Galvanized Coating Performance in Fire Events: Field Case Studies and the Role of Remote Sensing

Abstract Fire exposure poses a significant threat to above-ground infrastructure such as galvanized steel utility poles and telecommunication tower anchors. Post-fire decisions often rely on limited visual inspection, leading to premature replacement of serviceable structures and unnecessary costs. This paper presents two case studies demonstrating the value of scientific, multi-parameter assessments in evaluating fire-exposed assets. The first case involves a galvanized steel utility pole affected by a localized vehicle fire, while the second focuses on guy wire anchors of a telecommunication tower exposed to wildfire. Although visual indicators such as discoloration and soot raised initial concern, detailed evaluations—including electrochemical potential measurements, galvanized coating and wall thickness testing, hardness testing, SEM/EDS analysis, Field Metallography and Replication (FMR), and soil corrosivity assessment—confirmed the structural integrity of both systems. Collectively, these findings and the development of a remote high-temperature sensor (capable of monitoring up to 2,000°F (1093°C)) highlight that visual cues alone rarely represent irreversible damage, emphasizing the importance of data-driven post-fire evaluations.