[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1728]
[Page 295-318]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
PART 1728_ELECTRIC STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS AND
CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
Sec.
1728.10 General purpose and scope.
1728.20 Establishment of standards and specifications.
1728.30 Inclusion of an item for listing or technical acceptance.
1728.40 Procedure for submission of a proposal.
1728.50 Removal of an item from listing or technical acceptance.
1728.60 List of materials and equipment.
1728.70 Procurement of materials.
1728.97 Incorporation by reference of electric standards and
specifications.
1728.201 RUS Bulletin 1728H-701, RUS Specification for Wood Crossarms
(Solid and Laminated), Transmission Timbers and Pole Keys.
1728.202 RUS Bulletin 1728H-702, RUS Specification for Quality Control
and Inspection of Timber Products.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et seq., 6941 et seq.
Sec. 1728.10 General purpose and scope.
(a) The requirements of this part are based on contractual
provisions between RUS and the organizations which receive financial
assistance from RUS.
(b) RUS will establish certain specifications and standards for
materials, equipment, and construction units that will be acceptable for
RUS financial assistance for the electric program. Materials and
equipment purchased by the electric borrowers or accepted as contractor-
furnished material must conform to RUS standards and specifications
where they have been established and, if included in RUS Bulletin 43-5,
``List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems of RUS Electrification
Borrowers'' (List of Materials), must be selected from that list or must
have received technical acceptance from RUS. RUS, through its Technical
Standards Committees, will evaluate certain materials, equipment and
construction units, and will determine acceptance.
[50 FR 47710, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990]
Sec. 1728.20 Establishment of standards and specifications.
(a) National and other standards. RUS will utilize standards of
national standardizing groups, such as the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI), American Wood Preservers' Association (AWPA), the
various national engineering societies and the National Electrical
Safety Code (NESC), to the greatest extent practical. When there are no
national standards or when RUS determines that the existing national
standards are not adequate for rural electric systems, RUS will prepare
standards for material and equipment to be used on systems of electric
borrowers. RUS standards and specifications will be codified or listed
in Sec. 1728.97, Incorporation by Reference of Electric Standards and
Specifications. RUS will also prepare specifications for materials and
equipment when it determines that such specifications will result in
reduced costs, improved materials and equipment, or in the more
effective use of engineering services.
(b) Deviations from Standards. No member of the RUS staff will be
permitted to authorize deviations from the standard specifications, or
to establish or change the technical standards, or to authorize the use
of items that have not received acceptance by the Technical Standards
Committees, except as provided for under Sec. 1728.70, or by
authorization and/or delegation of authority by the Administrator of
RUS.
(c) Category of Items. Items appearing in the List of Materials are
listed by categories of generic items which are used in RUS construction
standards incorporated by reference in Sec. 1728.97. RUS will establish
and define these
[[Page 296]]
categories and will establish all criteria for acceptability within
these categories.
[50 FR 47710, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990, and amended at 55 FR 53487, Dec. 31, 1990]
Sec. 1728.30 Inclusion of an item for listing or technical acceptance.
(a) Scope. RUS, through its Technical Standards Committees ``A'' and
``B'' will determine the acceptability of certain standards, standard
specifications, standard drawings, and items of materials and equipment
to be used in transmission, distribution and general plant (excluding
office equipment, tools, and work equipment, and consumer-owned electric
wiring facilities).
(b) Addresses of Committees. The address of Technical Standards
Committee ``A'' is: Chairman, Technical Standards Committee ``A''
(Electric), Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250-1500. The address of Technical Standards Committee
``B'' is: Chairman, Technical Standards Committee ``B'' (Electric),
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250-1500.
(c) Review by Technical Standards Committee ``A''. All proposals for
listing a product in the List of Materials must be addressed to
Technical Standards Committee ``A.'' This committee will consider all
proposals made by sponsors of specifications, drawings, materials, or
equipment in categories for which RUS has established criteria for
acceptability. A sponsor may be a manufacturer, supplier, contractor or
any other person or organization which has made an application for
listing or has requested an action by the committee. Committee ``A''
will consider all relevant information presented in determining whether
an item should be accepted by Technical Standards Committee ``A.''
Formal rules of evidence and procedure shall not apply to proceedings
before this committee.
(d) Action by Technical Standards Committee ``A''. (1) Committee
``A'' may take one of the following actions:
(i) Accept an item for listing without conditions (domestic items
only),
(ii) Reject an item (domestic or nondomestic),\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Nondomestic items are items which do not qualify as domestic
products pursuant to RUS ``Buy American'' requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(iii) Accept an item for listing with conditions (domestic items
only),
(iv) Table an item for a time period sufficient to allow the sponsor
to be notified and furnish additional information (domestic or
nondomestic),
(v) Grant technical acceptance with or without conditions for a
period of one year from the date of notification by RUS (nondomestic
items only).
(2) All committee decisions regarding the actions listed above must
be unanimous. If the vote is not unanimous, the item shall be referred
to Technical Standards Committee ``B.'' Written notice of Technical
Standards Committee ``A's'' decision, stating the basis for the
decision, will be provided to the sponsor.
(3) Items accepted without conditions by the Technical Standards
Committees will be considered to be accepted on a general basis. No
restrictions as to quantity or application will be placed on items which
have received general acceptance. Items accepted subject to certain
conditions, such as limited use to gain service experience, or limited
use appropriate to certain areas and conditions, will be considered to
be accepted on a conditional basis. The conditions will be cited as a
part of the listing provided for in Sec. 1728.60, or as part of the
technical acceptance for nondomestic items.
(e) Appeal to Technical Standards Committee ``B''. A sponsor may
request a review of an adverse decision by Technical Standards Committee
``A'' within ten (10) days of notification of such decision by
submitting a letter requesting such review to Technical Standards
Committee ``B'' (Electric).
(f) Action by Technical Standards Committee ``B''. Committee ``B''
may take any of the actions listed for Committee ``A'' in Sec.
1728.30(d). However, for a Committee ``B'' action to be effective it
must be by majority vote. Failure to obtain a majority on one of the
proposed actions shall mean that the product will not be listed or
accepted. Committee ``B's'' determination shall be
[[Page 297]]
based on the record developed before Committee ``A'' and such additional
information as Committee ``B'' may request. Formal rules of procedure
and evidence shall not apply to proceedings before Committee ``B.''
Written notice of Committee ``B's'' decision, stating the basis of the
decision, will be provided to the sponsor.
(g) Appeal to the Administrator. In the event of an adverse decision
by Committee ``B,'' the sponsor may, within ten (10) days of
notification of such decision, request a review of this decision by
submitting a letter to the Administrator requesting such a review.
(h) Change in Design. RUS acceptance of an item will be conditioned
on the understanding that no design changes (material or dimensions)
affecting the quality, strength, or electrical characteristics of the
item shall be made without prior concurrence of Technical Standards
Committee ``A.''
[50 FR 47711, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990]
Sec. 1728.40 Procedure for submission of a proposal.
(a) Written Request. Consideration of an item of material or
equipment will be obtained by the sponsor through the submission of a
written request in an original and five copies addressed to the
Chairman, Technical Standards Committee ``A'' (Electric). The letter
must include the catalog number or other identifying number or code as
well as a description of the item. In the event that an item being
submitted is also intended for consideration by Technical Standards
Committee ``A'' (Telephone), a separate request must be made to the
telephone committee. (See part 1755 of this chapter).
(b) Technical and Performance Data. Six copies of the specification
of manufacture, drawings and test data must be submitted to the
committee. Six copies of the performance history shall also be submitted
unless RUS determines that such performance history is not reasonably
available.
(c) Sample. One sample of the item must be submitted to the
Chairman, Technical Standards Committee ``A,'' unless RUS waives the
requirements of the sample. In case of large, bulky or extremely heavy
samples, the sponsor should contact the Chairman, Technical Standards
Committee ``A'' (Electric), at the above address, before any sample is
shipped.
(d) Action on Proposal. RUS will inform a sponsor of the action
taken on the sponsor's proposal.
[50 FR 47711, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990]
Sec. 1728.50 Removal of an item from listing or technical acceptance.
(a) Removal Actions. An item of material or equipment may be removed
from the listing or technical acceptance in accordance with the
following procedures upon determination that the item is unsatisfactory
or has been misrepresented to the owner or RUS.
(b) Notification by the Committee. The sponsor of an item of
material or equipment will be notified in writing of a proposal to
remove such item from the listing or technical acceptance.
(c) Supplemental Information. Within ten (10) days of receipt of
such notification, the sponsor may submit to Committee ``A'' a letter
expressing the sponsor's intent to submit written supplemental technical
information relevant to Committee ``A's'' determination. The sponsor
must submit such information within twenty (20) days from the submission
of its letter to Committee ``A.'' Committee ``A'' will have the
discretion of making a decision following the expiration of the time
periods provided in this paragraph.
(d) Review by the Technical Standards Committee ``A''. Committee
``A'' will consider all relevant information presented in determining
whether an item should be removed from the listing or technical
acceptance. Formal rules of evidence and procedure shall not apply to
proceedings before Technical Standards Committee ``A.''
(e) Action by the Technical Standards Committee ``A''. Committee
``A'' may take one of the following actions:
(1) Order the immediate removal of the item from the listing, or
technical acceptance,
(2) Condition the item's continued listing, or technical acceptance,
(3) Recommend a basis of settlement which will adequately protect
the interest of the Government, or
[[Page 298]]
(4) Delay the effectiveness of its decision for a time period
sufficient to allow the sponsor to appeal to Technical Standards
Committee ``B.''
All committee ``A'' decisions regarding the actions listed above must be
by unanimous vote. If the vote is not unanimous, the item will be
referred to Technical Standards Committee ``B.''
Written notice of Technical Standards Committee ``A's'' decision,
stating the basis for the decision, will be provided to the sponsor.
(f) Additional Opportunity to Present Information. At the request of
the sponsor, RUS may afford additional opportunity for consideration of
relevant information. Such additional opportunity may include, without
limitation, a meeting between RUS and the sponsor in such a forum that
RUS may determine. In making this decision, RUS will consider, among
other things, the best interests of RUS, its borrowers, and the sponsor,
and the best manner to develop sufficient information relating to the
proposed action.
(g) Appeal to the Technical Standards Committee ``B''. Within ten
(10) days of notification of Committee ``A's'' decision, a sponsor may
appeal in writing to Technical Standards Committee ``B'' to review
Committee ``A's'' decision, specifying the reasons for such a request.
Committee ``B's'' determination, in response to such request, shall be
based on the record developed before Committee ``A'' and such additional
information as Committee ``B'' may request. Formal rules of procedure
and evidence shall not apply to proceedings before Committee ``B.''
(h) Action by Technical Standards Committee ``B''. Committee ``B,''
by majority vote, may take one of the following actions:
(1) Order the immediate removal of the item from listing, or
technical acceptance,
(2) Condition the item's continued listing, or technical acceptance,
(3) Recommend a basis of settlement which adequately protects the
interests of the Government, or
(4) Delay the effectiveness of its decision for a time period
sufficient to allow the sponsor to appeal to the Administrator of RUS.
Failure to obtain a majority vote on any of the above actions shall mean
that the product will continue to be listed or accepted.
Written notice of Committee ``B's'' decision stating the basis of the
decision will be provided to the sponsor.
(i) Appeal to the Administrator. Within ten (10) days of the receipt
of Committee ``B's'' decision, a sponsor may appeal to the Administrator
to review Committee ``B's'' decision. If an appeal is made, the sponsor
shall submit a written request to the Administrator, Rural Utilities
Service, Room 4053, South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250-1500 specifying the reasons to request
reconsideration. The Administrator will have the option to decline the
request, in which case the decision of Committee ``B'' shall stand. If a
review is granted, the determination by the Administrator or the
Administrator's designee shall be based on the record developed before
Committee ``A'' and Committee ``B'' and such additional information as
the Administrator may request. Formal rules of procedure and evidence
shall not apply to the actions of the Administrator.
(j) Action by the Administrator. The Administrator may take one of
the following actions:
(1) Order the immediate removal of the item from the listing, or
technical acceptance,
(2) Condition its continued listing, or technical acceptance, or
(3) Recommend a basis of settlement which adequately protects the
interests of the Government.
Written notice of the Administrator's determination, stating the basis
for the decision, will be provided to the sponsor.
The Administrator's actions are final.
[50 FR 47711, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990]
Sec. 1728.60 List of materials and equipment.
(a) General. Those items of material or equipment accepted by
Technical Standards Committee ``A'' or ``B,'' with the exception of
technically accepted nondomestic items, will be listed in the List of
Materials. Items
[[Page 299]]
which do not qualify as domestic products may be accepted on a technical
basis only (technical acceptance) for a period of one year as provided
in Sec. 1728.30(c)(1) and will not be included in the List of
Materials.
(b) Publishing and Revisions. RUS will reissue the List of Materials
every year, dated July, and issue supplements, if needed, dated October,
January, and April of every year. An RUS office copy, which is the
official current copy, of the List of Materials, will be updated every
time changes are made by the Technical Standards Committees.
(c) Dual Listings. RUS, through its Technical Standards Committees,
will accept for listing only one item of a particular type of material
or equipment for each manufacturer. If a manufacturer submits an item to
perform the identical function of a listed item, RUS, through its
Technical Standards Committees, may accept that item and remove the one
previously listed. RUS will list only new items of material and
equipment in the List of Materials. Used items will not be considered
for listing.
[50 FR 47712, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990]
Sec. 1728.70 Procurement of materials.
(a) By Owner. When purchasing the type of materials included in the
List of Materials, RUS borrowers shall purchase only materials listed in
the List of Materials, or materials which have a current technical
acceptance by RUS and meet the ``Buy American'' requirement.
(b) By Contractor. When performing work for an RUS borrower,
contractors shall supply only items from the general acceptance pages of
the List of Materials, or obtain the borrower's concurrence prior to
purchase and use of a technically nondomestic item or any item listed on
a conditional basis.
(c) Procurement of Unlisted Items. (1) The borrower shall request
prior approval from RUS for use of an item that does not fall in
categories established by RUS in the List of Materials for which
acceptability has been established by the Technical Standards
Committees.
(2) RUS will also determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to
allow use of an unlisted item in emergency situations and for
experimental use or to meet a specific need. For purposes of this part
1728, an emergency shall mean a situation wherein the supply of listed
material and equipment from the industry is not readily available, or
the standard designs are not applicable to the borrower's specific
problem under consideration.
(3) RUS will make arrangements for test or experimental use of newly
developed items requiring limited trial use. RUS, working with the
borrower and the manufacturer, will establish test locations for the
items to facilitate installation and observation.
[50 FR 47712, Nov. 20, 1985. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept. 27,
1990]
Sec. 1728.97 Incorporation by reference of electric standards and
specifications.
(a) The following electric bulletins have been approved for
incorporation by reference by the Director of the Office of the Federal
Register. The bulletins containing construction standards (50-4 and
1728F-803 to 1728F-811), may be purchased from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The
bulletins containing specifications for materials and equipment (50-15
to 50-99 and 1728F-700) may be obtained from the Rural Utilities
Service, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Stop 1522, Room
4028-S, Washington, DC 20250-1522. The terms ``RUS form'', ``RUS
standard form'', ``RUS specification'', and ``RUS bulletin'' have the
same meanings as the terms ``REA form'', ``REA standard form'', ``REA
specification'', and ``REA bulletin'', respectively unless otherwise
indicated. The bulletins are available for inspection at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--
regulations/ibr--locations.html. These materials are incorporated as
they exist on the date of the approval and a notice of any
[[Page 300]]
change in these materials will be published in the Federal Register.
(b) List of Bulletins.
Bulletin 50-4 (D-801), Specification and Drawings for 34.5/19.9 kV
Distribution Line Construction (11-86)
Bulletin 50-15 (DT-3), RUS Specifications for Pole Top Pins with 1\3/
8\[foot] Diameter Lead Thread (1-51)
Bulletin 50-16 (DT-4), RUS Specifications for Angle Suspension Brackets
(3-52)
Bulletin 50-19 (DT-7), RUS Specifications for Clevis Bolts (8-53)
Bulletin 50-23 (DT-18), RUS Specifications for 60<gr-thn-eq> Wood
Crossarm Braces (2-71)
Bulletin 50-31 (D-3), RUS Specifications for Pole Top Pins with
1<gr-thn-eq> Diameter Lead Threads (2-79)
Bulletin 50-32 (D-4), RUS Specifications for Steel Crossarm Mounted Pins
with 1<gr-thn-eq> Diameter Lead Threads (10-50)
Bulletin 50-33 (D-5), RUS Specifications for Single and Double Upset
Spool Bolts (2-51)
Bulletin 50-34 (D-6), RUS Specifications for Secondary Swinging Clevises
(12-70)
Bulletin 50-35 (D-7), RUS Specifications for Service Swinging Clevises
(9-52)
Bulletin 50-36 (D-8), RUS Specifications for Service Deadend Clevises
(9-52)
Bulletin 50-40 (D-14), RUS Specifications for Pole Top Brackets for
Channel Type Pins (9-51)
Bulletin 50-41 (D-15), RUS Specifications for Service Wireholders (11-
51)
Bulletin 50-55 (T-2), RUS Specifications for Overhead Ground Wire
Support Brackets (5-53)
Bulletin 50-56 (T-3), RUS Specifications for Steel Plate Anchors for
Transmission Lines (12-53)
Bulletin 50-60 (T-9), RUS Specification--Single Pole Steel Structures,
Complete with Arms (12-71)
Bulletin 50-70 (U-1), RUS Specification for 15 kV and 25 kV Primary
Underground Power Cable (12-22-87)
Bulletin 50-72 (U-4), RUS Specification for Electrical Equipment
Enclosures (5-35 kV) (10-79)
Bulletin 50-73 (U-5), RUS Specifications for Pad-Mounted Transformers
(Single and Three-Phase) (1-77)
Bulletin 50-74 (U-6), RUS Specification for Secondary Pedestals (600
Volts and Below) (10-79)
Bulletin 50-91 (S-3), RUS Specifications for Step-Down Distribution
Substation Transformers (34.4-138 kV) (1-78)
Bulletin 1728F-700, RUS Specification for Wood Poles, Stubs and Anchor
Logs (8-93).
Bulletin 1728F-803, Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line
Construction (10-98).
Bulletin 1728F-804 (D-804), Specification and Drawings for 12.47/7.2 kV
Line Construction October 2005.
Bulletin 1728F-806 (D-806), Specifications and Drawings for Underground
Electric Distribution, June 2000.
Bulletin 1728F-810, Electric Transmission Specifications and Drawings,
34.5 kV to 69 kV (3-98).
Bulletin 1728F-811, Electric Transmission Specifications and Drawings,
115 kV to 230 kV (3-98).
[48 FR 31853, July 12, 1983, as amended at 52 FR 22289, June 11, 1987;
52 FR 48799, Dec. 28, 1987; 53 FR 39229, Oct. 6, 1988; 53 FR 44176, Nov.
2, 1988; 55 FR 8909, Mar. 9, 1990. Redesignated at 55 FR 39395, Sept.
27, 1990, as amended at 56 FR 1563, Jan. 16, 1991; 58 FR 41398, Aug. 3,
1993; 59 FR 66440, Dec. 27, 1994; 63 FR 11591, Mar. 10, 1998; 63 FR
72104, Dec. 31, 1998; 65 FR 34047, May 26, 2000; 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9,
2004; 70 FR 20703, Apr. 21, 2005]
Sec. 1728.201 RUS Bulletin 1728H-701, RUS Specification for Wood
Crossarms (Solid and Laminated), Transmission Timbers and Pole
Keys.
(a) General provisions. (1) This section implements contractual
provisions between RUS and borrowers receiving financial assistance from
RUS. The contractual agreement between RUS and its borrowers requires
the borrower's system to be constructed in accordance with RUS accepted
plans and specifications. Each RUS electric borrower must purchase only
wood crossarms produced in accordance with the specification in this
section.
(2) Each RUS electric borrower shall require each contractor to
agree in writing to furnish only materials produced in accordance with
the specification in this section.
(3) This specification describes the minimum acceptable quality of
wood distribution crossarms and transmission crossarms (hereinafter
called crossarms) that are purchased by or for RUS borrowers. Where
there is conflict between this specification and any other specification
referred to in this section, this specification shall govern.
(4) Various requirements relating to quality control and inspection
are contained in Sec. 1728.202 of this part, RUS Specification for
Quality Control and Inspection of Timber Products. Section 1728.201 of
this part and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 05.2,
1983, American National Standard for Wood Products--Structural Glued
Laminated Timber for Utility Structures, shall be followed exactly and
[[Page 301]]
shall not be interpreted or subjected to judgment by the quality control
person or an independent inspector.
(5) The borrower shall purchase from producers only material that
meets the requirements of this specification. Each purchaser shall use a
written purchase order to purchase material for use in RUS financed
systems in order to insure compliance with the standards and
specifications of this part. The written purchase order shall contain a
provision that specifically requires the producer to comply with the
provisions of this part. The purchase order shall contain a provision
that specifically requires the producer to make the treating plant, and
storage areas available, during normal business hours, in order for
representatives of either the purchaser or RUS to inspect such to
determine compliance with the standards and specifications of this part.
(6) The borrower shall insure that the producer provides the
inspectors with full information (drawings, etc.) relating to the
requirements contained in purchase order which is supplementary to this
specification.
(7) The borrower shall insure that the producer maintains, or has
access to, adequate laboratory facilities at or very near the treating
plant. All chemical tests, assays or analyses associated with the
treatment shall be independently performed in this laboratory by both
the quality control designee and the borrower's inspector. If acceptable
to RUS on a case-by-case basis, the producer may use a central
laboratory.
(8) Inspection and treatment of all timber products produced under
this specification should be performed after receipt of the order from
the purchaser, except as provided for reserve treated stock.
(9) The borrower shall insure that each inspection agency maintains
its own central laboratory with qualified staff capable of completely
analyzing the preservative and treatments. If acceptable to RUS, this
central laboratory may be used for the independent inspector's routine
assays, with results made available the next working day.
(10) The testing and inspection of the lamination process shall be
in accordance with American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC) 200-
83, Inspection Manual.
(11) With the exception of reserve treated stock, all invoices for
treated timber products shall be accompanied, in duplicate, by a copy of
the producer's Certificate of Compliance and a copy of either the
Independent Inspection Report or a Quality Assurance Plan Certificate.
The certificate shall be presented to the purchaser with the invoice.
For reserve treated stock, inspection reports shall be available from
the inspection agency. When shipped from reserve stock, the invoice
shall bear an endorsement and a further certification by the producer
that the material meets the requirements of this specification and any
supplementary requirements cited in the purchase order under which it is
purchased.
(12) Crossarms shall be warranted to conform to this specification.
If any crossarm is determined to be defective or does not conform to
this specification within 1 year after shipment to the borrower, it
shall be replaced as promptly as possible by the producer. In the event
of failure to do so, the purchaser may make such replacement and the
cost of the crossarm, at destination, recoverable from the producer.
(b) Definitions.
Arm refers to structural wood member used to support electrical
conductors.
Certificate of compliance is a certification by an authorized
employee of the producer that the material shipped meets the
requirements of this specification and any supplementary requirements
specified in a purchase order from a borrower or the borrower's
contractor.
Crossarm is a term used interchangeably with arm.
Independent inspection relates to examination of material by an
independent inspector employed by a commercial inspection 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.
[[Page 302]]
Producer is used to describe the party who manufactures and treats
crossarms.
Purchaser refers to either the RUS borrower or contractors acting as
the borrower's agent, except where a part of the specification
specifically refers to only the RUS 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 the distributor selling crossarms to the borrower.
Treating plant is the organization that applies the preservative
treatment to the crossarms.
(c) Related specifications and standards incorporated by reference.
The following specifications and standards are incorporated by
reference. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies of each reference are available for inspection during
normal business hours at RUS, room 1250-S, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, or at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of
this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--
locations.html. Copies of these standards and specifications may be
purchased from the addresses shown below.
(1) West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau, Standard No. 17, Grading
Rules for West Coast Lumber, September 1, 1991, available from West
Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau, P.O. Box 23145, Portland, Oregon 97223,
telephone (503) 639-0651, Fax (503) 684-8928.
(2) Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, Standard Grading Rules for
Southern Pine Lumber, October 15, 1991, available from Southern Pine
Inspection Bureau, 4709 Scenic Highway, Pensacola, Florida 32504,
telephone (904) 434-2611.
(i) Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, Special Product Rules for
Structural, Industrial, and Railroad-Freight Car Lumber, October 15,
1991, available from Southern Pine Inspection Bureau, 4709 Scenic
Highway, Pensacola, Florida 32504, telephone (904) 434-2611.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) American Wood Preservers' Association (AWPA), Book of Standards,
1991 edition, available from AWPA, P.O. Box 286, Woodstock, Maryland
21163-0286.
(i) A1-91, Standard Methods for Analysis of Creosote and Oil-Type
Preservatives.
(ii) A2-91, Standard Methods for Analysis of Waterborne
Preservatives and Fire-Retardant Formulations.
(iii) A3-91, Standard Methods for Determining Penetration of
Preservatives and Fire Retardants.
(iv) A5-91, Standard Methods for Analysis of Oil-Borne
Preservatives.
(v) A6-89, Method for the Determination of Oil-Type Preservatives
and Water in Wood.
(vi) A7-75, Standard Wet Ashing Procedure for Preparing Wood for
Chemical Analysis.
(vii) A9-90, Standard Method for Analysis of Treated Wood and
Treating Solutions by X-Ray Spectroscopy.
(viii) A11-83, Standard Method for Analysis of Treated Wood and
Treating Solutions by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
(ix) C1-91, All Timber Products--Preservative Treatment by Pressure
Processes.
(x) C4-91, Poles--Preservative Treatment by Pressure Processes.
(xi) C8-91, Western Red Cedar and Alaska Yellow Cedar Poles--
Preservative Treatment by the Full-Length Thermal Process.
(xii) C10-91, Lodgepole Pine Poles--Preservative Treatment by the
Full-Length Thermal Process.
(xiii) C12-90, Western Larch Poles--Full-Length Preservative
Treatment by Thermal Process.
(xiv) M1-90, Standard for the Purchase of Treated Wood Products.
(xv) M2-91, Standard for Inspection of Treated Timber Products.
[[Page 303]]
(xvi) M3-81, Standard Quality Control Procedures for Wood Preserving
Plants.
(xvii) M4-91, Standard for the Care of Preservative-Treated Wood
Products.
(xviii) P1/P13-91, Standard for Coal Tar Creosote for Land and,
Fresh Water and Marine (Coastal Water Use).
(xix) P5-91, Standards for Waterborne Preservatives.
(xx) P8-91, Standards for Oil-Borne Preservatives.
(xxi) P9-91, Standards for Solvents and Formulations for Organic
Preservative Systems.
(4) American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC) 200-83,
Inspection Manual, 1987 edition, available from AITC, 333 West Hampden
Avenue, Englewood, Colorado 80110, telephone (303) 761-3212.
(5) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 05.2-1983, American
National Standard for Wood Products--Structural Glued Laminated Timber
for Utility Structures, available from ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York,
New York 10018.
(6) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D9-87 (1992),
Standard Terminology Relating to Wood, available from ASTM, 1916 Race
Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1187, telephone number (215) 299-5585.
(d) Independent inspection plan. This plan or a Quality Assurance
Plan, as described in paragraph (e) of this section, is acceptable for
supplying crossarms. All crossarms produced under the independent
inspection plan for use on an RUS financed system shall be inspected by
a qualified independent inspector in accordance with Sec. 1728.202 of
this part.
(1) The borrower has the prerogative to contract directly with the
inspection agency for service. The borrower should, where practical,
select the inspection agency so that continual employment is dependent
only on performance acceptable to the borrower and in accordance with
this specification. The selected inspection agency shall not subcontract
the service to any other inspection agency without the prior written
consent by the borrower.
(2) The producer shall not be a party to the selection of the
inspection agency by the borrower and shall not interfere with the work
of the inspector, except to provide notification of the readiness of
material for inspection. To obtain the inspection services for reserve
stock, the producer may deal directly with the inspection agency. Under
the Independent Inspection Plan, the producer shall not treat material
before it has been properly inspected in the white, as evidenced by the
inspector's hammer mark.
(3) The methods of inspection described in this section and in Sec.
1728.202 of this part shall be used no matter which plan crossarms are
produced under, i.e., Independent Inspection Plan, or Quality Assurance
Plans, as described in this section. The number of crossarms actually
inspected by monitors of quality control under a Quality Assurance Plan
may vary from the number of crossarms inspected under the Independent
Inspection Plan.
(e) Quality assurance plans. The producer shall furnish crossarms
conforming to this specification as monitored by a Quality Assurance
Plan acceptable to RUS. RUS borrower groups or agents for borrower
groups endeavoring to operate Quality Assurance Plans shall submit their
plan for assuring quality control to the Director, Electric Staff
Division, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250-1500, for
specific approval prior to contracting with RUS borrowers under such
plans.
(f) Material requirements--(1) Material and grade. All crossarms
furnished under this specification shall be free of brashy wood, decay,
and insect holes larger than 3/32 of an inch (0.24 cm), and shall meet
additional requirements as shown on specific drawings. They shall be
made of one of the following:
(i) Douglas-fir which conforms to the applicable crossarm provisions
of paragraphs 170 and 170a, or the applicable transmission arm
provisions of paragraphs 169 and 169a of the 1991 Standard Grading Rules
for West Coast Lumber No. 17. All references to Douglas-fir shall be of
coastal origin;
(ii) Southern Yellow Pine which conforms to the provisions of Dense
Industrial Crossarm 65, as described in paragraph 31.2 in Southern Pine
Inspection Bureau 1991 Special Product Rules for Southern Pine; or
[[Page 304]]
(iii) Laminated wood crossarms shall conform to ANSI 05.2-1983, and
have at least the same load carrying capacity as the solid sawn arm it
replaces. The load carrying capacity of the laminated arms shall be
determined by one of the procedures outlined in ANSI 05.2.
(2) Borrowers may use alternative wood crossarms that are listed in
RUS Bulletin 1728C-100, List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Systems
of RUS Electrification Borrowers.
(3) Knots. Sound, firm, and tight knots, if well spaced, are
allowed.
(i) Slightly decayed knots are permitted, except on the top face,
provided the decay extends no more than 3/4 of an inch (1.91 cm) into
the knot and provided the cavities will drain water when the arm is
installed. For knots to be considered well spaced, the sum of the sizes
of all knots in any 6 inches (15.24 cm) of length of a piece shall not
exceed twice the size of the largest knot permitted. More than one knot
of maximum permissible size shall not be in the same 6 inches (15.24 cm)
of length. Slightly decayed, firm, or sound ``Pin knots'' (3/8 of an
inch (0.95 cm) or less) are not considered in size, spacing, or zone
considerations.
(ii) Knots are subject to the following limits on size and location:
Knot Limits For Distribution Arms
DRAWING M-19 (SEE FIGURE 1, EXHIBIT A)
All Dimensions in Inches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Knot
Diameter
Class of Knot and Location ---------------
Close Dense
Grain Grain
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round Knots
Single Knot: Maximum Diameter.........................
Center Section*.....................................
Upper Half........................................ 3/4 1
Lower Half........................................ 1 1-1/4
Elsewhere........................................... 1-1/4 1-1/2
Sum of Diameters in a 6-Inch Length: Maximum
Center Section......................................
Upper Half........................................ 1-1/2 2
Lower Half........................................ 2 2-1/2
Elsewhere........................................... 2-1/2 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inch Cm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/4 1.91
1 2.54
1-1/4 3.18
1-3/8 3.49
1-1/2 3.81
1-3/4 4.45
1-7/8 4.76
2 5.08
2-1/4 5.72
2-1/2 6.35
3-1/4 8.26
3-1/2 8.89
3-5/8 9.21
4-5/8 11.75
5-5/8 14.29
7-3/8 18.73
9-3/8 23.81
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knot Limits For Transmission Arms
(SEE FIGURE 2, EXHIBIT A)
All Dimensions in Inches
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Diameter For Single
Pole Mounting Hole Zone* Knot
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upper Half (inner zone) 3/4
Upper Half (outer zone) 1 for close grain
1-1/4 dense grain
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wide Face (Two
Sides)
Other Locations Transmission Arm Size** Narrow -------------------
Face Along
Edge Centerline
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-5/8x5-5/8 or less 1 1-1/4 1-1/4
5-5/8x7-3/8 1-1/4 1-3/8 1-7/8
3-5/8x9-3/8 3/4 1-3/4 2-1/4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*No knot will be closer than its diameter to the pole mounting hole.
**For cross sections not shown, refer to grading rules.
(iii) Knot clusters shall be prohibited unless the entire cluster,
measured on the worst face, is equal to or less than the round knot
allowed at the specific location.
(iv) Spike knots shall be prohibited in deadend arms. Any spike knot
across the top face shall be limited to the equivalent displacement of a
knot 3/8 of an inch (0.95 cm) deep on one face and the maximum round
knot for its particular location on the worst face, with a maximum width
of 1 inch (2.54 cm) measured at the midpoint of the spiked section.
Elsewhere across the bottom or side faces, spike knots shall not exceed
1/2 the equivalent displacement of a round knot permitted at that
location, provided that the depth of the knot on the worst face shall
not exceed the maximum round knot allowed at that location.
(v) Loose knots and knot holes shall drain water when the arm is
normally
[[Page 305]]
installed. In the center section, upper half, they shall not be greater
than 1/2 the dimensions of round knots. Elsewhere, they shall not be
greater than the round knot dimension. They shall be prohibited in
deadend arms.
(vi) All knots except those ``spike'' knots intersecting a corner
shall be measured on the least diameter of the knot.
(vii) A knot shall be considered to occupy a specific zone or
section if the center of the knot (i.e. pith of knot) is within the zone
or on the zone's boundary.
(viii) If a round or oval knot appears on two faces and is in two
zones, each face shall be judged independently. When this does not
occur, average the least dimension showing on both faces. Knots which
occur on only one face of a free of heart center (FOHC) arm shall be
permitted to be 25 percent larger than the stated size.
(ix) Knot spacing. Two or more knots opposite each other on any face
shall be limited by a sum not to exceed the size of a maximum single
knot permitted for the location. On all four faces, all knots shall be
well spaced.
(x) Knots which have a maximum of 5/8 inch (1.59 cm) diameter may
intersect pin holes in the center section. One inch (2.54 cm) diameter
knots may intersect pin holes elsewhere.
(4) Miscellaneous characteristics, features and requirements. (i)
The top face of distribution crossarms shall not have more than four
medium pitch and bark pockets in 8 foot (2.4 m) arms, and not more than
five pitch and bark pockets in 10 foot (3.0 m) arms. Elsewhere a maximum
of six medium pockets in 8 foot (2.4 m) arms and eight in 10 foot (3.0
m) arms shall be permitted. Equivalent smaller pockets shall be
permissible. An occasional large pocket is permissible.
(ii) Shakes shall be prohibited.
(iii) Checks. Prior to treatment on properly seasoned arms, single
face checks shall not exceed an average penetration of 1/4 the depth
from any face and shall be limited to 10 inches (25.40 cm) long on the
top face, and 1/3 the arm length on the other faces. Checks shall not be
repeated in the same line of grain in adjacent pin holes. The sum of the
average depths of checks occurring in the same plane on opposite faces
shall be limited to 1/4 the face depth.
(iv) Compression wood shall be prohibited on any face. It is
permitted if wholly enclosed in the arm, more than six annual rings from
the surface, and not over 3/8 of an inch (0.95 cm) in width.
(v) Insect holes larger than 3/32 of an inch (0.24 cm) shall be
prohibited. Pin holes (i.e. holes not over 1/16 of an inch (0.16 cm)
diameter) shall be allowed if scattered and not exceeding 10 percent of
the arm girth.
(vi) Wane shall be allowed on one edge, limited to approximately 1
inch (2.54 cm), measured across the corner. Outside of the top center
section, an aggregate length not to exceed 2 feet may have wane up to 1-
1/2 inches (3.81 cm) on an occasional piece on one or both edges. Bark
shall be removed.
(vii) Prior to preservative treatment, crook, bow, or twist shall
not exceed 1/2 of an inch (1.27 cm) in 8 foot arms (2.4 m) and 5/8 of an
inch (1.59 cm) in 10 foot (3.0 m) arms.
(g) Manufacture. (1) All dimensions and tolerances shall conform to
those shown on the drawings in this section or drawings supplied with
the purchase order. Drawings supplied shall meet or exceed minimum
dimensions and tolerances shown on the drawings in this section. Cross-
sectional dimensions shall be measured and judged at about 1/4 the arm
length, except when the defects of ``skip dressing'' or ``machine bite
or offset'' are involved.
(2) Lamination techniques shall comply with ANSI 05.2-1983.
(3) Pin and bolt holes shall be smoothly bored without undue
splintering where drill bits break through the surface. The center of
any hole shall be within 1/8 of an inch (0.32 cm) of the center-line
locations on the face in which it appears. The holes shall be
perpendicular to the starting and finishing faces.
(4) Shape. The shape of the arms at any cross section, except for
permissible wane, shall be as shown on the respective drawings in this
section or supplied with the order. The two top edges may be either
chamfered or rounded 3/8 of an inch (0.95 cm) radius. The two bottom
edges may be slightly
[[Page 306]]
eased 1/8 of an inch (0.32 cm) radius for the entire length.
(5) Incising. The lengthwise surfaces of Douglas-fir crossarms shall
be incised approximately 1/4 of an inch (0.64 cm) deep. The incision
shall be reasonably clean cut with a spacing pattern that insures
uniform penetration of preservative.
(6) Workmanship. All crossarms shall be first quality workmanship.
Crossarms shall be dressed on four sides, although ``hit and miss
skips'' may occur on two adjacent faces on occasional pieces. Five (5)
percent of a lot or shipment may be 1/8 of an inch (0.32 cm) scant in
thickness or width at the ends for a length not exceeding 6 inches
(15.24 cm), or may have 1/8 of an inch (0.32 cm) machine bite on offset.
(h) Conditioning prior to treatment. (1) All solid sawn crossarms
shall be made of lumber which has been kiln-dried. Douglas-fir arms
shall have an average moisture content of 19 percent or less, with a
maximum not to exceed 22 percent. Southern Yellow Pine arms shall have
an average moisture content of 22 percent or less, with a maximum not to
exceed 30 percent.
(2) Moisture content levels shall be measured at about 1/4 the
length and at a depth of about 1/5 the crossarm's thickness.
Additionally, the moisture content gradient between the shell (i.e. 1/4
of an inch (0.64 cm) deep) and the core (i.e. about 1 inch (2.54 cm)
deep) shall not exceed 5 percentage points.
(3) A minimum of at least 20 solid sawn crossarms per treating
charge shall be measured to verify moisture content and shall be duly
recorded by the quality control designee or independent inspector.
(4) The moisture content of lumber used in laminating shall, at the
time of gluing, be within the range of 8 to 12 percent, inclusive.
(i) Preservatives. (1) The preservatives shall be:
(i) Creosote which conforms to the requirements of AWPA Standard P1
when analyzed in accordance with the methods in AWPA Standard A1,
sections 2, 3, 4, either 5 or 9, and 6;
(ii) Pentachlorophenol which contains not less than 95 percent
chlorinated phenols and conforms to AWPA Standard P8 when analyzed in
accordance with AWPA Standard A5 or A9. The hydrocarbon solvents for
introducing the preservative into the wood shall meet the requirements
of AWPA Standard P9 Type A; or
(iii) Waterborne preservatives, which may only be one of the
following:
(A) Ammoniacal Copper Arsenates (ACA) and Ammoniacal Copper Zinc
Arsenate (ACZA) which shall meet the requirements of AWPA Standard P5,
when analyzed in accordance with methods in AWPA Standards A2, A9, or
A11; and
(B) Chromated Copper Arsenates (CCA) which shall meet the
requirements of one of the formulations given in AWPA Standard P5,
sections 4, 5 or 6, and 10. Tests to establish conformity shall be made
in accordance with AWPA Standards A2, A9, or A11.
(1) The pH of treating solutions of the waterborne preservatives
shown in AWPA Standard P5, section 10, shall be determined in accordance
with AWPA Standard A2, section 8.
(2) Waterborne preservatives are available either as oxides, which
form non-ionizing chemical compounds in the wood, or as salts, which
leave ionizing compounds as well as non-ionizing compounds in the wood.
Salt formulations of a waterborne preservative are more corrosive to
metal than the oxide formulation and may cause surface deposits. Unless
otherwise specified in the purchase order, the oxide formulations of
waterborne preservatives shall be supplied.
(3) Douglas-fir crossarms shall not be treated with CCA
preservatives.
(4) Materials treated with waterborne preservatives shall be free of
visible surface deposits.
(iv) Copper Naphthenate (CuN) concentrate used to prepare wood
preserving solutions shall contain not less than 6 percent nor more than
8 percent copper in the form of Copper Naphthenate and shall conform to
AWPA Standard P8 when analyzed in accordance with AWPA Standard A5. The
hydrocarbon solvents for introducing the preservative into the wood
shall meet the requirements of AWPA Standard P9 Type A.
(2) [Reserved]
[[Page 307]]
(j) Preservative treatment. (1) All timber products treated under
this specification shall be treated by either a pressure or a thermal
(nonpressure) process.
(2) These materials may be further conditioned by steaming, or by
heating in hot oil (Douglas-fir), within the following limits:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Time
Hours Temperature Deg. F
(max.) (max.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steam 3 220 (104.4C)
Heating in Preservative 3 210 (98.9C)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) A final steam or hot oil bath may be used only to meet
cleanliness requirements of paragraph (k) of this section. Total
duration of the final steam bath shall not exceed 2 hours and the
temperature shall not exceed 240 degrees Fahrenheit (115.6C).
(k) Results of treatments. (1) The quality control designee shall
test or supervise the testing of each treated charge for penetration and
retention.
(2) Method of sampling. When testing penetration and retention, a
borer core shall be taken from not less than 20 crossarms in each
treating charge. The borings shall be taken from any face except the top
face at a point as close to the end as possible, being at least 3 inches
(7.62 cm) from the end of the arm and no closer than 3 inches (7.62 cm)
from the edge of the holes. The bored holes shall be plugged with
preservative-treated plugs driven into the arm. Borings from laminated
arms shall not be taken from the same laminate unless there is an end
joint separation.
(3) Penetration by the preservative, as determined in accordance
with AWPA Standard A3, shall be 100 percent of the sapwood in crossarms.
In the heartwood of Douglas-fir crossarms, the penetration shall be not
less than 3 inches (7.62 cm) longitudinally from the edge of holes and
ends, and at least 3/16 inch (0.45 cm) from the surface of any face.
(4) Retention of preservative in the outer 6/10 of an inch (1.52 cm)
for Douglas-fir and one inch (2.54 cm) for Southern Yellow Pine assay
zones at the treating plant shall be not less than:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWPA Analysis
Preservative Retention (pcf) Method
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creosote 8 A6
Pentachlorophenol 0.4* A5
ACA, ACZA, or CCA 0.4 A2, A7, A9, or
A11
Copper Naphthenate 0.04 A5, A9, or A11
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*This retention is for the lime ignition method. The copper pyridine
method, retention 0.36 pcf, is required when timbers may have been in
contact with salt water, and for all species native to the Pacific
coast region. It is not required when it specifically states on the
rough sawn material invoice that this material has not been in contact
with salt water or is shown by analysis to have no additional
chlorides present in the wood before treating.
(5) Cleanliness of lengthwise surfaces of all crossarms shall be
free from tarry, greasy, or sticky material, and from oil exudation and
pentachlorophenol crystallization (blooming).
(6) Re-treatment of materials which do not meet the penetration and
retention requirements of this specification may be done only twice.
Initial treatment steaming time plus re-treatment steaming time,
combined, shall not exceed time allowed in paragraph (i) of this
section.
(l) Marks and brands. (1) All crossarms shall be branded (hot brand)
or die-stamped legibly and to a depth of approximately 1/16 of an inch
(0.16 cm) before treatment.
(2) The letters and figures shall be not less than 1/2 of an inch
(1.27 cm) in height. The top of the brand shall be oriented to the top
of the arm.
(3) The brand or die-stamp shall include:
(i) The manufacturer's identification symbol;
(ii) Month and year of manufacture;
(iii) Species of timber such as DF for Douglas-fir and SP for
Southern Yellow Pine; and
(iv) The preservative notated with a C for creosote, P for penta, S
for salts, or N for Copper Naphthenate.
(4) An example is:
M-6-72 Manufacturer--Month--Year
DF-P Douglas-fir--penta treated
(5) The brand or stamp shall be placed on either of the wide
surfaces of the arms, oriented with letters right side up towards the
top of the arm and preferably about 1 foot (30.48 cm) from the midpoint
of the arm.
[[Page 308]]
(6) The mark should be approximately the same location on each type
of crossarm of each producer.
(7) Brands, inspection marks, or quality assurance marks shall be
removed from arms that do not meet these specifications
(m) Storage. (1) Producers may treat crossarms for reserve stock
under any of the RUS approved plans. Prior to treating reserve stock,
and annually thereafter, producers shall notify the Director of the
Electric Staff Division of their intent to treat reserve stock. The
letter of notification shall be addressed to the Director, Electric
Staff Division, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250-1500.
(2) RUS shall acknowledge, by letter, each notification of intent to
treat material for reserve stock under the RUS specification.
(3) RUS's letter acknowledging the plant's advance notice of intent
to treat material for reserve treated stock for the calendar year in
question shall be evidence of compliance with the notification
requirements.
(4) Producers shall notify RUS of:
(i) The locations of all storage or distribution yards where reserve
treated stock will be maintained;
(ii) The designation of the RUS-approved plan;
(iii) The name of the selected inspection agency, where applicable;
and
(iv) Any changes that occur during the year.
(5) Crossarms treated with oil-borne preservatives which have been
held in storage for more than 1 year before shipment to the borrower,
shall be reassayed before shipment and shall be re-treated if found
nonconforming for retention on orders placed in accordance with this
section.
(6) The crossarms shall meet the assay after re-treatment in
accordance with paragraph (k) of this section.
(7) Crossarms which are held in storage after final acceptance shall
be stacked in piles or on skids in such a manner as to assure good
ventilation. The stacks shall be covered or stored indoors for
protection from the sun and weather to reduce checking, bending, and
loss of preservative.
(8) Borrowers or their contractors shall not purchase reserve
treated stock from plants that fail to comply with the notification
requirements.
(n) Drawings. (1) The drawings of Exhibit B of this section,
Crossarm Drilling Guide, have a type number and show in detail the hole
size, shape, and pattern desired for crossarms ordered under this
specification.
(2) Purchase orders shall indicate the type required.
(3) Crossarms shall be furnished in accordance with the details of
these drawings or in accordance with drawings attached to the purchase
order
(4) Technical drawings for transmission crossarms are published in
RUS Bulletin 1728F-T805B (formerly 50-1), Electric Transmission
Specifications and Drawings, 115kV through 230kV, and RUS Bulletin
1728F-T805A (formerly 50-2), Electric Transmission Specification and
Drawings, 34.5kV through 69kV.
(5) Appropriate drawings for transmission arms are to be specified
and included with purchase orders.
(o) Destination inspection. (1) When cross-sectional tolerances are
measured at destination, average shrinkage allowance shall be considered
using the arm's current moisture content and actual size.
(2) Using the average shrinkage allowances for Douglas-fir and
Southern Yellow Pine as 1 percent size change for each four point
moisture content change below the fiber saturation point, calculations
can be made to determine if the arm met the minimum size at time of
manufacture, when the arm was to meet the average moisture content.
[[Page 309]]
Exhibit A to Sec. 1728.201--Distribution and Transmission Arms
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC16SE91.002
[[Page 310]]
Exhibit B to Sec. 1728.201--Crossarm Drilling Guide
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC16SE91.003
[58 FR 41396, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]
[[Page 311]]
Sec. 1728.202 RUS Bulletin 1728H-702, RUS Specification for Quality
Control and Inspection of Timber Products.
(a) Scope. This specification describes in more detail the
responsibilities and procedures pertaining to quality control for
crossarms, as specified in Sec. 1728.201 of this part, and poles,
covered in RUS Bulletin 1728F-700, incorporated by reference in Sec.
1728.97 of this part and in Sec. 1755.97 of 7 CFR part 1755.
(b) Related specifications and standards incorporated by reference.
The following specifications and standards referenced throughout this
section are incorporated by reference. This incorporation by reference
is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of each are available for
inspection during normal business hours at RUS, room 1250-S, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250 or at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--
regulations/ibr--locations.html. Copies of these standards and
specifications may be purchased from the addresses shown below.
(1) American Wood-Preservers' Association (AWPA), Book of Standards,
1991 edition, available from AWPA, P.O. Box 286, Woodstock, Maryland
21163-0286.
(i) A1-91, Standard for Coal Tar Creosote for Land and Fresh Water
Use.
(ii) A2-91, Standard Methods for Analysis of Waterborne
Preservatives and Fire-Retardant Formulations.
(iii) A3-91, Standard Methods for Determining Penetration of
Preservatives and Fire Retardants.
(iv) A5-91, Standard Methods for Analysis of Oil-Borne
Preservatives.
(v) A6-89, Method for the Determination of Water and Oil-Type
Preservatives in Wood.
(vi) A7-75, Wet ashing Procedure for Preparing Wood for Chemical
Analysis.
(vii) A9-90, Standard Method for Analysis of Treated Wood and
Treating Solutions by X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy.
(viii) A11-83, Analysis of Treated Wood and Treating Solutions by
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
(ix) C1-91, Standard for Preservative Treatment by Pressure
Processes All Timber Products.
(x) C4-91, Standard for the Preservative Treatment of Poles by
Pressure Processes.
(xi) C8-91, Standard for the Full-Length Thermal Process Treatment
of Western Red Cedar Poles.
(xii) C10-91, Lodgepole Pine Poles--Preservative Treatment by the
Full-Length Thermal Process.
(xiii) C12-90, Western Larch Poles--Full-Length preservative
Treatment by Thermal Process.
(xiv) M1-90, Standard for the Purchase and Preservation of Forest
Products.
(xv) M2-91, Standard Instructions for the Inspection of Preservative
Treatment of Wood.
(xvi) M3-81, Standard Quality Control Procedures for Wood Preserving
Plants.
(xvii) M4-91, Standard for the Care of Preservative-Treated Wood
Products.
(xviii) P1/P13-91, Standard for Coal Tar Creosote for Land and,
Fresh Water and Marine (Coastal Water Use).
(xix) P5-91, Standards for Water-Borne Preservatives.
(xx) P8-91, Standards for Oil-Borne Preservatives.
(xxi) P9-91, Standards for Solvents for Organic Preservative
Systems.
(2) American Institute of Timber Construction (AITC) 200-83,
Inspection Manual, 1987 edition, available from AITC, 333 West Hampden
Avenue, Englewood, Colorado 80110.
(3) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 05.2-1983, American
National Standard for Wood Products--Structural Glued Laminated Timber
for Utility Structures, available from ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York,
New York 10018.
(4) American National Standards Institute/American Institute of
Timber Construction (ANSI/AITC) A190.1-1983, American National Standard
for Wood Products--Structural Glued Laminated Timber, available from
ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018.
[[Page 312]]
(5) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D9-87 (1992),
Standard Terminology Relating to Wood, available from ASTM, 1916 Race
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-1187, telephone number (215)
299-5585.
(c) General stipulations. (1) Each RUS electric borrower shall
submit to the Director, Electric Staff Division, Rural Utilities
Service, room 1250-S, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
20250-1500, in January of each year a list of plants from which it
obtained poles or crossarms during the preceding calendar year.
(2) 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. The 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.
(3) The methods of inspection described in this section shall be
used no matter which plan timber products are purchased under, i.e.,
Insured Warranty Plan, Independent Inspection Plan, or Quality Assurance
Plans as described in Sec. 1728.201 of this part or RUS Bulletin 1728F-
700. The number of poles and crossarms actually inspected by monitors
for quality control under a Quality Assurance Plan or the Insured
Warranty 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.
(4) Under the Independent Inspection Plan, the RUS borrower should
designate in the purchase order which inspection agency it has selected.
Unless the RUS borrower contracts for inspection as a separate
transaction, the treating company shall obtain the services of the RUS
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 the Director, Electric Staff Division, Rural
Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250-1500, in accordance with RUS
Bulletin 1728F-700, and Sec. 1728.201.
(5) Individual inspectors in the employ of Independent Inspection
Agencies shall be experienced and 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 RUS
Bulletin 1728F-700 and Bulletin 1728H-701 and that the methods, storage
facilities, and production equipment conform to applicable RUS
specifications. For details of the recommended inspector's
qualifications see appendix A of this section.
(6) Laminated materials for use on RUS borrower systems shall follow
manufacturing and quality control requirements as specified 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 marked and certified.
(i) Laminated material shall be inspected by a qualified inspection
and testing agency.
(ii) Quality control of material shall be performed to determine
conformance with Sec. 1728.201 of this part and AITC 200-83, Inspection
Manual.
(d) Quality control and inspection procedures for product
acceptance. It is the responsibility of the plant quality control
designee to perform the following procedures to insure that a particular
lot of material conforms to the requirements of the applicable RUS
specification prior to treatment. After the plant quality control
designee has performed these procedures, a particular lot of material
shall be released to the inspector for verification of conformance.
(1) Poles can be purchased under any of the three purchase plans.
These
[[Page 313]]
plans are Insured Warranty Plan, Independent Inspection Plan, or a
Quality Assurance Plan. Under the Independent Inspection Plan, all poles
in a lot shall be inspected. Under the Insured Warranty Plan and a
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.
(i) Ample space and assistance shall be provided by the treating
plant for handling and turning to insure that the surfaces of all items
can be adequately inspected.
(ii) Under the Independent Inspection Plan, all poles shall be
inspected for conformance to the requirements of RUS Bulletin 1728F-700.
If a pole is rejected and the cause of rejection is corrected, the
rejected pole may be offered again for inspection as new material.
(iii) 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.
(iv) If 15 percent of the poles in a lot offered for inspection are
defective, the inspector shall terminate the inspection. Re-examination
of an entire lot by plant quality control shall be required when the
number of rejected poles equals or exceeds 15 percent of the lot
inspected. All defective or nonconforming poles either shall be removed
from the lot or marked out.
(v) Poles in a lot inspected for decay shall be of the same
seasoning condition. If the independent inspector suspects that decay
has occurred, he shall cut a slice 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.
(vi) Moisture content, when limited by the purchaser, as stated on
the borrower's purchase order, shall be measured by calibrated electric
moisture meter. 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.
(vii) Material failing to conform for moisture content may be
retested upon request after a recalibration of the instrument. The
results of the second test shall govern disposition of the lot.
(viii) Re-examination for any mechanical damage or deterioration and
for original acceptance shall be conducted on timber products not
treated within 10 days after original inspection.
(2) Crossarms can be purchased only under either of two purchase
plans. These plans are the Independent Inspection Plan or Quality
Assurance Plans. 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 acceptable to
RUS.
(i) Inspection prior to treatment shall include:
(A) Surface inspection of all ends 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
(centimeter) 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 for inspection.
(B) Surface inspection of the lengthwise sides 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 they are slowly rotated. When necessary, the rotation may be
stopped for
[[Page 314]]
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 for inspection.
(C) Check of moisture content of the random sample by a calibrated
moisture meter.
(D) Check of crossarm dimensions of the random sample measured after
surfacing.
(ii) Inspection during manufacture shall consist of:
(A) Checking bolt and insulator pin holes for squareness and
excessive splintering;
(B) Checking brands for completeness, location, and legibility; and
(C) Checking arms for conformance.
(iii) Under the Independent Inspection Plan, there shall be a final
inspection during and after treatment for preservative retention and
penetration and for damage.
(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 for specified quality, and so marked,
in accordance with grading rules of the American Lumber Standards.
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.
(e) Preservatives. (1) Creosote shall conform to the requirements of
AWPA Standard P1 when analyzed by AWPA Standard Al, sections 2, 3, 4,
either 5 or 9, and 6.
(i) Each occasional charge, all material treated in a cylinder at
one time, shall be analyzed.
(ii) The first charge and one of every five charges randomly
selected in consecutive charges shall be analyzed.
(2) 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.
(3) Pentachlorophenol shall contain not less than 95 percent
chlorinated phenols and conform to AWPA Standard P8 in hydrocarbon
solvent AWPA P9 Type A.
(4) 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 conform to AWPA Standard P8 when analyzed
in accordance with AWPA Standard A5.
(f) Plant facilities and inspection during treatment. (1)
Manufacturing and treating plant facilities shall conform to 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. They shall also be equipped 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.
(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.
(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.
(g) Results of treatment. (1) Poles shall be tested for retention
and penetration by means of a calibrated increment borer 0.2 inches
(0.51 cm) <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>0.02 inches (0.05 cm) in diameter in
accordance with procedures in AWPA Standard M2, paragraph 5.22. Under
the Independent Inspection Plan, all treating charges
[[Page 315]]
shall be tested for retention and penetration. Plant quality control and
independent inspection shall do their analyses separately. Under the
Insured Warranty Plan and Quality Assurance Plans, the frequency of
testing retention and penetration may vary according to the plan.
(i) Western red and northern white cedars and western larch poles
shall be bored at any point of the periphery approximately 6-12 inches
(15.24-30.48 cm) above ground line and all other species approximately 1
foot (30.48 cm) above or below the brand.
(ii) 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.
(iii) Retention sampling. (A) When there are 20 or more poles in the
treating charge, the retention sample for creosote shall consist of 20
assay zones from southern pine and Douglas-fir poles. 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.
(B) Retention samples shall be taken from 20 poles in charges of 20
or more poles.
(C) Retention samples 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.
(D) Retention samples shall be comprised of borings, representative
of pole volumes for each class and 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vol. Number
Number of Poles Class/Length in cu. Total of
ft. Volume Borings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27 7/30(09.1 m) 232 15 3
26 4/35(10.7 m) 447 29 6
11 5/35(10.7 m) 163 10 2
55* 6/35(10.7 m) 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.
(iv) When material in a lot 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.
(v) Analyses for preservative retention shall be performed.
(A) Creosote shall be analyzed by AWPA Standard A6.
(B) Penta shall be analyzed 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 the raw material invoice specifically states that the material
either has not been in contact with salt water or has been shown by
analysis to have contained no additional chlorides before treating.
(C) Copper Naphthenate shall be analyzed by tests in accordance with
AWPA Standards A5 or A9.
(D) Waterborne preservatives shall be analyzed by tests in
accordance with AWPA Standards A2, A7, A9, or A11.
(E) Prior to unloading a tram, the inspectors may take their own
samples and analyze them concurrently with the quality control designee,
but each shall work independently, and quality control data shall be
presented before acceptance of the charge.
(vi) Penetration sampling of poles. (A) Group A poles consist of
poles with a circumference of 37.5 inches (95.25 cm) or less at 6 feet
(1.8 m) from butt.
(1) Bore 20 Group A poles or 20 percent of the poles, whichever is
greater. Accept if 100 percent of the sample conform; otherwise, bore
all poles.
[[Page 316]]
(2) Re-treat the charge if more than 15 percent of the borings are
found to be nonconforming.
(3) Re-treat all nonconforming poles if 15 percent or fewer fail the
requirement.
(B) Group B poles consist of poles with circumference greater than
37.5 inches (95.25 cm) at 6 feet (1.8 m) from the butt.
(1) For Group B poles 50 feet (15.2 m) and shorter, bore each pole
and re-treat only those found to be nonconforming, unless more than l5
percent fail; in that case, re-treat the entire lot.
(2) For Group B poles longer than 50 feet (15.2 m), bore each pole
twice at 90 degrees apart around the pole and accept only those poles
conforming to the penetration requirement in both borings. All
nonconforming poles may be re-treated only twice.
(vii) All holes (nominal 0.2 of an inch (0.05 cm) diam. bit) shall
be promptly filled with treated, tight-fitting wood plugs.
(2) Under the Independent Inspection Plan, all treating charges of
crossarms shall be tested for retention and penetration. Plant quality
control inspectors and independent inspectors shall do their analyses
independently. Under the Quality Assurance Plans, the frequency of
testing retention and penetration may vary according to the plan.
(i) The penetration and retention sample shall consist of 20 (48 for
creosote) outer 6/10 of an inch (1.52 cm) for Douglas-fir and 1 inch
(2.54 cm) 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 (7.62 cm) 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.
(ii) Penetration shall be tested by taking not less than 20 borings
from 20 crossarms in each charge, 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.
(3) Laminated material shall be checked for any evidence of
delamination due to treatment and for the identifying quality stamp of
AITC or American Plywood Association (APA).
(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 its own. Appendix B of this section
outlines a recommended procedure.
(5) 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 its latest PIC on
all treating reports.
(6) 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.
(h) 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.
(i) Charge inspection reports. (1) Inspection Reports shall cover
the following:
(i) The total pieces in the lot, number of and causes for rejection;
(ii) The conditioning of the material prior to treatment;
(iii) The analyses of preservative identified by the analyst's
signature or certification;
(iv) The details of treatment; and
(v) The results of treatment. These results shall include the
following:
(A) The depth of penetration for retention sample and a summary of
all
[[Page 317]]
poles rejected for insufficient penetration;
(B) Worksheets for retention analyses, each identified by quality
control designee and independent inspector;
(C) The number of pieces offered and rejected, together with the
cause(s) for rejection;
(D) The date of latest Periodic Instrument Check.
(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.
(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 Utilities Service, Washington, DC 20250-1500.
(j) Charge numbers on re-treat poles. The letter ``R'' shall be
added to the original charge number in the butts of all poles that are
re-treated for insufficient penetration or retention of preservative.
All poles that fail to meet treatment requirements after two re-
treatments shall be permanently rejected.
(k) Safety provisions. Poles intended for RUS borrowers shall not be
inspected when, in the opinion of the inspector, unsafe conditions are
present.
Appendix A to Sec. 1728.202--Recommended Inspectors' Qualifications
(a) Inspection agencies should see that inspectors assigned to the
inspection of timber products and treatment for RUS borrowers are
competent and experienced.
(b) Recommended experience. In general, any of the following
examples are recommended as minimum qualifying experience before a new
inspector may be permitted to inspect timber products for RUS borrowers:
(1) Three years' experience as an inspector of timber and the
preservative treatment of timber.
(2) Three years' experience in timber treating plant quality control
work.
(3) Under the direct supervision of an experienced, well-qualified
inspector, who has performed the following:
(i) Inspected at least 2,500 poles and/or crossarms ``in the
white.''
(ii) Checked preservative penetration results on at least 500 poles
and crossarms.
(iii) Made at least 35 wood assays for preservative retention.
(iv) Made at least 25 analyses of each type preservative used on
material the person is assigned to inspect.
(v) In both (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this appendix A, the experience
should be not less than that required in (b)(3)(i), (b)(3)(ii),
(b)(3)(iii), and (b)(3)(iv).
(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.
(5) 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.
(6) In all cases, an inspector should be thoroughly instructed in
the application of RUS specifications and the standards pertaining
thereto before being permitted to independently inspect timber products
and the treatments applied to them. Knowledge of these specifications
and standards, as well as the inspector's proficiency, may be checked
routinely by members of the RUS staff.
Appendix B to Sec. 1728.202--Periodic Instrument Check X-ray
Fluorescence
(a) General. The following sample calibration standards and
procedures may be used in lieu of comparison with analysis by wet ash or
lime ignition methods.
(b) Penta. Until such time as AWPA approves calibration standards
for penta, the following method should 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 [deg]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. (i) Insure that the instrument is in good
agreement with lime ignition.
(ii) Record any user correction factors.
(iii) Stabilize and standardize the instrument.
(iv) Run the salt solution five times using the PENTA-OIL
calibration mode.
(v) Record the average and standard deviation of the values for
percent penta. The average value will now be considered the nominal
value.
[[Page 318]]
(3) Periodic Instrument Check. Run the salt solution two times and
average the results. If the value is more than <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>5
percent of the nominal value, the instrument needs further calibration,
following manufacturer's recommendation.
(c) Waterborne preservatives. Treaters and inspection agencies
should purchase AWPA Committee 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 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>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, Phone: (410) 456-3169.
[58 FR 41406, Aug. 3, 1993, as amended at 69 FR 18803, Apr. 9, 2004]