AFCESA_ETL_11-12.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE CIVIL ENGINEER SUPPORT AGENCY

24 FEB 2011

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE: DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED

FROM: HQ AFCESA/CEO

139 Barnes Drive Suite 1 Tyndall AFB FL 32403-5319

SUBJECT: Engineering Technical Letter (ETL) 11-12: Grounding, Bonding, Testing, and Recordkeeping for Communications Facilities

1. Purpose. This ETL provides technical guidance and criteria for testing and recordkeeping of, and responsibilities for, grounding and bonding communications facilities. This ETL clarifies the intent of AFI 32-1065, Grounding Systems, paragraph 5, and will be rescinded when AFI 32-1065 is revised.

2. Application. Requirements in this ETL are mandatory. Any deviations require written approval from the Lightning Protection and Grounding Systems Engineer, HQ

AFCESA/CEOA.

2.1. Authority:

AFI 32-1065, Grounding Systems

2.2. Effective Date: Immediately

2.3. Intended Users:

Major command (MAJCOM) engineers Expeditionary base civil engineers (BCE) Civil engineering squadron commanders

2.4. Coordination:

None

3. Referenced Publications.

3.1. Air Force:

AFI 32-1065, Grounding Systems, http://www.e-publishing.af.mil

3.2. Joint:

Military Handbook (MIL-HDBK) 419A, Grounding, Bonding, and Shielding for Electronic Equipments and Facilities, 29 December 1987, http://www.wbdg.org/ccb/browse_cat.php?o=30&c=80

4. Background. AFI 32-1065, paragraph 4, outlines the information that all lightning protection and facility grounding systems test records must contain. No standard form or format was provided by the AFI. AFI 32-1065, paragraph 5, suggests that, in the absence of a standard form, an Air Force 3100-series General Purpose form may be used if the test information it contains is in the format of the Facility Maintenance Report in MIL-HDBK-419A, paragraph 2.3.3. Questions have arisen as to whether CE is responsible for all test information in the Facility Maintenance Report. Since MIL-HDBK- 419A provides guidance for communications facilities, the Facility Maintenance Report necessarily includes equipment grounds testing and other tests and records specific only to communications facilities and user requirements.

5. New Policy/Clarification. The civil engineer squadron is responsible for all readings, measurements, and tests shown in AFI 32-1065, paragraph 4. The communications squadron is responsible for all readings, measurements, and tests required for communications equipment shown in AFI 32-1065, Table 1, item 10, and for any equipment items covered by Technical Orders (T.O.). The civil engineering squadron will use its own form for test records, in compliance with AFI 32-1065 testing requirements for the communications facility. Effective upon publication of this ETL, MIL-HDBK-419A is removed as a reference from AFI 32-1065, Table 1, Reference column, item 9. The scheduled frequency for grounding systems maintenance in AFI 32-1065, Table 1, Frequency column, item 9, is changed from 21 months to 24 months (after the first year from installation) to allow for an accurate trend analysis.

6. Point of Contact. The authority having jurisdiction on all matters discussed within this ETL is the Lightning Protection and Grounding Systems Engineer, HQ AFCESA/CEOA. To contact the Lightning Protection and Grounding Systems Engineer, e-mail AFCESAReachBackCenter@tyndall.af.mil, call DSN 523-6354 or commercial

(850) 283-6354, or mail to 139 Barnes Drive, Suite 1, Tyndall AFB, FL 32408-5319.

DAVID J. ANASON, Lt Col, USAF 1 Atch Chief, Operations & Programs Support Division 1. Distribution List

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