National 14 x 12

The National 14 x 12 is based on the Standard National. It has long lugs on the frames making them easier to handle. The brood box takes 11 frames 14” wide by 12” high and uses Hoffman spacing.

The brood area is about half as much again as the standard National hive and is therefore adequate for a prolific colony. This means you will only ever have to inspect 11 brood frames per colony.

HIVE DATA	NATIONAL	NATIONAL 14×12	W B C	COMMERCIAL
Brood frame	14″ x 8½”	14″ x 12″	14″ x 8½”	16″ x 10″
Super frame	14″ x 5½”	14″ x 5½”	14″ x 5½”	16″ x 6″
Frames / brood box	11	11	10	12
Cells / brood box	54,000	80,000	49,000	80,000
Lug length	1½”	1½”	1½”	5/8″

The supers are identical to those on a National hive.

The 14 x 12 eke is a simple device which fits on top of a National brood box to provide space for 12″ high frames (see below). You can even buy a kit to convert National brood frames to 14 x 12.

Diagram of a 14 x 12 brood chamber with two National supers. These hives are sometimes referred to as Deep Nationals.