Properties and uses of Timber

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Timber

Timber is wood used for building/construction works. Timber means ‘to build’. A felled tree is first cut into sizes of suitable lengths called rough timber that are transported to timber yard. By sawing rough timber, it is converted into various commercial sizes like planks, battens, posts, beams etc. Such form of timber is known as converted timber.

Properties of timber suitable for building construction.

  • Should be uniform in colour.
  • Should have pleasant  odour when freshly cut.
  • Clear ringing sound when struck indicates the timber is good.
  • Good timber should have good texture
  • The timber should be of high density
  • Timbers should be strong and durable.
  • Good timber do not warp under changing environmental conditions.
  • Timber should be capable of resisting shock loads.
  • Good timber do not deteriorate due to wear. This property should be looked into, if Timber is to be used for flooring.
  • Timber should have high strength in bending, shear and direct compression.
  • Timber should have high modulus of elasticity.
  • Good fire resistance.
  • Low water permeability.
  • Good workability, should not clog the saw.
  • Capable of resisting the action of fungi and insects attack.
  • Timber should be free from defects like dead knots, shakes and cracks.

How timber Can be Preserved

Timber is preserved by protection from fungi and insects attack. Timber should be well seasoned before preservatives are applied. The following are the widely used preservatives:

Tar: Hot coal tar is applied to timber with brush. Tar coating protects the timber from attack of insects and fungi.

Paints: Paint improves the appearance of the timber. Solignum paint is a special paint which protects the timber from the attack of termites.

Chemical salt: These are the preservatives made by dissolving salts in water. The salts used are copper sulphate, masonry chloride, zinc chloride and sodium fluoride.

Creosote: Creosote oil is obtained by distillation of coal tar.

Uses of Timber in construction

  •  Construction of columns, trusses, piles.
  •  Making of doors, windows, flooring and roofing.
  • Construction of railway sleepers, fencing poles, electric poles and gates.
  •  For temporary works such as scaffolding, centering, shoring and strutting, packing of materials.

DIRECT CURRENT AND ALTERNATING CURRENT

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Direct current (DC)

The Direct current (DC) is simply electric current that flows in one direction. It usually flows from a battery source. It also means electric current with one polarity of current or voltage.

Uses of DC

DC is often used to power low voltage appliances such as flashlights, toothbrushes, calculators, telephones and so on, although it can also power high voltage appliances.

Sources of Direct Current Supply

 Common sources of DC supply includes solar cells, batteries and DC generator.

Drawback of Direct current (DC)

The major drawback of Direct current (DC) is that it cannot be transmitted through long distances without considerable power loss. The power plant or source of direct current (DC) supply must be within 3km of the appliance which implies that direct current power plant/supply must be installed in every household.

Alternating Current (AC)

 Alternating current rapidly changes in direction. AC is transferred at very high voltage (kilovolts) over long distances and then stepped down with a transformer to between 100-240 volts at point of use.  

Uses of AC

AC is often used to power appliances that require higher voltages examples include fans, air conditioners, cookers, tvs ,  water heaters, pressing irons and so on

Advantage of Alternating Current

The major advantage of AC is that it can travel hundred to thousands of kilometers without considerable power loss making it possible for the location of central alternating power supply stations far from point of use.

Comparing Alternating to Direct Current

It can be argued that AC holds no practical advantage over DC. As stated earlier, DC is preferred over AC for low voltage appliances while AC is preferred to DC for high voltage appliances. However it is possible to build power supply/distribution systems that are more efficient with AC than DC and this is one reason why the AC is far more popular.

HOW TO LOAD RECHARGE CARDS AND CHECK BALANCE FOR MAJOR NIGERIAN TELECOM NETWORKS.

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MTN

To recharge, dial;

*555* Recharge Card Pin#

For example if the MTN recharge pin is 12345678333

Then dial;

*555* 12345678333#

To check balance dial;

*556#

GLO

To recharge, dial;

*123* Recharge Card Pin#

For example if the GLO recharge pin is 1111555577772222

Then dial;

*123* 1111555577772222#

To check balance dial;

#124# and follow the prompt

AIRTEL

To recharge, dial

*126* Recharge Card Pin#

For example if the AIRTEL recharge pin is 222333344445556

Then dial;

*555* 222333344445556#

To check balance dial;

*126#

ETISALAT

To recharge, dial

*222* Recharge Card Pin#

For example if the ETISALAT recharge pin is 5555666677778889

Then dial;

*222* 5555666677778889#

To check balance dial;

*223#

Some Safety Driving Advice

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Driving is a serious business; any mistakes could result in serious injury or even death. Good driving is a skill, you learn the first part at driving school and the other part during your driving experience.

Before Driving.

Check that your car is in perfect condition before driving, open the bonnet, check the level of engine oil on dipstick and confirm it is ok, check brake fluid level and also confirm it is ok, if either engine or brake oil is inadequate, you must refill before you start or move your car. Open the radiator and fill up with water if necessary, ensure no leakage of oil under the vehicle, check the tires, make sure they have adequate pressure and ensure that the nuts are tight.

Other things you should check before driving but not critical, include head lambs, brake lights traffic turning signals and horn; if any is malfunctioning, it should be repaired at your earliest convenience. If road safety officials stop your car and realizes any of these aren’t working, you may be fined

It is a good practice to put on your seat belt and put your phone on hands free mode before driving. Don’t drive under the influence or if you are sick.

During Driving.

Safe driving should be part and parcel of your daily driving habit. Always drive at safe speeds and distance from the vehicle in front of you, be patient and use your turning signals when negotiating a turn. Use the rear and side view mirrors to see what is around you. Anticipate mistakes that co- drivers and pedestrians can make in advance and take precautionary steps to avoid them.

Treat pedestrians with respect when driving, on a road with high population of people, drive slowly and use the horn. Remember a hit of your car on a pedestrian can result in you spending a lot of money on treatment, manslaughter charges or jail term.

When driving at night, or very dusty or foggy weather always use the headlamps and fog lights when necessary. To reduce glare when driving at night use the head lamps at low beam. Use high beam and fog lights during heavy rains.

When parking

Always park your car in a way it doesn’t obstruct traffic, don’t park in areas where your car is in danger of being hit. Engage the hand brakes when parking to prevent the car from moving. When bringing the car to a stop on a slope; in addition to engaging the hand brake put the gear in one or reverse or parking gear if your car uses automatic transmission.

Common meaning of abbreviation used in car manuals and dashboards.

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As a driver and/or car owner, you may sometimes find it necessary to go read your car manual to resolve some issue or get some clarification, In the process you may notice some abbreviations used in the car manual that you don’t understand, although the meaning are usually somewhere in the manual, you may not have the patience to search the page. Sometimes it may be an abbreviation flashing up on your dashboard or written somewhere on the body of your car. Here are some commonly used abbreviations in car manuals /dashboards and their meanings.

ABS; Anti-Lock Brake System.

ACC; Accessory

ALR; Automatic Locking Retractor

CRS; Child Restraint System

ECU; Electronic Control Unit

EDR; Event Data Recorder

ELR; Emergency Locking Retractor

EPS; Electric Power Steering

GAWR; Gross Axle Weight Ratings

GVWR; Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

I/M; Emission inspection and maintenance

LED; Light Emitting Diode

LT; Light truck

M + S; Mud + Snow

MMT; Methylcy clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl

MTBE; Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether

OBD; On Board Diagnostics

ODO; Odometer

RES; Resume

SRS; Supplemental Restraint System

TIN; Tire Identification Number

TPMS; Tire Pressure Warning System

TWI; Treadwear Indicators

VIN; Vehicle Identification Number

Globacom Nigeria Telecommunications

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Globacom Log

Globacom limited (Glo) is a Nigerian telecommunications company founded in 2003 by Mike Adenuga .

Glo has over 45 million Subscribers making it the second largest telecommunications network operator in Nigeria.

Glo Data Plans.

Glo offers a variety of affordable data plans on their 4G LTE network, to get started dial *777# and follow prompts. Check out Glo data plans for more details.

They also offer dedicated bandwidth service for the following internet speeds; 512kbs, 2Mbps and 4Mbps. currently their router costs ₦ 36, 000 (thirty six thousand naira) currently, subscription to this category of internet service is on the high side.

Glo voice/sms plans.

There are many affordable voice and sms plans to choose from including the popular 11k/s plan ( for Glo to Glo customers), on the same plan you get 15k/s to other Nigerian networks and 20k/s for international calls. Dial *211# to subscribe. For more information check out Glo voice/sms plans.

There is also the Glo Jollific8 plan where you receive 8 times the value of your recharge. This plan is available only on newly activated Sims by default. By dialing *123*PIN# on your Glo enabled phone you get 8 times the value of your recharge plus free data bonus. To check voice and data balance dial *122# and *606# respectively.

Other voice/sms plans include; infinito, G-BAM, esay share and international calling. For more information check out Glo voice/sms plans.

Glo Fixed telephone and broadband internet lines.

Globacom is currently installing optical fiber cable network across Nigeria and some countries in Africa with the aim of providing state of the art voice calling, dedicated bandwidth high-speed internet and video. Wired internet has always been known to be more reliable than wireless internet, and Globacom is on its way to becoming the first telecommunications company to provide this service for Nigeria and Africa.