Communication Tower Inspection

This may vary depending on your customer or your company’s requirements. Our goal while performing Communication tower inspections is to prevent failures before they happen. Many Items need to be examined while performing an inspection that will vary depending on the type of structure you’re working on here. 

A few items need to be taken into consideration during the inspection process.

• The first thing you will want to examine is the general site conditions. This includes verifying that the tower and anchor points are free of outside obstructions such as tree strubs and any other type of interference that may cause damage to the structure over time—verifying that the site is draining correctly. Water is not collecting around the foundations, which can lead to erosion over time.
• The next step is to move to the tower base and the foundations. Verify that the foundations are above grade to prevent accelerated corrosion on any steel and that there’s no crackling, Spaulding, or shifting occurring with the concrete. Check that there is no tower base bolt corrosion, especially if the structure is a monopole. Look closely at the base to ensure no cracking around the flange or the base welds.
• This stress point can lead to failures if the structure is overloaded or appropriately manufactured. Ensure that the tower base grounding is correctly secured to the steel and terminated to the ground ring or the ground rod and that the ground leads are not broken and torn. If the structure is an AM tower, Thoroughly inspect the insulator for any cracks in the porcelain that will weaken its integrity.
• Before you begin your climb, please verify that the safety climb is properly tensioned and visually inspect that it’s properly secured to the cable throughout the entire length of the tower. Also, perform that same visual inspection on feed lines or SSO cords to ensure they’re properly secured to the tower. Sometimes it’s easier to spot any defect in vertical runs by looking up from the structure’s base at a different angle than when you’re climbing.
• Now on to Aerial Toddler Inspections and ascending the entire length of the tower, pay close attention to all the towers section. You’ll want to look closely at all the twoer members, such as the horizontals, diagonals, and lathes, to ensure nothing is damaged, loose, or deformed. Diagonal and Horizontal bolts to ensure the lock washers are compressed, and they’re tight and secure. Depending upon your customer or company requirements, they may require 10% or more but check throughout the entire length of the tower along with all the bolts.
• While performing your ascending tower inspections simultaneously, you’ll want to pay close attention to all transmission lines. Each line is typically secured at the top of the vertical and run by a hoisting grid. Ensure this is installed if specified by the manufacturer and adequately secured to the tower without causing any physical damage to any members.
• When reaching all antenna levels, always verify that the mounts are not damaged or deformed and that all mounting brackets are properly tightened. The raid OHMS on the antennas must be free of damage or cracks, and all the mounting brackets should be properly tightened and not deformed.
• Now for anchors, If you’re working on a guide tower, you’ll want to inspect all the anchor points closely. Verify that all the turnbuckles are free from damage, safety pins are installed, and all preforms and temples are installed and correctly set. A plumb and tension need to be performed to verify that each guy level and vertical plumb is within the manufacturer’s specifications. This procedure may vary slightly depending upon your customer’s requirements for your company standards.

Communication Tower Inspection Report

An inspection of the tower and associated steelwork, antenna systems, and feeders will occur once a year. An inspection completion report will be provided (including photographs). Work to be undertaken:

• Checks on safety requirements: platform grillage, kickboards, handrails, anti-climb, tail ok, and ladder.
• 50% of total installed bolt check (condition and torque).
• Paint condition check.
• Antenna and feeder schedule correlation.
• Visual inspection of feeder waterproofing and replacement where required. Check all antenna and feeder earth and replacement where needed.
• Visual inspection of coaxial and waveguide feeder routing for security and physical damage.
• Antenna mountings security check.
• Physical inspection of Fast Transient Earthing.
• Identification of any hazards or items requiring immediate attention. (note: remedial works are excluded: separate proposals will be made for any needed rectifications, as appropriate)

Note:

This tower inspection is not a complete structural survey. It is recommended that a full structural survey (to include Structural Analysis / Wind loading Calculations) is completed once every three years or after any significant changes to the equipment on the tower if this is within this period. If a complete survey is required during this contract, the Sub-Contractor will price this as variation works.

In Addition, to these Inspection Services, we also offer a range of complimentary services:

• Third-Party Inspection
• Pre-Shipment Inspection
• QA/QC Services
• Lifting Equipment Inspection
• Technical Staffing Services
• Construction Supervision Services
• Technical Manpower Supply Services
• Non-Destructive Testing Services
• Mechanical Testing Services
• Risk-Based Inspection
• Pressure Equipment Directive Certification
• Pressure Vessel Inspection
• Storage Tank Inspection
• Steam Boiler Inspection
• Supplier Expediting Services
• Emission Testing Services
• Plant Safety Services
• Equipment Safety Services
• Vendor Audit Services
• Explosion Protection Services
• Fire Protection Services
• Asset Integrity Services

TUV Austria Bureau of Inspection and certification is here to cater to all your inspection requirements. To Send Enquiry, click on the button below.

Send Enquiry