I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this volume is to identify destruc-
tive forces that affect wooden transmission struc-
tures and to present constructive methods for
eliminating or successfully combating these
forces. This volume also outlines a preventive
maintenance program based on periodic tests
and treatment of wood poles to discover and
treat decay and thus prolong the service life of
structures.
tive forces that affect wooden transmission struc-
tures and to present constructive methods for
eliminating or successfully combating these
forces. This volume also outlines a preventive
maintenance program based on periodic tests
and treatment of wood poles to discover and
treat decay and thus prolong the service life of
structures.
II. INTRODUCTION
2.1. GENERAL. Asystematic program of
pole inspection and maintenance is essential
for the following reasons:
pole inspection and maintenance is essential
for the following reasons:
a. Safety to life and property.-Poles
should be maintained above definite
minimum strength requirements.
should be maintained above definite
minimum strength requirements.
b. Efficient servfce within the system.-
Outages or service interruptions due to
pole failures should be kept to a
minimum.
Outages or service interruptions due to
pole failures should be kept to a
minimum.
c. Economical operation.-The number of
pole replacements should not be
excessive and the maximum useful life
should be obtained from every pole.
pole replacements should not be
excessive and the maximum useful life
should be obtained from every pole.
2.2. CONSIDERATIONS. In this volume,
methods of inspection and maintenance of
standing poles have been considered.
Information is included on the causes of pole
failures; intelligent application of this
information will aid in increasing average
pole life. Much of the information contained
in this volume has been compiled from
Bonneville Power Administration
Maintenance Standard No. 63020-1, "Wood
Pole Structure Maintenance," and Rural
Electrification Administration Bulletin 161-4,
"Pole Maintenance." Adherence to the
general rules will eliminate much guesswork;
nevertheless, good judgment should be used
in all cases, since the condition and
remaining useful life of similar poles will vary
widely.
methods of inspection and maintenance of
standing poles have been considered.
Information is included on the causes of pole
failures; intelligent application of this
information will aid in increasing average
pole life. Much of the information contained
in this volume has been compiled from
Bonneville Power Administration
Maintenance Standard No. 63020-1, "Wood
Pole Structure Maintenance," and Rural
Electrification Administration Bulletin 161-4,
"Pole Maintenance." Adherence to the
general rules will eliminate much guesswork;
nevertheless, good judgment should be used
in all cases, since the condition and
remaining useful life of similar poles will vary
widely.
2.3. INSPECTION AND TREATMENT PRO-
GRAM FOR WOOD POLE STRUCTURES.
Since most Reclamation organizations
responsible for transmission line
GRAM FOR WOOD POLE STRUCTURES.
Since most Reclamation organizations
responsible for transmission line
maintenance are notadequately staffed to
accomplish a full-scale inspection and
treatment program for wood pole lines, the
following two-stage program may be more
appropriate for Reclamation use:
accomplish a full-scale inspection and
treatment program for wood pole lines, the
following two-stage program may be more
appropriate for Reclamation use:
2.3.1. Stage 1- Spot check and evalua-
tion.-
tion.-
a. Spot check.-Reclamation personnel
should spot check approximately 10
percent of the structures (or one
structure per mile) in a given line
section in accordance with the
inspection procedures outlined in
should spot check approximately 10
percent of the structures (or one
structure per mile) in a given line
section in accordance with the
inspection procedures outlined in
discussed in
structure should be checked and
evaluated.
evaluated.
b. Evaluation.-Data from spot checks
on a given line section should be
carefully evaluated to obtain a
statistical estimate of the condition of
all poles in the line section. If more
than 10 percent of the poles are
estimated to have groundline decay, or
more than 10 percent to have above-
ground decay or other defects,
consideration should be given for full-
scale inspection and treatment by con-
tract.
on a given line section should be
carefully evaluated to obtain a
statistical estimate of the condition of
all poles in the line section. If more
than 10 percent of the poles are
estimated to have groundline decay, or
more than 10 percent to have above-
ground decay or other defects,
consideration should be given for full-
scale inspection and treatment by con-
tract.
2.3.2. Stage 2- Specifications and
contract.-
contract.-
a. Specifications.-A copy of sample
specifications for inspection and treat-
ment of wood poles will be provided by
the General Sciences Division,
Operation and Maintenance Branch,
Denver Office, upon request. These
specifications should be modified as
necessary to cover specific problems
and local conditions.
specifications for inspection and treat-
ment of wood poles will be provided by
the General Sciences Division,
Operation and Maintenance Branch,
Denver Office, upon request. These
specifications should be modified as
necessary to cover specific problems
and local conditions.
b. Contract.-Full-time inspection of all
contractor activities by knowledgeable
Reclamation employee(s) is essential
to obtaining full value from an
inspection and treatment contract, as
well as ensuring safety for personnel
and reliability of the power system,
contractor activities by knowledgeable
Reclamation employee(s) is essential
to obtaining full value from an
inspection and treatment contract, as
well as ensuring safety for personnel
and reliability of the power system,
1 (FIST4-6)