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IS 6056:1970 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for jointed wood poles for overhead power and telecommunication lines. This standard provides specifications for the materials, dimensions, and construction of jointed wood poles used for supporting overhead power and telecommunication lines. It covers types of joints, such as scarf joints and butt joints with fish plates, and the requirements for timber selection and preservative treatment.
jointed wood poles for overhead power and telecommunication lines
! This standard is largely obsolete for new projects, as single-piece poles made of concrete, steel, or composite materials are now preferred for reliability and longevity.
! It may be referenced for the assessment, repair, or maintenance of existing older electrical or telecommunication networks, particularly in rural or remote areas.
! Proper preservative treatment of the wood, especially at the joint and ground line, is critical to the performance and safety of these poles.
woodtimbersteel fasteners
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ANSI O5.1-2017American National Standards Institute (ANSI), USA
MediumCurrent
Wood Poles - Specifications and Dimensions
Covers material, dimension, and strength classes for solid wood poles, not specifically jointed ones.
BS EN 14229:2010British Standards Institution (BSI) / European Committee for Standardization (CEN), UK/Europe
HighCurrent
Structural timber — Wood poles for overhead lines
Covers requirements for solid wood poles, including species, treatment, and strength classes for overhead lines.
AS 2209:2000Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Timber poles for overhead lines
Specifies requirements for timber poles (primarily solid) used to support overhead electrical and communication lines.
CSA O15-15Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Canada
MediumCurrent
Wood utility poles and reinforcing stubs
Details requirements for solid wood poles and stubs, a key North American reference for pole manufacturing.
Key Differences
≠IS 6056 is specifically for 'jointed' wood poles made from multiple sections, a practice less common now. Most international standards like ANSI O5.1 and AS 2209 focus on single-piece (solid) poles.
≠The Indian standard specifies indigenous timber species like Sal, Teak, and Deodar, whereas international standards specify species common to their regions (e.g., Douglas Fir, Southern Pine in ANSI O5.1; Radiata Pine, Eucalypts in AS 2209).
≠IS 6056 is a prescriptive standard from 1970 detailing specific joint designs (scarf, bell-and-spigot). Modern standards are more performance-based and reference advanced structural design codes (like Eurocode 5) for any modifications or joints.
≠Strength grading in international standards (e.g., ANSI Class system) is based on ground-line circumference and minimum breaking strength, allowing for easier design integration. IS 6056 specifies breaking loads for specific pole sizes in a more tabular format.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the fundamental purpose of ensuring the safety and structural integrity of wood poles used for critical infrastructure like power and telecommunication lines.
≈All standards mandate preservative treatment to protect poles from fungal decay and insect attack, especially in the vulnerable ground-line and embedded sections, to ensure long-term durability.
≈All standards specify strict limits on natural timber defects that can compromise structural strength, such as knots, splits, checks, and slope of grain.
≈Provisions for a full-scale mechanical test, typically a cantilever bending test, are included in all standards to verify the load-bearing capacity and classification of the poles.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Primary Subject
Jointed wood poles from two or more pieces.
Primarily solid, single-piece wood poles.
ANSI O5.1-2017
Specified Timber Species (Example)
Sal (Shorea robusta), Teak (Tectona grandis), Deodar (Cedrus deodara).
Eucalyptus species (e.g., E. globulus, E. pilularis), Radiata Pine, Cypress Pine.
AS 2209:2000
Joint Design Specification
Provides detailed drawings and dimensions for scarf and bell-and-spigot type joints.
Does not specify pole joints; refers to general timber engineering principles if joints are required.
BS EN 14229:2010
Strength Classification
Designated by length and ultimate breaking load (e.g., 8m pole, 450 kg UBL).
Strength classes (e.g., C27, C32) based on characteristic bending strength, stiffness, and density.
BS EN 14229:2010
Straightness Tolerance
Sweep not to exceed 1% of the pole's total length.
Sweep in any 3m section shall not exceed 25 mm.
AS 2209:2000
Preservative Treatment
Specifies Creosote and CCA (Copper-Chrome-Arsenic) as per related IS codes.
Specifies a wider range including CCA, ACQ, CuN, and PCP, with detailed retention zones and environmental considerations.
ANSI O5.1-2017
Marking Requirements
Marking includes manufacturer, year, species, length and class.
Requires a tag/brand with producer, plant location, year, species, preservative type and retention, and pole class/length.
ANSI O5.1-2017
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use