AWPA M13-00

This guideline is designed exclusively for the detection of defects affecting the serviceability of standing wood poles. Its intent is to serve only as a guide to pole users in the design of specifications for their own particular systems. Sampling techniques dictated by past experience, importance of lines or structures, and economic considerations which are appropriate to schedules determined from references such as listed in the bibliography should be used. Serviceability should be determined from data collected as outlined in this guideline and by applying such to the rules and regulations under which each pole user is required to operate. Most utilities inspect poles on a ten-year cycle, but some extend this cycle to 15 years in drier regions.