General Order 95
Section VIII
Detailed Construction Requirements
for Communication Lines
(Class C Circuits)
80.1 Inspection Requirements for Communication Lines:
A. Patrol and Detailed Inspections
(1)
Inspection Requirements for Joint-Use Poles in High
Fire-Threat District
In Tiers 2 and 3 of the High Fire-Threat District, the inspection intervals for
(i) Communication Lines located on Joint Use Poles (See Rule 21.8)
that contain Supply Circuits (See Rule 20.6-D),
and (ii) Communication Lines attached to a pole that is within three spans of a
Joint Use Pole with Supply Circuits, shall not exceed the time specified in the
following Table.
|
Inspection |
Tier 2 |
Tier 3 |
|
Patrol |
2 Years |
1 Year |
|
Detailed |
10 Years |
5 Years |
Inspections shall be conducted more frequently than shown in the above table, if necessary, based on the five factors listed in Rule 80.1-A2, below.
For the purpose of implementing the patrol and detailed inspection intervals in the above Table in the high fire-threat areas of the state, the term “year” is defined as 12 consecutive calendar months starting the first full calendar month after an inspection is performed, plus three full calendar months, not to exceed the end of the calendar year in which the next inspection is due. A required inspection may be completed any time before the expiration of the associated inspection interval using this definition of “year”, but not after. The completion of an inspection starts a new inspection interval that must be completed within the prescribed timeframe using this definition of “year”. However, inspection intervals may be extended by up to six months in areas where the Governor of California or the President of the United States has declared an emergency or a disaster following a major earthquake or other catastrophe using the procedure set forth in Decision 13-06-011 issued in Rulemaking 08-11-005. The extension shall not exceed six months from the date that an emergency is declared or the date that a disaster is declared, whichever is earlier.
Inspections in the High Fire-Threat District shall be planned and conducted in accordance with the statewide inspection requirements and procedures described in Rule 80.1-A2, below.
Each company’s procedures shall describe (i) the methodology used to ensure that all Communication Lines are subject to the required inspections, and (ii) the procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the inspections. The procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the inspections shall include a checklist for patrol inspections.
Note: Revised June 27, 2013 by Decision No. 13-06-011
(2)
Statewide Inspection Requirements
Each company shall prepare, follow, and
modify as necessary, procedures for conducting patrol or detailed inspections
for all of its Communication Lines throughout the State. Consistent with Rule 31.2, the type, frequency and thoroughness
of inspections shall be based upon the following factors:
• Fire threat
• Proximity to overhead power line facilities
• Terrain
• Accessibility
• Location, including whether the Communications Lines
are located in the High Fire-Threat District
Each company that discovers a safety hazard on or near a communications
facility or electric facility involving another company while performing
inspections of its own facilities pursuant to this rule shall notify the other
company and/or facility owner of such safety hazard in accordance with Rule
18(B).
Each company’s procedures shall describe (i) the methodology used to ensure
that all Communication Lines are subject to the required inspections, and (ii)
the procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the
inspections. The procedures used for specifying what problems should be
identified by the inspections shall include a checklist for patrol inspections.
(3)
Definitions
Detailed Inspections. For the purpose of this rule, Detailed Inspection
shall be defined as a careful visual inspection of Communication facilities and
structures using inspection tools such as binoculars and measuring devices, as
appropriate. Detailed inspections may be carried out in the course of
other company business.
Patrol Inspections. For the purpose of this rule, Patrol
Inspection shall be defined as a simple visual inspection, of applicable
communications facilities equipment and structures that is designed to identify
obvious structural problems and hazards. Patrol inspections may be
carried out in the course of other company business.
(4)
Record Keeping
Each company shall maintain records for at least ten (10) years that provide
the following information for each facility subject to this rule: The
location of the facility, the date of each inspection of the facility, the
results of each inspection, the personnel who performed each inspection, the
date and description of each corrective action, and the personnel who performed
each correction action. Commission staff shall be permitted to inspect
records consistent with Public Utilities Code Section 314 (a).
B.
Intrusive Inspections in the High Fire-Threat District
Wood poles in Tier 3 of the High Fire-Threat District that support only Communication
Lines or equipment shall be intrusively inspected in accordance with the
schedule established in General Order
165 if they are:
• Interset between joint-use poles supporting supply
lines in Southern California.
• Within three spans of a joint-use pole supporting supply
lines in Southern California.
• Within one span of a joint-use pole supporting supply lines
in Northern California.
For the purpose of this rule, “Southern California” is defined as the
following: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San
Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. “Northern California” is
defined as all other counties in California.
For wood pole intrusive inspections, the term “year” is defined as a calendar
year.
CIPs
shall maintain records for the life of the pole that provide the following
information for each wood pole subject to this rule: The location of the pole,
the date of each intrusive inspection, the results of each inspection, the
personnel who performed each intrusive inspections, the date and description of
each corrective action, and the personnel who performed each correction action.
Commission staff may inspect records consistent with Public Utilities Code
Section 314(a).
Note: Revised June 27,
2013 by Decision No. 13-06-011
Note: Added January 12, 2012 by Decision No. 12-01-032, revised December 21, 2017 by Decision 17-12-024.