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Planning sheet 02 · Transparent geometry · Hard stop states

Pole reach planner

The sheet works out the straight geometric line from your hands to the top of the pane and compares it with the usable length you enter from the pole manufacturer's specification. Site conditions come first: several answers stop the plan outright, whatever the geometry says.

Reach geometry diagram A right triangle: vertical rise from hand height to the pane head, horizontal setback from the wall, and the geometric line between them, plus a head allowance. Worked example values are marked. Hands at P = 1.2 m Setback S = 1.5 m from the wall Geometric line 5.03 m + allowance A = 0.3 m Pane head at H = 6.0 m
Worked example geometry — the dashed line is the entered geometric line, never a safety limit.
Is there an overhead electrical hazard within reach of the pole, hoses or water?
Is thunder or lightning present, or has it not been ruled out?
Is wind affecting control of the pole?
Can you see the glass being cleaned from where you stand?
Is anything obstructing the line between you and the glass (canopies, cables, planting)?
Is the working area controlled — firm footing, hoses managed, public kept clear?
Did the pole fail its pre-use check (damage, loose clamps, missing parts)?

Vertical rise = H − P. Minimum geometric line = √(rise² + S²) + A. Geometric margin = L − line. The margin is a geometry figure only — it is never a safety margin.

Worked example — fixed entered values

Planning state
Ground-based method fits the entered geometry, subject to site-specific checks
Vertical rise
4.800 m
Minimum geometric line
5.329 m
Geometric margin (not a safety margin)
0.971 m

Planning notes

  • Geometric reach only: re-check hoses, footing, weather and the pre-use pole check on site before starting.

Worked example — fixed entered values

Pane head at H = 6.0 m, hands at P = 1.2 m, setback S = 1.5 m, allowance A = 0.3 m: vertical rise = 4.8 m; minimum geometric line = √(4.8² + 1.5²) + 0.3 = 5.328916 m (displayed 5.329 m). An entered usable length of 6.3 m leaves a geometric margin of 0.971084 m, so the sheet reports “Ground-based method fits the entered geometry, subject to site-specific checks” — a geometry statement, not a safety verdict. Every condition in the example was answered with the non-stop value; change any of them and the sheet stops.

Blank worksheet

H − P= vertical rise (m)
√(rise² + S²) + A= minimum geometric line (m)
L − line= geometric margin (m)
All stop conditions answered “no problem”?if not — STOP

Sources used on this sheet