91.3    Stepping

All jointly used poles which support supply conductors shall be provided with pole steps if vertical runs or risers of supply or communication conductors are attached to the surface of such poles; except that those jointly used poles which carry circuits operated only by 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 of wood throughout their length above a point 8 feet from the ground line.  The lowest step shall be not less than 7 feet 6 inches from the ground line and above this point steps shall be placed, with spacing between steps on the same side of pole not exceeding 36 inches, at least to the height of the upper end of the topmost run or riser attached to the surface of pole.  Steps shall be so placed that the runs or risers do not interfere with their free use.

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 of supply or communication conductors are attached to the surface of such poles, except that those jointly used 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 of wood throughout their length above a point 8 feet from the ground line. (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 be not less than 7 feet 6 inches from the ground line and 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 the height of the upper end of the topmost run or riser attached to the surface of pole that conductor level above which only circuits operated and maintained by one party remain. Steps shall be so placed that runs or risers do not interfere with the free use of the steps.

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 be not less than 7 feet 6 inches from the ground line and 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 shall be so placed that runs or risers do not interfere with the free use of the steps.