How to Climb a Wind Turbine Tower

Scaling any kind of height, like a ladder, climbing wall or a mountain, takes some skill and a lot of guts. However, the scaling of man made objects can be a laborious task and downright life threatening. The choice to climb a wind turbine tower may be more of an occupational hazard as opposed to a recreational one.

Instructions

1. Look up to the sky, and watch as refineries, chimneys and other factories billow out their smoke. Watch how the wind carries it away, it seems to rise, slowly gain altitude then, just as it reaches that perfect height, the smoke begins to move horizontally, carried off by the wind. Those astute young folks out there might even notice that the smoke coming from the gigantic factory or refinery smoke stacks, blows with the wind almost immediately from making its exit, while chimney smoke from a residence - or generally smaller building will need to rise before it begins its horizontal movement, and in fact, will typically gain altitude traveling diagonally towards the sky. To increase the efficacy of a wind turbine tower, the higher it is the more wind is available to turn the rotor, which then produces more power by the actual turbine. Therefore, to climb a wind turbine tower, will mean the climber in question has a 40-70 meter trip (that's roughly 131-230 vertical feet) ahead of them.

2. Acquaint yourself with the two main types of wind turbine towers, especially if you are planning to climb one of them, because, as it stands, one is definitely not like the other. Depending on which side of the fence the owner or builder is on the tower issue, it basically comes down to two camps of thought: aesthetics and cost, or more literally lattice and tubular. Their names, while not very imaginative, do present a very clear and distinct image which then translates easily to the person in question, who is going to climb a wind turbine tower. Mainly, the difference is going to be seen between Europeans and Americans; the latter often opting for the lattice frame while many Europeans have chosen the tubular frame for the cleaner, more visually pleasing aspect. However, it is prudent to note that areas in both have made the choice in the other, thereby bucking the trend. Here, in the states, places like Minnesota seem to adopt the tubular version. Tubular actually offers more than just an aesthetic upgrade to the lattice frame, it also provides shelter and greater security, seeing as the entrance to scale the tower comes in the form of a locking door.

3. Climb a tower and you are going to have a serious, physical workout ahead of you, as there's no elevator on these. The climb itself is going to be done through the scaling of a simple rung ladder, which will be on opposite sides of the tower, broken into segments by a series of landings. The ladder is conveniently attached to the walls of the tower at a distance great enough that you can fit between and rest by placing your back on the wall and keeping your feet stationary on the ladder rung. This all presupposes that you are climbing a tubular tower.

4. Understand, for those of you who will climb a wind turbine tower of the lattice nature that the structure is not enclosed and susceptible to the elements. Depending on the size of the lattice tower, it may also serve as the actual ladder.

5. Prepare yourself with the best protection. Fall protection and preventative equipment will serve as your best friend while climbing a lattice tower. This equipment comes under two classifications, fall prevention and fall arrest equipment. Fall prevention equipment comes in the form of a full body harness, which allows you full use of both hands for completion of any task. However, this system will not stop you from making a vertical fall or sliding down the tower.

6. Have a back-up system. Fall arrest equipment anchors you when you climb a wind turbine tower. Anchor yourself to the lattice framework, and it will arrest your fall within 6 feet, provided it is hooked up correctly,. Because the structure is unsheltered and comprised of a basic framework, the risk in climbing it is significantly higher for you, the climber. Being well fitted and having a good understanding of what it means to climb a wind turbine tower, is the best way to remain successful and safe.

Resources

• Understand wind towers
• How turbine towers work