4.3.2. Procedure.-
4 . 3 . 2 . 1 . P r e l i m i n a r y s t r u c t u r e
evaluation.- Examine entire structure
from ground for the following defects:
evaluation.- Examine entire structure
from ground for the following defects:
(1) Excessive checking, cracking, or
splitting; especially deep checks in full-
length-treated poles showing white wood.
splitting; especially deep checks in full-
length-treated poles showing white wood.
(2) Woodpecker holes and evidence of
insect colonies.
insect colonies.
(3) Excessive shell decay above ground-
Note degree.
Note degree.
(4) Lightning damage.
(5) Damaged or corroded guying.
(6) Damaged bracing.
(7) If in through-drilled poles the back-
fill extends above the drilled section-
REMOVE!
fill extends above the drilled section-
REMOVE!
(8) Any other obvious defects.
NOTE: If pole top and crossarm defects
cannot readily be assessed from the
ground, climb the pole for a thorough
analysis after determining that it is safe
to do so.
cannot readily be assessed from the
ground, climb the pole for a thorough
analysis after determining that it is safe
to do so.
4.3.2.2. External decay.-Where surface
decay is found at the groundline, exca-
vate around the deteriorated section of
the pole. Measure and record the pole
cimumference at the groundline; remove
the surface decay down to sound wood,
and record the new circumference of the
pole.
decay is found at the groundline, exca-
vate around the deteriorated section of
the pole. Measure and record the pole
cimumference at the groundline; remove
the surface decay down to sound wood,
and record the new circumference of the
pole.
If the remaining pole section has suffi-
cient circumference, as determined from
the tables in section V, inspect for
internal decay. If internal decay is found,
treat the decayed section as outlined in
cient circumference, as determined from
the tables in section V, inspect for
internal decay. If internal decay is found,
treat the decayed section as outlined in
If the groundline cimumference is below the
permissible minimum, the pole should be
promptly replaced or stubbed.
permissible minimum, the pole should be
promptly replaced or stubbed.
4.3.2.3. Internal decay.-
a. Testing methods.-In addition to visual
observation, inspection methods include
sounding and boring when necessary. '[he
sounding test is fast and completely
nondestructive, but it will not reveal the
extent and type of defect. It will not
indicate whether the pole has a harmless
void or a large and dangerous decay
pocket. Boring will reveal details on the
type and severity of decay, but it is rather
slow, somewhat destructive, and may
conceivably introduce decay-causing
organisms into a sound pole.
observation, inspection methods include
sounding and boring when necessary. '[he
sounding test is fast and completely
nondestructive, but it will not reveal the
extent and type of defect. It will not
indicate whether the pole has a harmless
void or a large and dangerous decay
pocket. Boring will reveal details on the
type and severity of decay, but it is rather
slow, somewhat destructive, and may
conceivably introduce decay-causing
organisms into a sound pole.
By testing all poles first by sounding and
then following up by boring only poles
which failed the sounding test, all poles
may be evaluated with a minimum
amount of unavoidable damage and a
reduced possibility of infecting healthy
poles. If a sonic tester is available, use
itfirst to eliminate good poles from the
maintenance program, and resort to
boring only when necessary to confirm
decay.
then following up by boring only poles
which failed the sounding test, all poles
may be evaluated with a minimum
amount of unavoidable damage and a
reduced possibility of infecting healthy
poles. If a sonic tester is available, use
itfirst to eliminate good poles from the
maintenance program, and resort to
boring only when necessary to confirm
decay.
b. Precedure.-Look for checks which
extend into the ground or terminate just
above groundline. Take a reading with the
sonic tester between the widest check and
the opposite side of the pole and another
at right angle to the check. If the sonic
tester indicates no serious internal decay
above ground, the next step is to
excavate deeper in dry or porous soils,
and this can be determined as the work
progresses. The hole should be wide
enough to permit use of the borer below
groundl-ine if boring is necessary. Care
must be taken not to cut or disturb the
ground wire. Take two additional readings
with the sonic tester. If both readings
indicate sound wood, the test is complete.
extend into the ground or terminate just
above groundline. Take a reading with the
sonic tester between the widest check and
the opposite side of the pole and another
at right angle to the check. If the sonic
tester indicates no serious internal decay
above ground, the next step is to
excavate deeper in dry or porous soils,
and this can be determined as the work
progresses. The hole should be wide
enough to permit use of the borer below
groundl-ine if boring is necessary. Care
must be taken not to cut or disturb the
ground wire. Take two additional readings
with the sonic tester. If both readings
indicate sound wood, the test is complete.
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