General Order 95
Section IX
Joint Poles or Poles Jointly Used
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.
Exception: Steps are not required above the uppermost Class C circuit where an Antenna is affixed above supply conductors.
Note: Revised January 2, 1962 by
Resolution No. E–1109 and June 29, 2009 by .Decision
No. 0810017