UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Electrification Administration

BULLETIN 1728H-702

SUBJECT: REA Specification for Quality Control and Inspection

 of Timber Products

TO: All Borrowers

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2, 1993.

EXPIRATION DATE: Date of change of §1728.202 by rulemaking.

OFFICE OF PRIMARY INTEREST: Transmission Branch, Electric Staff

Division

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 08/13/93

___________________________ _______________

Administrator Date
Bulletin 1728H-702

Page 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Scope

2. General Stipulations

3. Quality Control and Inspection Procedures for Product

 Acceptance

4. Preservatives

5. Plant Facilities and Inspection During Treatment

6. Results of Treatment

7. Product Acceptance

8. Charge Inspection Reports

9. Charge Numbers on Retreat Poles

10. Safety Provisions

APPENDIX A: Inspector's Qualifications

APPENDIX B: Periodic Instrument Check

APPENDIX C: Metric Conversion Factors

Index:

 Crossarms, Specifications

 Poles, Specifications

 Timber Products, Specifications

ABBREVIATIONS

AITC American Institute of Timber Construction

ALSC American Lumber Standards Committee

ANSI American National Standards Institute

APA American Plywood Association

AWPA American Wood-Preservers' Association

REA Rural Electrification Administration
Bulletin 1728H-702

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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 7 CFR Bulletin 7 CFR

1728H-702 1728.202 1728H-702 1728.202

1. (a) 6.1.1 (g)(1)(iii)

2. (c) 6.1.1.1 (g)(1)(iii)(A)

2.1 (c)(1) 6.1.1.2 (g)(1)(iii)(B)

2.2 (c)(6) 6.1.1.3 (g)(1)(iii)(C)

2.3 (c)(2) 6.1.1.4 (g)(1)(iii)(D)

 & (g)(1)(iv)

2.3.1 (c)(2) 6.1.2 (g)(1)(v)

2.4 (c)(3) 6.1.2.1 (g)(1)(v)(A)

2.5 (c)(4) 6.1.2.2 (g)(1)(v)(B)

2.6 (c)(5) 6.1.2.3 (g)(1)(v)(C)

2.7 (c)(6) 6.1.2.4 (g)(1)(v)(D)

2.7.1 (c)(6)(i) 6.1.2.5 (g)(1)(v)(E)

2.7.2 (c)(6)(ii) 6.1.3 (g)(1)(vi)

3. (d) 6.1.3.1 (g)(1)(vi)(A)

3.1 (d)(1) 6.1.3.2 (g)(1)(vi)(B)

3.1.1 (d)(1)(i) 6.1.4 (g)(1)(vii)

3.1.2 (d)(1)(ii) 6.2 (g)(2)

3.1.3 (d)(1)(iii) 6.2.1 (g)(2)(i)

3.1.4 (d)(1)(iv) 6.2.2 (g)(2)(ii)

3.1.5 (d)(1)(v) 6.3 (g)(3)

3.1.6 (d)(1)(vi) 6.4 (g)(4),(5)& (6)

3.1.7 (d)(1)(vii) 7. (h)

3.1.8 (d)(1)(viii) 8. (i)

3.2 (d)(2) 8.1 (i)(1)

3.2.1 (d)(2)(i) 8.1.1 (i)(1)(i)

3.2.1.1 (d)(2)(i)(A) 8.1.2 (i)(1)(ii)

3.2.1.2 (d)(2)(i)(B) 8.1.3 (i)(1)(iii)

3.2.1.3 (d)(2)(i)(C) 8.1.4 (i)(1)(iv)

3.2.1.4 (d)(2)(i)(D) 8.1.5 (i)(1)(v)

3.2.2 (d)(2)(ii) 8.2 (i)(2)

3.2.2.1 (d)(2)(ii)(A) 8.3 (i)(3)

3.2.2.2 (d)(2)(ii)(B) 9. (j)

3.2.2.3 (d)(2)(ii)(C) 10. (k)

3.2.3 (d)(2)(iii)

3.3 (d)(3)

4. (e) Appendix A Appendix A

4.1 (e)(1) Appendix B Appendix B

4.1.1 (e)(1)(i)

4.1.2 (e)(1)(ii)

4.2 (e)(2)

4.3 (e)(2)

4.4 (e)( 3)

4.5 (e)(4)

5. (f)

5.1 (f)(1)

5.2 (f)(2)

5.3 (f)(3)

6. (g)
Bulletin 1728H-702

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6.1 (g)(1),(1)(i) & (ii)
Bulletin 1728H-702

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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

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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 assay

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.

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:

 Total Number of

Number Class/Length Vol. in cu. ft. Volume Borings

 27 7/30 232 15 3

 26 4/35 447 29 6

 11 5/35 163 10 2

 55* 6/35 704 46 9

 Total 1,546

*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. CHARGE INSPECTION REPORTS

8.1 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. 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.

d. 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. 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 .

3. 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) kilogram per cubic 1.601846

 (lb/ft 3) meter (kg/m 3)

pound per square inch (psi) kilogram per square 703.0696

 (lb/in 2) meter (kg/m 2)

degrees Fahrenheit degrees Celsius 5/9(X°-32)

 (X°F) (°C)