Overhead lines
BPI provides a complete overhead line design service for distribution and transmission lines at operating voltages from 11kV to 400kV, and across the full spectrum of structure types; wood and composite poles, lattice steel towers and BPI’s own Protean overhead line system.
The BPI overhead line design team has proven capability throughout the lifecycle of an overhead line project. From initial high level design to enable route feasibly and planning, our services extend throughout the various stages of survey and overhead line modelling, including concept design for planning and consents, to the production of a complete and detailed solution ready for construction and thereafter design support during the build programme.
Our services encompass everything from small overhead line diversions and cable sections, on-line rebuilds, new off-line routes to one-off bespoke crossing and clearance solutions. Additionally we offer a range of specialist studies including conductor uprating, condition assessment and structural analysis.
BPI’s overhead line services utilise the latest aerial survey data acquisition techniques to provide the highest quality dataset on which to base its overhead line designs. The team has qualified surveyors who can offer traditional survey techniques, if required, for construction stage setting out and as built records.
To facilitate its overhead line design services BPI has multiple licenses for a range of software suites including PLS-CADD and associated Tower, Pole and Caisson software as well as AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Map programmes.
Our services
Using the PLS-CADD software suite fully configured to the client’s overhead line specifications, we can provide a high quality compliant design with a tailorable set of design deliverables to include, as required:
- Overhead line profiles and route plans
- Line design schedules
- Engineering compliance document
- Erection sag and tension document
- Design risk management register
- Fixtures and fittings document to client commodity codes
- Overhead line survey data - both aerial and traditional, LiDAR and imagery
- Condition assessment report for wood poles and steel towers
- Geo-technical investigation and reports
- Landowner access maps with working areas
- Vegetation management reports
- Wood pole and steel tower design and analysis
- Foundation design drawings and calculations
- Corrosion and materials analysis with reports
- Thermal uprating studies and reports
- Down lead and wire clearance reports
The refurbishment or uprating of any overhead line requires the checking of the load capacity of any existing structures being retained to support the new conductor system. The existing structures, line supports or substation gantries, require accurate on site asset condition assessments to quantify their load capacity. BPI can also offer these structural design and inspection services.
Our clients
To date BPI have completed over 1,000km of overhead line LiDAR survey and design projects at 11, 33 and 132kV for a number of UK DNO’s. These designs have included the refurbishment of existing lines as well as the routing and design of new overhead line routes and cable sections. A comprehensive design pack was produced for each of these projects comprising of a number of BPI’s OHL deliverables.
Why BPI
We believe in working closely with the client at every stage of a project. Our design engineers have many years’ experience on numerous projects both in the UK and internationally and will ensure that your expectations are not just met, but surpassed. A number of the design team have worked with major power transmission and distribution companies and are familiar not only with design requirements, but also the wayleave, consents and operational issues that must be addressed before any design can be completed for construction.
