Labeling, Inspection and As-Builts

Purpose

Leave a clean, labeled, inspected line and records that match it. The owner, the next attacher and every future repair crew rely on the tags and the as-builts. An as-built copied from the design sends the next crew to a closure that is not there, or a slack loop that was never stored.

When to Do It

• After all aerial work in a section is complete (AE-11 Terminal Coils, Closures, Drops and Risers).
• Clearance checks wait until the sag has settled after lashing (per owner spec (Per owner spec)).
• The owner’s post-construction inspection follows the attachment agreement (AE-01).
• This is the last aerial step. Splicing and testing follow in the splicing SOPs (SPL-11 Testing and Acceptance).

Roles

• Foreman: tags the cable, runs the final check, photographs the line and clears the punch list.
• Lineworker: makes corrections aloft.
• Inspector or owner representative: walks the line for the post-construction inspection and issues the punch list.
• OSP designer or drafter: turns field redlines into as-builts.
• Project manager: submits as-builts and closes out with the owner.

Equipment and Materials

• Cable tags in the format the owner specifies.
• Non-conductive height measuring stick or laser rangefinder (29 CFR 1910.268(n)(13)).
• Camera.
• Field tablet or prints for redlines.
• Bucket truck for any corrections.

Safety

Procedure

Hold Points

Records to Keep

• Before and after photos of every pole.
• Photos of every closure, terminal and slack location.
• Final measured attachment heights and midspan clearances.
• The owner’s inspection report and proof that each punch list item was closed.
• As-builts as submitted, with the date and the owner’s acceptance.

Print the blank punch list for the final walk and the closeout package checklist to gather these records for the owner.

Common Mistakes

• Missing tags. An untagged cable can be treated as unauthorized or abandoned.
• No after photos. Without them, you cannot prove what you left when a dispute comes up.
• As-builts copied from the design. As-builts must come from field redlines and measurements.
• Checking clearances before the sag settles, then finding low spans later.

Standards and References

• NESC (IEEE C2) Table 232-1 for vertical clearances.
• Owner construction standards for tags, inspection and as-built requirements.
• 29 CFR 1910.268 for work near power.
• OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 for construction work, which 29 CFR 1910.268 excludes (1910.268(a)(2)(i)). Your employer’s safety program says how to comply.
• MUTCD Part 6 for traffic control during midspan measurements and corrections over roads.

On the Map

• Cable Tag: the identification tag on the cable at each pole.
• Midspan Clearance: the clearance of the cable’s lowest point, checked after sag settles.
• Utility Pole: every pole gets a tag and before and after photos.

Related Tools

Not applicable: no FAHMY tool covers labeling, inspection or as-builts.