Materials System Specification

14-SAMSS-602 1 June 2014

Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms
Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Standards
Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 Definitions....................................................... 3
5 Material Requirements................................... 3
6 Manufacturing Requirements......................... 9
7 Preservative Treatment................................ 10
8 Inspection..................................................... 10
9 Storage and Handling.................................. 10

Previous Issue: 19 October 2008 Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019

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Primary contact: Hamood, Abdulrazaq Abduljabbar on 966-3-8809671

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2014. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

1 Scope

This Specification defines the mandatory requirements for the material, manufacture
and preservative treatment of solid sawn wood crossarms to be used as supports for
insulators carrying electrical power lines or telephone lines.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 If there are any conflicts between this Specification and associated purchasing,
project or engineering documents, this specification shall take precedence.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this Specification in writing to the Company
or Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company waiver procedure.

2.3 The designation “Commentary” is used to label a sub-paragraph that contains

comments that are explanatory or advisory. These comments are not mandatory,
except to the extent that they explain mandatory requirements contained in this
SAMSS.

3 References

The following is a summary of all the documents which have been mentioned within
this Specification. The specific part(s) of these documents which are applicable have
been identified throughout this Specification.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Inspection and Testing Requirements

175-142101 Wood: Cross Arm or Cross Braces

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Society for Testing Materials

ASTM D4442 Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content
Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials

American Wood Preservers Association

AWPA A5 Standard Methods for Analysis of Oil-Borne
Preservatives
AWPA C1 All Timber Products - Preservative Treatment by
Pressure Processes

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

AWPA C25 Sawn Crossarms -- Preservative Treatment by

Pressure Processes
AWPA M1 Standard for the Purchase of Treated Wood Products
AWPA M2 Standard for Inspection of Treated Timber Products
AWPA M4 Standard for the Care of Preservative Treated Wood
Products
AWPA M5 Glossary of Terms Used in Wood Preservation
AWPA P8 Standards for Oil-Borne Preservatives
AWPA P9 Standards for Solvents and Formulations for
Organic Preservative Systems

West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLB)

WCLB 17 Standard Grading Rules for Douglas Fir, Hem Fir,
Western Red Cedar, Spruce-Pine-Fir South No. 17

4 Definitions

AWPA Standard M5 and WCLB No. 17 paragraphs 702 through 752 shall be part of
this Specification. Terms defined in these references used in this standard include but
are not limited to those enclosed in quotation marks that follow.

5 Material Requirements

5.1 Species

Only crossarms of the following species shall be acceptable:

 West Coast Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii)

5.2 Grade

Material grade shall be based on the natural characteristics of wood. Grade

limitations shall be in terms of the characteristics and limiting provisions as
specified in Section 5.6.

5.3 Sterilization

If the material is cut more than 90 days prior to conditioning and/or treatment, it
shall be subjected to temperatures of not less than 82°C and not exceeding the
temperature ranges permitted for the particular conditioning or treatment cycle
for a total time of not less than 20 hours.

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

5.4 Conditioning and Seasoning

Material shall be kiln-dried prior to preservative treatment in accordance with

the requirements of the AWPA Standards C1 and M1 except as modified or
supplemented by AWPA Standard C25 and the requirements specified herein.

During kiln drying, the maximum dry bulb temperature shall be increased
gradually and shall not exceed 110°C. For dry bulb temperatures over 93°C, the
wet bulb depression shall not exceed 10°C.
Exception:

During the first 24 hours there is no limitation on wet bulb depression.

In compartment kilns operating at temperatures up to 77°C, the maximum wet

bulb depression shall not exceed 10°C. In progressive-type kilns operating at
temperatures up to 77°C, the maximum wet bulb depression shall not exceed
10°C in the body of the kiln and 32°C at the entrance of the kiln.
Exception:

During the first 24 hours there is no limitation on wet bulb depression.

5.5 Moisture Content

Moisture content shall be determined in accordance with ASTM D4442 at a

depth of one inch below the surface midway between the ends of each crossarm
using a resistance-type moisture meter with insulated electrodes. The moisture
content before preservative treatment shall not exceed 19%.

5.6 Characteristics and Limiting Provisions

Natural characteristics of lumber shall be the limiting factors for the grade
prescribed for each type of crossarm. The following limitations shall apply:

5.6.1 Checks (Seasoning)

The depth of any seasoning check shall not exceed ¼ the thickness of
the crossarm in any direction. For seasoning checks opposite each
other, the combined thickness shall not exceed ¼ the crossarm
thickness. Seasoning checks shall not exceed “small” on top of
crossarm and “medium” on other faces as specified by WCLB No. 17.

5.6.2 Compression Wood

Not permitted.

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

5.6.3 Cutouts

Material 5480 mm or longer may contain one large characteristic

which may be removed by crosscutting. The shortest piece of
“CROSSARMS” grade is 2430 mm or longer. The limit of lineal
waste is 610 mm.

5.6.4 Decay and Rot

Not permitted.

5.6.5 Density

Density (annual rings) shall be “dense material” as specified by

WCLB No. 17.

5.6.6 Grain

Slope of grain shall not exceed 1 in 12.

5.6.7 Heart

Lumber must be free of heart centers (FOHC) as specified by

WCLB No. 17.

5.6.8 Holes

Lumber must be free of insect holes larger than 2.5 mm. 95% of a lot
shall be free or nearly free of “pin holes”. The remaining 5% of a lot
may have “pin holes” not to exceed 12 “pin holes” per 0.3 meter.

5.6.9 Pitch

Pitch shall not exceed “medium” as specified by WCLB No. 17.

Pitch Pockets shall be limited to “small” on top face of crossarm and

“medium” on other faces as specified by WCLB No. 17.

Pitch Streak shall not exceed “medium” as specified by WCLB No. 17.

5.6.10 Shakes

Not permitted.

5.6.11 Splits

Splits shall be limited to “very short” splits as specified by WCLB

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

No. 17 only if the split does not have the potential to expand and
intersect a drilled hole in the same plane.

5.6.12 Stain

Stained sapwood shall be limited to “medium stained” sapwood as

specified by WCLB No. 17.

5.6.13 Surface Pits, Cavities, Characteristics

Surface pits and cavities must be sound, shall drain water and shall not
be larger than allowable knot size.

5.6.14 Wane

Wane shall not exceed ⅛ the nominal width of any face but allowing
for 10% of the pieces not to exceed ¼ the nominal width for a distance
not to exceed ¼ the length of the face.

5.6.15 Warp

Bow, Crook, Cup and Twist shall not exceed “medium” as specified by
WCLB No. 17.

5.6.16 Knots

[Link] Terminology

All terminology shall be based on the definitions described

in WCLB No. 17 and as follows:

The following sections are defined for the crossarm:

Center Section The Center 305 mm of the Arm
Mid-Section The center 1220 mm of the arm
consisting of “upper half” and “lower
half”.
End Section The ends of the arm beyond the
mid-section.

[Link] Measurement

“Round or Oval Knots” Measured on all faces between

lines parallel to the edges. Measured on corners by judging
the size most nearly representing the diameter of the branch

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

forming the knot.

“Spike Knots” (1) When appearing on only one face, knot

is limited by a displacement equivalent to the maximum
allowable knot for that location. (2) When appearing on
two adjacent faces, knot is limited by the round or oval
portion appearing on one face.

When two or more knots on a face occur in approximately

the same cross section (approximately opposite each other),
the sum of the diameters shall not exceed the size of the
maximum knot permitted for that location.

The total displacement of all knots in any given cross

section (includes all four faces) shall not exceed the
equivalent displacement of the maximum knot permitted in
that cross section.

The total measurement of the “Knot Cluster” shall not

exceed the size of an allowable single knot for a given
location.

Proximity to Drilled Holes: 19 mm and larger knots shall

be no closer to any drilled hole than:

1) One knot diameter in the upper half of the mid-section

of crossarms up to 3660 mm in length with a maximum
cross-section of 108 mm X 135 mm. One-half the knot
diameter in other sections of the crossarm.

2) One-half the knot diameter in crossarms with

dimensions exceeding those in 1) above.

[Link] Quality

Knots shall be “Sound” or “Firm” and “Tight” except

“Loose Knots”, “Knot Holes” and “Pitch Knots” are
allowed provided they drain water and do not exceed
maximum sound knot size.

“Unsound Knots” are not permitted on the top face but

allowed on other faces provided the unsoundness is only
superficial, confined to the knot, and does not penetrate
deeper than 13 mm into the knot.

Knots shall be “Well-Spaced”.

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

[Link] Single Knot Limitations

[Link].1 Crossarms up to 3660 mm in length with a

maximum net cross section of 108 mm X
135 mm:

Maximum
Knot Location
Single Knot Allowed
Center Section and the Center
19 mm
1220 mm of top face of Arm
Upper half of the Mid-Section 25 mm
Lower half of the Mid-Section 32 mm
End Section, top face only 25 mm
End Section 38 mm

[Link].2 Crossarms or transmission arms with

dimensions exceeding those in [Link].1:

Nominal Maximum
Face Dimension Single Knot Allowed
25 mm maximum, although the cross
127 mm and less sectional displacement of any single
knot shall not exceed 22%
152 mm 32 mm at edge to 38 mm on centerline
203 mm 38 mm at edge to 51 mm on centerline
254 mm 45 mm at edge to 64 mm on centerline

[Link].3 For crossarms or transmission arms 2438 mm

and longer with a minimum net thickness of
114 mm:

Single knots shall be limited as in paragraph

[Link].2.
Exception:

If the 152 mm face is the narrow face of the

arm, then the maximum allowable knot size
for the narrow face is 32 mm.

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

6 Manufacturing Requirements

6.1 Dimensions

All dimensions and bolt hole sizes for crossarm shall be specified in the
purchase order.

6.2 Manufacture

Classification of manufacturing imperfections shall be Standard “E” of

WCLB No. 17.

6.3 Edges

After conditioning and prior to preservative treatment, material shall be sawn

and surfaced on four sides and two ends. The top two longitudinal edges shall
be rounded with a 10 mm radius or chamfered at 45 deg with a 10 mm chamfer.
The bottom two longitudinal edges shall be rounded with a 3 mm radius.

6.4 Drilling

All measurements for drilling shall be taken from the center of the arm to ensure
hole alignment. All holes shall be drilled after conditioning and prior to
preservative treatment. Holes through the top face shall be drilled from top to
bottom. Holes shall be drilled perpendicular to the starting and finishing faces.
Splintering around drilled holes shall not be permitted.

6.5 Tolerances

The following tolerances shall be maintained prior to preservative treatment:

Overall Length : ±6 mm
Cross-section dimensions : ±3 mm
Diameter of drilled holes : ±mm, +1 mm
Center of drilled holes to centerline : ±3 mm
Distance between drilled holes : ±3 mm
Top edge radius or chamfer : ±3 mm
Bottom edge radius : ±2 mm

6.6 Marking and Coding

All material shall be marked in accordance with AWPA Standard C25.

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

7 Preservative Treatment

7.1 Preservative

The preservative used in treatment shall be an oil-based pentachlorophenol

solution of minimum 5% pentachlorophenol by weight as determined by the
AWPA Standard A5. Pentachlorophenol shall be in accordance with
AWPA Standard P8 and the oil-carrier shall be Hydrocarbon Solvent, Type A,
in accordance with AWPA Standard P9.

7.2 Treatment

Treatment shall be full-length and in accordance with AWPA Standards C1 and

C25.

7.3 Results of Treatment

Results of preservative treatment shall be in accordance with AWPA Standards

C1 and C25 and as specified herein.

7.3.1 Preservative retention shall be determined by lime ignition assay in

accordance with AWPA Standard A5. The minimum retention shall be
6.41 kg/m³.

7.3.2 Preservative penetration shall be determined from borings in accordance

with AWPA Standard C25.

8 Inspection

All material furnished under this Specification shall be subject to inspection before
preservative treatment in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of this Specification by the
Saudi Aramco or Saudi Aramco's Representative. In addition, all material shall be
subject to inspection before, during and after preservative treatment in accordance with
AWPA Standard M2 and Section 7 of this Specification by the Buyer or Buyer's
Representative. The Vendor shall furnish the Buyer with a certificate providing the
information in accordance with AWPA Standard M2, paragraph 7.

Saudi Aramco Form 175-142101 is applicable to inspection and testing of material

purchased under this specification.

9 Storage and Handling

Storage and handling of wood crossarms shall be in accordance with AWPA Standard M4.

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Document Responsibility: Electrical Systems Designs and Automation Stds. Committee 14-SAMSS-602
Issue Date: 1 June 2014
Next Planned Update: 1 June 2019 Material, Manufacture and Preservative Treatment of Wood Crossarms

Revision Summary
1 June 2014 Revised the Next Planned Update, reaffirmed the content of the document, and reissued as
major revision.

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