General Order 95
Section VIII
Detailed Construction Requirements
for Communication Lines
(Class C Circuits)
84.7
Climbing Space and Working Space
A.
Climbing Space
Climbing space shall
be maintained on one side or quadrant of all poles or structures supporting
communications conductors excepting at the level of the one pair of conductors
attached to the pole below the lowest crossarm (Rules 84.4–C1c , 84.4–D1 and 87.4–C3) and the top 3 feet of poles
carrying communication conductors only which are attached directly to pole in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 84.4–C1c.
The climbing space shall be maintained in the same position on the pole for
minimum vertical distance of 4 feet above and below each conductor level
through which it passes, excepting that where a cable is attached to a crossarm
or a pole with the cable less than 9 or 15 inches from the center line of the
pole supporting conductors on line arms (no buck arm construction involved) in
accordance with the provisions of Rules 84.4–D1 or 87.4–C3 , the 4 foot vertical distance may
be reduced to not less than 3 feet.
The position of the climbing space shall not be shifted more than 90 degrees
around the pole within a vertical distance of less than 8 feet. Climbing space
shall be maintained from the ground level.
The climbing space shall be kept free from obstructions excepting those
obstructions permitted by Rule 84.7–E .
Note: Revised
May 22, 1990 by Resolution No. SU–5 and January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(1)
Where Line Arms Only are Involved
(See
figure 84–3 )
The climbing space through the levels of conductors supported on line arms only
shall be located so that the center line of the pole is approximately midway on
the side of the climbing space and parallel to the crossarms.The
horizontal dimensions of the climbing spaces, with widths measured
perpendicularly to the conductors, and with depths measured from the center
line of the pole and parallel to the conductors, shall not be less than those
specified in Rule 84.7–A1 and 84.7–A2 .
EXCEPTION: At angles in lines with widths of 18 and 30 inches may be reduced to not less than 16 1/2 and 27 1/2 inches respectively, provided the horizontal separation of pole–pin conductors measured parallel to the crossarm shall not be less than 18 and 30 inches respectively.
(a) On Poles Which Support Communication Conductors Only: The climbing space for communication conductors shall not be less than 18 inches wide and 30 inches deep.
Note: Revised November 21, 1990 by
Resolution SU–6 and January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(b) On Poles Jointly Used with Supply Conductors: The climbing space through the levels of communication conductors on line arms on poles jointly used with supply conductors, shall be not less than 30 inches in width and not less than 30 inches in depth, except that climbing spaces of the dimensions specified in Rule 84.7–A1 may be used where the only supply conductors supported by the pole are on service drop clearance attachments as permitted by Rules 54.8–C2 and 54.8–C3.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(2)
Where Buck Arms Are Involved
The horizontal dimensions of the climbing space shall be fixed according to the
following crossarm combinations of line arms and related buck arms. For this
purpose a metal back brace shall be considered as one of the arms of double arm
construction and where used the requirements for double arm construction shall
be met.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(a) Double Line Arm and Double Buck Arm: Where the combination is double line arm and double buck arm the climbing space shall be not less than 26 1/2 inches square measured horizontally from the center line of pole (see Appendix G, Figure 37 ).
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(b) Double Buck Arm and Single Line Arm, or Vice Versa: Where the combination is double buck arm and single line arm, or vice versa, and the climbing space is left open on the opposite side of pole from the single arm, the climbing space (measured horizontally from center line of pole) shall be not less than 20 inches perpendicular to the single arm, and not less than 26 1/2 inches perpendicular to the double arms (see Appendix G, Figure 36 ).
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(c) Single Line Arm and Single Buck Arm: Where the combination is single line arm and single buck arm and the climbing space is left open on the sides of pole opposite the crossarms, the climbing space shall be not less than 20 inches square measured horizontally from center line of pole (see Appendix G, Figure 35 ).
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(d) Alternative: Where a combination of a single line arm and a single buck arm or a double line arm and single buck arm (or vice versa) is involved and it is impracticable to locate the climbing space on the side of the pole opposite the single arm or arms, it may be located in another quadrant provided that any arm within such climbing space is treated as one of the arms of a double arm installation and that where a change of quadrant is involved the provisions of Rule 84.7 are observed.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(3)
Through Conductors Not on Crossarms
Where communication conductors are not supported on crossarms,
an unobstructed climbing space not less than 30 inches square (measured from
center line of pole) shall be maintained through all conductor levels of such
conductors except those levels of similarly supported conductors within 3 feet
of the topmost conductor on the pole (see Appendix
G, Figure 38 ).
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(4)
Through Service Drops Not on Crossarms
Where hooks, knobs or brackets are used for the support of service drops and
other conductors are supported at a higher level on the pole, an unobstructed
climbing space 30 inches square shall be maintained through such attachments,
and for not less than 4 feet above and below such attachments, using any one of
the service drops as one side of the climbing space and having one other side
perpendicular to it and tangent to the surface of the pole (see Appendix
G, Figure 39 ).
For clearance of service drop attachments above or below supply conductors see Rule
84.8–D1 .
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(5)
Allowable Climbing Space Obstructions
(a)
Vertical
conductors, when in a suitable protective covering attached directly to the surface
of the pole, terminal boxes or similar equipment which do not extend more than
5 inches from the surface of the pole, and guys, will not be held to obstruct
the climbing space provided not more than two guys (provided they are separated
at the pole by a vertical distance of not more than 18 inches) and one other of
the above named obstructions are installed in any 4-foot vertical section of
climbing space.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(b) Crossarms and
their supporting members are allowed in climbing spaces provided that, where
buck arms are involved, any arms within climbing spaces are treated as double
arms.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(c) A guard arm, a
longitudinal run of messenger, cable or insulated wire will not be held to
obstruct the climbing space where they are placed in the climbing space because
the presence of a building wall or similar obstacle will not permit the cable
to be placed on the side of pole opposite the climbing space. Pole steps shall be suitably placed for the
purpose of facilitating climbing past the level of terminal box, cable, drop
wires and guard arm.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(d) Pole restoration materials are
allowed in climbing space provided pole steps are placed in the restoration
area as part of the process. Pole
stepping shall be in accordance with Rule 91.3-B.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(e) Bands limited
to 6 inches in total width are allowed in any 24-inch section of climbing
space. These limitations are excluded
for pole stubbing and pole splicing bands when pole step provisions are
installed.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(f) Unnecessary impairment of the climbing space is not permitted by the application of this Rule 84.7-E.
Note: Revised March
9, 1988 by Resolution E–3076; January 13, 2006 by Decision No. 05-01-030;
and January
15, 2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(6) Colinear, Conflicting or Crossing Lines (See Rule 84.4–D3 )
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
B.
Working Space
Working space,
unobstructed by facilities except as provided in Rule 84.7-B(3),
of the dimensions specified in Rule 84.7-B(1) and/or 84.7-B(2), shall be
provided on all poles in such positions that the working space shall be
accessible from the climbing space.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(1)
Dimensions
for surface mounted conductor(s), cable(s), and messenger(s):
(a) The vertical dimension extends 24
inches above the uppermost attachment and 48 inches below the lowermost
attachment. (See Figure 84-4.)
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005
(b) The width
extends 36 inches from the centerline of the pole in both directions measured
horizontally along the plane of the attachments. (See Figure 84-4.)
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(c)
The depth extends not less than 36 inches as measured
perpendicularly to this space boundary from the centerline of the pole. (See Figure 84-4.)
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(2)
Dimensions
for surface mounted conductor(s), cable(s), and messenger(s):
(a) The vertical dimensions are the same
as Rule 84.7.B.1.a.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(b) The width dimension is the same as
Rule 84.7.B.1.b.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(c) Where arm(s) support cable(s) the
working space include the dimensions described above and extends from the
center line of the pole to 36” or the outermost cable, whichever is greater.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(3)
Allowable
Working Space Obstructions:
(a) Arms supporting cable, guard arms,
longitudinal runs of messenger cable, and equipment mounted to a cable or a
cable attached directly to the pole.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(i) Cable(s) supported on arm(s) must be
12 inches above any cable attached directly to the pole below the arm(s). No
cable or equipment may be attached directly to a pole above any such arm at
less than 4 feet.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(b) Guys, risers, vertical cables and
conductors attached directly to the surface of the pole or on a riser bracket,
control rods.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(c) Streetlight brackets or fixtures
installed in conformance with Rule 92.1-F(5).
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(d) Equipment supporting class C circuits
affixed to the surface of the pole.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(e) Antenna(s)
installed in accordance with Rule 94 above cable(s) of the same ownership.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(f)
Unnecessary
impairment of the working space is not permitted by the application of this
Rule 84.7-G(2).
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.
(g) Where
installed, pole steps shall be suitably placed to facilitate working around
obstructions.
Note: Revised January 15,
2015 by Decision No. 15-01-005.