How effectively can ground-line protection extend the service life of wooden utility poles?
A new independent review and analysis by American wood-treatment expert Craig R. McIntyre examines the evidence behind Polesaver Rot-Guards, drawing on six field and laboratory tests conducted in challenging conditions.
The findings provide compelling support for Polesaver Rot-Guards, a total barrier system which controls moisture ingress, protects against decay and helps maintain the strength of wooden poles over time.
Craig McIntyre’s review examines a body of testing covering different environments, exposure periods and measures of wood performance in field, laboratory and real world use by utilities. It analyses performance over:
Eight years of field exposure in Uganda
10 years of independent field testing on poles in England
25 years of Independent field testing on stakes
4 year soil bed test to measure the effectiveness of Rot-Guard in maintaining strength / Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
Moisture ingress test on total and partial barriers
McIntyre concludes that the available test evidence supports the manufacturer's claim that Polesaver Rot-Guards can add 20 years to a pole's service life, describing this additional lifespan as reasonable and achievable.
For utility engineers, asset managers, procurement teams and pole manufacturers, the report offers a valuable opportunity to examine the supporting evidence behind this claim.
About the author: Craig R. McIntyre
Craig R. McIntyre is an American wood-treatment expert and the author of this independent review on behalf of McIntyre Associates, Inc.
His professional affiliations span a range of organisations and standards bodies associated with wood treatment, forestry, materials testing and industry standards, including ASTM, AWPA, ANSI, AFPA, ICC, SWST and others.
In this report, McIntyre brings together findings from field exposure trials and laboratory testing to assess the performance of Polesaver Rot-Guards. His analysis considers the evidence for moisture control, resistance to biological attack and the retention of wood strength, while recognising the importance of correct product application.
The result is a focused, evidence-led assessment of the role total barrier protection can play in maximising the life of wooden utility poles.
Read the Review
Craig R. McIntyre’s Review and Analysis of Polesaver™ Testing - 17th August 2026
Explore the test results, understand the evidence and discover why independent analysis supports the case for protecting wooden poles at the ground-line.
The report reviews six tests involving Polesaver products. Its conclusions relate to the tests examined and assume correct product application. Please consult the full report for test conditions, results and references.
Simple to install. Built to last.
Field Application
Polesaver Rot-Guards can be applied in the field using a standard gas blow torch.
POLE YARD APPLICATION
For high volume application, Polesaver’s Shrink-Master machine provides fast and consistent application at scale.
Polesaver manufactures and supplies guaranteed products that are proven to maximise utility pole lifespan. With millions of Rot-Guard sleeves supplied to date, our patented ground-line barrier sleeves have been proven in volume use since 1994.
*Polesaver uses long term independent test data on the effectiveness of barrier sleeves and fire protection fabric to reach all the conclusions given on this website (test data available on request). Based on this data, Polesaver believes longer life, maintenance of strength over time, improved safety and reliability, extended inspection periods and reduced maintenance requirements are reasonable claims. This is subject to Polesaver products being correctly applied as per our instructions and used on correctly preservative treated (for long term in-ground use - Use Class 4 or higher) wooden utility poles that are free of decay at the time of sleeve application. The claims made, real or implied are not warranties. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate and satisfy themselves that the performance of the product meets their specific safety, reliability, extended inspection, repair and any other performance or cost-benefit criteria before using Polesaver sleeves or fire protection fabric.
