Original Version
Rule 91
– Pole, Towers and Structures
91.3 Stepping
A.
Use Of Steps
(1) Poles with
Vertical Runs or Risers: All
jointly used poles which support supply conductors shall be provided with pole
steps if vertical runs or risers are attached to the surface of such poles,
unless the conditions described in the following subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c)
are met:
(a) One–Party Poles: Poles which carry circuits operated and
maintained by only one party are not required to be stepped, provided any
vertical runs or risers on the surface of such poles are covered by a suitable
protective covering (Refer to Rule 54.6–E and Rule 84.6–E) from the
ground line to a level not less than 8 ft. above the ground line, or provided
that such poles comply with the conditions of Rule 91.3–A1b.
(b) Communications Runs: Joint poles with vertical
communications runs are not required to be stepped, provided all of the
following conditions are met:
1) The pole has no
pole mounted communication terminals, no risers and no vertical runs (including
ground wires) located within the climbing space, and not more than three levels
of communication line conductors;
2) The
communications levels consist only of drop wire in line cable construction,
span wire supported cables, and messenger–supported cables;
3) The maximum
vertical separation between the highest and lowest line communications levels
is not more than 30 inches;
4) The vertical
runs other than ground wires consist entirely of drop wire cables for service
drops which extend vertically no more than one foot above and below the
communication line levels.
(c) Supply Runs: Joint
poles with supply vertical runs are not required to be stepped provided all of
the following conditions are met:
1) All supply
circuits on the pole are operated and maintained by only one party.
2) All supply vertical
runs other than ground wires are located entirely above the communication
levels.
3) No ground wire
runs are located within the climbing space except those portions which are
located above the communications level.
B. Location of
Steps
The lowest step
shall not be less than 8 feet from the ground line, or any easily climbable
foreign structure from which one could reach or step. Above this point steps shall be placed,
with spacing between steps on the same side of the pole not exceeding 36 inches,
at least to that conductor level above which only circuits operated and
maintained by one party remain.
Steps or fixtures for temporary steps shall be installed as part of a
pole restoration process. Steps
shall be so placed that runs or risers do not interfere with the free use of
the steps.
Exception: Steps
are not required above the uppermost Class C circuit where an Antenna is
affixed above supply conductors.
Strikeout and Underline Version
Rule 91
– Pole, Towers and Structures
91.3 Stepping
A. Use Of Steps
(1) Poles
with Vertical Runs or Risers: All jointly used poles
which support supply conductors shall
be provided with
pole steps if vertical
runs or risers are attached
to the surface of such
poles,
unless the conditions described in
the following subparagraphs (a),
(b) or (c) are met:
(a) One–Party Poles: Poles which
carry circuits operated and
maintained by only one party are not required to
be stepped, provided any vertical
runs or risers on the surface of such poles are covered by a suitable protective covering
(Refer to
Rule 54.6–E
and Rule 84.6–E) from
the
ground line to a level
not less than 8 ft.
above the ground line, or provided that such poles comply with the conditions
of Rule 91.3–A1b.
(b) Communications Runs: Joint poles with
vertical communications
runs are not required
to be stepped,
provided all of the following conditions are met:
1) The pole has
no pole mounted communication terminals,
no risers and no vertical runs (including ground wires) located
within the climbing space, and not more than three levels of communication line conductors;
2) The communications levels
consist only of drop wire in line
cable construction, span wire supported cables,
and messenger–supported cables;
3) The maximum
vertical separation between
the highest and lowest line communications levels is
not more than 30 inches;
4) The vertical
runs other than
ground wires consist entirely of
drop wire cables for service drops which extend
vertically no more
than one foot above and
below
the communication line levels.
(c) Supply Runs: Joint poles with
supply vertical runs
are
not required to be stepped provided all of the following conditions are met:
1) All supply circuits on the pole
are operated and maintained
by
only one party.
2) All supply vertical runs other than ground
wires are located
entirely above the communication levels.
3) No ground wire runs are located within
the climbing space except those portions
which are located above the communications
level.
B. Location of Steps
A. Unless otherwise specified
in this Order, pole steps
used
to ascend and descend joint use wood
poles are not required.
However, occupants
on joint use wood poles
are
not prohibited from installing and
maintaining temporary or permanent
steps.
B. Unless designated
non‑climbable,
joint use nonwood
poles shall include provisions for
ascending and
descending.
C. Where installed, the lowest step
shall not be less than 8 feet
from
the
ground line, or any easily climbable foreign structure from
which
one could reach or step.
Above this point steps shall
be placed, with spacing between steps
on the same side of the pole not exceeding 36
inches, at least to that conductor level above which
only
circuits operated and
maintained by one party remain. Steps or fixtures for temporary steps shall be
installed as part of a pole restoration
process. Steps shall be so
placed that runs or risers
do not interfere with the
free use of
the steps.
Exception: Steps are not required above the uppermost Class
C circuit where an Antenna is affixed above supply conductors.
Final Version
Rule 91 – Pole, Towers and Structures
91.3 Stepping
A. Unless otherwise
specified
in this Order, pole steps
used
to ascend and descend
joint use wood poles are not required. However, occupants
on joint use wood poles
are
not prohibited from installing and
maintaining temporary or permanent
steps.
B.
Unless non‑climbable,
joint use nonwood poles shall include provisions for ascending and
descending.
C.
Where installed, the
lowest step shall not be
less than 8 feet from
the ground line, or any easily climbable foreign structure from
which
one could reach or step.
Above this point steps shall
be placed, with spacing between steps
on the same side of the pole not exceeding 36
inches, at least to that conductor level above which
only
circuits operated and
maintained by one party remain. Steps or fixtures
for temporary steps shall be
installed as part of a pole restoration
process. Steps shall be so
placed that runs or risers
do not interfere with the
free use of
the steps.