What are the markings on a wood pole?
What are those markings burned into the wood? Most poles now have a metal serial number tag. This number is used to inventory the pole and keep track of its inspection, treatment and age. The first marking is the date that the pole was treated. In the attached photograph that date is 6 69 or June of l969, the brand of the treatment company, next is the type of wood and treatment, SP for Southern Pipe, C for creosote, the length and strength of the pole is next, 35-5, and then the power utility for which the pole was made. Why is this important: First you must know that poles fall and hit people. If you get a case such as this you must be able to identify the pole quickly and ascertain what caused the pole to fall. In many cases it will be rot. If the pole is rotten then the fault will be with the owner of the pole. The NEC, the Public Service Commission (in Florida) and other standards call for proper inspection, maintenance and replacement of these poles. If the owner of the pole did
