Fire retardant paint to increase reliability
Release Date: 10 December 2007
Western Power has started a program using fire retardant paint on all new wooden poles installed in regional WA.
The paint has been extensively tested and found to stop poles catching fire during low intensity fires such as scrub, brush and grass fires.
Western Power's Managing Director Doug Aberle said the paint was an important part of Western Power's fire mitigation strategy.
"We think the paint will have a significant impact on increasing the reliability of the network by reducing the number of poles damaged by fires," Mr Aberle said.
"Western Power is committed to improving the reliability of the network in regional WA. By reducing the impact of fire on our wooden poles, Western Power is going a long way to achieve that commitment," Mr Aberle said.
To date 2000 poles have been installed with fire retardant paint and a further 10,000 – 15000 poles will be coated in 2008. The paint is sprayed on from 1.8m above the ground to 0.4m below the ground.
Photo available upon request
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