According to the current status, well over 100 lanterns are affected, all of which are made of aluminum, a material that is apparently not able to cope with the aggressive components of dog urine and corrodes when in constant contact. Aluminum lanterns that are located in unpaved areas are particularly at risk.

Storm damage with consequences

The storms of the last few weeks have brought this to light. A lamp post on Viersen's Hageau Promenade, which snapped after a storm, showed massive corrosion damage. The other lampposts were then inspected and checked for stability using a special device. A pressure of 400 kg was exerted on the masts. Over a hundred lights showed such significant damage at the typical height of a dog that the inspectors questioned its stability beyond May. The city of Viersen must therefore act immediately to protect passers-by. Imminent danger.

Chemical reaction of dog urine with aluminum

In addition to water, dog urine contains, among other things, ammonia and various salts. These components react with the aluminum and cause it to corrode. Sooner or later the material is so stressed that additional factors such as wind pressure cause the lantern to collapse. It also depends on how often a lantern was used as a dog urinal. The lantern in Viersen that snapped in the storm was the first in a long series. The city of Viersen suspects that it was particularly often “marked” by dogs because it was the first point of contact for the animals.

Saw off, secure, replace

The masts will be cut at a height of 1.30 meters and the remaining pieces will be secured with barrier tape. The functional light heads will serve as spare parts for other lanterns in the city in the future.

The city of Viersen will generally no longer use aluminum poles for new lanterns in the future. New masts will be made of steel. Experience shows that lanterns with a steel collar at the base offer significantly more resistance to dog urine and have a longer lifespan.

No steel available

However, the current supply bottlenecks for steel are also becoming a problem. It is not foreseeable when the new lanterns can be delivered and put into operation. Signs that have previously been attached to the critical lanterns will soon be attached to classic steel pipes.

Full extent and costs unknown

The testing of the lanterns continues. In view of the ongoing tests on the one hand and developments on the steel market on the other, the costs for the replacement lanterns cannot yet be finally determined.

The news magazine Spiegel reports that, according to the city of Viersen, of the 10,000 lanterns in the city, around 1,600 aluminum poles are in unpaved terrain and are therefore potentially at risk. Around 400 masts have been checked so far and 120 need to be replaced. After that, up to 500 lanterns could be affected. ( HERE )

Also interesting: Scammers rip off puppy fans

Source: City of Viersen


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