Although the concept of arriving at a tower site and rigging a tower seems like a simple idea, it is not always as simple as one might think. There are a lot of calculations that need to be completed before deciding the size of cable, slings, shackles, blocks, etc. before the rope is ever carried up the tower initially.
This notice covers the calculations that need to be figured out and how to decide on the proper rigging techniques.
Who Is The Telecommunications Industry Association?
The Telecommunications Industry Association is dedicated to support the telecommunications industry and our society through its ability to listen and address the needs of member companies. TIA members represent the entire information and communications technology (ICT) ecosystem from the edge of the network to the support structures that carry our wireless signals.
ANSI/TIA-222 Maintenance and Condition Assessment of Telecommunication Towers
It has long been understood that OSHA has an interest in the development of standards and/
or regulations to ensure safety. It is important to note that OSHA may use consensus standards in an
enforcement action where OSHA standards do not address a particular hazard. Through a coordinated and collaborative effort led by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), along with key industry organizations supported by the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), the telecommunications
industry has proactively responded to major shifts in construction practices driven by rapidly evolving technology advancements and infrastructure demands related to construction, installation, alteration, and maintenance activities on communications structures to progress and facilitate quality work while ensuring the safest work practices.
Classification of Tower Structures
Application of ANSI/TIA-222-G structure classes to communication tower design and analysis is frequently misapprehended. Risk categorization established within ASCE 7 and IBC are historically related to building occupancy among other factors has inconsistent correlation to communication tower use and function. Furthermore, the comprehensive application of Class III categorization to communication towers with the intention of increasing the reliability of wireless networks during emergency situations frequently fails to achieve the desired result and does not match the intent of the ANSI/TIA-222 Standard, as accepted by the IBC.
Introduction to New Telecommunications Construction Standards: ANSI/TIA-322 and ANSI/ASSEE A10.48
It has long been understood that OSHA has an interest in the development of standards and/
or regulations to ensure safety. It is important to note that OSHA may use consensus standards in an enforcement action where OSHA standards do not address a particular hazard. This report focuses on the ANSI/TIA-322, Loading, Analysis, and Design Criteria Related to the Installation, Alteration and Maintenance of Communication Structures and the ANSI/ASSE A10.48, Criteria for Safety Practices with the Construction, Demolition, Modification and Maintenance of Communication Structures Standards which replaced the existing ANSI/TIA 1019-A Standard.
ANSI/TIA-1019-A Standard: Roles in the Construction Process
What is ANSI/TIA-222 and why is it important for the telecommunications industry? ANSI/TIA-222
is the “Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas”. ANSI/TIA-222 is critically important to the telecommunications industry for many reasons.
ANSI/TIA 1019-A-2012
The TIA 1019-A Standard has many applied uses. In this PAN we will focus on why tower owners,
engineers and contractors should apply this standard when modifying a tower structure. As we all know there are a large number of tower structures that are in need of structural modification due to an increase in loading. In the past when a tower required modification a common means by the contractor, owner and the engineer to plan or access the risk did not exist.
Safety Climb System
Although the safety climb system is one of the most important tools utilized by the climbing professional, it is often ignored and treated as merely an ornament. Safety climbs are too often rendered ineffective by being pinched behind mounts, stretched to the tension of a guitar string and pushed aside to allow the placement of equipment.
Capstan Hoists Safety
Capstan hoists, often referred to as “catheads,” make back-breaking work faster, easier and more
productive. They are used for many applications in multiple industries including telecommunications, electric utility, elevator construction and repair, and others. The increased use in the telecommunication market in the last several years presents different applications of the hoist and its mounting devices. Regardless of the application, the safe use of the Capstan should always
be the top priority.
Safe Job Site Is No Accident
Tower construction and maintenance is a serious job that requires an array of tools and equipment.
Workers’ lives are on the line. Ensuring their safety starts long before the job begins. An accident-free record is no accident. The key to keeping your staff safe and productive at height is proper planning.
FAA Aviation Obstruction Lighting (Tower Lighting)
Very few facets of tower ownership pose the liability to the tower owner that improper lighting, marking, and monitoring do. In Order 13-30 released March 1, 2013, the FCC states, “An aviation accident attributable to an air obstacle occurs every twelve days on average. More than ninety-five percent of those accidents are related to wires, utility poles, or static lines, and eighty-five percent of them occur during the day.” Wrongful death or serious injury lawsuits and settlements associated with aircraft impacts to tower structures are commonly in the seven figure range.
Anchor Bolts Height Matters
It has become all too common during structural maintenance and inspections to discover anchor bolts extending far above the top of the foundation. TIA design standards place limits on the height to maximize the bolt capacity. If not grouted, the height of the bottom of the anchor bolt above the concrete should not exceed one bolt diameter. It is important to note that some tower manufacturers require the use of grout and the grout should be placed in accordance with these recommendations while the height of the grout should not extend beyond the limitation set by the engineer of record.