For Immediate Release
ATIS 1200 G Street, NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005	Contact: Trish Gessner Phone: 202-434-8851 E-mail: tgessner@atis.org www.atis.org

ATIS Releases Field Manual for Identifying Characteristics in Wood Poles

May 9, 2005, Washington – ATIS today announced the publication of the Photographic Manual of Wood Pole Characteristics (Technical Report O5.TR.01-2004), a new technical report designed as a quick reference defining and supporting the detailed specifications and requirements for wood utility poles defined in American National Standard (ANSI) O5.1-2002.

The new manual explains the origin of the characteristics defined in ANSI O5.1 and provides information on how the characteristics are to be measured, as well as enabling the user to determine if such characteristics require the rejection of a pole.

ANSI O5.1 is universally specified for wood poles used in electric and telecommunications utility structures. This standard provides detailed specifications and requirements for wood utility poles, while recognizing the natural variability of wood. The many characteristics of wood poles are accurately described in order to provide a reliable and uniform Standard.

In today's utility organizations, training budgets are often thin and many employees are called to perform many diverse tasks. While professional pole inspectors and manufacturers have years of daily experience in determining wood pole characteristics, many utility engineers and storekeepers do not. This new photo manual is a tool for utility personnel to gain a greater understanding of wood pole characteristics in a relatively short period of time.

This Technical Report is the first of its kind in that it not only aids the user of a wood pole Standard in understanding descriptions contained within the Standard, but also teaches how to properly apply the Standard. It is available through the ATIS Document Store at www.atis.org.

About ATIS

ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 350 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 22 industry committees and Incubator Solutions Program. www.atis.org

-30-