Original version
Rule 32
32 Manholes and Handholes
The provisions of this rule relating to manholes shall also be applicable to vaults and trenches.
32.1 Definitions (See Rules 21.7, 22.4, 23.5 and 23.6)
32.2 Maintenance and Inspection (See Rules 12.2 and 17.2)
32.3 Material and Strength
The materials, design and construction of manholes, handholes, and other underground boxes shall be such as to provide sufficient strength to sustain, with a suitable margin of safety, the loads which may reasonably be imposed on them. Manholes and handholes in street areas which are subject to vehicular traffic shall be constructed to withstand H-20-44 highway loading as designated by the American Association of State Highway Officials. Floors of manholes shall meet the requirements of Public Utilities Code, Sec. 8054. (Also see Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.4 Size and Shape
Manholes shall be constructed to provide sufficient working space so that the cables and equipment therein can be properly and safely installed, supported, operated, and maintained.
Manholes shall not be constructed with smaller dimensions than those required by Public Utilities Code, Sec. 8051. (Also see Appendix B, Fig. 9) Handholes shall be of sufficient size to house safely the required cables, splices, connectors and associated apparatus. Cables shall be arranged so that they can be safely installed and maintained.
32.5 Openings
No manhole access opening shall be less than 26 inches in diameter if circular in shape or 26 inches by 24 inches if rectangular in shape. Safe access shall be provided from the opening to the floor or other working surface. (See Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.6 Drainage
Where drainage of manholes is into sewers, suitable traps shall be provided to prevent entrance of sewer gas into manholes.
32.7 Covers
Manholes and handholes, while not being worked in, shall be securely closed by covers of sufficient strength to sustain such loads as may reasonably be imposed upon them and arrangement shall be such that a tool or appliance shall be required for their opening and cover removal. (Also see Rule 17.8, and Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.8 Location
Manhole locations shall be such that the opening will provide safe access and, where practicable, shall be so located that future maintenance work will cause minimum interference with the normal flow of vehicular traffic. In no case may the nearest edge of the opening at the surface be less than 8 feet from any rail of any railroad or streetcar track (also see Rule 31.5D, and Appendix B, Fig. 9).
This rule does not apply where satisfactory proof is submitted to the Commission that it is impracticable or physically impossible to comply with this rule within the space or location so designated by proper authorities.
32.9 Ventilation
Manholes containing transformers shall be provided with means of ventilation adequate to prevent transformer temperatures in excess of those at which the transformer may be safely operated.
32.10 Foreign Pipes
Foreign pipes which create unusual hazard shall be excluded from passing through manholes if practicable; if not practicable, they shall be guarded. (Also see Rule 17.6 and Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.11 Incidental Wiring and Facilities
Incidental wiring and auxiliary facilities installed in manholes and vaults, shall be suitable for the purpose intended. (See Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.12 Explosion Protection
Due care shall be taken to detect and disperse explosive and noxious gases before workmen enter a manhole.
Strikeout and Underline Version
Rule 32
32
Manholes, and Handholes and Subsurface
Equipment Enclousers
The provisions of this rule relating to manholes shall also be applicable to vaults and trenches.
32.1 Definitions (See Rules 21.7, 22.4, 23.2.1, 23.5 and 23.6)
32.2 Maintenance and Inspection (See Rules 12.2 and 17.2)
32.3 Material and Strength
The materials,
design and construction of manholes, handholes, subsurface equipment
enclosures, and other underground boxes shall be such as to provide
sufficient strength to sustain, with a suitable margin of safety, the loads
which may reasonably be imposed on them. Manholes, and handholes and
subsurface equipment enclosures, in street areas which are subject to
vehicular traffic shall be constructed to withstand H-20-44 highway loading as
designated by the American Association of State Highway Officials. Floors of
manholes shall meet the requirements of Public Utilities Code, Sec. 8054. (Also
see Appendix B, Fig. 9 and Appendix D)
32.4 Size and Shape
Manholes shall be constructed to provide sufficient working space so that the cables and equipment therein can be properly and safely installed, supported, operated, and maintained.
Manholes shall not be constructed with smaller dimensions than those required by Public Utilities Code, Sec. 8051. (Also see Appendix B, Fig. 9 and Appendix D)
Handholes and subsurface equipment enclosures shall be of
sufficient size to house safely the required cables, splices, connectors and
associated apparatus. Cables
32.5 Openings
No manhole access opening shall be less than 26 inches in diameter if circular in shape or 26 inches by 24 inches if rectangular in shape. Safe access shall be provided from the opening to the floor or other working surface. (See Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.6 Drainage
Where drainage of manholes is into sewers, suitable traps shall be provided to prevent entrance of sewer gas into manholes.
32.7 Covers
Manholes, and
handholes and subsurface equipment enclosures, while not being worked in, shall be securely closed by covers of
sufficient strength to sustain such loads as may reasonably be imposed upon
them and arrangement shall be such that a tool or appliance shall be required
for their opening and cover removal. (Also see Rule 17.8, and Appendix B, Fig.
9 and 17)
If the cover of a subsurface equipment enclosure is a grate a means shall be provided to prevent tampering with the equipment housed therein.
32.8 Location
Manholes, handholes and subsurface equipment enclosures locations shall be such that the opening will provide safe access and, where practicable, shall be so located that future maintenance work will cause minimum interference with the normal flow of vehicular traffic.
In no case may the nearest edge of the opening at the surface be less than 8 feet from any rail of any railroad or streetcar tract. (Also see Rule 31.5-D, and Appendix B, Fig. 9, and Appendix C, Fig. 2.).
This rule does not apply where satisfactory proof is submitted to the Commission that it is impracticable or physically impossible to comply with this rule within the space or location so designated by proper authorities.
32.9 Ventilation
Manholes and subsurface equipment enclosures containing transformers shall be provided with means of ventilation adequate to prevent transformer temperatures in excess of those at which the transformer may be safely operated.
32.10 Foreign Pipes
Foreign pipes which create unusual hazard shall be excluded from passing through manholes if practicable; if not practicable, they shall be guarded. (Also see Rule 17.6 and Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.11 Incidental Wiring and Facilities
Incidental wiring and auxiliary facilities installed in manholes,
and vaults and subsurface equipment enclosures, shall be suitable for the purpose intended.
(See Appendix B, Fig. 9)
32.12 Explosion Protection
Due care shall be taken to detect and disperse explosive and noxious gases before workmen enter a manhole.
Final Version
Rule 32
32 Manholes, Handholes and Subsurface Equipment Enclousers
The provisions of this rule relating to manholes shall also be applicable to vaults and trenches.
32.1 Definitions (See Rules 21.7, 22.4, 23.2.1, 23.5 and 23.6)
32.2 Maintenance and Inspection (See Rules 12.2 and 17.2)
32.3 Material and Strength
The materials, design and construction of manholes, handholes, subsurface equipment enclosures, and other underground boxes shall be such as to provide sufficient strength to sustain, with a suitable margin of safety, the loads which may reasonably be imposed on them. Manholes, handholes, and subsurface equipment enclosures in street areas which are subject to vehicular traffic shall be constructed to withstand H-20-44 highway loading as designated by the American Association of State Highway Officials. Floors of manholes shall meet the requirements of Public Utilities Code, Sec. 8054. (Also see Appendix B, Fig. 9, and Appendix D.)
32.4 Size and Shape
Manholes shall be constructed to provide sufficient working space so that the cables and equipment therein can be properly and safely installed, supported, operated and maintained.
Manholes shall not be constructed with smaller dimensions than those required by Public Utilities Code, Sec. 8051. (Also see Appendix B, Fig. 9, and Appendix D.)
Handholes and subsurface equipment enclosures shall be of sufficient size to house safely the required transformers, switches, cables, splices, connectors and associated apparatus. Such equipment shall be so arranged that it can be safety installed, operated and maintained. (See Appendix B, Fig. 17.)
32.5 Openings
No manhole access opening shall be less than 26 inches in diameter if circular in shape or 26 inches by 24 inches if rectangular in shape. Safe access shall be provided from the opening to the floor or other working surface. (See Appendix B, Fig. 9.)
32.6 Drainage
Where drainage of manholes is into sewers, suitable traps shall be provided to prevent entrance of sewer gas into manholes.
32.7 Covers
Manholes, handholes, and subsurface equipment enclosures while not being worked in, shall be securely closed by covers of sufficient strength to sustain such loads as may reasonably be imposed upon them and arrangements shall be such that a 1;001 or appliance shall be required for their opening and cover removal. (Also see Rule 17.8, and Appendix B, Figs. 9 and 17.)
If the cover of a subsurface equipment enclosure is a grate a means shall be provided to prevent tampering with the equipment housed therein.
32.8 Location
Manhole, handhole and subsurface equipment enclosure, locations shall be such that the opening will provide safe access and, where practicable, shall be so located that future maintenance work will cause minimum interference with the normal flow of vehicular traffic.
In no case may the nearest edge of the opening at the surface be less than 3 feet from any rail of any railroad or streetcar tract. (Also see Rule 31.5-D, Appendix B, Fig. 9, and Appendix C, Fig. 2.)
This rule does not apply where satisfactory proof is submitted to the Commission that it is impracticable or physically impossible to comply with this rule within the space or 1ocat!on so designated by proper authorities.
32.9 Ventilation
Manholes and subsurface equipment enclosures containing transformers shall be provided with means of ventilation adequate to prevent transformer temperatures in excess of those at which the transformer may be safely operated.
32.10 Foreign Pipes
Foreign pipes which create unusual hazard shall be excluded from passing through manholes if practicable; if not practicable, they shall be guarded. (Also see Rule 17.6 and Appendix B, Fig. 9.)
32.11 ncidental Wiring and Facilities
Incidental wiring and auxiliary facilities installed in manholes, vaults and subsurface equipment enclosures shall be suitable for the purpose intended. (See Appendix B, Fig. 9.)
32.12 Explosion Protection
Due care shall be taken to detect and disperse explosive and noxious gases before workmen enter a manhole.