DO YOUR POLES LAST 40+ YEARS ???
THEY SHOULD DO – IF THEY DONT THEN LOOK AT YOUR PURCHASING AND QUALITY ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDURES !!!
ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF EARLY FAILURE IS THE TREATMENT OF WET POLES i.e. poles from the forest, treated and delivered without the correct pre-treatment drying taking place Treating wet poles will result in poor penetration, minimal retention and post treatment cracking. This results in almost zero pole protection from wood destroying termite (ants), fungus & bacteria entering the pole & rotting it in a few years.

MANY ELECTRICITY UTLILTIES THINK THAT A 40+ YEAR SERVICE LIFE IS A PIPE DREAM !!

HOW TO GET 40+ YEARS SERVICE LIFE ?
a) POLES MUST BE DRIED PRIOR TO TREATMENT – poles get surface cracks during drying – treated wet poles will crack after treatment thereby exposing untreated timber and an entrance for wood destroying Termites (Ants), Fungus and Bacteria.
b) USE CREOSOTE with a high heavy fraction content – the heavy fractions in creosote are the main barrier to termite (ant) attack and fungal/bacterial rotting.
c) RETENTION & PENETRATION – use a reputable pole treater who will guarantee the correct creosote treatment.
d) KNOW YOUR POLE TREATER – don’t use agents who quote cheap prices and then look for any pole treater to supply substandard poles. Use a pole treater who has a long term history of supplying quality products.
e) DO NOT BUY ON PRICE ALONE – be wary of cheap poles as there is a good possibility that the poles will need to be replaced after a few years – A CHEAP POLE WILL BECOME AN EXPENSIVE POLE.
f) USE WELL TRAINED POLE INSPECTORS – well trained inspectors will quickly determine if poles have the correct penetration.

THE COST OF A POLE MAKES UP ABOUT 10% OF THE COST OF ERRECTING DISTRIBUTION LINES – 1% EXTRA COULD MAKE THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN A 4 YEAR LIFE AND A 40+ YEAR SERVICE LIFE.