Comprehensive Wood Utility Pole Inspection, Treatment and Reinforcement
The safety and longevity of your wood utility pole infrastructure is centered around a quality pole inspection program.
Whether you’re starting a pole inspection program from scratch, or maintaining an existing program, Alamon understands that every client’s pole inspection needs can vary.
Alamon works hand in hand with clients to provide cost effective inspection programs based on geographies/climate, pole species, budget, and state regulatory requirements.
Comprehensive Wood Utility Pole Inspection, Treatment and Reinforcement
The safety and longevity of your wood utility pole infrastructure is centered around a quality pole inspection program.
Whether you’re starting a pole inspection program from scratch, or maintaining an existing program, Alamon understands that every client’s pole inspection needs can vary.
Alamon works hand in hand with clients to provide cost effective inspection programs based on geographies/climate, pole species, budget, and state regulatory requirements.
““ALAMON’S EXPERTISE AND EFFICIENT CONTRACT EXECUTION ARE AMONG THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.”
Utility Pole Inspection and Treatment
Visual and Sounding Inspection
The first line of defense in identifying above ground pole issues or maintenance items. Ranging from Alamon’s custom list of over 50 visual inspection items, all the way to NESC/GO95 Overhead Detailed Inspection.
Visual + Sound + Bore Inspection
Adding a bore of the pole greatly increases the chances of identifying a pole with internal decay. This process helps identify internal decay and insect infestation that would not be observed on a visual/sound inspection only. Poles in this category are often treated with an Internal Fumigant Treatment.
Partial Excavation Inspection
When used in conjunction with Visual/Sound/Bore inspections, the Partial Excavation adds another degree of accuracy in pole inspection, while still being cost effective. The Partial Excavation allows the inspector to spot-check for possible shell decay below the groundline without fully excavating the pole.
Full Excavation Inspection
The most complete and comprehensive groundline pole inspection method. By excavating all dirt from around the pole, to a depth of 18”, this method allows the inspector to view the entire underground shell condition. When combined with Visual/Sound and Boring, this method of Pole Inspection gives the highest rate of inspection accuracy. Non-reject poles in this category are treated with External Treatments to further protect and extend the service life of the pole.
Remedial Pole Treatments
A wood utility pole’s original preservative treatment will begin to fail over time, allowing wood destroying fungi and insects to advance. Ultimately, if left unchecked, these wood destroying organisms will reduce the original strength of the pole…and shorten the in-service life of a valuable investment.
Alamon’s Remedial Pole Treatment programs are a ‘booster’ shot to that pole’s original preservative treatments. Alamon works with clients to help determine the best types of treatments and the frequency of application, based on geography, climate, and pole species. A timely, industry proven pole treatment program can extend the life of in-service poles beyond normal service ranges.
- External Preservative Pastes: Halt and prevent external decay and shell rot at and below groundline. Used in conjunction with the Full Excavation Inspection.
- Internal Fumigants and Rods: Protect the internal portions of the pole from decay, especially in wood species more prone to internal decay.
- Internal ‘Void Fill’ Liquids: For larger enclosed pockets of decay, and/or insect cavities.
OUR MISSION
To Inspect and To Preserve
Alamon has inspected millions of wood utility poles across the U.S., but we haven’t forgotten the importance of earning your business. Experience the Alamon difference and get a quote today.
What exactly goes into keeping your utility pole infrastructure safe and strong? Watch Alamon professionals in action as they INSPECT and PRESERVE.
Spend a day in the field with Alamon’s hard-working utility pole inspection crews in Grant County, WA.
Utility Pole Reinforcement
Pole Reinforcement and Restoration
When a wood pole’s original strength has dropped below NESC standards and/or state mandated public safety requirements, the pole must be replaced or restored.
Alamon’s Pole Reinforcement programs help Utilities restore poles to code mandated strength requirements at a fraction of the time and cost of pole replacements. Reinforced wood poles with remedial treatments can remain in-service for years to come, greatly extending the original life cycle of these valuable assets.
Pole Strength Upgrades
There is a nationwide demand to add power and communications infrastructure, and existing wood poles can be pushed beyond their maximum load capacities. Many Utilities are turning to Pole Reinforcement and/or Extended Trussing to significantly increase the class size for existing poles, while avoiding the time and expense of pole replacements. When combined with Pole Loading Analysis, Alamon can provide many solutions for increasing the carrying capacity of your existing wood poles.
Contact Alamon to discuss solutions for your valuable wood pole assets, from Inspection and Treatments to Pole Reinforcement and Restoration.
ADVANCED INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY
Non-Destructive Utility Pole Inspection (IML-RESI PowerDrill)
Alamon is the industry leader in the use of Non-Destructive IML-RESI PowerDrill Pole Inspection Technology.
For Utilities that prefer Non-Destructive pole inspection options, the IML-RESI PowerDrill is the most advanced and accurate non-destructive pole inspection technology in the industry.
The IML-RESI is also ideal for poles that are encased in concrete or asphalt and is a perfect solution for poles that have undergone multiple intrusive inspection cycles with larger hole boring.
Alamon’s proprietary inspection software automatically translates the IML-RESI’s boring results into Industry standard pole strength analysis that is based upon the RUS 1730B-121 Wood Pole and Maintenance Bulletin.
The inspection results are combined with customer specific visual inspection components which provide Utilities with all the reporting and accuracy of a traditional pole inspection program.
Data Delivery
Client GIS
Clients export data files to the Alamon GIS/IT Team.
Alamon GIS/Field Management
Alamon Field Management software uses client GIS data to enable managers to assign and track work orders in real time.
Field Deployment and Data Collection
Alamon Field Technicians visit designated GIS map points to perform assigned tasks (inspections, maintenance, inventories), recording work completion on tablets.
Field Data Uploads
Daily work activity is uploaded from tablets to cloud servers, from any location in the country.
Field Data Merged with Client GIS
Pole Inspection and Asset Inventory data is packaged by Alamon’s GIS/IT staff into consumable files back to Client GIS systems.
Alamon’s in-house IT/GIS team specializes in moving field data to and from Client GIS.
Whether collecting and delivering pole inspection data, or identifying attachments on your poles, Alamon has the expertise to deliver your data.
- Asset Inventory and Management
- Attachment Surveys
- Overhead Detailed Inspection – NESC and/or GO95
- Project Progress Mapping and Mapping Solutions
Pole Loading Analysis
Using a wide range of Pole Loading platforms, Alamon can help supplement your workforce, or perform standalone PLA services. Alamon has the staff and experience to assist your team with Fielding, Pole Loading Analysis, and Make-Ready design to make sure your poles are NESC/GO95 compliant.
Whether for engineering firms, pole owners, or Joint Use applicants, Alamon can play a key part in your company’s broadband buildouts.
Fire Shield
WILDFIRE PROTECTION FOR YOUR OVERHEAD INVENTORY
Q: What is made of wood and doesn’t burn when exposed to open flame at over 2,100° F for three minutes?
A: Your utility pole when wrapped with Hexion ArmorBuilt™ Wildfire Shield from Stella Jones.*
Armor Built™ Wildfire Shield is a durable and long-lasting resin system with unique, proprietary properties that allow it to fuse with a fiberglass webbing substrate that is strong and breathable. This helps the wood pole achieve equilibrium with climactic conditions associated with its placement. Importantly, fiberglass is also a good electrical insulator. When the pole is exposed to a wildfire, the intumescent coating activates, creating an effective heat insulation barrier which helps protect the wood from the fire’s damaging heat.
* No evidence of charring found in EDM Wildfire Simulation Burn Test, January 2020. ArmorBuilt is a trademark of Hexion, Inc., Columbus, Ohio. © 2020 Hexion, Inc. All rights reserved.
KEY ADVANTAGES
- Protection from fire damage.
- Easily applied to new and existing poles.
- Little to no impact on climbing.
- Long lasting, durable materials.
- 20-year limited warranty.
- Reduces pole replacement and associated costs.
EASY TO INSTALL
Alamon applies the wildfire shield to both new and existing wood utility poles. Galvanized staples are used to attach the tightly wrapped material firmly to the pole.
STANDARD WRAP HEIGHT
Poles are typically wrapped from a minimum of 1’ below the groundline, height consistent with fire threat. Brush fire protection, for example, could require wrapping from 6’ to 20’ up the pole, where crown fire protection may require wrapping considerably higher, perhaps even to the top of the pole. Post-fire, poles may be re-wrapped for protection from future wildfires.
FULLY CLIMBABLE
Unlike materials such as steel or composite, wood poles properly wrapped with Hexion’s ArmorBuilt Wildfire Shield can be handled and climbed just like a traditional wood pole and do not require special handling equipment or practices.
Alamon Utility Services is a proud member of these organizations:
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BUILDING THE FUTURE NOW
315 West Idaho Street, Kalispell, MT 59901 | 800.252.8838
BUILDING THE FUTURE NOW
315 West Idaho Street, Kalispell, MT 59901 | 800.252.8838