This article is about Design Criteria and Installation of Communication Towers for telecommunication Engineers, supervisors and technical and reference from International Standards and SAES-T-744.
Mandatory Requirements for Design and Installation of Communication Towers
Communication towers form an integral part of our modern day life. Their application ranges from broadcasting services like FM/TV, HF, VHF/UHF and CATV to microwave transmissions. To ensure quality construction and safety, it is necessary to abide by stringent safety and design guidelines. This article covers the mandatory requirements governing the design and installation of both self-supporting and guyed steel communication towers.
Introduction to TIA/EIA-222
The Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures, TIA/EIA-222, Edition G, as published by Electronic Industries Association (EIA/TIA) is hereby adopted as Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard SAES-T-744, Design Criteria for Communication Towers.
Design Criteria for Communication Towers
Material Selection, Detailing and Shop Fabrication
All material selection, detailing, shop fabrication, galvanizing, marking for erection, delivery, erection and assembly of steel structures for communications towers shall comply with 12-SAMSS-007.
Painting and Protective Coatings
Painting and protective coatings for steel structures of the towers shall also comply with SAES-H-001 and SAES-H-101.
Hollow Tubular Steel Members
Communications towers shall not contain hollow tubular steel members as part of their structure.
Ice Loading
Ice loading shall not be considered in the tower loading calculations.
Design Basic Wind Speed
Section 16, County Listing of Minimum Basic Speeds shall not be considered. The Design Basic wind speed for the location of the tower shall be determined from SAES-A-112 and according to EIA/TIA-222-G. If such data is not available for a particular location, contact Environmental Engineering Division. 60 miles per hour shall be the operational wind speed requirements for tower structures in Saudi Arabia.
Loading Capacity
The loading capacity of the tower shall be calculated for the known loading to be on the tower at its commissioning plus any additional loading expected to occur within one year after commissioning.
Foundations and Concrete
Foundations and concrete shall comply with 09-SAMSS-097, SAES-Q-001 and SAES-Q-005.
Anchor Rods
To eliminate corrosion, all anchor rods shall be fusion bonded epoxy coated. The coating shall be 500 to 625 micrometers (20 to 25 mils) dry film thickness.
Guyed Towers
Guyed towers shall not be installed on offshore structures.
Security Fencing
All guyed tower masts for communication sites require separate SSD/1 or SSD/2 security fencing for each guy if not included in perimeter security fence for tower. Refer to SAES-O-102.
Installation Criteria
Bonding
All tower legs and anchors shall be bonded to form a grounding electrode system, which shall be bonded to the building grounding system per SAES-P-111, SAES-T-887 and Standard Drawing AA-036391.
Identification
Each tower leg and anchor shall be identified with labels. The labels shall be located in a clear location such as the bottom of the tower and top of anchor.
Marking and Lighting
Marking and lighting of communications towers shall comply with SAES-B-063 and SAES-P-123.
Testing and Inspection
Testing and inspection of towers shall be in accordance with Section 14 and Appendix E of EIA/TIA-222-G.
Conclusion
This article covers the mandatory requirements governing the design and installation of both self-supporting and guyed steel communication towers. These requirements have been derived from the Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures, TIA/EIA-222, Edition G, as published by Electronic Industries Association (EIA/TIA). Compliance with these standards ensures quality construction and safety for communication towers.