Characteristics and Features
of a unique lighting standard from

Designed and treated by J. H. Baxter, these wood lighting standards are the structural elements of a unique lighting system offering a remarkable variation of design concepts. The system is completely pre-engineered to provide attractive, efficient illumination for virtually any outdoor situation.

Designed to enhance today's environmental aesthetics, the laminated wood standards, pressure preserved for lasting service, are handsome and smart. The uncomplicated, graceful forms complement all formal as well as rustic architectural and landscaped settings, blending with the outdoors as pleasantly as a tree.

Natural Characteristics

Knots, small checks, color and grain variations are retained to enhance the standards' attractive, rustic appearance.

Knots found in the standards are sound and well spaced with a maximum mean diameter of 21/4" on the 41/2" x 5" material - slightly larger allowed on larger sections. Knotholes are always filled. Usual knots found range from 1 to 11/2".

Checks are found to enhance the natural appearance of the standard; they are not filled unless they exceed 1/8" x 12" in size. No standard is shipped unless it is deemed structurally sound.

Raised Grain can be expected. Again, this is not a structural defect. As the installed standard ages, the usual weathering characteristic will appear.

Wood Filler

Wood Filler can be found in checks and knot holes. It will weather with the pole and become a natural part of the standard within a very short period. Compare J. H. Baxter standards to the cold, sterile appearance of products made of unnatural materials and you'll see why designers prefer wood.

Weathering Characteristics

One of the most interesting and appreciated features of J. H. Baxter treated lighting standards is their weathering characteristics - an environmental condition that does not occur in other types of standards. In exposed locations, the standards will weather to a natural silver - gray, often described as "driftwood" color. Knots will tend to blend in color with adjacent wood as the seasons pass. Additional checking will occur but will not affect the strength of the standard as this was taken into consideration in the design and construction. Because of the preservative applied to the standards under pressure, they require little or no maintenance after installation.

Where color is desired, treated wood standards offer the advantage of easily receiving stains. We recommend semi-transparent stains applied at the jobsite to assure color control and to avoid marring from handling.

Incising

Incising is a special method whereby the preservative is introduced deep into the wood by mechanically separating the wood fibers with wedge - shaped teeth. All light standards are incised on four sides to 3/4" in depth from butt to approximately 12 inches above indicated ground line. The ground line is approximately 10% of the length plus 2' from the bottom end.

Underground

Underground section of the standard has little or no patching or final finishing, as this is for appearance only. Structurally the filler is not required.

Fingerjoint

Finger Joints

Finger Joints are required as a part of the laminating procedure. You will find grain variation at this point but again it becomes a natural part of the structural beauty.

How do you make a better lighting standard? Get a company like J. H. Baxter, a pioneer in the development of treated wood products to procure and pressure treat them.
The result is not only an attractive and efficient lighting system support but also one that will give years of maintenance - free service. Below are the specific features of these remarkable J. H. Baxter Lighting Standards.

Lumber

J. H. Baxter believes a lighting standard should not only blend with the outdoors as naturally as a tree but have strength as well. So coast region Douglas fir lumber is used.

Laminating Requirements

You are assured that all light standards are laminated with adhesives meeting or exceeding the exterior durability performance requirements of the most recent revision of ANSI/AITC.

Treatment

To add years of life to each standard, J. H. Baxter pressure treats the Lighting Standards with pentachlorophenol in hydrocarbon solvents, commonly known as Penta. This protects the wood from decay and insect damage. The ground contact portion of the pole is incised. (Treatment conforms to AWPA C-28. Minimum net retention of 0.60#/cu ft and 3/4" minimum penetration in the ground line area is assured.
Pentachlorophenol is a proven preservative and has been used for years to treat utility poles of all types.

Surface Finish

Straight standards are available from the stock inventory with a smooth planed surface on four sides. However, textured surfaced are available on customer order. (Crossarms and curved standards are available planed only.)
Natural characteristics such as knots, small checks, color and grain variation are retained to enhance the standards' attractive, rustic appearance, although knot holes approximately 5/8" diameter or larger are always filled. A special wood filler is used.

Note: J. H. Baxter Lighting Standards have no open defects over 1/2" above the groundline, and no shipment if the knots or checks render the piece structurally unsound.

Top Protection

Unless fixture is top mounted, a metal cap is installed to prevent moisture from entering raceway, while at the same time allowing ventilation.

Leave Natural or Stain

In exposed locations, the standards will weather to a natural silver - gray, often described as "driftwood" color. Little or no maintenance is required after installation. If color is desired, we recommend semi-transparent stains. They should be applied at the job site to assure color control and to avoid possible marring due to shipment and handling. Factory staining is available, if desired.

Electric wire raceway

Raceway

One of the most attractive and desirable features of these standards is that the electrical wiring is hidden. To provide for underground connection, eliminating the need for overhead wires, a raceway for wiring approximately 1" x 1" is milled into the standard before gluing.

Entry Hole

To make it easier to wire the standard, a 11/4" diameter raceway access hole for underground wiring is centered 2' 6" below the ground line. It rises 30 degrees to vertical where underground splicing is permitted. The angle also prevents water from entering raceway. Holes for wire exit at fixture can be special ordered.

Crossarms

Laminated wood crossarms are available for the straight standard in one - way and two - way models for added design flexibility. You will note that these assemblies include the black aluminum cap for the top of pole, wire - way cover and a plastic cap to cover connecting hardware. Cast aluminum brackets provide the structural support for the system and assurance of a true 90-degree connection.

Imbedment

Junction Box

Above ground junction boxes of various types can be used. Note that arm castings provide a junction box at two locations. One at the pole and the other at the end, next to luminaries.

Installation Methods

Depending on load conditions, these unique lighting standards may be directly embedded in firm soil. The treatment protects the wood. Under heavy load, or in poor soil conditions, concrete embedment may be required. The anchor bolt base system is also available for above ground installation. The incised section is imbedded directly into the ground up to the pre-marked ground line. If standard is mounted into a sleeve, the butt end should be trimmed to have ground line mark within support structure.

Protection

Each individual standard and crossarm assembly is paper wrapped for protection during storage and shipping. This assures a bright, clean and attractive product when installed. The wrapping should be removed just prior to the time of installation.

Marking

You will see a brand on each standard followed by two numbers (10-86) giving the month and year of manufacture. This can be found near the ground line area.