go 95 rule 84.7

Detailed Construction Requirements for Communication Lines
(Class C Circuits)

84.7 Climbing Space

Climbing space shall be provided on one side or quadrant of all poles or structures supporting communications conductors excepting at the level of the one pair of conductors attached to the pole below the lowest crossarm (Rules 84.4–C1c , 84.4–D1 and 87.4–C3 ) and the top 3 feet of poles carrying communication conductors only which are attached directly to pole in accordance with the provisions of Rule 84.4–C1c .

The climbing space shall be maintained in the same position on the pole for minimum vertical distance of 4 feet above and below each conductor level through which it passes, excepting that where a cable is attached to a crossarm or a pole with the cable less than 9 or 15 inches from the center line of the pole supporting conductors on line arms (no buck arm construction involved) in accordance with the provisions of Rules 84.4–D1 or 87.4–C3 , the 4 foot vertical distance may be reduced to not less than 3 feet.

The position of the climbing space shall not be shifted more than 90 degrees around the pole within a vertical distance of less than 8 feet. Climbing space shall be maintained from the ground level.

The climbing space shall be kept free from obstructions excepting those obstructions permitted by Rule 84.7–E .

A. Where Line Arms Only are Involved (See figure 84–3 )

The climbing space through the levels of conductors supported on line arms only shall be located so that the center line of the pole is approximately midway on the side of the climbing space and parallel to the crossarms.The horizontal dimensions of the climbing spaces, with widths measured perpendicularly to the conductors, and with depths measured from the center line of the pole and parallel to the conductors, shall not be less than those specified in Rule 84.7–A1 and 84.7–A2 .

EXCEPTION: At angles in lines with widths of 18 and 30 inches may be reduced to not less than 16 1/2 and 27 1/2 inches respectively, provided the horizontal separation of pole–pin conductors measured parallel to the crossarm shall not be less than 18 and 30 inches respectively.

(1) On Poles Which Support Communication Conductors Only: The climbing space for communication conductors shall not be less than 18 inches wide and 30 inches deep.

(2) On Poles Jointly Used with Supply Conductors: The climbing space through the levels of communication conductors on line arms on poles jointly used with supply conductors, shall be not less than 30 inches in width and not less than 30 inches in depth, except that climbing spaces of the dimensions specified in Rule 84.7–A1 may be used where the only supply conductors supported by the pole are on service drop clearance attachments as permitted by Rules 54.8–C2 and 54.8–C3 .

B. Where Buck Arms Are Involved

The horizontal dimensions of the climbing space shall be fixed according to the following crossarm combinations of line arms and related buck arms. For this purpose a metal back brace shall be considered as one of the arms of double arm construction and where used the requirements for double arm construction shall be met.

(1) Double Line Arm and Double Buck Arm: Where the combination is double line arm and double buck arm the climbing space shall be not less than 26 1/2 inches square measured horizontally from the center line of pole (see Appendix G, Figure 37 ).

(2) Double Buck Arm and Single Line Arm, or Vice Versa: Where the combination is double buck arm and single line arm, or vice versa, and the climbing space is left open on the opposite side of pole from the single arm, the climbing space (measured horizontally from center line of pole) shall be not less than 20 inches perpendicular to the single arm, and not less than 26 1/2 inches perpendicular to the double arms (see Appendix G, Figure 36 ).

(3) Single Line Arm and Single Buck Arm: Where the combination is single line arm and single buck arm and the climbing space is left open on the sides of pole opposite the crossarms, the climbing space shall be not less than 20 inches square measured horizontally from center line of pole (see Appendix G, Figure 35 ).

(4) Alternative: Where a combination of a single line arm and a single buck arm or a double line arm and single buck arm (or vice versa) is involved and it is impracticable to locate the climbing space on the side of the pole opposite the single arm or arms, it may be located in another quadrant provided that any arm within such climbing space is treated as one of the arms of a double arm installation and that where a change of quadrant is involved the provisions of Rule 84.7 are observed.

C. Through Conductors Not on Crossarms

Where communication conductors are not supported on crossarms, an unobstructed climbing space not less than 30 inches square (measured from center line of pole) shall be maintained through all conductor levels of such conductors except those levels of similarly supported conductors within 3 feet of the topmost conductor on the pole (see Appendix G, Figure 38 ).

D. Through Service Drops Not on Crossarms

Where hooks, knobs or brackets are used for the support of service drops and other conductors are supported at a higher level on the pole, an unobstructed climbing space 30 inches square shall be maintained through such attachments, and for not less than 4 feet above and below such attachments, using any one of the service drops as one side of the climbing space and having one other side perpendicular to it and tangent to the surface of the pole (see Appendix G, Figure 39 ).

For clearance of service drop attachments above or below supply conductors see Rule 84.8–D1 .

E. Allowable Climbing Space Obstructions

Vertical conductors, when in a suitable protective covering attached directly to the surface of the pole, terminal boxes or similar equipment which do not extend more than 5 inches from the surface of the pole, and guys, will not be held to obstruct the climbing space provided not more than two guys (provided they are separated at the pole by a vertical distance of not more than 18 inches) and one other of the above named obstructions are installed in any 4-foot vertical section of climbing space.

Crossarms and their supporting members are allowed in climbing spaces provided that, where buck arms are involved, any arms within climbing spaces are treated as double arms.

A guard arm, a longitudinal run of messenger, cable or insulated wire will not be held to obstruct the climbing space where they are placed in the climbing space because the presence of a building wall or similar obstacle will not permit the cable to be placed on the side of pole opposite the climbing space. Pole steps shall be suitably placed for the purpose of facilitating climbing past the level of terminal box, cable, drop wires and guard arm.

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.

Bands 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.

Unnecessary impairment of the climbing space is not permitted by the application of this Rule 84.7-E.