What We See: Steel Pole Vehicular Damage

What to Do When a Vehicle Damages Your Steel Pole

When we consider the environmental risk factors of high voltage transmission lines and towers, most attention is paid to the effects that Mother Nature can have on our infrastructure. Wind, ice, rain, thermal cycling, UV exposure, and other severe weather cases are just a few examples of what asset owners have to deal with on a regular basis.

What you may not have considered, however, is that vehicular damage is also a common danger for outdoor assets such as utility transmission towers, and even area lighting poles along highway corridors or in retail parking lots. 

Like what is demonstrated in this photo, damage caused by a vehicle striking a pole can be detrimental because it can compromise the structural integrity of the pole. 

However, even damage like this can oftentimes be repaired, saving the owner from condemning the asset and incurring expensive replacement costs. Here’s what you need to know about what we see in this photo: Steel Pole Vehicular Damage. 

What We See

Vehicular damage is a common occurrence, especially when so many transmission corridors are in close quarters with roads and highways. 

Whether it is due to reckless driving or weather conditions, a car accident involving steel poles can be extremely detrimental for all parties involved. Even so, these accidents don’t have to be a death sentence for the pole or tower. 

Repairs and Solutions

In many instances, an engineered repair solution can be developed and employed to return the tower to its original design capacity, or in some cases improve or upgrade structural performance beyond its original intent. 

Depending on the size of the line, the cost to remediate can be significantly less than replacement, especially when you factor in the cost of taking an outage. It is crucial to remember that repairs for this type of mechanical damage can be performed while the line remains energized. 

Trust the Exo Difference

In any case, it takes an experienced professional to carefully evaluate whether a utility pole requires repair or replacement, something that could prove very costly if not done correctly. 

This is why services from the experts at Exo are crucial for protecting and extending the life of your assets. 

Trust the Exo Difference

With services like Exo’s Ex-Tend asset management program, we build comprehensive and customized solutions that add value across the full life cycle of an asset.    

Whether it is through 3rd party quality assurance support, field service and repair of existing assets, or life extension solutions, Exo is uniquely prepared to serve your company’s needs.

At Exo, we don’t like to wait for problems to arise before taking action. Be proactive and prevent problems like the one in this photo before they occur by calling today to talk with an Exo subject matter expert. 

Phone us at 281- 259-7000 or contact us online for a free consultation to see how Exo can protect your assets.

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