General Order 95

Detailed Construction Requirements for Supply Lines
(Class H, L and T Circuits)

54.7    Climbing and Working Space

This rule is not applicable to non–climbable poles. See Rule 22.6–D for definition.

Climbing space shall be maintained from the ground level. Climbing space, measured from center line of pole,  shall be provided on one side or in one quadrant of all poles or structures with dimensions as specified in the following:

	Rules
Wood Crossarm Construction	54.7–A 1 & 2
Without Wood Crossarms More than 750 Volts (Vertical and Triangular Construction)	54.11–F
Low Voltage Rack Construction	54.9–F
Low Voltage Extended Rack Construction	54.12–F
Low Voltage Multiconductor Cable with Bare Neutral Construction	54.10–F
Poles Jointly Used	84.7 & 93
Allowable Obstructions of These Climbing Spaces	54.7–A 3 , 54.9–F , 54.10–F3 , 54.11–G , 54.12–F3 , 84.7–E
Working Space (All Types of Construction)	54.7–B

The dimensions specified in the above rules may be reduced not more than 2% because of line angles and minor field variations.

The climbing space required by Rules 54.7–A and 54.11–F may be shifted laterally not more than 5 inches. However, the midpoint of the side of the climbing space coinciding with the center line of the pole shall not be more than 5 inches from the center line of the pole, and the minimum distance of any unprotected conductor (or other energized unprotected part) from centerline of pole shall be maintained (See Table 1, Case 8 ).

Note:    Revised October 9, 1996 by Resolution SU–40.

A.    Climbing Space (Wood Crossarm Construction)

The climbing space shall be maintained in the same position for a distance of not less than 4 feet vertically both above and below each conductor level through which it passes. To comply with this requirement, the position of the climbing space shall not be changed through conductor levels which are less than 4 feet apart. Where the vertical distance between consecutive conductor levels is 4 feet or more, and less than 8 feet, the position of the climbing space through such consecutive level may be shifted not more than one–quarter (90 degrees) of the distance around the pole.

Note:    Revised October 9, 1996 by Resolution SU–40.

Where a single level of circuitry is installed at the top of a pole, the climbing space shall extend up to the level of such pole top circuitry and need not be provided through and above such level. Where a conductor is installed at the top of a pole under the provisions of Rule 54.4–D8 , the climbing space shall extend up to the level of such pole top conductor but need not be provided through and above such level.

(1)    Dimensions where Line Arms Only Are Involved: The climbing space where line arms without related buck arms are involved on poles or structures shall be on one side or face of the pole, with the center line of pole approximately midway on one side of the climbing space (See Figure 54–5 .), and shall have the following dimensions:

(2)    Dimensions Where Buck Arms Are Involved: The climbing space where line arms and related buck arms are involved on poles or structures shall be on one side or face of the pole, or in a quadrant as defined below:

a)    Where the Vertical Clearance between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Four Feet or More: The climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each arm as specified in Rule 54.7–A1 .

b)    Where the Vertical Clearance between Conductors on Line and Buck Arms is Less than Four Feet: The climbing space shall be provided through such levels and located in a quadrant and shall have at least the following dimensions (See Figure 54–6 ).

For circuitry located at pole top, the climbing space specified in

Rule 54.7–A1 may be applied to the lower arm and up to but not through the conductors on the top arm (See Figure 54–7 ).

c)    For Combination Arm Construction with Line and Buck Arms or Service Buck Arm (see Rule 54.8–E for requirements where service drops are involved):

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on line and buck arms is 4 feet or more, the climbing space shall be provided on one side or face of the pole for each level as specified in Rule 54.7–A1 .

Where the vertical separation between conductor levels on line and buck arms is less than 4 feet such separation shall not be less than 2 feet, and the climbing space shall not be less than prescribed in Rule 54.7–A2b and the dimensions shall be in accordance with the highest voltage adjacent to the climbing quadrant (See Figure 54–8 ).

(3)    Allowable Climbing Space Obstructions: Allowable climbing space obstructions are:

a)    Crossarms and their supporting members.

b)    Insulators and their attaching brackets which support line conductors may extend one–half of their diameter into the climbing space.

c)    Conductors may extend one–half of their diameter into the climbing space.

d)    Suitably protected (covered only by wood, see Rule 22.8 ):

1)    Vertical risers; or

2)    Vertical runs; or

3)    Ground wires.

Such risers, runs, and grounds are allowable provided that not more than one is installed in any 4–foot section of climbing space.

e)    Guys (except those guys metallically contacting metal pins or deadend hardware as specified in Rule 52.7–D ). However, not more than two guys having a vertical separation of 18 inches or less can be installed in any 4–foot section of climbing space.

f)    Street light brackets may extend one–half their diameter into climbing space. Associated street light bracket struts are allowed in climbing space.

g)    Operating rods (e.g. switch rods) may extend one–half their diameter into climbing space. 

h)    Band(s), limited to 6 inches in total width are allowed in any 24-inch section of climbing space. These limitations are excluded for pole stubbing and pole splicing bands when pole step provisions are installed.

i)     Pole restoration techniques are allowed in climbing space provided pole steps are placed in the restoration area as part of the process.  Pole stepping shall be in accordance with Rules 51.7 and 81.6.   Hardware for the use of detachable pole steps shall be installed as part of the restoration process from ground line to 7 feet 6 inches.

j)     Bolts and their washers. However, bolts bonded to or used for the attachment of deadend hardware of circuits above 750 volts in wood crossarm configuration that project into the climbing space shall be covered with a non-conducting material as specified in Rule 22.8-C. If such bolts are bonded, a positive electrical contact shall be made.

EXCEPTIONS:    The covering of bolts required by this rule shall not apply to:

1)    Bolts associated with circuits of more than 7500 volts when located at the top level of a pole.

2)    Bolts associated with brackets and non–wood crossarms.

Modifications of these requirements in Rule 54.7–A3 are specified in: Rule 54.9–F for rack construction; Rule 54.10–F3 for multiconductor cable with bare neutral construction; Rule 54.11–G for triangular and vertical construction without wood crossarms; Rule 54.12–F3 for extended rack construction; and Rule 58.3–A3 for switches.

Note:    Revised January 19, 1994 by Resolution SU–25, October 9,1996 by Resolution SU–40 and January 13, 2006 by  Decision No. 05-01-030

B.    Working Space (All Types of Construction)

Working spaces, unobstructed by conductors or other equipment except as provided in Rule 54.7–B2 , of the dimensions as specified in Rule 54.7–B1 , shall be provided between supply conductor levels on all poles and in such positions that the working spaces include the climbing space.

(1)    Dimensions of Working Space:

a)    The vertical dimensions of working space above and below supply conductor levels energized above 750 volts shall be equal to the entire vertical distance between the supply conductors involved (e.g. the entire vertical distance between a 750 - 20,000 volt level and a 0 - 750 volt level).

b)    When there is no supply conductor level below a conductor level that is energized above 750 volts, the vertical dimension of working space shall be 6 feet.

c)    The vertical dimension of working space between supply conductor levels of 0 - 750 volts shall be equal to the vertical distance between such levels.

d)    The width of the working space where wood crossarms are involved shall extend from the climbing space to the outmost conductor position on the crossarm involved. The depth of the working space shall have the same dimension as the climbing space. This dimension shall be measured horizontally from the centerline of pole on the climbing side of pole. (See Figures 54–9 A, B and C. )

e)    The width of the working space of supply circuits above 750 volts where wood crossarms are not involved (e.g., vertical and triangular construction without wood crossarms) shall extend from the climbing space to the outmost conductor position on the conductor support involved. The depth of the working space shall have the same dimension as the climbing space and shall be measured from the centerline of pole (See Figure 54–9 D and 54–9H ). When conductors above 750 volts are located on one side of the pole only (e.g., vertical construction) the dimensions of working space shall be applied as illustrated in Figures 54–9 E and 54–9F (dimension “A” is equal to the distance from the climbing space to the outmost conductor position). When climbing space is located in a quadrant, working space shall be applied as illustrated in Figure 54–9 G .

f)    The width and depth of the working space for supply circuits of 0 - 750 volts where wood crossarms are not involved shall be the same width and depth as the climbing space.

(2)    Allowable Working Space Obstructions:

a)    Taps from conductors on line arms or other supports, extending to conductors on related buck arms or other supports, may pass through the working space between such levels of conductors.

b)    Service drops of 0 - 750 volts may pass through the working space of conductors supported on the same crossarm with the drop conductors and may pass through working space of 750 - 7,500 volt conductors provided not less than the clearances between service drop and line conductors specified in Rule 54.8–C6 are maintained.

c)    Cutouts, disconnects, switches, lightning arresters and their leads may be installed in the working space (but not in the climbing space).

d)    Lead wires to transformers, capacitors, oil switches, vacuum switches, and other similar apparatus may pass through the working space adjacent to the line conductors to which such leads are attached.

e)    Terminal fittings of risers and runs, and their taps, may extend into the working space provided these fittings are the only obstruction of the working space at their level on the same side of the climbing space.

f)    Street lights and their associated hardware may extend into the working space.

Note:    Rule 54.7 completely revised May 22, 1990 by Resolution SU–5; November 6, 1992 by Resolution SU–15 and October 9, 1996 by Resolution SU–40.