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 TM 5-684/NAVFAC MO-200/AFJMAN 32-1082
Section VI - MAINTENANCE WOOD PRESERVATION
4-22. Initial wood treatment.
lutions may be applied to exposed surfaces of wood
For the best results, all wood used for maintenance
poles and fixtures by either brush or powered equip-
should be fully treated as soon as practical after
ment. Starting at the top and working down, the
cutting and fabricating. Creosote and water-borne
surface should be flooded with as much preservative
or oil-borne preservatives are all used. All of these
as it will absorb. Special care should be taken to
can be used only by a certified pesticide applicator;
thoroughly flood all holes, splits, and check separa-
only copper naphthenate does not require certifica-
tions.
tion. Qualified applicators should meet the appli-
e. Brushing. A brush, a bucket, and a handline
cable agency requirements. The use of NRECA NQC
with snatch blocks are required for brush treat-
treatment will ensure that best treatment practices
are being employed, and that the treatment will
ment. The brush should be as large as can be con-
veniently handled to minimize the number of dips.
produce desired results for the type of wood being
Care should be exercised to prevent splashing, spat-
treated. All personnel, either government or con-
tering, or dripping the solution on nearby struc-
tractor, must be qualified for this specialized work.
tures, vehicles, or pedestrians below.
Engineering field support activities can provide as-
sistance in training or obtaining qualified contrac-
f. Treatment of hollow heart. When hollow heart
tors. Factory-treated wood should always be used in
exists, locate the top of the damaged area and flood
the United States and elsewhere if available.
the cavity completely from this point. If no splits,
checks, separations, or other openings from the sur-
4-23. In-place wood pole treatment above
faces to the cavity exist, apply the solution under
ground.
pressure through the inspection hole. If other open-
Whenever wood poles, crossarms, or other pieces
ings do exist, apply paste or gel under pressure.
are cut or drilled, the freshly exposed wood should
g. Contact treatment. The above-ground portion
be given a preservative treatment immediately to
of a pole is not subjected to the same conditions that
prevent the entrance of fungi and insects to the
promote decay at the ground line. Nevertheless, de-
inner wood area where treatment may not extend.
cay above-ground will develop sooner or later in all
a. Treatment. An approved preservative should
poles. In recent years, there has been increased use
be used in accordance with AWPA recommended
of spray, run-on, or brush treatments to the upper
practices. It is recommended that a ready-to-use
portion of poles.
solution be purchased. Buying the proper formula-
(1) Treatment U se an approved remedial pre-
tion from a reliable supplier reduces the chances for
servative. The pole surface should be dry, with the
error in mixing; eliminates the need for mixing
pole moisture content below 30 percent as deter-
equipment; establishes uniformity; and ensures
mined with a moisture meter. The treatment should
that the preservative meets environmental direc-
be applied in accordance with the preservative
tives. Test holes, and holes that are not to be used
treatment manufacturer's recommendation, start-
immediately, should be plugged at both ends with
ing at the top of the pole. Immediately after the first
treated plugs as shown in figure 4-6.
treatment, a second application should be given the
b. Safety precautions. Treatment solutions can be
top 10 feet (3 meters) of the pole to ensure maxi-
irritating or harmful to skin and eyes. Full care
mum absorption in the upper section and at points
must be exercised to prevent contact of any part of
of attachments.
the body with spray or fumes from the solution. In
(2) Safety. Safety precautions must be carefully
addition to solvent-resistant gloves, boots, and
observed, especially when applying this treatment
clothing, a face shield should be worn to protect the
to poles in energized electric lines. Caution should
eyes and face from any of the solution that may be
also be used to avoid damage to freshly treated
splashed or blown toward the operator.
poles by grass fires.
c. Treatment of pole top. Clean out all decayed
4-24. Wood pole treatment at or below the
wood. If heart rot is present, remove it to a depth of
ground line.
a foot (0.3 meters) or more. Flood the cavity with
Groundline treatment should be provided whenever
preservative paste or gel applied by trowel or
a pole is excavated during an inspection or reset-
spatula. Protect the top from weathering and leach-
ting, and it has been determined the excavated pole
ing of the preservative with a cap of sheet metal or
need not be replaced. It is also required whenever a
mineral-surfaced roofing felt, extending 1 inch (25
pole over 5 years old is moved. Such treatment in-
millimeters) or more down the sides, and securely
volves excavation, cleaning of the surface, applica-
fastened.
4-13
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