REA Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Electrification Administration

BULLETIN 1728H-702

SUBJECT:
TO:

REA Specification for Quality Control and Inspection
of Timber Products

All Borrowers

EFFECTIVE DATE:
EXPIRATION DATE:

September 2, 1993.
Date of change of §1728.202 by rulemaking.

OFFICE OF PRIMARY INTEREST:
Division

Transmission Branch, Electric Staff

PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS: This Bulletin replaces Bulletin 50-24,
REA Specification for Quality Control and Inspection of Timber
Products, issued June 2, 1987.
FILING INSTRUCTIONS: Discard Bulletin 50-24 dated June 2, 1987,
and replace with this bulletin. File with 7 CFR part 1728 and on
REANET.
PURPOSE: This bulletin describes the responsibilities and
procedures pertaining to quality control by the producers and
responsibilities for inspection of timber products produced in
accordance with REA timber specifications.
This bulletin is a "user friendly" reformat of the text codified
in 7 CFR 1728.202 published at 58 FR 41394, dated August 3, 1993.
Every effort has been made to ensure that accuracy of this
document. However, in case of discrepancies, the regulation at
7 CFR 1728 section 1728.202 is the authorized source.

John H. Arnesen
___________________________
Administrator

08/13/93
_______________
Date

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Scope
General Stipulations
Quality Control and Inspection Procedures for Product
Acceptance
Preservatives
Plant Facilities and Inspection During Treatment
Results of Treatment
Product Acceptance
Charge Inspection Reports
Charge Numbers on Retreat Poles
Safety Provisions

APPENDIX A:
APPENDIX B:
APPENDIX C:

Inspector's Qualifications
Periodic Instrument Check
Metric Conversion Factors

Index:
Crossarms, Specifications
Poles, Specifications
Timber Products, Specifications
ABBREVIATIONS
AITC
ALSC
ANSI
APA
AWPA
REA

American Institute of Timber Construction
American Lumber Standards Committee
American National Standards Institute
American Plywood Association
American Wood-Preservers' Association
Rural Electrification Administration

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 3
DEFINITIONS
Arm refers to structural wood member used to support electrical
conductors.
Certificate of Compliance shall consist of a certification over
the signature of an authorized employee of the producer that the
material shipped meets the requirements of this specification and
any supplementary requirements cited in a contract or order under
which it was purchased.
Crossarm is a term used interchangeably with arm.
Independent Inspection relates to examination of material by an
independent inspector employed by a commercial agency.
Inspection means an examination of material in sufficient detail
to insure conformity to all phases of the specification under
which it was purchased.
Lot is a quantity of crossarms of like size, conditioning
and fabrication usually making up one treating charge.
Producer is used to describe the party who manufacturers and
treats crossarms.
Purchaser refers to either the REA borrower or contractors acting
as the borrower's agent, except where a part of the specification
specifically refers to only the borrower or the contractor.
Quality control designee refers to an individual designated by
the producer to be responsible for quality control.
Reserve treated stock consists of timber products treated in
accordance with this specification, prior to and in anticipation
of the receipt of specific orders, and held in storage ready for
immediate shipment.
Supplier is a term used interchangeably with producer or in
some cases, may be distributor selling crossarms to the
borrower.
Treating Plant is the organization that applies the
preservative treatment to the crossarms.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 4
Bulletin 1728H-702 to 7 CFR 1728.202 CROSS-REFERENCE
Bulletin
1728H-702

7 CFR
1728.202

Bulletin
1728H-702

7 CFR
1728.202

1.
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3

(a)
(c)
(c)(1)
(c)(6)
(c)(2)

6.1.1
6.1.1.1
6.1.1.2
6.1.1.3
6.1.1.4

2.3.1
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.7.1
2.7.2
3.
3.1
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
3.1.5
3.1.6
3.1.7
3.1.8
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.1.1
3.2.1.2
3.2.1.3
3.2.1.4
3.2.2
3.2.2.1
3.2.2.2
3.2.2.3
3.2.3
3.3
4.
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
5.
5.1
5.2
5.3
6.

(c)(2)
(c)(3)
(c)(4)
(c)(5)
(c)(6)
(c)(6)(i)
(c)(6)(ii)
(d)
(d)(1)
(d)(1)(i)
(d)(1)(ii)
(d)(1)(iii)
(d)(1)(iv)
(d)(1)(v)
(d)(1)(vi)
(d)(1)(vii)
(d)(1)(viii)
(d)(2)
(d)(2)(i)
(d)(2)(i)(A)
(d)(2)(i)(B)
(d)(2)(i)(C)
(d)(2)(i)(D)
(d)(2)(ii)
(d)(2)(ii)(A)
(d)(2)(ii)(B)
(d)(2)(ii)(C)
(d)(2)(iii)
(d)(3)
(e)
(e)(1)
(e)(1)(i)
(e)(1)(ii)
(e)(2)
(e)(2)
(e)( 3)
(e)(4)
(f)
(f)(1)
(f)(2)
(f)(3)
(g)

6.1.2
6.1.2.1
6.1.2.2
6.1.2.3
6.1.2.4
6.1.2.5
6.1.3
6.1.3.1
6.1.3.2
6.1.4
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.3
6.4
7.
8.
8.1
8.1.1
8.1.2
8.1.3
8.1.4
8.1.5
8.2
8.3
9.
10.

(g)(1)(iii)
(g)(1)(iii)(A)
(g)(1)(iii)(B)
(g)(1)(iii)(C)
(g)(1)(iii)(D)
& (g)(1)(iv)
(g)(1)(v)
(g)(1)(v)(A)
(g)(1)(v)(B)
(g)(1)(v)(C)
(g)(1)(v)(D)
(g)(1)(v)(E)
(g)(1)(vi)
(g)(1)(vi)(A)
(g)(1)(vi)(B)
(g)(1)(vii)
(g)(2)
(g)(2)(i)
(g)(2)(ii)
(g)(3)
(g)(4),(5)& (6)
(h)
(i)
(i)(1)
(i)(1)(i)
(i)(1)(ii)
(i)(1)(iii)
(i)(1)(iv)
(i)(1)(v)
(i)(2)
(i)(3)
(j)
(k)

Appendix A
Appendix B

Appendix A
Appendix B

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 5
6.1

(g)(1),(1)(i) & (ii)

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 6
1. SCOPE: This specification describes the responsibilities and
procedures pertaining to the quality control by producers and
pertaining to inspection of timber products produced in
accordance with the following REA specifications:
Poles, pole stubs, anchor logs - REA Bulletin 1728F-700,
REA Specification for Wood Poles, Stubs and Anchor Logs
Wood crossarms - REA Bulletin 1728H-701, REA
Specifica tions for Wood Crossarms
This specification also describes and designates responsibilities
of REA borrowers in regard to their purchases under the above
referenced specifications.
2.

GENERAL STIPULATIONS

2.1 Each REA borrower is responsible for obtaining assurance
through its selected purchase plan (as provided in the above
referenced specifications) that the treated material which it
purchases and the manufacturing and treating plant capability,
plant quality control, plant yard conditions and storage yard
conditions are in compliance with REA specifications. Each REA
electric borrower shall submit to the Director, Electric Staff
Division, Rural Electrification Administration, Room 1250-S,
14th & Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20250-1500 in
January of each year a list of plants from which it obtained
poles or crossarms during the preceding calendar year.
2.2 Plants furnishing laminated timber products shall be
qualified to produce in accordance with American Institute of
Timber Construction (AITC) standards and shall be able to so
certify.
2.3 Ultimate quality control is the responsibility of the
producer's management; however, a member of the producer's staff
shall be designated quality control designee and charged with the
responsibility for the exercise of proper quality control
procedures.
2.3.1 Other requirements in American Wood-Preservers'
Association (AWPA) Standard M3, covering records, adequate
laboratory, plant gauges and other plant facilities including
proper storage, shall be followed.
2.4 The methods of inspection described herein shall be used no
matter which plan timber products are purchased under, i.e.,
Independent Inspection Plan or Quality Assurance Plans. The
number of poles and crossarms actually inspected by monitors for
quality control under a Quality Assurance Plan may vary from the
number of poles and crossarms inspected under the Independent
Inspection Plan. Under the Independent Inspection Plan, each
pole and a sample number of crossarms shall be inspected.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 7
2.5 Under the Independent Inspection Plan, the REA borrower
should designate in the purchase order which inspection agency it
has selected. Unless the REA borrower contracts for inspection
as a separate transaction, the treating company shall obtain the
services of the REA borrower's designated inspection agency. For
reserve treated stock for purchase under the Independent
Inspection Plan, the treating company shall obtain the
services of an inspection agency. Selection of and changes
in inspection agencies for reserve treated stock shall be
promptly reported to Rural Electrification Administration,
Washington, D.C. 20250-1500, per REA Bulletin 1728F-700 and
REA Bulletin 1728H-701.
2.6 Individual inspectors in the employ of Independent
Inspection Agencies must be experienced, competent. The
inspector shall perform all
phases of the inspection personally
and in the proper sequence. The primary responsibility of the
inspector is to determine, for the borrower, by careful
inspection and verification, that the timber products,
preservative and treatment meet the requirements of REA
specifications and that the methods, storage facilities and
production equipment conform to applicable REA specifications.
For details of the inspector's qualifications see Appendix
A of
this bulletin.
2.7 All producers of laminated material for use on REA borrower
systems shall follow manufacturing and quality control
requirements as stated in ANSI 05.2 - 1983, American National
Standard for Wood Products Structural Glued Laminated Timber for
Utility Structures, and ANSI/AITC A190.1-1983, American National
Standard for Wood Products - Structural Glued Laminated Timber.
The product shall be so marked and certified.
2.7.1 Inspection of laminated material shall be by a qualified
inspection and testing agency under the standards and provisions
of the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) and the
American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC), or American
Plywood Association (APA).
2.7.2 Quality control of material shall be performed to
determine conformance with REA Bulletin 1728H-701 and
AITC 200-83, Inspection Manual.
3. QUALITY CONTROL AND INSPECTION PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCT
ACCEPTANCE: It is the responsibility of the plant quality
control designee to perform the following procedures to ensure
that a particular lot of material conforms to the requirements of
the applicable REA specification prior to treatment. After the
plant quality control designee has performed these procedures, a
particular lot of material will be released to the inspector for
verification of conformance.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 8
3.1 Poles can be purchased under any of the three purchase
plans. These plans are Insured Warranty Plan, Independent
Inspection Plan or an REA approved Quality Assurance Plan. Under
the Independent Inspection Plan, all poles in a lot shall be
inspected in accordance with the methods described below. Under
Insured Warranty and an REA approved Quality Assurance Plan, the
number of poles in a lot actually inspected may be less than
every pole, depending on the terms of the plans.
3.1.1 Ample space and assistance shall be provided for handling
and turning to ensure that the surfaces of all items can be
adequately inspected.
3.1.2 Under the Independent Inspection Plan, all poles shall
be inspected for conformance to the requirements of REA
Bulletin 1728F-700 and applicable drawings. If a pole is
rejected and the cause of rejection is corrected, the rejected
pole may be offered again for inspection as new material.
3.1.3 Dimensions, length and circumference shall be measured by
a standard steel pole tape to determine that they are in
agreement with the details for class and length in the brand and
butt stamp. If it is obvious by visual comparison with a
measured pole that the brand information is correct, individual
poles need not be measured. Pole circumference dimensions made
prior to treatment shall govern acceptance. Reduction in
dimension due to treatment and shipping shall be not more than
2 percent below the minimum for the
pole class.
3.1.4 If 15 percent of the poles in a lot offered for inspection
are defective, the inspector shall terminate the inspection. Reexamination of an entire lot by plant quality control shall be
required when the number of rejected poles exceeds 15 percent of
the lot inspected. All defective or nonconforming poles shall be
either removed from the lot or marked out.
3.1.5 Poles in a lot inspected for decay shall be of the same
seasoning condition. If there is a suspicion that decay has
occurred, a slice should be cut from both ends for closer
examination. If 5 percent of the inspected poles in a lot shows
evidence of decay, the entire lot shall be unconditionally
rejected without further sorting.
3.1.6 Moisture content, when limited by the purchaser, as stated
on the purchase order, shall be measured by calibrated electric
moisture meter unless specifically required by the purchaser to
be determined otherwise. Calibration of the meter shall include
not only the zero settings for the X and Y readings, but also two
resistance standards for 12 and 22 percent moisture content.
3.1.7 Material failing to conform for moisture content may be
retested upon request after a recalibration of the instrument.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 9
The results of the second test shall govern disposition of the
lot.
3.1.8 Re-examination for any mechanical damage or deterioration
and for original acceptance shall be conducted on timber products
not treated within 10 days after inspection.
3.2 Crossarms can be purchased under either of two purchase
plans: the Independent Inspection Plan or an REA approved Quality
Assurance Plan. Under the Independent Inspection Plan, crossarms
are to be inspected prior to manufacture, during manufacture and
after treatment. Under a Quality Assurance Plan, crossarms are
monitored according to the terms of the quality assurance program
as approved by REA.
3.2.1

Inspection prior to treatment shall be as follows:

3.2.1.1 Surface inspection of the ends of the arms should be
made of all arms. This is usually done on the stacks of arms
prior to manufacture. Particular attention shall be paid to
defects commonly found in the ends, such as compression wood, red
heart and other forms of decay, shakes, splits, through checks,
scantiness, honeycomb and low density determined by rings per
inch and percent of summerwood. Whenever the number of
nonconforming arms is found to exceed 0.5 percent of the lot or
one arm, whichever is greater, the entire lot shall be rejected
for excess number of defective ends. After the producer has
removed or marked out the defective material, the arms may be
resubmitted.
3.2.1.2 Surface inspection of the lengthwise side shall be
performed on a random representative sample. The sample size
shall equal 20 percent of a lot size or 200 arms, whichever is
smaller. The inspector shall examine side surfaces as it is
slowly rotated. When necessary, the rotation may be stopped for
closer inspection. Whenever the number of nonconforming arms is
found to exceed 2 percent of the sample size, the entire lot
shall be rejected. After the producer has removed or marked out
the defective material, the arms may be resubmitted.
3.2.1.3 Moisture content of the random sample shall be checked
by a calibrated moisture meter.
3.2.1.4 Crossarm dimensions of the random sample shall be
measured after surfacing.
3.2.2 Inspection during manufacture will consist of the
following:
3.2.2.1. Bolt and insulator pin holes shall be squarely bored
completely through the arm without excessive splintering.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 10
3.2.2.2 Marking brands shall be checked for completeness,
location and legibility, but not so deep as to impair strength of
an arm, e.g., 1/16 inch.
3.2.2.3 Any arm in the lot which is found to be nonconforming
shall be rejected.
3.2.3 Under the Independent Inspection Plan, there shall be a
final inspection during and after treatment for preservative
retention and penetration and for damage.
3.3 Structural glued laminated timber shall be tested and
inspected in accordance with AITC 200-83 Inspection Manual.
Grade of lumber shall be inspected by a qualified grader in
accordance with grading rules of the American Lumber Standards
for specified quality and so marked. Adhesives used for all
structural arms shall meet requirements of ANSI 05.2-83,
paragraph 5.2. Melamine urea adhesives shall not be used. End
joint spacings and limitations shall be in accordance with
ANSI 05.2-83.
4. PRESERVATIVES: All preservatives shall meet the requirements
for the specified preservative when analyzed in accordance with
applicable AWPA Standards or ASTM Standards.
4.1 Creosote shall conform to AWPA Standard P1 and be analyzed
by AWPA Standard Al, sections 2, 3, 4, either 5 or 9, and 6 as
follows:
4.1.1

Each occasional charge.

4.1.2 First charge and one of every five charges randomly
selected in consecutive charges.
4.2 Results of analyses and tests for penta, hydrocarbon
solvents, Copper Naphthenate, and chemicals used in waterborne
treatments provided by the supplier of the preservatives will be
accepted and copies of the analysis shall accompany each charge.
4.3. Solutions of waterborne preservatives shall be analyzed for
components in accordance with AWPA Standards A2, A9, or A11, and
shall meet the requirements of P5 for composition. AWPA A2 shall
be used as a referee method.
4.4 Pentachlorophenol shall contain not less than 95 percent
chlorinated phenols and conform to AWPA Standard P8 in
hydrocarbon solvent AWPA P9 Type A.
4.5 Copper Naphthenate in hydrocarbon solvent (AWPA P9 Type A)
shall contain not less than 6 percent nor more than 8 percent
copper in the form of Copper Naphthenate and shall conform to

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 11
AWPA Standard P8 when analyzed in accordance with AWPA
Standard A5.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 12
5.

PLANT FACILITIES AND INSPECTION DURING TREATMENT:

5.1 Manufacturing and treating plant facilities shall be in
accordance with AWPA Standard M3, paragraph 3. Pressure plants
shall be equipped with recording instruments to register time,
pressure, temperature and vacuum during each cycle of treatment,
and with indicating thermometers and pressure and vacuum gauges
to check the accuracy of the recorders. Work tanks shall be
equipped with a thermometer. Thermal treating vats shall be
equipped with a time and temperature recorder and with an
indicating thermometer. Temperature recording devices are not
mandatory for plants treating exclusively with waterborne
preservatives.
5.2 Under the Independent Inspection Plan, the inspector shall
be present during the treatment procedure, except at times when
it may be impractical, such as during late night or early morning
treatments. At such times, temperature, pressure and vacuum data
shall be taken from the recording charts. (AWPA Standard M2.)
5.3 Recording instruments shall be checked with indicating
gauges and thermometers. Inaccuracies shall be referred to the
treating company for prompt correction. In the event of an
inaccuracy, indicating possible damage to the material, the
inspector shall reject the charge.
6.

RESULTS OF TREATMENT:

6.1 Poles shall be tested for retention and penetration by means
of a calibrated increment borer 0.2 inch (±.02 inch) in diameter
in accordance with procedures in AWPA Standard M2, paragraph
5.22. Under the Independent Inspection Plan, all treating
charges shall be tested for retention and penetration. Plant
quality control and independent inspection shall do their
analysis separately . Under Quality Assurance Plans the frequency
of testing retention and penetration may vary according to the
approved plan. When testing, the sampling shall be as follows:
Western red and northern white cedars and western larch poles
shall be bored at any point of the periphery approximately
6-12 inches above ground line and all other species approximately
1 foot above or below the brand.
Penetration shall be determined in accordance with AWPA
Standard A3. Chrome Azurol S and Penta-Check shall be used
to determine penetration of copper containing preservatives
and penta, respectively.
6.1.1

Retention sampling shall be as follows:

6.1.1.1. When there are 20 or more poles in the treating charge,
the retention sample for creosote shall consist of 20 assay zones

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 13
from southern pine and Douglas-fir poles as shown in Table 10 of
REA Bulletin 1728F-700. All poles in charges with fewer than
20 poles shall be bored once. Charges with less than 15 poles
shall be bored once and bored again on a random basis to obtain
a minimum of 15 assay zones.
6.1.1.2. Retention sample shall be taken from 20 poles in
charges of 20 or more poles.
6.1.1.3 Retention sample for Alaska yellow, western red and
northern white cedars shall be comprised of a minimum of 30
zones for creosote and waterborne preservatives. For penta
charges of fewer than 30 poles, the sample shall contain the
assay zone from each pole in the lot.

assay

6.1.1.4 Retention samples shall be comprised of borings,
representative of pole volumes for each class/length in the
charge. Further selection and marking of poles of mixed
seasoning, volume and location on the tram shall be made as
illustrated in the following table:
Number
27
26
11
55*

Class/Length
7/30
4/35
5/35
6/35

Vol. in cu. ft.
232
447
163
704
Total 1,546

Total
Volume
15
29
10
46

Number of
Borings
3
6
2
9

*If a portion of these poles were green and some partially
seasoned, then the number of borings should reflect the
approximate percentage of each.
When a lot of material consists of fewer pieces than the
designated minimum number of samples for assay, additional
borings shall be taken so as to make up at least the minimum
sample, and in such manner that the sample is representative of
the lot of material with respect to any variations in size,
seasoning condition or other features that might affect the
results of treatment.
6.1.2 Analyses for preservative retention shall be in accordance
with applicable AWPA standards as follows:
6.1.2.1

Creosote by AWPA Standard A6.

6.1.2.2 Penta by AWPA Standard A5 or A9. Copper pyridine
method, is required when timber may have been in contact with
salt water and for all species native to the Pacific Coast region
unless it specifically states on the raw material invoice that
the material has not been in contact with salt water or shown by

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 14
analysis that there are not additional chlorides present in the
wood before treating.
6.1.2.3 Copper Naphthenate by tests in accordance with
recognized standard in AWPA Standards A5 or A9.
6.1.2.4 Waterborne preservatives by tests in accordance with the
recognized standard methods for chromium, copper, zinc and
arsenic ions listed in AWPA Standards A2, A7, A9, or A11.
6.1.2.5 Prior to unloading a tram, the inspector may take
samples and analyze them concurrently with the quality control
designee, but each shall work independently and quality control
data must be presented before acceptance of the charge.
6.1.3

Penetration Sampling of poles shall be as follows:

6.1.3.1 Group A - Poles with a circumference of 37.5 inches or
less at 6 feet from butt.
a.

Bore 20 poles or 20 percent of the poles, whichever
is greater; accept if 100 percent of the sample
conform, otherwise bore all poles.

b.

Retreat the charge if more than 15 percent of the
borings are found to be nonconforming.

c.

Retreat all nonconforming poles if 15 percent or less
fail the requirement.

6.1.3.2 Group B - Poles with circumference greater than 37.5
inches at 6 feet from the butt.
a.

Fifty feet and shorter, bore each pole and retreat
only those found to be nonconforming unless more than
l5 percent fail in which case retreat the entire lot.

b.

°
Longer than 50 feet, bore each pole twice at 90
apart around the pole and accept only those poles
conforming to the penetration requirement in both
borings. All nonconforming poles may be retreated
only twice.

6.1.4 All holes (nominal 0.2 inch diam. bit) shall be promptly
filled with treated, tight-fitting wood plugs.
6.2 Under the Independent Inspection Plan all treating charges
of crossarms shall be tested for retention and penetration.
Plant quality control and Independent Inspection shall do their
analysis separately . Under the Quality Assurance Plans the
frequency of testing retention and penetration may vary according
to the approved plan. When testing, the sampling shall be as
follows:

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 15
6.2.1 The penetration and retention sample shall consist of 20
(48 for creosote) outer 0.6 inch for Douglas-fir and 1 inch for
Southern Yellow Pine zones from borings taken from any face
except the top face at a location as close to the end as possible
being at least 3 inches from the end of the arm and no closer
than 3 inches from the edge of any holes. For laminated
material, borings shall be taken from laminates on a random
basis.
6.2.2 Penetration shall be tested by taking not less than
20 borings from 20 crossarms in each charge and determined in
accordance with AWPA Standard A3. Chrome Azurol S and
Penta-Check shall be used to determine penetration of copper
containing preservatives and penta, respectively.
6.3 Laminated material shall be checked for any evidence of
delamination due to treatment and for the identifying quality
stamp of AITC or APA.
6.4 When x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments are used to
analyze preservative or retention, Periodic Instrument Checks
(PIC) shall be made by the treating plant and any outside
inspection agency using the treating plant's instrument or their
own, in accordance with the procedure outlined in Appendix B.
At a minimum, treating plants shall perform the PIC weekly and
record the results in the instrument's log, which shall be stored
with the instrument. Independent inspection agencies shall use
their own samples to perform the PIC on treater's instrument once
per visit, not to exceed one PIC per week. Inspection agencies
shall record their results in the instrument's log and state the
date of his/her latest PIC on all treating reports.
XRF instruments shall be accurate and reliable, and they shall
generate reproducible results. Instruments shall have thorough
instructions which should include recommendations on drying
techniques, equipment, and density calculations. These drying
recommendations shall be followed when using these instruments.
7. PRODUCT ACCEPTANCE: Under the Independent Inspection Plan,
the inspector shall signify acceptance by marking each piece of
accepted material with a clear, legible hammer stamp in one end
prior to treatment and in the other end after treatment.
The
inspector shall personally mark each piece,
and shall not
delegate this responsibility to another person
.
8.
8.1

CHARGE INSPECTION REPORTS
Inspection Reports shall cover the following matters:

8.1.1 Total pieces in the lot, number of and causes for
rejection.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 16
8.1.2

Conditioning of the material prior to treatment.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 17
8.1.3 Analyses of preservative identified by the analyst's
signature or certification.
8.1.4

Details of treatment.

8.1.5

Results of treatment including:
a.

Depth of penetration for retention sample and a
summary of all poles rejected for insufficient
penetration.

b.

Worksheets for retention analyses each identified by
quality control designee and independent inspector.

c.

Number of pieces offered and rejected together with
the cause(s) for rejection.

d.

Date of latest Periodic Instrument Check.

8.2 On each inspection report the independent inspector and the
plant quality control designee shall certify, in writing, that
the material listed on the report has been inspected before,
during, and after treatment, and that the preservative used was
analyzed in accordance with the requirements of this section.
8.3 Each inspector or inspection agency shall retain for a
period of 1 year, a copy or transcript of each report of
inspection, together with laboratory worksheets covering
retention by assay and preservative analyses for the purchaser,
and on request shall furnish a copy or transcript of any of these
reports to the Director, Electric Staff Division, Rural
Electrification Administration, Washington,
D.C. 20250-1500.
9. CHARGE NUMBERS ON RETREAT POLES: The letter "R" shall be
added to the original charge number in the butts of all poles
that are retreated for insufficient penetration or retention of
preservative. All poles that fail to meet treatment requirements
after two retreatments shall be permanently rejected.
10. SAFETY PROVISIONS : Poles intended for REA borrowers shall
not be inspected when, in the opinion of the inspector, unsafe
conditions are present.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 18
APPENDIX A
INSPECTORS' QUALIFICATIONS
Inspection agencies should see that inspectors assigned to the
inspection of timber products and treatment for REA borrowers are
competent and experienced.
In general, any of the following examples are to be considered as
minimum qualifying experience before assignment of a new
inspector to inspection for REA borrowers:
a.

Three years experience as an inspector of timber and the
preservative treatment of timber.

b.

Three years experience in timber treating plant quality
control work.

c.

Under the direct supervision of an ex perienced, well
qualified inspector, he/she shall have performed the
following:
1.

d.

Inspected at least 2,500 poles and/or crossarms
"in the white."

2.

Checked preservative penetration results on at least
500 poles and/or crossarms.

3.

Made at least 35 wood assays for preservative
retention.

4.

Made at least 25 analyses of each type preservative
used of material he/she is assigned to inspect.

In both a and b above, the experience shall be not less
than that required in c.1, 2, 3, and 4.

Inspectors experienced in the inspections of one product, such as
poles, should not be qualified to inspect another product, such
as crossarms, until the above experience is gained.
The inspector should be especially well informed in wood
preservation and the operation of a timber treating plant, and be
competent in preservative analysis and other laboratory work.
In all cases, an inspector shall be thoroughly instructed in the
application of REA specifications and standards pertaining
thereto before independent assignment to inspection of timber
products and treatment for REA borrowers. Knowledge of these
specifications and standards as well as the inspector's
proficiency may be checked by members of the REA staff.

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 19
APPENDIX B
PERIODIC INSTRUMENT CHECK
X-ray Fluorescence
The following sample calibration standards and procedures may be
used in lieu of comparison with analysis by wet ash or lime
ignition methods.
Penta
Until such time as AWPA approves calibration standards for penta,
the following method shall be used to run a salt water solution
to measure Cl (chloride).
1.

Standard Solution
Dry approximately 15 grams of reagent grade NaCl at
105°C for 1 hour. Weigh 10.00 grams into a tared
beaker. Add distilled water until the total weight is
100.00 grams. Stir until completely dissolved. This
will give a 10 percent weight-to-weight solution of
NaCl.

2.

3.

Baseline Check
a.

Insure that the instrument is in good agreement with
lime ignition.

b.

Record any user correction factors.

c.

Stabilize and standardize the instrument.

d.

Run the salt solution five times using the PENTA-OIL
calibration mode.

e.

Record the average and standard deviation of the
values for percent penta. The average value will
now be considered the nominal value .

Periodic Instrument Check
Run the salt solution two times and average the results.
If the value is more than ± 5 percent of the nominal
value, the instrument needs further calibration,
following manufacturer's recommendation.

Waterborne Preservatives
Treaters and inspection agencies shall purchase AWPA Committee

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 20
P-5 Standard Reference Materials to analyze on their instruments.
Reference materials should be in the retention range of the
material being produced at the plants.
If the value is more than ± 5 percent of the nominal value, the
instrument needs further calibration.
AWPA Committee P-5 Standard Reference Materials may be purchased
from:
American Wood-Preservers' Association
P.O. Box 286
Woodstock, Maryland
21163-0286
Phone:

(410) 465-3169

Bulletin 1728H-702
Page 21
APPENDIX C
METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS
TO CONVERT FROM
TO
MULTIPLY BY
_________________________________________________________________
foot (ft)

meter (m)

0.3048

inch (in)

centimeter

2.54

pound per cubic foot (pcf)
(lb/ft 3 )

kilogram per cubic
meter (kg/m 3 )

1.601846

pound per square inch (psi)
(lb/in 2 )

kilogram per square
meter (kg/m 2 )

703.0696

degrees Fahrenheit
(X°F)

degrees Celsius
(°C)

5/9(X°-32)