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FAIR-CT97-3933
Integrating the processes involved in the production of creosoted utility poles |
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Type of Project | Shared Cost |
| Contract No | FAIR-CT97-3933 | |
| Total Cost | 930,562 ECU | |
| EC Contribution | 651,252 ECU | |
| Start Date | 01/09/1998 | |
| Duration | 48 months |
Integrating the processes involved in the production of creosoted utility poles
Objectives
The overall objective is to produce high quality utility poles treated with the minimum quantity of creosote necessary to achieve the required service life.
Technical Approach
The work is divided into tasks representing different aspects of the forestry chain in pole production:
Task 1: Provision of high quality decay free dry poles in a suitable condition to subsequently achieve optimised treatment. This will involve identifying the most environmentally safe and effective way of delivering permeable poles free of pre-treatment decay which is known to occur in poles air dried for long periods in order to establish 'best practice' for white pole production.
Task 2: Provision of the biological test data required during the next five years on the new more environmentally friendly range of creosotes to satisfy EN 533-1 efficacy requirements and thus support continued use of this type of product. A secondary objective is to suggest modifications to the existing European Standards (EN 113 and ENV 807) to make them suitable for testing creosote type products through investigation of alternative methods of pre-conditioning prior to laboratory test and selection of appropriate strains of test fungi.
Task 3: Determination of the nature and point in time of failure of creosoted poles in service and in existing field trials. These finding will be compared with the original retentions in order to determine the multiplication factor needed to modify the critical value determined in biological tests to establish the minimum retentions necessary for particular required service lives.
Task 4: Determination of the treatment parameters necessary to treat the high quality poles delivered by Task 1 to achieve the minimum retentions determined in Tasks 2 and 3 whilst minimising side effects such as bleeding. Additionally, test and service material will be prepared to establish long-term field and service trials needed to underpin the pole industry.
Task 5: Provision of technical and environmental input into the project and a means for the rapid dissemination of the results.
The project addresses all parts of the integrated production and processing chain from felling to installation of the preservative-treated wood commodity into service. It also takes into account the positive environmental aspects of the use of preservative treated wood illustrated by life cycle analysis where the creosoted wooden pole has been shown to be a superior product.
Testing of treated wood for resistance against
the fungus Polystictus versicolor
Treatment of utility poles
Loading of utility poles for transportation
Contacts
Coordinator
EC Scientific Officer
Participant
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