5.4 Marking of poles
5.4.1 General
5.4.2 Marking scheme
5.4.3 Removal of marking
5.4.4 Resultant action and timeframes
5.4.5 Pole records
5.4.1 General
An electricity entity should mark poles assessed as suspect or unserviceable. All markings should be about 1.5 m above ground line and on the side of the pole to which the pole identification record is fixed eg pole number. Markings should be in white or yellow paint and bold enough to be easily identifiable, even when visibility is poor. Any suspect or unserviceable poles shall be appropriately marked before the inspector leaves the site.
5.4.2 Marking scheme
- Serviceable poles – No marking required
- Suspect poles – A single diagonal stripe " / "
- Unserviceable poles – A single " X "
5.4.3 Removal of markings
Where it is necessary to remove the suspect or unserviceable mark, the painted cross or diagonal slash should, on the authority of a responsible officer, be either over-painted with a dark coloured paint or removed.
5.4.4 Resultant action and timeframes
Once a pole’s serviceability has been determined, the following action and timeframes should apply:
- Serviceable pole – no further action
- Suspect pole – assess pole within three months
- Unserviceable pole – replace or reinstate pole within six months
When a pole, at the time of inspection or assessment, is considered to present a high risk of injury or damage to property, immediate remedial action should be taken.
5.4.5 Pole records
An electricity entity should develop a reference system for supporting structures, to establish inspection and maintenance records.
Pole records should enable an electricity entity to:
- demonstrate that the entity’s pole reliability objective is achieved;
- compile statistics to determine the service performance of poles;
- determine future policies from a better knowledge of pole performance, maintenance and preservation methods;
- demonstrate that this section’s requirements have been complied with; and
- programme the inspection and maintenance of poles.
Last updated June 7, 2005
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