Sound and Bore Inspection with Fumigant
This inspection type is designed for a utility that has western species poles (Douglas Fir, Western Larch) poles with a non-durable heartwood. It includes a sound and bore inspection followed up with the application of a fumigant.
Inspection:
Fumigant Application:
Data Collection: This is customer-driven, but the minimum requirement would be a GPS point taken at the pole. Notations of attributes of the pole, which include physical characteristics, would usually be on a staking sheet (height, class, vintage) and any hardware or pole issues.
Data Delivery: Should be given in a suitable electronic format, typically a shapefile (.shp), Excel or Access format. Some utilities request a mark up of their maps for important information such as reject location. RAM generates detailed maps from the data acquired during the pole inspection and presents it in a book form at the end of the job.
Accuracy: This inspection/treatment combination can be designated as either a Sound and Bore only inspection, or a Partial Excavate inspection, coupled with fumigant application. Accuracy improves significantly with a Partial Excavation inspection.
Cost: This is a higher cost per pole inspection. It should be between 15 and 35 dollars per pole depending on variables such as fumigant choice, terrain and data detail.
Inspection:
- Visual inspection 360 degrees of the pole from the ground line to the tip.
- Sounding 35-40 strikes on a pole from ground line to top of reach.
- Boring at a probable decay point. These would be 1) A large check at the ground line; 2) At a point of machinery damage at ground line, or; 3) At a point of a visual decay indicator at ground line (green coloration, fruiting bodies).
- To the center of the pole.
- At a 45 degree angle, minimum.
- I recommend only one well-placed boring rather than multiple borings.
Fumigant Application:
- Usually based on age, a fumigant is added.
- Best Fumigant Available: Osmose MITC fume
- An acceptable second is Durafume, Superfume or Ultrafume (all the same)
- Fumigant application needs to be according to manufacturer specs in a workmanlike manner.
Data Collection: This is customer-driven, but the minimum requirement would be a GPS point taken at the pole. Notations of attributes of the pole, which include physical characteristics, would usually be on a staking sheet (height, class, vintage) and any hardware or pole issues.
Data Delivery: Should be given in a suitable electronic format, typically a shapefile (.shp), Excel or Access format. Some utilities request a mark up of their maps for important information such as reject location. RAM generates detailed maps from the data acquired during the pole inspection and presents it in a book form at the end of the job.
Accuracy: This inspection/treatment combination can be designated as either a Sound and Bore only inspection, or a Partial Excavate inspection, coupled with fumigant application. Accuracy improves significantly with a Partial Excavation inspection.
Cost: This is a higher cost per pole inspection. It should be between 15 and 35 dollars per pole depending on variables such as fumigant choice, terrain and data detail.
