Decision Number 05-01-030 -GO95-Rule 61

(1) Tower Members: Tower members shall have a thickness of metal equivalent to the following:

Painted steel: Main corner members, 1/4 inch; other members, 3/16 inch. All iron or steel members of towers and all hardware subject to injurious corrosion under the prevailing conditions shall be protected by galvanizing, painting or other treatment which will effectively retard corrosion.

(2) Overhead Ground Wires or Lightning Protection Wires: Overhead ground wires or lightning protection wires shall be galvanized steel cable not less than 1/4 inch in diameter, or other corrosion resistant material of equal tensile strength. Where overhead ground wires are not used, effort shall be made to secure an effectively grounded structure.

a) Guys: Guys shall be galvanized steel strand not less than 5/16 inch in diameter, or other corrosion resistant material of equal tensile strength, or they shall be rolled rods of galvanized steel or other corrosion resistant material with tensile strength not less than the tensile strength of 5/16 inch diameter galvanized steel strand.

b) Anchor Rods: Anchor rods shall be galvanized steel not less than 5/8 inch in diameter or shall be of equal strength and durability.

B. Strength

Where support structures are used which are not capable of withstanding substantially as great a stress longitudinally as transversely, longitudinal guying shall be used. The line as a whole shall be designed so that a failure of an individual support structure shall not cause successive failures of more than ten additional support structures.

A. Marking

All towers or structures which are of a design easily climbed and which are located in urban districts or in cultivated agricultural areas or near roads or trails which are frequently traveled shall be equipped with signs so worded as to warn the public of the danger of climbing same. Such signs shall be placed and arranged so that they may be read from the four corners of the structure. Such signs shall be neither less than 8 feet nor more than 20 feet above the ground except where the lowest horizontal member of the tower or structure is more than 20 feet above the ground in which case the sign shall be not more than 30 feet above the ground.

When a fence or wall is used as a barrier around a tower or structure (Rule 61.6-B), they shall be equipped with signs so worded as to warn the public of the danger of unauthorized entry. Warning signs shall be installed at every gate and at intervals of not more than 100 feet along each fence or wall that is used as a barrier. When warning signs are installed on barrier fencing or walls, no signs are required to be installed on the tower or structure.

B. Guarding

Where a tower or structure of a design which can be easily climbed supports supply conductors and is located in urban districts, or in rural areas adjacent to schools, dwellings, permanent or seasonal camps, or in orchards, or near roads or trails which are frequently traveled, a suitable barrier shall be installed on or around such towers and structures, or other provisions shall be made to prevent easy climbing.

When a fence or wall is used as a suitable barrier around a tower or structure the construction shall be designed, installed and maintained in such manner as to reasonably deny access over, under or through the fencing or wall to all but authorized persons.

Material and Height:

(1) Fencing shall be of a fabric, such as galvanized steel, woven mesh or links (commonly known as chain-link or cyclone fencing) or other suitable metallic or nonmetallic material, extending from ground level to a minimum height of eight feet, or extending from ground level to a minimum height of seven feet with an extension of not less than 12 inches of barbed wire (three or more strands), razor wire or similar deterrent.

(2) Walls or other types of construction shall be of a material which will present an equivalent barrier to climbing or other unauthorized entry, extending from ground level to a minimum height of eight feet, or extending from ground level to a minimum height of seven feet with an extension of not less than 12 inches of barbed wire (three or more strands), razor wire or similar deterrent.

Gates shall be of a design and maintained in a manner compatible with the barriers specified in this rule.

A minimum radial distance of six feet shall be maintained between any portion of the fence or wall and the tower or structure.

The provisions of this rule shall not apply to towers or structures within fenced substation yards.

Note: It is the intent of Rule 61.6-B to require such guarding as will prevent easy climbing of these towers by young persons who do not realize the danger of contact with live conductors supported thereon. It is not intended that such guarding will be required in sparsely settled districts, mountainous and desert areas, and similar locations.

61.7 Stepping

All towers upon which it may be necessary for workmen to climb shall be provided with steps or ladders, which shall start at not less than 7 feet 6 inches from the ground line. The spacing between steps on the same side of the tower legs shall not exceed 36 inches.

When a fence or wall is used as a suitable barrier (Rule 61.6-B) the steps or ladders may extend to the ground level.

Where the members of the tower are so arranged that persons the tower may be climbed with safety, no steps or ladders need be provided.

A. Adjacent: An area within close proximity, lying near, close, adjoining or sharing a common boundary, bordering; such as a field adjacent to the highway. Approximately 1/8 mile or 660 feet.

C. Rural: Areas with a population of less than 1,000 persons per square mile as determined by the United States Bureau of the census.

D. Urban: Areas with a population of more than 1,000 persons per square mile as determined by the United States Bureau of the census.

(1) Tower Members: Tower members shall have a thickness of metal equivalent to the following:

b) Anchor Rods: Anchor rods shall be galvanized steel not less than 5/8 inch in diameter or shall be of equal strength and durability.

A. Marking

All towers ~~or structures which are of a design easily climbed and which are located in urban districts or in cultivated agricultural areas or near roads or trails which are frequently traveled~~ shall be equipped with signs designed ~~so worded as~~ to warn the public of the danger of climbing same. Additionally, such signs shall include a graphic depiction of the dangers of falling or electrocution associated with climbing the towers. Such signs shall be placed and arranged so that they may be read from the four corners of the tower ~~structure~~. Such signs shall be neither less than 8 feet nor more than 20 feet above the ground except where the lowest horizontal member of the tower ~~or structure~~ is more than 20 feet above the ground in which case the sign shall be not more than 30 feet above the ground.

When a fence or wall is used as a barrier around a tower ~~or structure~~ (Rule 61.6-B), it ~~they~~ shall be equipped with signs designed ~~so worded as~~ to warn the public of the danger of unauthorized entry. Warning signs shall be installed at every gate and at intervals of not more than 100 feet along each fence or wall that is used as a barrier. When warning signs are installed on barrier fencing or walls, no signs are required to be installed on the tower or structure.

B. Guarding

Where a tower ~~or structure~~ of a design which can be easily climbed supports supply conductors and is located in urban districts, or in rural areas adjacent to schools, dwellings, permanent or seasonal camps, or in orchards, or near roads or trails which are frequently traveled, a suitable barrier shall be installed on or around such towers ~~and structures~~, or other provisions shall be made to prevent easy climbing.

When a fence or wall is used as a suitable barrier around a tower ~~or structure~~ the construction shall be designed, installed and maintained in such manner as to reasonably deny access over, under or through the fencing or wall to all but authorized persons.

Material and Height:

(2) Walls or other types of construction shall be of a material which will present an equivalent barrier to climbing or other unauthorized entry, extending from ground level to a minimum height of eight feet, or extending from ground level to a minimum height of seven feet with an extension of not less than 12 inches of barbed wire (three or more strands), razor wire or similar deterrent.

Gates shall be of a design and maintained in a manner compatible with the barriers specified in this rule.

A minimum radial distance of six feet shall be maintained between any portion of the fence or wall and the tower ~~or structure.~~

The provisions of this rule shall not apply to towers or structures within fenced substation yards.

When a utility�s designated personnel become aware of and verify that an unauthorized person has climbed a tower, that tower shall then be guarded as provided in rule 61.6B.

Note: It is the intent of Rule 61.6-B to require such guarding as will prevent easy climbing of these towers ~~by young persons who do not realize the danger of contact with live conductors supported thereon~~. It is not intended that such guarding will be required in rural areas ~~sparsely settled districts, mountainous and desert areas, and similar locations.~~

61.7 Stepping

All towers ~~upon~~ which are required to be climbed by ~~it may be necessary for~~ workmen ~~to climb~~ shall be provided with steps or ladders. Steps or ladders ~~,which~~ shall start at not less than 7 feet 6 inches from the ground line or from any easily climbed foreign structure, within 6 feet of a tower, from which one could reach or step, including tower footings. The spacing between steps on the same side of the tower legs shall not exceed 36 inches.

When a fence or wall is used as a suitable barrier (Rule 61.6-B) the steps or ladders may extend to the ground level.

Where the members of the tower are so arranged that qualified persons ~~the tower~~ may be climbed the tower safely, ~~with safety~~, no steps or ladders need be provided.

A. Adjacent: An area within close proximity, lying near, close, adjoining or sharing a common boundary, bordering; such as a field adjacent to the highway. Approximately 1/8 mile or 660 feet.

C. Rural: Areas with a population of less than 1,000 persons per square mile as determined by the United States Bureau of the census.

D. Urban: Areas with a population of more than 1,000 persons per square mile as determined by the United States Bureau of the census.

(1) Tower Members: Tower members shall have a thickness of metal equivalent to the following:

b) Anchor Rods: Anchor rods shall be galvanized steel not less than 5/8 inch in diameter or shall be of equal strength and durability.

A. Marking

All towers shall be equipped with signs designed to warn the public of the danger of climbing same. Additionally, such signs shall include a graphic depiction of the dangers of falling or electrocution associated with climbing the towers. Such signs shall be placed and arranged so that they may be read from the four corners of the tower. Such signs shall be neither less than 8 feet nor more than 20 feet above the ground except where the lowest horizontal member of the tower is more than 20 feet above the ground in which case the sign shall be not more than 30 feet above the ground.

When a fence or wall is used as a barrier around a tower (Rule 61.6-B), it shall be equipped with signs designed to warn the public of the danger of unauthorized entry. Warning signs shall be installed at every gate and at intervals of not more than 100 feet along each fence or wall that is used as a barrier. When warning signs are installed on barrier fencing or walls, no signs are required to be installed on the tower or structure.

B. Guarding

Where a tower of a design which can be easily climbed supports supply conductors and is located in urban districts, or in rural areas adjacent to schools, dwellings, permanent or seasonal camps, or in orchards, or near roads or trails which are frequently traveled, a suitable barrier shall be installed on or around such towers, or other provisions shall be made to prevent easy climbing.

When a fence or wall is used as a suitable barrier around a tower the construction shall be designed, installed and maintained in such manner as to reasonably deny access over, under or through the fencing or wall to all but authorized persons.

Material and Height:

(2) Walls or other types of construction shall be of a material which will present an equivalent barrier to climbing or other unauthorized entry, extending from ground level to a minimum height of eight feet, or extending from ground level to a minimum height of seven feet with an extension of not less than 12 inches of barbed wire (three or more strands), razor wire or similar deterrent.

Gates shall be of a design and maintained in a manner compatible with the barriers specified in this rule.

A minimum radial distance of six feet shall be maintained between any portion of the fence or wall and the tower

The provisions of this rule shall not apply to towers or structures within fenced substation yards.

When a utility�s designated personnel become aware of and verify that an unauthorized person has climbed a tower, that tower shall then be guarded as provided in Rule 61.6-B.

Note: It is the intent of Rule 61.6-B to require such guarding as will prevent easy climbing of these towers. It is not intended that such guarding will be required in rural areas .

61.7 Stepping

All towers which are required to be climbed by workmen shall be provided with steps or ladders. Steps or ladders shall start at not less than 7 feet 6 inches from the ground line or from any easily climbed foreign structure, within 6 feet of a tower, from which one could reach or step, including tower footings. The spacing between steps on the same side of the tower legs shall not exceed 36 inches.

When a fence or wall is used as a suitable barrier (Rule 61.6-B) the steps or ladders may extend to the ground level.

Where the members of the tower are so arranged that qualified persons may climb the tower safely, no steps or ladders need be provided.