Appendix B: Adopted Revisions to General Orders 95, 165, and 166
Appendix B shows the text of General Orders 95, 165, and 166 as revised by today's decision.
Adopted Rule in Final Form
18 Purpose of Rules The purpose of these rules is to formulate, for the State of California, requirements for overhead line design, construction, and maintenance, the application of which will ensure adequate service and secure safety to persons engaged in the construction, maintenance, operation or use of overhead lines and to the public in general. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
This adopted revisions to Rule 18A include the consensus revisions to Rule 18A that replace the term "violation" with the term "nonconformance."
18 Reporting and Resolution of Safety Hazards Discovered by Utilities For purposes of this rule, "Safety Hazard" means a condition that poses a significant threat to human life or property. "Southern California" is defined as the following: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. "Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones" are defined on the Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) Map prepared by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or the modified FRAP Map prepared by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and adopted by Decision 11-XX-YYY in Phase 2 of Rulemaking 08-11-005. All entities subject to Rule 18 shall use the FRAP Map to implement Rule 18, except that SDG&E may use its modified FRAP Map to implement Rule 18. Part A: Resolution of Safety Hazards and General Order 95 Nonconformances (1)(a) Each company (including utilities and CIPs) is responsible for taking appropriate corrective action to remedy Safety Hazards and GO 95 nonconformances posed by its facilities. (b) Upon completion of the corrective action, the company's records shall show, with sufficient detail, the nature of the work, the date, and the identity of persons performing the work. These records shall be preserved by the company for at least ten (10) years and shall be made available to Commission staff upon 30 days notice. (c) Where a communications company's or an electric utility' actions result in GO nonconformances for another entity, that entity's remedial action will be to transmit a single documented notice of identified nonconformances to the communications company or electric utility for compliance. (2)(a) All companies shall establish an auditable maintenance program for their facilities and lines. All companies must include a timeline for corrective actions to be taken following the identification of a Safety Hazard or nonconformances with General Order 95 on the company's facilities. The auditable maintenance program shall prioritize corrective actions consistent with the priority levels set forth below and based on the following factors, as appropriate: · Safety and reliability as specified in the priority levels below; · Type of facility or equipment; · Location, including whether the Safety Hazard or nonconformance is located in an Extreme or Very High Fire Threat Zone in Southern California; · Accessibility;
· Direct or potential impact on operations, customers, electrical company workers, communications workers, and the general public. There shall be 3 priority levels. (i) Level 1: · Immediate safety and/or reliability risk with high probability for significant impact. · Take action immediately, either by fully repairing the condition, or by temporarily repairing and reclassifying the condition to a lower priority. (ii) Level 2: · Variable (non-immediate high to low) safety and/or reliability risk. · Take action to correct within specified time period (fully repair, or by temporarily repairing and reclassifying the condition to a lower priority). Time period for correction to be determined at the time of identification by a qualified company representative, but not to exceed: (1) 12 months for nonconformances that compromise worker safety, (2) 12 months for nonconformances that create a fire risk and are located in an Extreme or Very High Fire Threat Zone in Southern California, and (3) 59 months for all other Level 2 nonconformances. (iii) Level 3: · Acceptable safety and/or reliability risk. · Take action (re-inspect, re-evaluate, or repair) as appropriate. (b) Correction times may be extended under reasonable circumstances, such as: · Third party refusal · Customer issue · No access · Permits required · System emergencies (e.g. fires, severe weather conditions) (3) Companies that have existing General Order 165 auditable inspection and maintenance programs that are consistent with the purpose of Rule 18A shall continue to follow their General Order 165 programs. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
B. Notification of Safety Hazards If a company, while performing inspections of its facilities, discovers a safety hazard(s) on or near a communications facility or electric facility involving another company, the inspecting company shall notify the other company and/or facility owner of such safety hazard(s) no later than 10 business days after the discovery. To the extent the inspecting company cannot determine the facility owner/operator, it shall contact the pole owner(s), who shall be responsible for promptly notifying the company owning/operating the facility with the safety hazard(s), normally not to exceed five business days after being notified of the safety hazard. The notification shall be documented and such documentation must be preserved by all parties for at least ten years. Note: Each pole owner must be able to determine all other pole owners on poles it owns. Each pole owner must be able to determine all authorized entities that attach equipment on its portion of a pole. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
Rule 23.0 Reconstruction means that work which in any way changes the identity of the pole, tower or structure on which it is performed. A change in grade of construction or class of circuit is considered reconstruction. For exceptions see Rule 12.1. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
31.1 Design, Construction and Maintenance Electrical supply and communication systems shall be designed, constructed, and maintained for their intended use, regard being given to the conditions under which they are to be operated, to enable the furnishing of safe, proper, and adequate service. For all particulars not specified in these rules, design, construction, and maintenance should be done in accordance with accepted good practice for the given local conditions known at the time by those responsible for the design, construction, or maintenance of communication or supply lines and equipment. A supply or communications company is in compliance with this rule if it designs, constructs, and maintains a facility in accordance with the particulars specified in General Order 95, except that if an intended use or known local conditions require a higher standard than the particulars specified in General Order 95 to enable the furnishing of safe, proper, and adequate service, the company shall follow the higher standard. For all particulars not specified in General Order 95, a supply or communications company is in compliance with this rule if it designs, constructs and maintains a facility in accordance with accepted good practice for the intended use and known local conditions. All work performed on public streets and highways shall be done in such a manner that the operations of other utilities and the convenience of the public will be interfered with as little as possible and no conditions unusually dangerous to workmen, pedestrians or others shall be established at any time. Note: The standard of accepted good practice should be applied on a case by case basis. For example, the application of "accepted good practice" may be aided by reference to any of the practices, methods, and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the relevant industry, or which may be expected to accomplish the desired result with regard to safety and reliability at a reasonable cost. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
31.2 Inspection of Lines Lines shall be inspected frequently and thoroughly for the purpose of ensuring that they are in good condition so as to conform with these rules. Lines temporarily out of service shall be inspected and maintained in such condition as not to create a hazard. A. Communication Lines (See Rule 80.1) B. Supply Lines shall be inspected in compliance with the requirements of General Order 165. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
35 Vegetation Management Where overhead conductors traverse trees and vegetation, safety and reliability of service demand that certain vegetation management activities be performed in order to establish necessary and reasonable clearances, the minimum clearances set forth in Table 1, Cases 13 and 14, measured between line conductors and vegetation under normal conditions shall be maintained. (Also see Appendix E for tree trimming guidelines.) These requirements apply to all overhead electrical supply and communication facilities that are covered by this General Order, including facilities on lands owned and maintained by California state and local agencies. When a supply or communication company has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the company, that dead, rotten or diseased trees or dead, rotten or diseased portions of otherwise healthy trees overhang or lean toward and may fall into a span of supply or communication lines, said trees or portions thereof should be removed. Communication and electric supply circuits, energized at 750 volts or less, including their service drops, should be kept clear of vegetation in new construction and when circuits are reconstructed or repaired, whenever practicable. When a supply or communication company has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the company, that its circuit energized at 750 volts or less shows strain or evidences abrasion from vegetation contact, the condition shall be corrected by reducing conductor tension, rearranging or replacing the conductor, pruning the vegetation, or placing mechanical protection on the conductor(s). For the purpose of this rule, abrasion is defined as damage to the insulation resulting from the friction between the vegetation and conductor. Scuffing or polishing of the insulation or covering is not considered abrasion. Strain on a conductor is present when vegetation contact significantly compromises the structural integrity of supply or communication facilities. Contact between vegetation and conductors, in and of itself, does not constitute a nonconformance with the rule. EXCEPTIONS: 1. Rule 35 requirements do not apply to conductors, or aerial cable that complies with Rule 57.4-C, energized at less than 60,000 volts, where trimming or removal is not practicable and the conductor is separated from the tree with suitable materials or devices to avoid conductor damage by abrasion and grounding of the circuit through the tree. 2. Rule 35 requirements do not apply where the supply or communication company has made a "good faith" effort to obtain permission to trim or remove vegetation but permission was refused or unobtainable. A "good faith" effort shall consist of current documentation of a minimum of an attempted personal contact and a written communication, including documentation of mailing or delivery. The written communication may include a statement that the company may seek to recover any costs and liabilities incurred by the company due to its inability to trim or remove vegetation. However, this does not preclude other action or actions from demonstrating "good faith". If permission to trim or remove vegetation is unobtainable and requirements of exception 2 are met, the company is not compelled to comply with the requirements of exception 1. 3. The Commission recognizes that unusual circumstances beyond the control of the utility may result in nonconformance with the rules. In such cases, the utility may be directed by the Commission to take prompt remedial action to come into conformance, whether or not the nonconformance gives rise to penalties or is alleged to fall within permitted exceptions or phase-in requirements. 4. Mature trees whose trunks and major limbs are located more than six inches, but less than the clearance required by Table 1, Cases 13E and 14E, from primary distribution conductors are exempt from the minimum clearance requirement under this rule. The trunks and limbs to which this exemption applies shall only be those of sufficient strength and rigidity to prevent the trunk or limb from encroaching upon the six-inch minimum clearance under reasonably foreseeable local wind and weather conditions. The utility shall bear the risk of determining whether this exemption applies, and the Commission shall have final authority to determine whether the exemption applies in any specific instance, and to order that corrective action be taken in accordance with this rule, if it determines that the exemption does not apply. |
General Order 95, Rule 35, Appendix E, Guidelines
Adopted Revisions to GO 95, Appendix E in Final Form
The following are guidelines to Rule 35. The radial clearances shown below are recommended minimum clearances that should be established, at time of trimming, between the vegetation and the energized conductors and associated live parts where practicable. Reasonable vegetation management practices may make it advantageous for the purposes of public safety or service reliability to obtain greater clearances than those listed below to ensure compliance until the next scheduled maintenance. Each utility may determine and apply additional appropriate clearances beyond clearances listed below, which take into consideration various factors, including: line operating voltage, length of span, line sag, planned maintenance cycles, location of vegetation within the span, species type, experience with particular species, vegetation growth rate and characteristics, vegetation management standards and best practices, local climate, elevation, fire risk, and vegetation trimming requirements that are applicable to State Responsibility Area lands pursuant to Public Resource Code Sections 4102 and 4293. |
General Order 95, Rule 35, Appendix E, Table
Adopted Rule in Final Form
Voltage of Lines Case 13 of Table 1 Case 14 of Table 1 Radial clearances for any conductor of a line operating at 2,400 V or more, but less than 72,000 V 4 feet 6.5 feet Radial clearances for any conductor of a line operating at 72,000 V or more, but less than 110,000 V 6 feet 10 feet Radial clearances for any conductor of a line operating at 110,000 V or more, but less than 300,000 V 10 feet 20 feet Radial clearances for any conductor of a line operating at 300,000 V 15 feet 20 feet |
General Order 95, Rule 37, Table 1, Case 14 and Footnotes (fff) -(jjj)
Adopted Rule in Final Form
Table 1: Basic Minimum Allowable Vertical Clearance of Wires above Railroads, Thoroughfares, Ground or Water Surfaces; Also Clearances from Poles, Buildings, Structures or Other Objects (nn) (Letter References Denote Modifications of Minimum Clearances as Referred to in Notes Following This Table) | ||||||||
Wire of Conductor Concerned | ||||||||
Case No. |
Nature of Clearance |
A Span Wires (Other than Trolley Span Wires) Overhead Guys and Messengers |
B Communications Conductors (including Open Wire, Cables and Service Drops) Supply Service Drops of 0-750 Volts |
C Trolley Contact Feeder and Span Wires, 0-5,000 Volts |
D Supply Conductors of 0-750 Volts and Supply Cable Treated as in Rule 57.8 |
E Supply Conductors and Supply Cables, 750-22,500 Volts |
F Supply Conductors And Supply Cables, 22.5-300 kV |
G Supply Conductors and Supply Cables, 300-550 kV(mm) |
14 |
Radial clearance of bare line conductors from vegetation in Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones in Southern California (aaa) (ddd) (hhh)(jjj) |
18 inches (bbb) |
48 inches (bbb) (iii) |
48 inches (fff) |
120 inches (ggg) | |||
(fff) Clearances in this case shall be increased for conductors operating above 72 kV, to the following: 1. Conductors operating between 72 kV and a 110 kV shall maintain a 72 inch clearance. 2. Conductors operating above 110 kV shall maintain a 120 inch clearance. (ggg) Shall be increased by 0.40 inch per kV in excess of 500 kV. (hhh) Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones are defined by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) Fire Threat Map. The FRAP Fire Threat Map is to be used to establish approximate boundaries for purposes of this rule. The boundaries of the map are to be broadly construed, and utilities should use their own expertise and judgment to determine if local conditions require them to adjust the boundaries of the map. Southern California shall be defined as the following: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties. (iii) May be reduced to 18 inches for conductors operating less than 2.4 kV. (jjj) Clearances in this case shall not apply to orchards of fruit, nut or citrus trees that are plowed or cultivated. In those areas Case 13 clearances shall apply. | ||||||||
General Order 95, Rules 44.1, 44.2, 44.3
Adopted Rules in Final Form
44.1 Installation and Reconstruction Lines and elements of lines upon installation or reconstruction, shall provide as a minimum the safety factors specified in Table 4 for vertical loads and loads transverse to lines and for loads longitudinal to lines except where longitudinal loads are balanced or where there are changes in grade of construction (see Rules 47.3, 47.4 and 47.5). The design shall consider the structural loading and mechanical strength requirements of all supply and communication facilities planned to occupy the structure. For purposes of this rule, the term "planned" applies to the facilities intended to occupy the structure that are actually known to the constructing company at the time of design. 44.2 Additional Construction Any entity planning the addition of facilities that materially increase vertical, transverse or longitudinal loading on a structure shall perform a loading calculation to ensure that the addition of the facilities will not reduce the safety factors below the values specified by Rule 44.3. Such entity shall maintain these pole loading calculations for ten years and shall provide such information to authorized joint use pole occupants and the Commission upon request. Note: For the purpose of Rule 44.2, a material increase in load is an addition which increases the load on a structure by more than five percent per installation, or ten percent over a 12-month span, of the electric utility's or Communication Infrastructure Provider's current load. 44.3 Replacement Lines or parts thereof shall be replaced or reinforced before safety factors have been reduced (due to deterioration and/or installation of additional facilities) in Grades "A" and "B" construction to less than two-thirds of the construction safety factors specified in Rule 44.1 and in Grades "C" and "F" construction to less than one-half of the construction safety factors specified in Rule 44.1. Poles in Grade "F" construction shall also conform to the requirements of Rule 81.3-A. In no case shall the application of this rule be held to permit the use of structures or any member of any structure with a safety factor less than one. |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
Adopted Rule in Final Form
80.1 Inspection Requirements for Communication Lines: A. Patrol and Detailed Inspections (1) Inspection Requirements for Joint-Use Poles in High Fire-Threat Areas In high fire-threat areas, the inspection intervals for (i) Communication Lines located on Joint-Use Poles (See Rule 21.8) that contain Supply Circuits (See Rule 20.6-D), and (ii) Communication Lines attached to a pole that is within three spans of a Joint-Use Pole with Supply Circuits, shall not exceed the time specified in the following Table. Inspection Northern California Southern California Patrol 2 Years 1 Year Detailed 10 Years 5 Years Inspection intervals and shall be conducted more frequently than shown in the above table, if necessary, based on the five factors listed in Rule 80.1(A)(2), below. For the purpose of the above Table, the high fire-threat areas in Southern California are Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones in the following counties: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones are defined by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) Fire Threat Map. For the purpose of the above Table, the high fire-threat areas in Northern California are areas designated as Threat Classes 3 and 4 on the Reax Map adopted by Decision 11-XX-YYY issued in Phase 2 of Rulemaking 08-11-005. For the purpose of implementing the patrol and detailed inspection intervals in the above Table in the high fire-threat areas of the state, the term "year" is defined as 12 consecutive calendar months starting the first full calendar month after an inspection is performed, plus or minus two full calendar months, not to exceed the end of the calendar year in which the next inspection is due. The FRAP Map and Reax Map are to be used to establish approximate boundaries. Communications Infrastructure Providers should use their own expertise and judgment to determine if local conditions require them to adjust the boundaries of the map. Inspections in high fire-threat areas shall be planned and conducted in accordance with the statewide inspection requirements and procedures described in Rule 80.1.A(2), below. Each company's procedures shall describe (i) the methodology used to ensure that all Communication Lines are subject to the required inspections, and (ii) the procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the inspections. The procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the inspections shall include a checklist for patrol inspections. (2) Statewide Inspection Requirements Each company shall prepare, follow, and modify as necessary, procedures for conducting patrol or detailed inspections for all of its Communication Lines throughout the State. Consistent with Rule 31.2, the type, frequency and thoroughness of inspections shall be based upon the following factors: · Fire threat · Proximity to overhead power-line facilities · Terrain · Accessibility · Location Each company that discovers a safety hazard on or near a communications facility or electric facility involving another company while performing inspections of its own facilities pursuant to this rule shall notify the other company and/or facility owner of such safety hazard in accordance with Rule 18(B). Each company's procedures shall describe (i) the methodology used to ensure that all Communication Lines are subject to the required inspections, and (ii) the procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the inspections. The procedures used for specifying what problems should be identified by the inspections shall include a checklist for patrol inspections. (3) Definitions Detailed Inspections. For the purpose of this rule, Detailed Inspection shall be defined as a careful visual inspection of Communication facilities and structures using inspection tools such as binoculars and measuring devices, as appropriate. Detailed inspections may be carried out in the course of other company business. Patrol Inspections. For the purpose of this rule, Patrol Inspection shall be defined as a simple visual inspection, of applicable communications facilities equipment and structures that is designed to identify obvious structural problems and hazards. Patrol inspections may be carried out in the course of other company business. (4) Record Keeping Each company shall maintain records for at least ten (10) years that provide the following information for each facility subject to this rule: The location of the facility, the date of each inspection of the facility, the results of each inspection, the personnel who performed each inspection, the date and description of each corrective action, and the personnel who performed each correction action. Commission staff shall be permitted to inspect records consistent with Public Utilities Code Section 314 (a). |
Adopted Rule in Final Form
80.1 Inspection Requirements for Communication Lines: B. Intrusive Inspections Wood poles in high fire-threat areas that support only Communication Lines or equipment shall be intrusively inspected in accordance with the schedule established in General Order 165 if they are: · Interset between joint-use poles supporting supply lines in the high fire-threat areas of Southern California. · Within three spans of a joint-use pole supporting supply lines in the high fire-threat areas of Southern California. · Within one span of a joint-use pole supporting supply lines in the high fire-threat areas of Northern California. For the purpose of this rule, the high fire-threat areas in Southern California are Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones in the following counties: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones are defined by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) Fire Threat Map. The high fire-threat areas in Northern California are areas designated as Threat Classes 3 and 4 on the Reax Map adopted in Decision 11-XX-YYY issued in Phase 2 of Rulemaking 08-11-005. The FRAP Fire Threat Map and Reax Map are to be used to establish approximate boundaries. Communications Infrastructure Providers (CIPs) should use their own expertise and judgment to determine if local conditions require them to adjust the boundaries of the map. Note: For the purpose of this rule, Intrusive Inspections are defined as an inspection involving movement of soil, and/or using more sophisticated diagnostic tools beyond visual inspections or instrument reading. CIPs shall maintain records for the life of the pole that provide the following information for each wood pole subject to this rule: The location of the pole, the date of each intrusive inspection, the results of each inspection, the personnel who performed each intrusive inspections, the date and description of each corrective action, and the personnel who performed each correction action. Commission staff may inspect records consistent with Public Utilities Code Section 314(a). |
Adopted Rule 91.5 in Final Form
91.5 Marking Each communication cable and conductor as defined by Rules 20.4, 20.6(A), 20.9, 84.1, 87.4(C), and 89.1 that is attached to a joint-use pole shall be marked as to ownership. The marker shall (1) identify the owner of the cable and/or conductor; (2) provide a 24 hour contact number for emergencies or information; (3) be made of weather and corrosion resistant material; and (4) be clearly visible to workers who climb the pole or ascend by mechanical means. This marking requirement applies only to (A) new construction, (B) reconstruction of facilities, and (C) existing aerial communication cables and conductors that a technician works on when the technician ascends the joint-use pole for regular maintenance. |
General Order 165, Sections I - IV
Adopted Rule in Final Form
Appendix A Public Utilities Commission of the State of California Inspection Requirements for Electric Distribution and Transmission Facilities __________________________________________________________________________ Adopted March 31, 1997 Effective March 1, 1997 (D.97-03-070 in I.95-02-015 and R.96-11-004) Amended August 20, 2009 (D.09-08-029 in R.08-11-005) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I. Purpose The purpose of this General Order is to establish requirements for electric distribution and transmission facilities (excluding those facilities contained in a substation) regarding inspections in order to ensure safe and high-quality electrical service. II. Applicability This General Order applies to all electric distribution and transmission facilities (excluding those facilities contained in a substation) that come within the jurisdiction of this Commission, located outside of buildings, including electric distribution and transmission facilities that belong to non-electric utilities. The requirements of this order are in addition to the requirements imposed upon utilities under General Orders 95 and 128 to maintain a safe and reliable electric system. Nothing in this General Order relieves any utility from any requirements or obligations that it has under General Orders 95 and 128. This General Order does not apply to facilities of communication infrastructure providers. III. Distribution Facilities A Definitions For the purpose of this General Order, 1 "Urban" shall be defined as those areas with a population of more than 1,000 persons per square mile as determined by the United States Bureau of the Census. 2 "Rural" shall be defined as those areas with a population of less than 1,000 persons per square mile as determined by the United States Bureau of the Census. 3 "Patrol inspection" shall be defined as a simple visual inspection, of applicable utility equipment and structures, that is designed to identify obvious structural problems and hazards. Patrol inspections may be carried out in the course of other company business. 4 "Detailed" inspection shall be defined as one where individual pieces of equipment and structures are carefully examined, visually and through use of routine diagnostic test, as appropriate, and (if practical and if useful information can be so gathered) opened, and the condition of each rated and recorded. 5. "Intrusive" inspection is defined as one involving movement of soil, taking samples for analysis, and/or using more sophisticated diagnostic tools beyond visual inspections or instrument reading. 6 "Corrective Action" shall be defined as maintenance, repair, or replacement of utility equipment and structures so that they function properly and safely. B Standards for Inspection Each utility subject to this General Order shall conduct inspections of its distribution facilities, as necessary, to ensure reliable, high-quality, and safe operation, but in no case may the period between inspections (measured in years) exceed the time specified in Table 1. C Record Keeping The utility shall maintain records for (1) at least ten (10) years of patrol and detailed inspection activities, and (2) the life of the pole for intrusive inspection activities. Such records shall be made available to parties or pursuant to Commission rules upon 30 days notice. Commission staff shall be permitted to inspect such records consistent with Public Utilities Code Section 314 (a). For all inspections records shall specify the circuit, area, facility or equipment inspected, the inspector, the date of the inspection, and any problems (or items requiring corrective action) identified during each inspection, as well as the scheduled date of corrective action. D Reporting By July 1st each utility subject to this General Order shall submit an annual report for the previous year under penalty of perjury. The report shall list four categorical types of inspections: Patrols, Overhead Detailed, Underground Detailed and Wood Pole Intrusive. The report shall denote the total units of work by inspection type for the reporting period and the number of outstanding (not completed) inspections within the same reporting period for each of the four categories. Sample Report Template: Type of Inspections (1) Due (2) Outstanding (3) Patrols xxx xxx OH Detailed xxx xxx UG Detailed xxx xxx Wood Pole Intrusive xxx xxx Notes: 1) Each utility will define its reporting unit basis (e.g., circuit, grid, facility / equipment). 2) Total inspections due in the reporting period. (Does not include outstanding inspections from prior years.) 3) Total inspections required that were not completed in the reporting period. (Does not include outstanding inspections from prior years.) IV. Transmission Facilities Each utility shall prepare and follow procedures for conducting inspections and maintenance activities for transmission lines. Each utility shall maintain records of inspection and maintenance activities. Commission staff shall be permitted to inspect records and procedures consistent with Public Utilities Code Section 314 (a). /s/ Paul Clanon Paul Clanon Executive Director Appendix A Table 1 Distribution Inspection Cycles (Maximum Intervals in Years)
Patrol Detailed Intrusive Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Transformers Overhead 1 21 5 5 --- --- Underground 1 2 3 3 --- --- Padmounted 1 2 5 5 --- --- Switching/Protective Devices Overhead 1 21 5 5 --- --- Underground 1 2 3 3 --- --- Padmounted 1 2 5 5 --- --- Regulators/Capacitors Overhead 1 21 5 5 --- --- Underground 1 2 3 3 --- --- Padmounted 1 2 5 5 --- ---
Overhead Conductor and Cables 1 21 5 5 --- --- Streetlighting 1 2 X x --- --- Wood Poles under 15 years 1 2 X x --- --- Wood Poles over 15 years which have not been subject to intrusive inspection 1 2 X x 10 10 Wood poles which passed intrusive inspection --- --- --- --- 20 20 (1) Patrol inspections in rural areas shall be increased to once per year in Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones in the following counties Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura. Extreme and Very High Fire Threat Zones are designated on the Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) Map prepared by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or the modified FRAP Map prepared by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) and adopted by Decision 11-XX-YYY in Phase 2 of Rulemaking 08-11-005. The fire-threat map is to be used to establish approximate boundaries and Utilities should use their own expertise and judgment to determine if local conditions require them to adjust the boundaries of the map. Note: This General Order does not apply to cathodic protection systems associated with natural gas facilities. Note: For the purpose of implementing the patrol and detailed inspection intervals in Table 1 above, the term "year" is defined as 12 consecutive calendar months starting the first full calendar month after an inspection is performed, plus or minus two full calendar months, not to exceed the end of the calendar year in which the next inspection is due. |
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General Order 166, Standard 1.E
Adopted Rule in Final Form
E. Fire Prevention Plan Those electric utilities identified below shall have a Fire Prevention Plan that describes the measures the electric utility intends to implement, both in the short run and in the long run, to mitigate the threat of power-line fire ignitions in situations that meet all of the following criteria: (i) The force of 3-second wind gusts exceeds the maximum working stress specified in General Order 95, Section IV, for installed overhead electric facilities; (ii) the installed overhead electric facilities affected by these 3-second wind gusts are located in geographic areas designated as the first or second highest fire threat area on a fire-threat map adopted by the Commission in Rulemaking (R.) 08-11-005; and (iii) the 3-second wind gusts occur at the time and place of a Red Flag Warning issued by United States National Weather Service. The requirement to prepare a fire-prevention plan applies to: (1) Electric utilities in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties; and (2) electric utilities in all other counties with overhead electric facilities located in areas of high fire risk as determined by such utilities in accordance with Decision 11-XX-YYY issued in Phase 2 of R.08-11-005. |
Note: The existing GO 166 Standards 1.E (Safety Considerations) through 1.I (Plan Update) are renumbered Standards 1.F through 1.J.
(END OF APPENDIX B)
