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Pole Inspection Process

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Pole Inspection Process

• Qwest Evaluated Several Methodologies• Osmose Method

• Manual tool• Inspector dependent and qualitative

• Resistograph• Reproducible and quantitative• Transferable via an electronic tool to a database

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Pole Inspection Process

• Field Operations Technician Inspection• Whenever climbing, placing a ladder against a pole, or

working mid span between poles, a technician must:

1. Visually inspect all poles2. Sound and Prod all poles

• If deficiencies are identified; mark the pole and contact your supervisor.

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Tagging Defective Poles• A-Tag used for non-

critical defects; cautionary flag

• Place tag on roadside and field side – 6 feet from the ground

• C-Tag used for dangerous conditions

• Requires immediate replacement

• Place tag on roadside and field side – 6 feet from the ground

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Visual - for Physical Hazards• Visual inspection also includes the following:

• Excessive leaning• Evidence of collision damage• Fungal growth• Termites or carpenter ants• Bent, loose or missing pole steps• Weather cracks• Woodpecker holes• Debris around the pole• Foreign attachments• Obstructions• Ice on the pole• Power hazards• Lightning or fire damage• Compressed wood (pressure treated)• Shell rot

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Sound Test• Use hammer and strike the pole sharply and

squarely• Begin at the ground level to a point as high

as you can comfortably reach• Ground line – Waist height – High as can be

reached – All around the pole• Hit the pole 12 times (3 times on each quarter)

*Pole free of decay will have clear sound and the hammer will usually rebound noticeably

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Prod Test• Checks the condition of the pole at or below the

ground line• Use pole prod or 5 inch screwdriver• Remove dirt from around the pole below ground line

4 to 6 inches• Replace dirt after completion of inspection

• Hold prod at a 45° angle (circle the pole)• Use the hammer to drive the prod 1 to 2 inches into the

pole at a minimum of two locations 180° apart• NOTE: If pole is set in concrete or asphalt, perform

the test at ground line at four points 90° apart

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Resistograph Method

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Pole Inspection Process• Designated Pole Inspectors

• Perform inspections on Qwest owned poles only• Locate the pole line to be inspected • Conduct the same inspection as the Field Technician

1. Visually inspect all poles2. Sound and Prod all poles • In addition:• Specific training and equipment• Use the Resistograph on designated poles or any other pole

tested as Marginal in the Visual – Sound – Prod test

NOTE: Inspectors will make the determination if the pole is “Good” or “ Bad”; No poles can be left with a marginal designation. “Bad” poles reported for repair.

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Visual - for Physical Hazards• List physical hazards in the Exceptions

(JRM Collect / Hand Held Computer)

• Take a picture of the physical hazard (item that physically failed the pole), if possible

• Use of the digital camera and JRM Collect / Hand Held Computer will be discussed later

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Defect Examples• Poles were once trees, containing knotholes,

cracks and growth rings• Center of the tree may not always be the

center of the pole• Center will look different on the graph line

• Poles are treated with chemicals• Harder poles have a higher graph line• Softer poles have a lower graph line• Decay graph line will run across the bottom

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Resistograph Profile for Pole with Internal Decay Pockets

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Types of Defects• Hollow Heart – continuous shell of sound wood, but

with internal decay through more than halfway around the pole

• Decay Pocket – internal decay is less than one half of the circumference

• External Decay – progresses from the surface toward the center. May be along cracks or exposed pockets

General Rule – circumference of sound wood, as modified by the presence of any decay pockets

detected, determines whether a pole should remain in service or be replaced

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Qwest/Telcordia Tables

• Qwest worked with Telcordia to develop various tables which help determine the soundness of the pole based upon many different factors.

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Strength Retention in Poles with Circumferential Decay in Sapwood

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Capturing Measurement Data• Electronics Module is blue tooth enabled• Menu driven • Synch the Resistograph with the Hand Held (next

module)• Charge electronics module using the USB port

REFER TO: JRM Collect Manual for instructions on setting up Resistograph electronics

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Hand Held / JRM Collect / Gizmo• Utilizes a stylus with a touch screen• Blue tooth enabled• Review Hand Held components; blue tooth enabled,

USB ports, charger• Menu Program at the top right controls the

following:• Output to external display device• LCD Brightness Adjustment• Rotate screen• Sound on/off• Etiquette (silent) Mode on/off• Wireless LAN on/off• Remaining Battery Charge

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Replacement or Repair

• For poles needing replacement or repair a message is sent via the JRM/Gizmo process to both Field and Engineering groups for action.

• One method of repair is trussing.

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Questions?