4 minute read
The Necessity of Testing: A Guide to Light Pole Inspection Methods
By Kurtis Magargee COO, Light Pole Systems, Inc.
Images courtesy of Light Pole Systems, Inc.
An experienced exterior lighting maintenance technician can simply look at the light pole and its surroundings and know its condition. But, in today’s industry, most customers want a more detailed report to validate the expense. Here, we discuss common methods to evaluate the integrity of light poles.
The common accepted inspection is an ultrasonic pole inspection. Other common inspection methods include a visual inspection and a hammer punch test. A magnetic particulate crack inspection (AKA Magnaflux) is sometimes used when cracking is a prevalent problem. Some large property owners/managers, such as McDonalds, CBRE, and Irvine Company, have implemented their own procedures. However, there is no officially recognized light pole inspection procedure, protocol, or training.
Regardless of the type of test, we utilize a simple three stage rating system when inspecting light poles:
• Good – No action needed at this time.
• Marginal – Structurally, the pole is fine but needs something simple like a scrape and paint for surface rust to prevent a future hazard. The pole should be tested again within 12 months.
• Bad or Hazard – This pole has structural issues and needs to be repaired or replaced before it falls.
For a thorough pole inspection, proper documentation is key. Take photos of the pole, the surrounding area, and any issues, and write a description of the pole and recommended repairs. A site map and pole specifications are helpful to make repair estimates from the report. It is the inspector’s responsibility to make this determination in the field, rather than office staff reviewing data and determining the pole’s condition at a later date. This will keep the report accurate and save time on return trips if the data does not agree with pictures and notes. This is a critical step that we have seen missed by contractors reviewing reports to make a bill of materials for repair and replacement estimates.
Example from a pole inspection report.
HAZARD POLE
Description
• External surface rust.
• Hole rusted in pole.
• No water drainage due to dry pack.
• Recommend repair pole structure.
The simplest inspection is a visual inspection looking for common signs of pole damage. The steps are simple, and every exterior lighting maintenance technician should be checking every pole they perform service on.
If the pole is showing signs of deterioration, a hammer punch test can be performed. In this test, set a punch on the pole shaft, just above the base weld, and hit it moderately with a hammer. We discussed how to identify a rusted or damaged light pole in the November issue.
The ultrasonic pole inspection is the premier pole inspection method and is widely used by contractors and accepted by property owners and managers. This inspection provides a detailed report showing the condition of the light poles, their location on a map, and should be integrated with an energy efficient audit. The ultrasonic thickness gauge takes point thickness readings of the light pole shaft and highlights inconsistencies. A visual inspection and hammer punch test are included in the inspection.
We use DeFelsko’s Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge with a corrosion probe and advanced body. Their new precision probe has through-paint capability and can be used down to a 1.5” outside diameter. (As of writing this article, we have not used the new precision probe in the field.) Their advanced gauge stores the thickness readings, separating each pole into its own batch, that is integrated into a report back in the office.
To create the site plan and take field notes, we recommend using the energy efficient audit software you are already using. Our team has talked to team members from Snapcount and others who can customize a contractor’s application to include a pole condition section with additional pictures and text fields for the pole notes.
The final, much less common, test is a magnetic particulate crack inspection, often referred to a magnaflux test. This test, performed by specialized contractors, highlights cracking and is reserved for instances where poles are failing due to cracks rather than rust.
