CCA Wood Poles: Buying and Using Treated Timber

Untreated wood, except for a few tropical hardwood species, is highly vulnerable to biodeterioration from prolonged exposure to wet conditions, fungal decay, and wood-destroying insects. Recognising the short life span of untreated wood in exposed applications like agriculture, structures, and fencing, we utilise advanced preservatives and processes. These methods meet today's stringent health, safety, and environmental regulations, ensuring treated wood lasts longer and performs better.

CCA Wood Poles: Protection Treatments & Application

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) is a wood preservative used to treat and protect timber, especially as intended for outdoor use, in order to protect them from attack by microbes and insects. It is preferable that your treated poles are purchased in the size which you intend to use it.

If this is not the case and you subsequently cut the timber, you may expose the untreated heartwood of the timber. The cut end of a post or stake should not be the end which you plant into the ground – rather use the other uncut end.

The detail in the diagrams below illustrat proper drainage of moisture that may be absorbed by a wooden pole.

Choosing the Correct Hazard (H) Class

Our poles are treated with CCA wood protection, according to the following specifications, listed below.

Hazard Class

H5 High Hazard	Used in agriculture sector ideal for prolonged exposure to wet ground conditions, particularly in supporting netting structures that cover orchards.
H4 High Hazard	Used for outdoor wooden products that have ground contact, such as fencing posts, car ports, decking bridges, construction applications, telephone poles, etc.
H3 Moderate Hazard	Droppers and Laths are thin poles used mainly in roofing, lapas and gardening. They can be used for screens, shading on car ports, fencing decor and more.
H2 Low Harzard	Inside above ground, protected from wetting and leaching e.g. roof trusses, framing, panelling, laminated beams, flooring, etc.

CCA Kiln Drying Process

We use a kiln drying process according to the SABS specifications. This method involves drying wood in a controlled chamber to reduce its moisture content without defects.

Kiln drying also kills insects, requires less stacking space, and ensures wood is planed to its final dimensions before sorting and shipping.

Safety Precautions & Warnings

Handling precautions:

• Wear a dust mask when machining (e.g. sandling and sawing) treated wood
  

• Wear safety glasses to protext eyes from flying particles when machining treated wood
  

• Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid prolonged inhalation of sawdust
  

• Always wash work clothes separately
  

• Wear gloves when working with freshly treated wood

Disposal:

• Do not allow treated wood off-cuts and waste to accumulate
  

• Dispose of treated wood off-cuts and waste at a registered disposal or landfill site
  

• Do not burn CCA treated wood off-cuts and waste. This will allow the release of chemicals, tightly bound to the wood, into the air. The ashes may also contain residual chemicals.

Warnings:

• Avoid using treated wood for baby toys, furniture, firewood, food preparation, or storage.
  

• Do not use treated wood in beehives or for animal litter.

With years of expertise, MTO focuses on delivering exceptional experiences. Our poles, harvested from internationally accredited pine and eucalyptus plantations, ensure premium quality - from seedling to final product.

For more information on our poles, see our poles product page:

Pole Products

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For a quote, get in touch with our sales team:

Contact Alicia Brink

email: alicia@mto.co.za

call: 078 893 6146

Contact Johan de Klerk

email: johan.klerk@mto.co.za

call: 078 459 6217