CHAPTER 10

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

10.1 CONSTRUCTION

The design engineer should anticipate construction loads imposed on

substation structures and ensure that proper construction methods and
quality materials are used to prevent undue stresses. Outdoor substations
are frequently erected by people with varied levels of experience as
structural erectors. Therefore, simplicity of design, details, and erections
with a specific schedule of inspections should be considered. Inspections
should be during but not limited to grading, foundation placement,
structure erection, and structure loading.
Copyright © 2008. American Society of Civil Engineers. All rights reserved.

10.2 MAINTENANCE

The design engineer should consider accessibility of equipment for

maintenance and operation. Equipment should have provisions for access;
i.e., crossover platforms or working platforms. These access provisions
need to be considered, especially around large transformers with coolant
and fire protection piping.
Structures and foundations should be inspected a minimum of each
time the equipment being supported is inspected or maintained. These
structures should be checked for damage, corrosion, loose members, and
connection bolts. Also, check for settlement, cracking, and deterioration of
foundations. In addition, when equipment is upgraded, structures should
be carefully checked for structural adequacy, electrical clearances, and

141

Substation Structure Design Guide, edited by Leon, Jr. Kempner, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2008.
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 142 SUBSTATION STRUCTURE DESIGN GUIDE

deterioration due to corrosion. When possible, the interior of hollow

tubular members should be periodically inspected for corrosion.
Structures painted before 1975 were typically painted using lead-based
paint. All structures that are painted should be checked for lead-based
paint. If there is lead, then all OSHA and Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) requirements should be followed when removing the paint.
Weathering steel should be inspected periodically for abnormal
oxidation at the member connections.

10.3 WORKER SAFETY

All structures and equipment that will be inaccessible with bucket

trucks or small ladders should be considered for climbing devices mounted
to the structure with fall protection devices. Elevated locations on the
structure that require workers to move from one location to another (as
defined in IEEE 1307 2004), either during construction or for maintenance,
may require fall protection devices, such as safety cables for attachment
to workers. In all cases, OSHA and local codes should be adhered to,
especially in energized substations. IEEE 1307 (2004) is one source of
information for worker safety during climbing of utility structures.
Copyright © 2008. American Society of Civil Engineers. All rights reserved.

Substation Structure Design Guide, edited by Leon, Jr. Kempner, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2008.
ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/upmes/detail.action?docID=3115306.
Created from upmes on 2021-02-26 10:11:11.