN AND TERENGGANU. NEVERTHELESS, THE PLANT CHECKLIST OF THE REGION IS STILL INCOMPLETE. ALTHOUGH THE PLANTS OF GUNUNG TAHAN HAVE BEEN STUDIED BY MANY BOTANISTS AND THERE IS A PLANT CHECKLIST ESTABLISHED FOR GUNUNG AAIS, THE FLORA AT THE TERENGGANU PART OF TAMAN NEGARA REMAINS POORLY DOCUMENTED.

GUNUNG PADANG A Step Towards Conservation

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

EAS STRATEGIC OPTIONS 2011/September No:10 ISSUE Local news encouraged furniture exports to China in a big way. The Chinese furniture market potential is not trivial. China’s domestic furniture consumption has grown double-digit on a yearly basis and in 2010, the consumption was equivalent to the US domestic market. Malaysia’s furniture export to China increased from RM40.9mil in 2009 to RM50.2mil in 2010, a growth of 23% within a year. In turn, with 7 billions—one fifth of the world’s population, China’s annual GDP growth rate has reached a doubledigit in recent years while many developed countries are struggling with various economic problems. The shift from western to eastern market seems unavoidable. IS THE SHIFT REAL? A sale of primary and secondary wood products category (HS44) from Malaysia to China and Japan,

Figure 1: Sales of wood products from Malaysia to the world, 1995 Source: UN Comtrade (2011)

Figure 2: Sales of wood products from Malaysia to the world, 2010 Source: UN Comtrade (2011)

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SHIFTING MARKET: FROM WEST TO EAST? between 1995 and 2010 has decreased, as evident in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Actually, the real market shift for these HS44 appeared towards India with an increase of exports from US$41 million to US$429 million in the same period (UN Comtrade, 2011). While exports to Europe and USA barely changed, the contraction on the main Asian markets was not matched by the diversification to new markets which can be seen on Figure 2, and the total exports of Malaysia’s HS44 fell by US$400 millions. Is this scenario showing the real evolution of the market?

expanded slightly and a wide diversification to numerous markets occurred, with notable new markets as the Emirates, Australia and India (Figure 4). The total Malaysian exports of wooden furniture did increase by US$1 billion in the period, and essentially through the increase of the sales to USA.

Don’t forget the sensational development of wooden furniture sales in the same period! While in 1995 the furniture export were limited merely to USA, Japan, and Europe (Figure 3), in 2010 the sales to USA increased tremendously, the European and Japanese market

Undoubtedly, the Malaysian sales of wood products to specific European market have shrunk in the last 25 years from 25% to a mere 5% of the total sales. Apparently, the sales to Europe didn’t grow as fast as the sales to other countries. While globalisation probably open a lot

PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY So what about this widespread perception of a trade shift from West to East? Is it simply a mirage based on the repeated financial troubles occurring in the West, or has this perception a firm ground?

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

of new opportunities to Malaysian exporters, Europe choose to tighten its environmental standards during this period, following NGO’s campaigns and boycotts. Consequent failure for expected premium prices for eco-certified products to develop, exacerbate the shrink. In reality, intensifying trade with China that has been so often predicted didn’t occur in a big way, if one look at the Malaysian sales of wood products. Conversely, the media continued to mention increasing purchase of raw materials by China from the world especially from Africa, as well as the increasing purchasing power of the Chinese middle class hungry for Iphones, bullet trains, Airbus planes, BMW, Mercedes and Honda cars, Ikea furniture and other products from the West and from Japan. Did Malaysian wood products exporters miss the train of the Chinese market development? Indeed, the Indian market developed faster for the Malaysians than the Chinese market. Regarding the timid

growth of the Chinese demand for Malaysian products, one should not forget that all the “western and Japanese products”, so much in demand in the Chinese market, are made in China, which became the factory of the world. The Chinese market is avid for foreign products, but made in China, or sold by mainland Chinese companies. Such a factor probably weights a lot and encourages Malaysian exporters to venture more in depths with Chinese producers and retailers. In this regard, Malaysian private sector is taking a proactive role in capturing a bigger share of the Chinese market. For example, The Council of Asia Furniture Association (Cafa) has worked closely with Cafa member countries together with China National Furniture Association, the Chamber of Commerce of LeCong Furniture Cities and LeCong International Exhibition Centre (LeCong IEC) owner to create mutual benefit and understanding to further develop the furniture industry in China.

Malaysia has a slight advantage in exploring the Chinese market. Traditionally, Malaysia has a strong socio-economic and political relationship with the Chinese government. This special guanxi (relation) is expected to assist local traders, who not only write and read the Chinese language but understand Chinese culture, penetrating the Chinese market. In line with government’s vision to achieve a high-income nation by 2020, Malaysian government agencies such as MATRADE, MTIB, MTC and MFPC are expected to lead and assist local manufacturers and traders to take a bigger bite of the Chinese market. FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jean-Marc Roda, PhD | Ismariah Ahmad, PhD Rohana Abd Rahman | Lim Hin Fui, PhD Mohd Parid Mamat ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS PROGRAMME (EAS) Innovation & Commercialization Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 52109 Kepong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tél. : +603 6279 7544 / 7541 / 7714 / 7549 Fax : +603 6275 0925 email : [email protected] Website : http://www.frim.gov.my

Figure 3: Sales of wooden furniture from Malaysia to the world, 1995 Source: UN Comtrade (2011)

Figure 4: Sales of wooden furniture from Malaysia to the world, 2011 Source: UN Comtrade (2011)

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A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia

FRIM APPOINTED AS CARBAPPROVED THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIER Dr Rahim Sudin | [email protected] & Mohd Yusouf Abd Latif

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THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FIRST FORMALDEHYDE TESTING LABORATORY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIAN AIR RESOURCES BOARD (CARB) REGULATIONS WAS CONDUCTED BY NANCY SHUKRI, MALAYSIAN FORESTRY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (MFRDB) CHAIRPERSON AT THE FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (FRIM), KEPONG. The opening ceremony was held on 29 March 2011 at the FRIM Forest Products Division in Kepong, Selangor. FRIM has been appointed by PT Mutuagung Lestari, Indonesia, as CARB-approved third-party certifier to provide facilities and quality services for the wood industry in Malaysia. The certification will serve to overcome the technical and market barriers imposed by importing countries. By next year, FRIM will be able to offer formaldehyde release testing services to the industry in Malaysia to ensure products are in compliance to the overseas market, especially the United States. Californian Air Resource Board or CARB is an agency which enforces airborne toxic control measures to reduce formaldehyde emission for composite wood products and finished goods. Formaldehyde is a chemical used in the production of wood binding adhesives (with urea) and is produced on a large scale worldwide.

formaldehyde emission from wood composite products containing urea-formaldehyde resins. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2004, reclassified formaldehyde from "probably carcinogenic to humans" to "carcinogenic to humans" based on the increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer. Earlier in 1992, formaldehyde was also designated as a toxic air contaminant (TAC) in California with no safe level of exposure. The control measure limits emission of formaldehyde from wood composite products, including hardwood plywood, in two phases. The Phase 1 limit was enforced on 1 January 2009 as 0.08 parts per million (ppm) and later reduced to 0.05 ppm at Phase 2 enforced on 1 January 2010. The level of formaldehyde was determined based on the American Society for Testing and Materials Standard (ASTM) test E 1333-96. It is by far, the most stringent formaldehyde emission control production-based standard in the world. In conjunction with the official opening ceremony, a Memoradum of Understanding (MOU) was signed

The evaluation conducted in California discovered that one of the major sources of formaldehyde exposure is from the inhalation of

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Focus article

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between FRIM and PT Mutuagung Lestari to extend their collaboration, which has started since 2008. FRIM Director-General Dato' Dr Abd Latif Mohmod represented the MFRDB while PT Mutuagung Lestari, by its President Director, Ir H. Arifin Lambaga. This MOU would enable both parties to work together towards obtaining international certification, ensuring harmonisation of the standard testing procedures, cross-checking between laboratories to increase service quality and capacity building between both parties. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Dr Rahim Sudin is the Head of Biocomposite and Wood Protection Programme, Forest Products Division while Mohd Yusouf Abd Latiff is the Research Officer of the Biocomposite Unit, both of the Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). 1. Nancy Shukri (second from left) unveiling the plaque commemorating the opening of the first formaldehyde testing laboratory at FRIM 2. Dr Rahim Sudin (right) showing the test facilities available at the FRIM formaldehyde testing laboratory 3. Dato' Dr Abd Latif Mohmod, FRIM Director General (second from left) with Ir H Arifin Lambaga, PT Mutuagung Lestari President Director (second from right) after the signing of the MOU ceremony

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Photos: Yusni Idris