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Chat => Tech Chat => Topic started by: broadstairs on October 18, 2012, 11:13:44 AM

Title: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: broadstairs on October 18, 2012, 11:13:44 AM
This morning I was surprised to hear the sound of a ladder being erected outside and saw a BT van outside while the BT guy was getting ready to climb our pole which is located right outside our front garden. He then proceeded to start tapping (or more like bashing) the pole with a hammer all the way up as he climbed and poked the top of the pole with a screwdriver (or other pointy tool). I presume his is testing the pole for structural integrity as once done he then packed up and left.

I don't know how often this is done but we have lived here for some 12 years and this is the first time I have noticed this being done here, although I've never noticed it anywhere before. It is an obvious thing for BT to do as these poles are wood and can rot/decay. The other thing which was noticeable was apart from his safety harness there was a silver coloured box attached to a rope round the pole and the other end attached to the man (looked like round his neck), I wonder what this was?

Stuart
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: HPsauce on October 18, 2012, 11:45:02 AM
Possibly some sort of fall alarm?
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: broadstairs on October 18, 2012, 12:41:15 PM
Possibly some sort of fall alarm?

Yes I had not considered that, should have in this modern day environment! Although very sensible if working alone which I think he was....

Stuart
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: c6em on October 18, 2012, 12:43:36 PM
Could be hammering in wood preservative pellets into the post at various strategic intervals.
Seen it done on electric poles round here.
They seem to be some form of slow release plastic dart like unit which is hammered in to pole.
Once done all you see on the outside is the head of the pellet sticking out 5mm or so.
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: broadstairs on October 18, 2012, 02:52:05 PM
Could be hammering in wood preservative pellets into the post at various strategic intervals.
Seen it done on electric poles round here.
They seem to be some form of slow release plastic dart like unit which is hammered in to pole.
Once done all you see on the outside is the head of the pellet sticking out 5mm or so.

I don't think that was happening as he was hammering all round, it was fairly obvious that this was some kind of testing, although I can't rule it out.

Stuart
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: kitz on October 18, 2012, 04:07:07 PM
>> I presume his is testing the pole for structural integrity as once done he then packed up and left.

I think that would have been my first thought, but then I would also find it strange that he only did one pole and didnt check any more nearby. ???
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on October 18, 2012, 04:30:54 PM
The guy was a 'Pole Tester'.

The cycle for wooden poles is every 13yrs. The hammer test is something every engineer should do before climbing a pole, it's to listen for changes in the 'thud' heard as we hit the pole with the hammer all around it's base, which could determine whether there is decay present.

Due to poles being replaced, upgraded for dropwire heights etc etc ......... the tester may only have one pole to look at in the area, that's out of the 13yr cycle.

The silver box could be the newer piece of equipment the PT's have been issued ?? The equipment I'm reffering to tests some kind of resistivity of the pole. Not having ever been a stick-tester, nor ever wanting to be, I'm not 100% certain of the 'Silver box'.

Hope the other bits help. :) 

Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on October 18, 2012, 04:35:24 PM
Possibly some sort of fall alarm?

We don't have 'Fall alarms'. Just a 'Fall arrest lanyard' that breaks your back, and then swings you back and forth smashing your head into the pole-climbing steps for 5 mins until momentum is lost. It's a slow painful death, rather than the instant one you would probably get, by not wearing the lanyard and falling off. 
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: broadstairs on October 18, 2012, 04:45:14 PM
 :o :o :o :o :o :o

Stuart
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: kitz on October 18, 2012, 05:29:57 PM
 :o indeed!
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on October 18, 2012, 07:05:38 PM
Have I missed something ??
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on October 18, 2012, 07:24:53 PM
I'm guessing maybe Stuart condoned the falling from poles ??  :)
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Ezzer on November 09, 2012, 05:41:19 PM
Thanks Black sheep, I've heard many descriptions of the possibilities of injuries from the lanyard. Yours tickled me.  :lol:

I remember tapping a suspect pole with a hammer only for the hammer head to half dissapear into the wood with a soggy squelch. The pole looked sort of ok to sight. I reckon the sun dries the outer layers so it looked ok.

@ Broadstairs, that screwdriver thing is a probe. Like a screwdriver but with a taper at the end to make a slight point and a mark about 20mm back. The idea that in theory you should not climb any pole where the probe can be inserted as far up to the mark. That includes "Shakes" which are the natural splits in the wood.

Oh and Black Sheep, I wonder if your aware on EL poles if a stay wire has the insulator below the level of any BT plant then its deemed a D pole ?
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on November 09, 2012, 06:08:20 PM
Thanks Black sheep, I've heard many descriptions of the possibilities of injuries from the lanyard. Yours tickled me.  :lol:

I remember tapping a suspect pole with a hammer only for the hammer head to half dissapear into the wood with a soggy squelch. The pole looked sort of ok to sight. I reckon the sun dries the outer layers so it looked ok.

@ Broadstairs, that screwdriver thing is a probe. Like a screwdriver but with a taper at the end to make a slight point and a mark about 20mm back. The idea that in theory you should not climb any pole where the probe can be inserted as far up to the mark. That includes "Shakes" which are the natural splits in the wood.

Oh and Black Sheep, I wonder if your aware on EL poles if a stay wire has the insulator below the level of any BT plant then its deemed a D pole ?

No, I wasn't aware of that, Ezz ??!! The rules and regs surrounding EL poles, have probably changed since you left our shores/ Openreach ?? We have to fill out a on-site assessment form now and retain for 'x' ammount of time (can't remember how long ??). We have to be 2-men parties now, if an EL pole is to be climbed. We have to use 'Blue ladders' (fibreglass constructed).
Somewhere in the back of my mind is a memo about not being able to 'add' any more loading to EL Poles, anymore ?? We can use existing way leaves to replace faulty DW's, but as far as I'm aware, we can't install newly provided DW's ?? As CAL/OMI isn't my forte, I may be slightly out of touch with the last comment ??

However, I must admit I haven't seen that particular snippet of info you have just given ?? As you well know, information overload is rife in BT and one cannot possibly absorb all the daily changes to working practices, booking codes, quality, safety, equivalence ....... all being different dependant upon the nature of the work being undertaken. Great bit of knowledge share though, Ezz.

PS ..... glad the fall-arrest pun tickled ya !! ;D

Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Ezzer on November 09, 2012, 06:56:43 PM
Blue ladder go's without saying, Yes I was around for 2 men/women with EL's (that was a pain). Risk assesment form ? good grief  :o no hadn't come across that one

As for the insulator, it was quite some time ago one of the guys who buddied up with a hoist raised this point. No one was aware of it but he did locate the ISIS and it dated back some years and was still current. Took a bit of digging but sure enough that is the case

The basis being we shouldn't be in the range of potentialy live uninsulated plant while being grounded. Although working off a hoist is deemed ok so a task is ment to have a hoist if the insulator is below BT plant.

It was one of those collective. "OOOOOOh well I didn't know that." moments
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on November 09, 2012, 07:26:09 PM
Blue ladder go's without saying, Yes I was around for 2 men/women with EL's (that was a pain). Risk assesment form ? good grief  :o no hadn't come across that one

As for the insulator, it was quite some time ago one of the guys who buddied up with a hoist raised this point. No one was aware of it but he did locate the ISIS and it dated back some years and was still current. Took a bit of digging but sure enough that is the case

The basis being we shouldn't be in the range of potentialy live uninsulated plant while being grounded. Although working off a hoist is deemed ok so a task is ment to have a hoist if the insulator is below BT plant.

It was one of those collective. "OOOOOOh well I didn't know that." moments

I'm still not aware of this info, Ezz. I've just (saddo) read the relevant ISIS and the only bit that even touches on this subject is pasted below .................

'Power conductors or any metalwork associated with the power system (including lighting brackets) must never be touched, as they could be live. Similarly stay wires must not be touched - particularly the section of the staywire above the insulator'

There are no other references regarding regs of the stay wire and/or insulation of, other than a visual check of its condition. Sorry to dissapoint mate. :'(

As an aside, the same ISIS quotes the mandatory 2-man working on JUP's, as being introduced 1st May 2009. :)
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Ezzer on November 09, 2012, 08:45:45 PM
I think thats the one we initaly found when Terry mentioned it. He dug around and found another one which was specific to the insulator on the stay.

Shame I don't have my outlook file with the doc any more. There definately was one. Took Terry some time to find it, he was determined as he was certain he saw it so as to prove it to us

If I remember correctly it also mentioned the way any cabling was run by the stay with a low insulator.
Title: Re: A visit to our telegraph pole today
Post by: Black Sheep on November 09, 2012, 09:25:13 PM
No worries, Ezz, I believe you mate. You of all people will appreciate the quagmire that is the ISIS Reference Library !! I thought the 'Electrical Regs' were a mare to navigate, all those years ago ............. but ISIS ?? They're in a league of their own. :'( :)

It would probably be quicker and easier knocking on every door in Britain, and asking if an 'Openreach Hoist Operator' named Terry lives there ?? Then take it from there ...........  ;D