staples or masking tape to hold the wrapping in
place. Backfill and tamp well.
place. Backfill and tamp well.
Groundline treatments should be given during the
summer months. Help is then more readily
available; the preservative need not be heated;
digging is easier, and the pole is drier.
summer months. Help is then more readily
available; the preservative need not be heated;
digging is easier, and the pole is drier.
This bulletin emphasizes the desirability of
inspection and groundline treatment before
decay is well advanced into the pole at
groundline. When groundline decay is discovered
too late, the pole must be stubbed or replaced.
Stubbing can frequently be done at one-third to
one-half the cost of replacement, particularly
when replacement would require considerable
transfer work. Of course, the upper portion of any
pole to be stubbed must be sound and in
generally good condition. When stubbing is
decided upon, figure 10 should be used as a
guide. The strength of a stub must equal the
strength required for a new pole.
inspection and groundline treatment before
decay is well advanced into the pole at
groundline. When groundline decay is discovered
too late, the pole must be stubbed or replaced.
Stubbing can frequently be done at one-third to
one-half the cost of replacement, particularly
when replacement would require considerable
transfer work. Of course, the upper portion of any
pole to be stubbed must be sound and in
generally good condition. When stubbing is
decided upon, figure 10 should be used as a
guide. The strength of a stub must equal the
strength required for a new pole.
6.1.2. Above-ground treatment. - The above-
ground portion of a pole is not subjected to the
same conditions that promote decay at
groundline. Nevertheless, decay above ground
(often referred to as "shell rot") will, in time,
develop in ail poles. In recent years there has
been increased use of spray, flow-on, or brush
treatments to the upper portion of poles,
especially butt-treated cedar transmission poles.
ground portion of a pole is not subjected to the
same conditions that promote decay at
groundline. Nevertheless, decay above ground
(often referred to as "shell rot") will, in time,
develop in ail poles. In recent years there has
been increased use of spray, flow-on, or brush
treatments to the upper portion of poles,
especially butt-treated cedar transmission poles.
The treatment should be applied before surface
decay starts or while it is in the early stages. It is
applied only once in the life of a pole. Such
treatments may be considered in the following
cases:
decay starts or while it is in the early stages. It is
applied only once in the life of a pole. Such
treatments may be considered in the following
cases:
(1) In butt-treated cedar transmission
poles 15 to 20 years old.
poles 15 to 20 years old.
(2) In butt-treated or full-length-treated
poles of other species, but mainly on
transmission lines in which poles are ex-
pensive to replace and where such poles
are protected from groundline decay by
repeated groundline treatment.
poles of other species, but mainly on
transmission lines in which poles are ex-
pensive to replace and where such poles
are protected from groundline decay by
repeated groundline treatment.
There are companies with the required
equipment who specialize in performing this
type of treatment by contract. The work
equipment who specialize in performing this
type of treatment by contract. The work
should be closely supervised; because to be
effective, the penetration and absorption of
the preservative must be the maximum pos-
sible. The recommended preservative is a
10 percent solution of penta in a light petro-
leum carrier, or equivalent. The pole
surface should be dry, with the pole
moisture content below 30 percent as
determined using a moisture meter.
effective, the penetration and absorption of
the preservative must be the maximum pos-
sible. The recommended preservative is a
10 percent solution of penta in a light petro-
leum carrier, or equivalent. The pole
surface should be dry, with the pole
moisture content below 30 percent as
determined using a moisture meter.
A Reclamation employee should first spot
check the poles from the ground and mark
poles that are deemed suitable for the treat-
ment, excluding those defective for any rea-
son. The contractor should make a second
inspection of the marked poles by climbing
them and excluding any poles in which top
decay is too far advanced.
check the poles from the ground and mark
poles that are deemed suitable for the treat-
ment, excluding those defective for any rea-
son. The contractor should make a second
inspection of the marked poles by climbing
them and excluding any poles in which top
decay is too far advanced.
In addition to determining that the right
poles are treated, a Reclamation employee
should verify the amounts of preservative
used, see that critical points are carefully
treated, obtain samples of the preservative
for analysis, and generally observe that all
details of the treatment are carried out as
agreed. Detailed records should be made
and retained in permanent files.
poles are treated, a Reclamation employee
should verify the amounts of preservative
used, see that critical points are carefully
treated, obtain samples of the preservative
for analysis, and generally observe that all
details of the treatment are carried out as
agreed. Detailed records should be made
and retained in permanent files.
The treatment is usually applied through a
flexible hose under 5 to 8 pounds per
square inch (lbs/in
flexible hose under 5 to 8 pounds per
square inch (lbs/in
2)
of pressure from a tank
truck. Treatment starts at the top of the pole
with the preservative flowing thoroughly to
ail surfaces. Immediately after the first
treatment, a second application of
preservative should be applied to the top 10
feet of the pole to assure maximum
absorption in the upper section and at
attachment points.
with the preservative flowing thoroughly to
ail surfaces. Immediately after the first
treatment, a second application of
preservative should be applied to the top 10
feet of the pole to assure maximum
absorption in the upper section and at
attachment points.
Safety precautions must be carefully ob-
served, especially when applying this treat-
ment to poles supporting energized electric
lines. Caution should also be used to avoid
damage to freshly treated poles by grass
fires.
served, especially when applying this treat-
ment to poles supporting energized electric
lines. Caution should also be used to avoid
damage to freshly treated poles by grass
fires.
13 (FIST 4- 6)