Eddy Tower Inspection Report.pdf

Overview This document provides inspection details for self-supporting and guyed towers. Two basic categories are covered in the tower inspection:

1. Structural Condition

2. Corrosion and Coating

All findings within these applicable categories are checked for standards compliance and used to generate recommendations. If non-compliant issues are found, they are ranked according to their criticality as follows:

Priority 1(a): Critical issues that identify the asset as being structurally unsound and posing an immediate personnel safety risk, to include causing a system outage or damage equipment. The findings recommend immediate closure of the asset.

Priority 1(b): Critical issues found that may affect personnel health and safety, cause a system outage, or damage equipment. The asset is structurally sound but accessible only under specific conditions and circumstances.

Major: A non-critical issue that should be corrected, when possible, but is not an immediate concern.

Minor: A minor issue or an item that has been noted due to non-compliance with a current standard. These items may be compliant with previous standards.

Locations of non-compliant items are listed in the data tables. A location reference map is provided in Figure 1 on the next page. A trained tower inspection team performs inspections. Each team member has the following certifications:

• Mobile Crane Operations

• Fundamentals Of Protective Coatings for Industrial Structures

• Fall Protection/High Angle Rope Rescue

• Grounding/Bonding/Shielding/Corrosion/Tower Inspections

• Guyed Tower Inspections

Common Abbreviations

• “RCA” - Recommended Corrective Actions

• “SF” - Severity Factor

• “CSF” - Corrosion Severity Factor

∗ WARNING∗

• Due to safety limitations only employees/climbers trained in Fall Protection/High Angle Rescue shall be allowed to inspect or work above ground level.

• It is imperative that communications between on-site personnel and inspection team members always remain open.

∗ NOTICE∗

• Safety guidelines including pre-climb equipment inspection and rescue/rappel planning will be followed at all times.

Rescue Plan Because of differences in tower systems a rescue plan including first man up contingencies for each individual inspection situation shall be discussed, agreed upon, and completely understood by each member of the inspection team at each site before any work above ground starts. (Refer to ‘Radome Rescue Planning and Procedures’)

Controlled Decent Plan Because of differences in tower systems a rappel plan for each individual inspection situation shall be discussed, agreed upon, and completely understood by each member of the inspection team at each site.

Keeping in mind that a minimum 5000-pound anchor point is mandatory for a safe rappel as outlined in Fall Protection training. (Refer to ‘Radome Rappel Planning and Procedures’)

Section 6: Tower, Foundation, and Grounding Condition Pictures Tower Foundation

Out of Alignment Antenna

Bent Tower Members

Improper Transmission Line Bonding

4-Point Soil Resistivity Test

Inspection Tag

Section 11: Additional Notes/Continuation Sheet N/A

Section 12: Inspection Guidance

11.1 Tower Reference

Locations referred to in the trip report are interpreted as follows:

• Leg/Face “A” will be the first leg/face clockwise from true North, each additional leg/face continuing in the clockwise direction will increase alphabetically.

• Sections will be numbered starting with one at first complete section closest to ground level and increase numerically to the top of the tower.

• Section panels will be numbered starting with one at the lowest point in the section, associated section number, and corresponding face letter.

• Guy wires and guy pull-offs will be numbered starting with one at the lowest point increasing numerically to the top of the tower and corresponding leg letter.

• Guy anchors will be denoted starting closest to the tower as 1 (inside), 2 (middle), 3 (outside) and corresponding leg letter.

Figure 1

11.2 Inspection Overview and procedures

The overall condition of the tower structural members, coax components, climbing facilities, fasteners, and other components are evaluated as outlined in this section. Visual and physical checks are performed to ensure that the tower and subsystems are structurally sound and functional.

Visual inspections are performed and recorded in section 1.2.1 that determine overall appearance, verify that all tower members and subsystem components are in place, and identify damaged, missing, or loose components.

Physical inspections are performed and recorded in section 1.2.2 that determines coating thickness, using an Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge. All corners of the tower are checked at the ground level and at any location that appears questionable with a three-point check that covers the leg and the braces on either side of it.

ASTM A-123A is referenced for coating thickness requirements.

Concrete foundations and anchoring hardware are visually checked for wear, damage, and proper construction as detailed in section 1.2.4. Concrete hardness tests are performed using a Proceq Digi-Schmidt Digital Concrete Test Hammer. Two hardness measurements are taken per foundation corner – one on the top of the foundation and one on the side.

The tower plumb results are provided in section 1.2.4. The plumb and twist inspection, in accordance with TIA- 222-H Annex J, determines the allowable deviation for tower structures. Allowable deviation depends in large part on the height and tower type. The transit is to be set up on each leg azimuth at the base of the tower. The corresponding tower leg at the base of the tower is used to set the vertical baseline, as shown for both three leg and four leg towers.

11.3 Timber Condition Guidance

Tower structural members, conduit, ladders, stairways, fasteners, and all other components made from Timber must be checked for deterioration and degradation in addition to standard member condition and in lieu of corrosion and proper protective coatings for steel members. The field guidance below is to be used to determine the appropriate compliance level with industry guidance from the American Wood Council, Federal Highway Administration Inspection Manual and American Institute of Timber Construction on material condition though the member may not physically denote large signs of distress, deterioration, and degradation.

The severity of deterioration for timber is reported in terms of degrees: 1st, 2nd or 3rd. These determinations are made visually and are based on the following criteria:

• 1st degree/SF-1 distress, deterioration and degradation is minor as described below Connections – Connection is in place and functioning as intended.

Decay – None Surface Irregularities – None Section Loss – None.

Check/Shake – Surface penetration less than 5% of the member thickness regardless of location.

Cracks – None.

Split/Delamination – None.

Abrasion/Wear – None or no measurable section loss.

Settlement – None.

Erosion/Scour – None Mechanical Damage – None Infestation – None Mold/Discoloration – None

• 2nd degree/SF-2 distress, deterioration and degradation is moderate as described below Connection – Loose fasteners or pack rust without distortion is present but the connection is in place and functioning as intended.

Decay – Localized cracking perpendicular to parallel to the grain giving the surface an appearance like charred wood Surface Irregularities – Localized areas of roughened surfaces, swollen or sunken faces

Section Loss – Material missing that affects less than 10% of the member section.

Check/Shake – Penetrates 5%-50% of the thickness of the member and not in a tension zone.

Cracks – Crack that has been arrested through effective measures.

Split/Delamination – Length less than the member depth Abrasion/Wear –Section loss less than 10% of the member depth.

Settlement – Exists within tolerable limits or arrested with no observed structural distress.

Erosion/Scour – Exists within tolerable limits or has been arrested with effective countermeasures.

Mechanical Damage – Distress caused by fasteners, joints or other locations exposing end grain or create pockets for moisture that has not weakened or warped member Infestation – Bores, pits or pockets created from insects noted on surface but has not weakened member Mold/Discoloration – Observed on surface but has not weakened member

• 3rd degree/SF-3 distress, deterioration and degradation is severe as described below

Connection – Missing bolts, rivets, or fasteners; broken welds; or pack rust with distortion Decay – Widespread cracking perpendicular to parallel to the grain giving the surface an appearance like charred wood Surface Irregularities – Widespread areas of roughened surfaces, swollen or sunken faces Section Loss – Material missing that affects 10% or more of the member Check/Shake – Penetrates more than 50% of the thickness of the member or more than 5% of the member thickness in a tension zone Cracks – Identified crack that is not arrested Split/Delamination – Length equal to or greater than the member depth Abrasion/Wear –Section loss 10% or more of the member thickness Settlement – Exceeds tolerable limits Erosion/Scour – Exceeds tolerable limits but is less than the critical limits Mechanical Damage - Distress caused by fasteners, joints or other locations exposing end grain or create pockets for moisture that has weakened or warped member Infestation – Bores, pits or pockets created from insects noted on surface and has weakened member Mold/Discoloration – Observed on surface and has weakened member

The importance of a distress, deterioration and degradation issue will be reported according to Priority 1, 2, or 3 (the same ranking system used in Sections 1 and 2):

11.4 Concrete Condition Guidance

Tower structural members, conduit, ladders, stairways, fasteners, and all other components made from Concrete must be checked for deterioration and degradation in addition to standard member condition and in lieu of corrosion and proper protective coatings for steel members. The field guidance below is to be used to determine the appropriate compliance level with industry guidance from the American Concrete Institute and Federal Highway Administration Inspection Manual on material condition though the member may not physically denote large signs of distress, deterioration and degradation.

The severity of deterioration for timber is reported in terms of degrees: 1st, 2nd or 3rd. These determinations are

• 1st degree/SF-1 distress, deterioration and degradation is minor as described below Delamination/Spall/Patched Area – None Exposed Rebar - None Surface Irregularities – None Efflorescence/Rust Staining/Discoloration/Sweating – None Cracking – Sealed crack width less than 0.012 in. or spacing greater than 3.0 ft.

Abrasion/Wear – No abrasion or wearing Erosion/Scour – None

• 2nd degree/SF-2 distress, deterioration and degradation is moderate as described below Delamination/Spall/Patched Area – Delaminated. Spall 1 in. or less deep or 6 in. or less in diameter.

Exposed Rebar – Present without section loss Surface Irregularities – Localized areas of divots, pits, honeycombing or damaged faces.

Efflorescence/Rust Staining/Discoloration/Sweating – Surface white without build-up or leaching Without rust staining.

Cracking - Width 0.012-0.05 in. or spacing of 1.0 - 3.0 ft.

Abrasion/Wear – Abrasion or wearing has exposed coarse aggregate but the aggregate remains secure Erosion/Scour – Exists within tolerable limits or has been arrested with effective countermeasures.

Mechanical Damage – Distress caused by fasteners, joints or other locations exposing end grain or create pockets for moisture that has not weakened or warped member Infestation – Bores, pits or pockets created from insects noted on surface but has not weakened member Mold/Discoloration – Observed on surface but has not weakened member

• 3rd degree/SF-3 distress, deterioration and degradation are severe as described below

Delamination/Spall/Patched Area – Spall greater than 1 in. deep or greater than 6 in. diameter.

Exposed Rebar – Present with measurable section loss (less than 15%) Surface Irregularities – Widespread areas of divots, pits, honeycombing or damaged faces.

Efflorescence/Rust Staining/Discoloration/Sweating (1120) – Heavy build-up with rust staining.

Cracking - Width greater than 0.05 in. or spacing of less than 1 ft.

Abrasion/Wear – Coarse aggregate is loose or has popped out of the concrete matrix Erosion/Scour – Exceeds tolerable limits but is less than the critical limits Mechanical Damage - Distress caused by fasteners, joints or other locations exposing end grain or create pockets for moisture that has weakened or warped member Infestation – Bores, pits or pockets created from insects noted on surface and has weakened member Mold/Discoloration – Observed on surface and has weakened member

The importance of a distress, deterioration and degradation issue will be reported according to Priority 1, 2, or 3

11.5 Metal Condition Guidance

Tower structural members, conduit, ladders, stairways, fasteners, and all other components made from metal must be checked for deterioration and degradation in addition to standard member condition and in lieu of corrosion and proper protective coatings for metal members. The field guidance below is to be used to determine the appropriate compliance level with industry guidance from ANSI/TIA 222-G on material condition though the member may not physically denote large signs of distress, deterioration, and degradation.

The severity of deterioration for metal is reported in terms of degrees: 1st, 2nd or 3rd. These determinations are

• 1st degree/CSF-1 distress, deterioration and degradation are minor as described below Corrosion – None Cracking – None Connection – Connection is in place and functioning as intended.

Distortion - None Settlement - None Erosion/Scour – None

• 2nd degree/CSF-2 distress, deterioration and degradation are moderate as described below Corrosion - Freckled Rust. Corrosion of the metal has initiated.

Cracking – Crack has self-arrested or has been arrested with effective arrest holes, doubling plates or similar.

Connections – Loose fasteners or pack rust without distortion is present but the connection is in place and functioning as intended.

Distortion – Distortion not requiring mitigation or mitigated distortion.

Settlement – Exists within tolerable limits or arrested with no observed structural distress.

Erosion/Scour – Exists within tolerable limits or has been arrested with effective countermeasures.

• 3rd degree/CSF-3 distress, deterioration and degradation are severe as described below

Corrosion - Section loss is evident, or pack rust is present Cracking – Identified crack that is not arrested Connections – Missing bolts, rivets or fasteners; broken welds; or pack rust with distortion Distortion – Distortion that requires mitigation that has not been addressed Settlement – Exceeds tolerable limits.

Erosion/Scour – Exceeds tolerable limits but is less than the critical limits

The importance of a distress, deterioration and degradation issue will be reported according to Priority 1, 2, or 3