RAM Utilities LLC
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Partial Excavation

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This inspection type adds one component to the sound and bore inspection:  A below grade excavation confined to an area of the pole of high decay probability.

Inspection Specifications:

Visual Inspection
  •  360 degrees of the pole are viewed from the point of intersection of the pole and the ground to the top of the pole.

Excavation
  • At a probable decay point (large check extending below ground line, machinery damage or other decay visual indicator).
  • Depth of 6” to 8”. 
  • Width of one shovel width.
  • Placement centered on 1) Largest check (vertical split) extending below ground line. 2) Machinery Damage 3) Visual Decay Indicator

Sounding
  • From the ground line area to as high as one can reach from the ground.
  • 6” apart from ground line to 2’ above ground line. 12” apart above 2’.

Boring
  • ½” to the left or the right of the largest check (vertical split) that extends below ground.
  • From ground line to the bottom of the excavation, depending on the height of the water table in the area.  For drier areas, the excavation should be deeper.
  • Angle of boring, depending on the height of the water table, anywhere from 0 to 60 degrees (steeper for lower water table).
  • Boring extends to the center of the pole.
  • All borings plugged with a tight-fitting ribbed plug.
  • Soil is replaced in the same manner as it was removed.

Data Collection: This is customer-driven, but the minimum requirement would be a GPS point taken at the pole. Notations of attributes of the pole, which include physical characteristics, would usually be on a staking sheet (height, class, vintage) and any hardware or pole issues.   

Data Delivery: Should be given in a suitable electronic format, typically a shapefile (.shp), Excel or Access format. Some utilities request a mark up of their maps for important information such as reject location. RAM generates detailed maps from the data acquired during the pole inspection and presents it in a book form at the end of the job.

Accuracy: This is a big step up from the visual or sound inspections. Adding a boring improves accuracy greatly.  Adding a boring below groundline moves the accuracy another leap forward.

Cost:  This is a high-value pole inspection. Cost per pole is still low, but accuracy is improved significantly with the excavation.