We manufacture EDF-type wooden telecommunication poles for the construction of overhead power or telephone lines. We can also supply crossarms and wooden stakes for anchoring.
Wood is a readily available material that is easy to process. It has a very favourable strength to weight ratio together with low thermal conductivity coupled with high electrical resistance. The wood is impregnated to maximise its useful life, enabling it to avoid decay and damage caused by insects.
Certification in accordance with standard NF C 67-100
Forestry certification and total quality control
With a concern for environmental issues and for socially fair trade, Devel+ has obtained PEFC certification no. CTIB-TCHN 406/01 confirming that all our timber comes from sustainably managed forests that are operated entirely legally.
Poles are manufactured in a process certified to ISO 9001 (treatment of wood) or equivalent.
The wooden poles are subjected to qualification testing that meets the reference standard NF C 67-100 / NF EN 12509 and/or B53-700.
Characteristics of Devel+ wooden poles
Timber origin and species
We use coniferous species originating from the EU such as spruce, pines or firs, namely:
- Scots pine
- Japanese larch
- European larch
- Red fir
- European silver fir
- Douglas spruce
These trees grow in northern latitudes between 60° and 65°. Slow growth gives them extraordinary resistant properties thanks to their very dense growth rings.
Timber quality
For the manufacture of out poles we only select healthy wood with no trace of fungal disease, fungal deterioration or the presence of foreign bodies. The timber we select shows no flaws such as signs of tearing, frost damage, holes, cracks, clefts, knots and decay that might risk compromising the mechanical strength and durability of the support.
In order to obtain quality poles that are as straight as possible we therefore process adult wood whose number of growth rings at the top, after planing, may not exceed:
- 14 for class C poles;
- 16 for class D poles.
We reject wood originating from forests having suffered fire and wind or snow damage. Timber with twisted grain is only accepted if the angle of the grain does not exceed 2 centimetres per metre from the central axis. Trees that have been tapped for resin will be accepted provided the underlying wood is healthy and the streaks have not been covered and are no longer than 0.80 m. Such trees are, however, no accepted for mounting on a base.
Trees are felled in the winter months only and, after trimming, they are systematically stacked for appropriate treatment. Their level of humidity is checked very closely prior to any impregnation.
Treatment method
The wooden poles are treated by means of high-pressure creosote or salt impregnation in treatment plants that are certified to ISO 9001 and inspected on a regular basis.
Creosote is the oldest product used to impregnate commercially used wood. It is an oily mixture formed from the distillation of coal tar and has a dark brown colour. It is insoluble in water, does not corrode metals and has high electrical resistance. It is therefore a preservation agent ideally suited to the hot countries of West Africa.
Given the various types of treatment, Devel+ can, as a manufacturer, guarantee that the recommended treatment:
- Prevents degradation of the support (termites, insects with wood-eating larvae, fungi etc.) ;
- Ensures the surface finish;
- Provides the required performance (stress, overload etc.) and the durability of the support over time in a humid tropical climate.
Note: the processes exclude all harmful procedures such as treatment using CCA (copper, chrome, arsenic).
Additional protection for poles manufactured from fir
When mounting poles made from fir we recommend the use of anti-termite webbing when the poles are inserted. This form of protection serves to systematically repel any attempted attack by insects.
When maintained normally our creosote-impregnated poles have an average life expectancy of between 30 and 50 years from the date installation.
Electricity pole markings
Markings are added at 3.5 m from the base of the pole and are executed either with a branding iron before treatment or using a metal plate protected against corrosion and affixed appropriately. The marking clearly indicates the class of pole, its height, the date as well as the process and system used for treatment.