ERIE COUNTY, NY

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

Appendix G - COMMUNICATION TOWERS

PART 1 - GENERAL
1.1

RELATED DOCUMENTS
A.

1.2

Drawings and general provisions of the Contract, including General and

Supplementary Conditions, apply to this Section.

SUMMARY
A.

This Section is for complete, self-supporting or guyed, steel communications

towers. This includes foundation and tower design, procurement and delivery to
site, construction, erection and inspection, of tower and related equipment as
described herein and on the project drawings.

B.

Related Sections:
1. Site Preparation
2. Grounding and Bonding
3. Shelters

C.

1.3

DEFINITIONS
A.

1.4

The installation of antenna systems and coaxial cables on the tower is not part of
this specification.

Reference SECTION 17571 of this RFP.

SUBMITTALS
A.

Reference SECTION 17571 requirements and additional requirements below.

B.

The Vendor shall provide, for Owner review and approval, prior to
commencement of the work:
1. Complete and detailed drawings of the structure and its foundation sealed by
a Professional Engineer, Registered in the State of New York and competent
in civil and structural design. By submittal and seal, vendors submittal shall
attest that the design is in full compliance with the mechanical, structural, and
electrical parameters established by these specifications.
2. Attachment loading calculations.

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

Appendix G Page 1 of 10
Communication Towers

ERIE COUNTY, NY

C.

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

Upon completion of the work, the Vendor shall provide to the Owner:
1. Two complete sets of all final design and as-built drawings, ANSI C size or
larger.
2. CD-ROM with all design and as-built drawing files in both AutoCad 2000
format and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
3. Final inspection and testing report.

1.5

QUALITY ASSURANCE
A.

Reference SECTION 17571 requirements and additional requirements below.

B.

Source Limitations: Obtain all tower components from the same manufacturer.

C.

Comply with standards

1. ANSI/EIA STANDARD 222 latest revision.
2. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Advisory Circular; AC 70/7460-1K or
latest revision
3. Comply with all Federal, State and local codes and regulations.

D.

1.6

1.7

The Vendor shall assume total responsibility for project design, work, licenses
and liability insurance of any required items for himself and any required sub
vendors. This is to include all shipping, receiving and all site work required to
install the tower

DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

A.

Reference SECTION 17571 requirements.

B.

Tower sections and components will be covered with tarp during winter
transportation. This is to prevent road salt and chemical spray from damaging
tower steel surface finish.

COORDINATION
A.

Reference SECTION 17571 requirements and additional requirements below.

B.

Coordinate Work of this Section with other Sections of this RFP.

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

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Communication Towers

ERIE COUNTY, NY

C.

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

Should the Contractor, in the process of excavation for the foundation, find a
condition that makes use of the proposed foundation unsuitable, the Contractor
shall do the following:
1. Notify the Project Director or designee.
2. Provide drawings and specifications for a revised foundation as designed by
the Contractors certified engineer.
3. Provide a written quotation of the cost for the revised foundation.

D.

1.8

Upon receipt of the notice, drawings, specifications and price quote the Owner
may do any or all of the following:
1.

Issue a change order reflecting the revised cost and authorize the Contractor
to proceed with the work.

2.

Based on the change order pricing, owner may elect to solicit competitive
bids for the foundation using the drawings and specifications provided by the
Contractor's certified engineer. This action may result in another contractor
doing the foundation work. However, this shall not have an adverse affect
on the warranty of the tower or the foundation.

3.

Any reasonable amount of time lost due to redesign and acquisition of the
revised tower foundation will not be charged against the time allocated for
completion.

E.

Prior to erecting steel on the foundation, the Contractor will provide to the Project
Director a sample of each truck load of concrete that has been tested for
compliance with the foundation specifications set forth by the tower engineer.
Written reports certifying the strength of the concrete are to accompany each test
cylinder.

F.

If any concrete used in the foundation does not meet specifications, the
Contractor shall remove the foundation and pour one using compliant materials,
at no expense to the owner.

TRAINING
A.

Reference SECTION 17571 requirements as applicable and additional

requirements below.

B.

Special training requirements, if applicable, shall be defined in the proposal.

(tower lighting controller if required)

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

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ERIE COUNTY, NY
1.9

1.10

A.

Reference SECTION 17571 requirements as applicable and additional

requirements below.

B.

Manufacturer will guarantee structural integrity of the tower for a period of not
less than 20 years from the date of acceptance.

MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

SPARE PARTS
A.

1.12

2/04/2005

WARRANTY

A.
1.11

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

Spare tower lamps or bulbs as applicable.

COORDINATION
A.

Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.1

MANUFACTURERS
A.

Available Manufacturers:
Subject to compliance with requirements,
manufacturers offering products that may be incorporated into the Work include,
but are not limited to, the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

2.2

Allied Tower Company.

Pirod Inc.
Rohn Industries Inc.
Sabre Communications Corp.
Stainless Inc.

TOWER REQUIREMENTS
A.

GENERAL
1. Tower: New towers shall be 180 in height and suitable for the intended
application, as well as general communications use including two way radio
antennas and microwave dishes.

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

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Communication Towers

ERIE COUNTY, NY
B.

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

MATERIALS
1. Tower structural steel work shall be governed by the AISC Specifications, the
AISC Code, and the EIA Standard. Where applicable, the EIA Standard shall
supersede AISC requirements.
2. All concrete used in the foundation shall meet or exceed tower manufacturer
foundation design requirements.
3. The tower should be new, unused, and shall meet the latest design and
fabrications standards.

C.

CONSTRUCTION
1. The self-supporting tower structure shall be designed and installed in
accordance with latest ANSI/EIA STANDARD 222 and meeting other
specifications as detailed in this document.
2. All tower sections shall be attached to each other by use of flange plates.
3. All welding must be done in the factory prior to the galvanizing process. Field
welding is not acceptable.
4. The tower should be constructed of high-strength steel. All components and
hardware being hot dip galvanized with zinc coating per EIA standards after
fabrication. A zinc coating shall be permanently fused to the steel, both
inside and outside, so all surfaces are protected and no painting is required
for rust protection.
5. Prior to galvanize, each and every piece of steel and every weld is to be
deburred and smooth finished.

D.

FOUNDATION DESIGN
1. Foundation design information shall be provided by tower manufacturer based
on contractor supplied borings and any other site information required by the
tower manufacturer.

E.

GROUNDING
1. Tower shall be properly grounded with using a minimum of 1 ground wire per
tower leg. Ground rods shall be interconnected to each other and to the
building counterpoise per Appendix J - Grounding and Bonding, project
drawings, and manufacturers recommendations. Solid, bare, tinned # 2
AWG copper wire will be used for tower grounding and earth counterpoise.
2. Tower legs will have a plate welded to each tower leg to provide an
attachment point for the ground wires. The ground wires are to be
exothermically welded to the tower leg grounding plates.

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

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Communication Towers

ERIE COUNTY, NY

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

3. The galvanization will be removed at the point of the exothermically welded

ground wire attachment. The galvanization will then be repaired by ether the
hot stick (galvo bar) method or by spraying with at least 2 coats of a zinc rich
paint such as Cold Galv.
4. Lightning ground rod installed at very top of tower to extend at least 2 feet
above top of tower or lighting fixture.
F.

TOWER LOADING
1. The structure shall be designed and installed to withstand a minimum of 100
MPH sustained winds at ten meters (32.8 feet) above with a coating of 1/2inch solid radial ice or the requirements in the current ANSI/EIA STANDARD
222, whichever is greater.
2. The tower and foundation shall be designed to support all initial attachments
as identified by the Vendor(s) for this project.
3. In addition, the tower shall be designed to accommodate the following future
attachments. Unless otherwise specified, for loading and design purposes
the attachments shall be assumed to be at the highest point practical on the
tower.
a.
b.
c.
d.

G.

One 6 solid microwave dish at top of tower

Two 800 MHz antennas
DB806 or equivalent
Four UHF antenna
DB636 or equivalent
Two VHF antenna
DB516 or equivalent

TRANSMISSION LINE SUPPORT

1. Cable ladder
a. A vertical transmission line support system shall be provided to securely
attach the antenna transmission lines.
b. Holes shall be provided in the tower support members, tower hanger
adapter plates or separate ladder structures to allow installation of snap-in
cable hangers and bolt-in cable hangers at maximum 3-foot intervals. The
mounting holes shall be precision punched or drilled and sufficiently
separated to accommodate the snap-in or bolt-in hangers.
c. This transmission line support system shall run to the highest mounted
antenna and allow for two times the identified cable requirements in the
attachment table.
2. Ice bridge
a. A horizontal transmission line ice bridge, approximately eight feet above
ground, extending from the tower cable ladder to the equipment building
entry port shall be provided.

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

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ERIE COUNTY, NY

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

b. The ice bridge shall be installed such that it is self-supporting with its
own foundations and not attached to either the tower or equipment
building.
c. The ice bridge shall be exothermically bonded to the external
counterpoise ground system. All ice bridge support posts will be
connected to the counterpoise per Appendix J Grounding and
Bonding. All ice bridge post connections will use exothermic welds
that are installed 2 inches above the finished stone grade of the yard.
d. Multiple sections of the ice bridge shall be bonded together using twohole lugs, # 6 AWG stranded wire and stainless steel hardware. All
connections will have a thin coating of an anti oxide compound
applied to reduce oxidation.
e. Reference project drawings for Ice bridge design and installation
details.
H.

CLIMBING ACCESS
1. A ladder, beginning at a point at least ten feet off the ground, shall be
provided as an integral part of the tower to permit access by authorized
personnel.
2. The tower shall be equipped with an OSHA approved anti-fall safety device
in accordance with EIA-222. This device must not interfere with the climber's
ease of reach by hand or foot from one rung of the ladder to the next, either
going up or coming down. Two safety climbing belts shall be supplied with
each new tower.

I.

LIGHTING
1. Tower lighting shall be supplied as required by the applicable determination
as issued by the FAA for this project and fully compliant with FAA AC
70/7460-1K or latest revision.
2. Unless otherwise required by the FAA, vendor shall provide a dual
obstruction lighting system consisting of red lights for nighttime and high or
medium intensity flashing white strobe lights for day and twilight per FAA AC
70/7460-1K, paragraph 42d or latest revision.
3. The system control circuitry shall be enclosed in galvanized rigid metallic
conduit or other approved method to be in compliance with the National
Electric Code as well as all local electrical codes in effect at the sites of
installation. A screened vent will be installed at the bottom of the tower on
the lowest point in the conduit and junction box to allow condensate moisture
to be able to drain from the conduit.

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

Appendix G Page 7 of 10
Communication Towers

ERIE COUNTY, NY

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

4. The system control circuitry shall provide synchronization and intensity

control of the obstruction lighting system and shall monitor the overall
integrity of the lighting system for component failures or improper operation.
5. Form C, dry alarm output relay contacts, rated at .3A minimum @
24VDC/125VAC, shall be provided to indicate:
a. Flash head or power failure
b. Side marker lamp failure
6. The Contractor shall wire all alarms to a contractor provided Type 66 block
located in the communications shelter or equipment room. All alarms shall
be clearly labeled.
2.3

ACCESSORIES
A.

Proposer shall identify and describe any accessories needed

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.1

GENERAL INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

A.

ERECTION
1. The tower steel shall be installed and erected in accordance with all
manufacturer requirements, instructions, and specifications.
2. Any deviation from manufacturer requirements,
specifications shall be brought to Owners attention.

3.2

and

SPECIFIC INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS

A.

3.3

instructions,

Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

LABELING AND IDENTIFICATION

A.

Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

B.

A permanent metal marker plate shall be affixed approximately 60 above the

base of the tower, inscribed with the following information:
1. Site name
2. Installation date
3. Manufacturer and contact information

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

Appendix G Page 8 of 10
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ERIE COUNTY, NY
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

3.4

Model number
Serial number
Tower height in feet
Latitude and Longitude in degrees/minutes/seconds (NAD 83)
Base elevation in feet AMSL

FAA and FCC identification numbers, if applicable, shall be clearly labeled near
the base of the tower.

D.

All labeling shall be weatherproof and durable using a stamped metal plate or
equivalent permanently attached to a leg or cross brace.

FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

Reference Section 17571 requirements.

CLEANING
A.

3.6

2/04/2005

C.

A.
3.5

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

FINAL TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE

A.

Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

B.

Upon completion of the work, documentation detailing final inspection and testing
shall be submitted, addressing the following:
1. Steel structure
a. Vertical alignment and plumb
b. All bolts tight and torqued to specification
c. No damaged or missing structural members
d. All surface scratches and damage to the galvanization will be repaired
e. No signs of stress or vibration
f. All climbing ladders, and other devices installed correctly
g. Labels and tags
2. Foundation
a. Concrete finish / lack of cracks / blemishes
b. Grouting, if used, will have drain holes if tower uses hollow leg
construction or monopole design
c. Backfilling and grading
3. Grounding
a. Verify lugs and cadwelds
b. Ground resistance test and record
c. Ground lightning rod installed at top of tower

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

Appendix G Page 9 of 10
Communication Towers

ERIE COUNTY, NY

PUBLIC SAFETY PAGING NETWORK RFP

2/04/2005

4. Ice Bridge
a. Installed per specification
5. Lighting and controls
a. Inspect conduit and wiring installation
b. Verify proper lamp operation
c. Verify alarm contact operation
d. Verify labeling
6. Photographs
a. Overall structure- from N, E, S, W
b. Footers
c. Grounding
3.7

TRAINING
A.

Reference Section 17571 requirements as applicable.

END OF SECTION

2/3/05

L. Robert Kimball & Associates

Project # 04-1600-0064

Appendix G Page 10 of 10
Communication Towers