Bell Telecommunication

Philippines, Inc.

Modular RAN Site Specification

02

Antenna Support Structure

Specifications

Revision:
Creator:
Reviewer:
Approver:
Date approved:
Function:

Rev 1.1 22nd of June, 2010

CME Department
P. Kovanen
Engineering Services

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REVISION SHEET
Revision
Date:

Revision
No:

22 June 2010

1.1

Revision
Approved By:

Change Description (Chapter, page No and

description of the changed item)
Chapters 4.3 / 4.6 / 4.22.6 revised

2 / 22

Table of Contents

1.

Purpose..................................................................................................................................................5

2.

Scope .....................................................................................................................................................5

3.

Design Standards and Code Systems ..............................................................................................5

4.

Tower Design Details...........................................................................................................................6

4.1

Tower Type.......................................................................................................................................6

4.2

Applicable Codes of Practice.........................................................................................................6

4.3

Deflections and Rotations ..............................................................................................................7

4.4

Terrain / Exposure Category .........................................................................................................7

4.5

Wind Load Design ...........................................................................................................................8

4.6

Material Specification......................................................................................................................9

4.7

Connection Specifications..............................................................................................................9

4.8

Corrosion Protection .....................................................................................................................10

4.9

Moisture Entrapment.....................................................................................................................10

4.10

Lightning Protection ......................................................................................................................10

4.11

Work Platforms ..............................................................................................................................11

4.12

Intermediate or Rest Platform .....................................................................................................11

4.13

Cable Runway................................................................................................................................11

4.14

Kick Plates......................................................................................................................................11

4.15

Safety Rails ....................................................................................................................................12

4.16

Trap Doors......................................................................................................................................12

4.17

Climbing and Cable Ladders .......................................................................................................12

4.18

Tower Foundation Design ............................................................................................................12

4.19

Imposed Tower Loads ..................................................................................................................13

4.19.1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................13

4.19.2

Applied loads .............................................................................................................................13

4.19.3

Layout of antennae, cables and aviation Light .....................................................................14

4.20

Tower Manufacturing ....................................................................................................................14

4.20.1

Fabrication .................................................................................................................................14

4.20.2

Material certification..................................................................................................................14

4.20.3

Non-destructive testing ............................................................................................................14

4.20.4

Coded welders...........................................................................................................................15

4.20.5

Quality management system...................................................................................................15

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4.20.6

Markings .....................................................................................................................................15

4.20.7

Test assembly............................................................................................................................15

4.20.8

Jigs and templates ....................................................................................................................16

4.21

Tower Foundations .......................................................................................................................16

4.21.1

Survey and foundation conditions ..........................................................................................16

4.21.2

Soil investigation .......................................................................................................................16

4.21.3

Tower foundations ....................................................................................................................16

4.21.4

Backfilling, compaction and clean up.....................................................................................16

4.22

Tower Transport and Erection.....................................................................................................17

4.22.1

Transport ....................................................................................................................................17

4.22.2

Drawings.....................................................................................................................................17

4.22.3

Corrosion treatment ..................................................................................................................17

4.22.4

Orientation and leveling ...........................................................................................................17

4.22.5

Straightness ...............................................................................................................................17

4.22.6

Tower erection...........................................................................................................................18

4.22.7

Assembly methodology ............................................................................................................19

4.22.8

Grouting ......................................................................................................................................19

4.23

Tower Safety ..................................................................................................................................19

4.23.1

Safety ..........................................................................................................................................19

4.23.2

Supervision ................................................................................................................................19

4.24

Tower Certification Tower Conformance Certificate ................................................................20

4.25

Tower Maintenance and Warranty Maintenance Procedures ................................................21

4.26

Tower Marking and Aviation Lights ............................................................................................21

4.26.1

Tower marking...........................................................................................................................21

4.26.2

Aviation light types ....................................................................................................................22

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1.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide basic design specifications for self supporting towers,
monopoles and rooftop antenna mounting structures for Bell Telecommunication Philippines, Inc.
(BellTel) Radio Access Network (RAN) implementation projects.

2.

Scope

This Antenna Support Structure Specification is a part of the following list of CME Specifications:

01 - General Civil Works Specifications

02 - Antenna Support Structure Specifications

03 - Rooftop Site Specifications

04 - Greenfield Site Specifications

05 - Electrical , Earthing and Lightning Protection Specifications

06 - Health and Safety Specifications

Only requirements, rules and guidelines for technical issues and design analysis are included in
the specifications.
Where operations or methods differ from or are not covered by the above CME specifications,
the specifications for those items shall be stated in the site specific designs and documents.
Additional requirements may also be specified elsewhere in the tender documents or delivery
contract.

3.

Design Standards and Code Systems

Approved design standards and codes:

NSCP (National structural code of the Philippines in its latest valid version)

NBCP (National building code of the Philippines)

European standard: Eurocode construction code system

American (U.S) standard code system

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4.

Tower Design Details

4.1

Tower Type

The following tower types shall be used:

1. Self supporting lattice towers (tapered or parallel, four or three legged, angular or pipe
construction)
2. Monopole structures
3. Rooftop poles (wall mount, mono, bi-pod or tri-pod poles, free standing or fixed to the
rooftop structures)
For loading calculations all antennas shall be assumed to be placed within 5 m from the top of
the tower.
The tower antenna mounting points shall be able to withstand breakage at wind speeds up to
250 km/h (depending on the applicable wind zone).
The following regional wind load zones criteria shall be adopted in any calculations:
1. Zone I:

250 km/h

2. Zone II:

200 km/h

3. Zone III:

125 km/h

Note that the NSCP has announced that new version of national codes is scheduled for release by Q2, 2010. Based
on preliminary information, new version will include revised wind zone definitions.

Specified wind speed for each zone shall be considered as Survival Wind Speed.
Operational wind speed equals 70% of survival wind speed

4.2

Applicable Codes of Practice

The tower and civil works for related structures shall comply with the following list of
specifications or latest amendments and revisions.

NSCP (National structural code of the Philippines in its latest valid version)

NBCP (National building code of the Philippines)

BellTel has approved the following international design standard code systems for use in its
projects.

European standard: Eurocode construction code system

American (U.S) standard code system (ANSI standards)

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Should there be any contradictory requirements between the international codes and National
Codes of the Philippines; National Codes of the Philippines will receive precedence.
It is essential that standards are used in a consistent manner and that standards from different
sources are not used in conjunction with each other unless it can be demonstrated that it is valid
to do so.
Please note that it is the tower manufacturer responsibility to keep abreast with the industry
standard and latest revisions.
4.3

Deflections and Rotations

At the top of the tower or pole structure, at operational wind speeds, the maximum rotation (twist)
around the vertical axis shall be limited to 0.5 and the maximum deflection compared to the
horizontal axis shall be limited to 0.5.
Monopole structures where above limits are not achievable the design shall be prepared to
minimize the rotation (twist) and deflection and details of the design, including estimation of
maximum rotation (twist) and deflection at operational wind speeds, shall be submitted for
BellTels approval.

4.4

Terrain / Exposure Category

The applicable terrain or exposure category for each structure must be identified by the
contractor for each site according to the categories defined by NSCP.

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If a standard tower is being used in various locations, the controls must be in place to ensure that
the particular site falls within the designed exposure characteristics for the relevant tower.
Exposure category must be clearly indicated on the tower erection drawings.
4.5

Wind Load Design

The basic design wind speed to be used in the tower designs shall be chosen according to the
applicable wind zones. The Vendor must state the wind speed assumed in the design for each
tower type.
Care must be taken where the tower is near the edge of an escarpment or on an exposed hill as
this determines an effective height for purposes of wind speed calculations according to the local
standard.
Table 4.5.1 Wind Zone Map of Philippines

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4.6

Material Specification

The materials used shall comply with internationally recognized standards. American (ASTM),
Japanese (JIS) and European (EN) material standards are approved for project use by BellTel.
Material used in antenna support structure design must be indicated clearly in design
calculations and drawings.
As a minimum, following material yield strength should be used:

Main Tower (legs):

Tower Braces (horizontal, vertical and diagonal):
Steel Plates:

fy = 235 MPa
fy = 235 MPa
fy = 235 MPa

Material yield strength adopted and applied must be uniform regardless of actual position of
members in the final tower structure. As an example the tower can be designed for 248 MPa for
all main tower members, 275 MPa for all braces and 248 for all plate members.
Use of lower yield (mild) steel is allowed for non structural, non load bearing members.
4.7

Connection Specifications

Connection bolts shall conform to ASTM A325 or JIS 8.8 or equivalent.

Anchor bolts shall conform to applicable ASTM standards or equivalent.
All structural bolts shall be M8 or bigger.
All bolts used that are smaller than M8 must be stainless steel.
All high tensile steel bolts, M8 or bigger will be a minimum grade of 8.8. This includes bolts on
climbing ladders, cable ladders and platforms.
The design of joints for lattice towers must be such that bolts are able to be tightened against flat
steel surfaces that bear on each other in such a way that the full design tension for the bolts can
be achieved.
Anchor bolts (also known as cluster bolts or hold down bolts) must be hot dip galvanized.
The joint configuration shall be such that a torque wrench can be used to tighten each bolt
without clashing with adjacent bolts.
Flattened pipe-ends of any type are not to be used, as the inside of the pipe cannot be
galvanized properly.
Sleeve fitting pipe member connections on tower legs are not recommended.
Use of friction grip joints in design calculations is not allowed.
Stainless steel bolts (not anchor bolts) can be used on coastal sites if the tower designer has
allowed for it in his design.
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All bolt joints to be fitted with flat washers at nut side of clamped materials with double nut for
each connection point to secure the connection. Deviations, if required, to be specified by tower
supplier and are subject to BellTel approval.
Galvanized flat washers (2mm thick or thicker) or stainless steel washers in the case of stainless
steel bolts must be used on the nut end of the bolt. No spring washers are allowed on the tower.
Tapered washers should be used where appropriate, particularly on tapered flanges.
The grade, type, size, torque, and location of all bolts must be clearly indicated on the erection
drawings.
Antenna mounting poles and brackets shall be bolt connections to the tower legs or antenna
gantry with safety pin, plate or chain to secure the connection.
4.8

Corrosion Protection

All ferrous materials (steels) including bolts and nuts shall be hot dipped galvanized and shall
conform ASTM-A123 for structural sections and ASTM-A153 for small accessories.
Bolts, nuts and washers shall be galvanized to minimum of 50 microns thickness. Excessive zinc
shall be removed from the threaded parts of bolts and nuts.
4.9

Moisture Entrapment

Where pipe legs are used, drainage holes must be provided in the pipe leg that is flush with the
flange plate.
The bottom flange of the bottom leg member must allow drainage through the grout if there is a
hole in the flange through a 20 mm drainage holes or the bottom flange shall contain no holes or
be suitably plugged and sealed.
4.10

Lightning Protection

A 1200mm long galvanized lightning spike must be installed at the very top of the tower. The
spike shall be insulated from the tower structure. This spike can be a M16 rod or a 38 mm x 38
mm angle iron with a sharpened point.
Insulated 120mm2 stainless steel, copper, galvanized or aluminum down conductor is to be
supplied providing a secure earth path from the spike to the tower earth.
The spike height shall be such that the tower structure, lights, antennas are all included within a
90 degree angled cone subtending from it.
An earth bar or bars, firmly and continuously fixed to the tower, shall be provided for earthing the
feeder cables below all antennas (Up to 12 coax feeders for RF antennas plus required
microwave units) as well as any intermediate earths as defined in detail by BellTel electrical
specifications.
Similarly, an earth bar shall be provided at the base of the tower for earthing all feeders prior to
the bend. This lower earth bar shall be firmly connected to the tower and linked to the tower
earthing system.
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4.11

Work Platforms

A work platform shall be installed 2 to 6 m from the top of a lattice tower. Two sets of round
antenna gantry shall be provided allowing 360 degree installation of antenna poles. One antenna
gantry is to be positioned above the work platform and other below the platform.
Final position of platform and antenna gantry is subject to change based on equipment
installation and antenna requirements. Final location is subject to BellTel approval prior the start
of tower manufacturing.
Top work platform must be designed to accommodate the load of the RF units for feeder less or
distributed base station equipment solution.
A trapdoor must be fitted at the climbing ladder exit. Provision must be made for feeders to pass
through the floor.
4.12

Intermediate or Rest Platform

Intermediate or rest platforms shall be supplied as required by local building and/or health and
safety codes.
As minimum requirement, lattice towers shall have an intermediate or rest platform fitted. This
platform must be installed halfway between equipment and top work platform (+_ 3 m) for towers
that exceed 30 m in height.
The deflections of the expanded mesh floor shall be less than span/360 when carrying a 150kg
load at mid-span.
A trap door must be fitted at the climbing ladder exit. Provision must be made for feeders to pass
through the floor.
4.13

Cable Runway

Feeder cables can be routed alongside the climbing ladder or behind the climbing ladder rungs
with minimum of 200mm offset from the climbing ladder rungs.
The unused cable access hole can be fitted with a dummy cover that can be moved to either side
of the platform or else the holes must be surrounded with a 50 mm high kick plate.
The cable runway will allow for cable runs of 400 mm wide x 150 mm deep and will allow cable
clamps to be attached to the offset brackets the full height of the tower at 0.5m spacing (From
planned equipment mounting level to the highest point of tower).
4.14

Kick Plates

Kick plates shall be provided for all platforms as required by local occupational health and safety
standards and guidelines.

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4.15

Safety Rails

Safety hand and knee rails are used and mounted according to local occupational health and
safety standards and guidelines requirements.
4.16

Trap Doors

Trapdoors shall be configured to ensure that they do not slam shut under gravity or wind load.
The trapdoor shall not open forward towards the cat ladder.
The hinge of the trapdoor shall have a proper hinge pin or if a bolt is used the bolt shall have an
unthreaded shank within the hinge and shall have a lock-nut.
The trapdoor deflections shall be less than span/360 when carrying a 200kg load at mid span.
4.17

Climbing and Cable Ladders

A minimum of 400 mm wide climbing ladder must be extended the full length of the tower to the
highest point of the tower and allow access to the top aviation light.
Climbing ladder rungs must be evenly spaced to allow comfortable climbing and shall be 16 mm
in diameter.
Designated side of the climbing ladder will allow for cable runs. The cable installation must not
impede climbing.
Fall arrester system is preferred and tower supplier is required to offer a solution for BellTel
approval as optional feature.
Safety hoops and vertical stringers or similar safety structure is applicable for sites without fall
arrest system and are installed on the climbing ladder starting 2.5 m from the ground or platform.
Horizontal safety hoops must be designed according to applicable occupational Safety and
Health Standards.
Safety hoops on the spine of mono poles are not practical therefore a BellTel approved fall arrest
system must be installed on all spines that are longer than 2 m.
Where the safety hoop and stringers are bolted together with smaller than M8 bolts, stainless
steel bolts must be used.
Climbing ladder offsets must meet the latest occupational health and safety act requirements that
will allow unobstructed climbing.
4.18

Tower Foundation Design

The foundations must be designed for a below ground foundation.

Above ground foundations must be designed for the specific site that it is entailed for, taking
founding conditions into consideration.
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Particular attention will need to be taken during construction of foundation. Photos will have to be
taken during the construction in order to assess quality of reinforced concrete and compare with
Specifications.
The standard foundation design will include a soil bearing capacity of 75, 100 and 150kPa. If
these criteria are not achievable based on location and soil tests, then a revised non-standard
foundation solution will be required.
Detailed specifications for concrete structures see 01 General Civil Works Specifications.
4.19

Imposed Tower Loads

4.19.1

Introduction

There will be various different tower load criterias used by BellTel. The load tables below
will always apply and the tower must be designed to suit the terrain and topographical
category applicable to the location of the tower.
4.19.2

Applied loads
RF
Antenna

Site Classification
Rooftop Sites:
Wall mount pole for RF antenna
Wall mount pole for MW antenna
3m Rooftop Pole
6m Rooftop Pole
9m Rooftop Pole
Bi-pod and Tri-pod Poles over 9m height
Greenfield Sites:
Metro / Urban / Suburban Sites
Rural / Road / HUB Sites
BSC / Repeater Sites

MW
Antenna

MW
Antenna

MW
Antenna

MW
Antenna

3m lenght 0.6m dia

1.2m dia

1.8m dia

2.4m dia

1
1
1
3
6
6

1
2
2
2

9
9
9

4
4
2

3
4

Tower structures shall be designed as minimum to withstand following additional loads:

Brackets, frames required for antenna mounting

12 coax feeder cables for RF antennas (7/8 in size up to 35m tower height and 1-5/8
in size for towers higher than 35m)

2 coax feeder cable per MW antenna (1/2 in size)

All tower accessories like cable and climbing ladders, obstruction lights, lightning
protection, work and rest platforms etc.

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TI Equipment loads for towers where equipment is located and tower platform (two
outdoor equipment cabinets in full configuration and one battery back up rack in full
battery configuration) with the combined weight of 1500kgs

RF unit loads at top work platform (minimum of 4 RF units with the combined weight of
100kg).

Electrical distribution boards

Power and grounding cables

Load of maintenance personnel working on the tower and equipment where applicable
and as per applicable codes and standards

4.19.3

Layout of antennae, cables and aviation Light

For tower design purposes, all RF and MW antenna loads are to be applied evenly for the
first 5m from the top of the tower downwards.
The tower load must be designed for a maximum cable layout width of 400mm that will be
presented to the wind with cables placed next to each other and/or back to back up to the
top of the tower.
Aviation Lights have to be included in the design according to the requirements of local civil
aviation authoritys norms and regulations.
4.20

Tower Manufacturing

4.20.1

Fabrication

The fabrication of all towers shall comply with the NSCP or other approved code system.
4.20.2

Material certification

Certification of the grade of steel being supplied (mill certificates) by the steel merchants
must be held by the tower supplier for the towers for the full guarantee period and must be
made available to BellTel inspection if required.
There must be a system in place that can trace the grade of steel being used for the towers
bought by BellTel.
4.20.3

Non-destructive testing

The suppliers on critical production welds to verify their soundness must carry out regular
non-destructive testing and corrective action must be taken where required.
The test results must be retained for inspection by BellTel for the full guarantee period.

14 / 22

4.20.4

Coded welders

Coded welders must be used on all welds. Welders certification papers must be made
available to BellTels for inspection on request.
4.20.5

Quality management system

Work procedures must be in place and adhered to for all phases of manufacturing. This
would include, among other things, procedures for material purchasing, material receiving,
material checking, material batching / marking, material handling, material storage, job card
system, work in progress inspections by qualified persons, non conformance procedures,
final product inspection, product storage, component identification, record keeping,
packaging, transport and loading procedures.
4.20.6

Markings

The tower members shall be clearly marked by hard stamping in a way that they can be
checked against erection drawings, fabrication drawings, non-destructive testing, etc. In pipe
sections where the wall thickness cannot be confirmed after erection, the markings must
allow a trace back to fabrication drawings or indicate wall thickness.
Serial or model numbers will be allocated for all towers and recorded in the tower erection
drawings and site specific documentation folder by the main contractor.
All towers must have a metal (Aluminum) identity name plate fixed to it in a visible position
(on the outside a mono pole door or on the cat ladder offset at the first horizontal level)
indicating the following minimum information:

Manufacturers name

Tower height

Site name

Actual terrain category

Designed terrain category

Tower model number

Applied load design. i.e. Metro, Rural or Urban loading design

The nameplate should not be bigger than 200 mm x 200 mm and should be fixed with bolts
or pop rivets.
4.20.7

Test assembly

New tower designs must be subjected to trial assembly in the fabricators yard prior to
dispatch to site.

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This trial assembly may only involve a typical portion of the tower if other checking
procedures are in place to ensure a proper fit on site of the full tower.
4.20.8

Jigs and templates

The accuracy of jigs and fixtures must be regularly checked against clearly marked master
samples or drawings.
Attempts must be made to counter the effects of heat stress and subsequent distortion
caused by welding or galvanizing.
4.21

Tower Foundations

4.21.1

Survey and foundation conditions

The founding conditions must be clearly identified, recorded and suitability confirmed by the
contractor with the design engineer after the site survey and detailed soil investigation.
Groundwater level must be recorded if found during the soil test. If soil is suitable for
backfilling it must be stated with all other test results in the soil test report.
Results of these tests shall be included in the conformance certificate and be handed to
BellTel as part of site specific documentation package.
Terrain category must be clearly identified during site survey and shown in the detail site
designs to ensure correct tower is allocated for each site.
The contractor is responsible for measuring the exact gradients, slopes and inclines of the
site relevant to the top of the tower foundation and a fixed reference point thereby identifying
the need for retaining walls or structural retaining walls. The contractor will be responsible
for the leveling of the site.
4.21.2

Soil investigation

Soil investigation is required to be done by the contractor for all Greenfield sites. For detailed
soil investigation specification see 04 - Greenfield Site Specifications.
4.21.3

Tower foundations

All civil works on the site shall conform to the latest edition of the applicable national /
international code and BellTels technical specifications.
4.21.4

Backfilling, compaction and clean up

If suitable, excavated soil must be used to level the complete site area. The leveled area
must be compacted as per applicable codes, standards and specifications.
All excess material must be removed from site and discarded.

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4.22

Tower Transport and Erection

4.22.1

Transport

The tower must be suitably protected from damage during transport.

Suitable spacing material (e.g. wooden planks or thick cardboard) must be used as spacers
to ensure that the tower members do not scuff and thereby cause damage to the
galvanizing.
Unloading of the tower on site must be supervised to ensure that the correct tower has
arrived for that site and that the members are not thrown off the truck but unloaded with
care.
The tower members must be stored on site clear from the ground and checked as per the
packing list that there are no missing components.
4.22.2

Drawings

A full set of tower erection and foundation drawings must be provided to BellTel for each
tower type, foundation type, etc.
Complete set of drawings are to be on site before work commences.
The drawings must include at least overall structure sizes, member sizes, bolt sizes, bolt
torques, material specifications, antennae brackets, platforms, climbing and cable ladders,
concrete mixes (by volume), loading assumptions, tower type and any other items of
relevance that may be needed to identify the conditions for which the said tower is intended.
4.22.3

Corrosion treatment

Damaged (chipped) galvanized areas must be touched up with cold galvanizing paint.
Damaged area must be clean from rust, dust, grease, dirt and dry before the paint is applied.
4.22.4

Orientation and leveling

The orientation of the tower must be set as per the approved site specific design and
checked by the contractor using a compass or instructed means (map).
A dumpy level must be used to check levels. The use of a spirit level to control site levels is
not acceptable.
4.22.5

Straightness

For compression members in lattice towers the bow shall be less than L/1000. For other
members the bow shall be less than L/500 where L is the distance in millimeters, between
points of lateral restraint and the bow is the deviation measured from a straight line taken
between these points.
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4.22.6

Tower erection

All tower erection shall conform to the latest issue of the relevant national or international
code for structural steel work and must comply with the manufacturers instructions.
All bolts including anchor bolts shall have a minimum of two full threads protruding past the
face of the nut (or double nut) after tightening. The bolt lengths shall be limited to ensure that
clearance of the bolt to adjacent bolts and flanges/ cleats is such that applicable spanners
can be properly used.
All bolts must be tightened to the bolt manufactures specification. The required torque
recommendation must be shown on the erection drawing.
The tower shall be erected to an accuracy that ensures that the out of plumb is less than
H/500 and that the displacement of the centre line of each column is less than H/1000. H is
the Height, in millimeters, of the tower above the base plate to the point under consideration.
The out of plumb for pole type towers shall be limited to H/200.
All bolts that are installed vertically (i.e. Leg flanges) must have the bolt head on top of the
flange and the nut end at the bottom of the flange.
In the no-wind condition the tower shall not have an initial twist of more than 2 over a
typical tower height of 50m, where the twist is measured as the relative difference between
the alignment of the faces of the tower at the top and at the bottom of the tower. The
maximum permissible twist at lower heights shall be proportioned accordingly.
The maximum gap between any two flanges will be limited to b/200 where b, in millimeters is
the flange width. The maximum warp in any flange shall be limited to b/200.
In compression members (Legs) the gap between adjacent flanges shall be limited to ensure
that the load is transferred directly by bearing onto the adjacent member.
The maximum permissible tilt or warp of a flange shall be b/200 where b is the flange width
or cleat length in millimeters.
The twist shall be measured by comparing the difference in slope between a line parallel to
the tower face at the top of the tower and a line drawn parallel to the face of the tower at the
bottom of the tower (see picture below). The twist at intermediate levels will be limited in
proportion to its height. E.g. the twist will be limited to 1 at mid height.

18 / 22

4.22.7

Assembly methodology

The erection method to control twist and plumb during erection must be stated in the tower
erection drawing on site and this method shall be used periodically to check the progress
during erection.
The process of tower erection shall follow and comply with applicable Occupational Safety
and Health Standards.
4.22.8

Grouting

The underside of all tower base plates must be grouted. A non-shrink grout must be used
and in the case of pipe legs a 20 mm diameter drainage hole must be left in the grout below
the base plate. This drainage hole is not needed if the drainage hole is situated in the pipe
wall adjacent to the bottom flange and there is no hole in the bottom flange or the hole has
been suitably plugged to ensure that no water can collect in the hole.
Mono poles must have three 20 mm drainage holes in the grout set 120 apart and allows
water drainage from the inside of the tower.
The grout under the base plates must be applied up to but not above the lower surface of
the base plate in order to avoid water traps. The grout must be corked under the base plate
to ensure that it is packed solid and then finished smoothly at 90 to the base plate.
4.23

Tower Safety

4.23.1

Safety

It is the suppliers legal obligation to ensure that all products or portions of the product meet
the requirements of the applicable Occupational Health and Safety Standards and
Regulations.
4.23.2

Supervision

BellTel requires that proper suitably experienced supervision is present on the site at all
times during erection and reserves the right to request that supervision be replaced if they
are dissatisfied with the performance and or experience of the supervision provided.
It is the contractors responsibility to ensure that all its personnel and its subcontractors
personnel are competent and have necessary experience to perform assigned works and
comply with the local occupational health and safety standards, rules and regulations to
ensure safe working methods and correct personal protective equipment is utilized at site.
Copy of contractors health and safety policy and plan is to be submitted to BellTel if
requested.
In residential areas prior arrangement shall be made, to have the local authoritys cordon off
any access road(s) that could be affected while the tower is placed into position. This is with
particular reference to mono poles.
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When hoisting pole type towers no person other than authorized riggers and workmen shall
be allowed within the tower height equivalent radius of the erection site, until such time as
the tower has been secured on the foundation.
Occupants of any building(s) adjacent to the construction site shall be notified of the intent to
erect a tower, and where deemed necessary requested to evacuate the building(s) during
placement of the tower.
4.24

Tower Certification Tower Conformance Certificate

The tower designer, manufacturer and contractor, or their representative, with a Professional
Engineer certification must certify that each tower structure has been inspected to confirm that
the site conditions and the tower erection is in accordance with site design and design
assumptions.
The engineer can have representative under their guidance to accept and make reports but this
will in no way take away responsibility from the Professional Engineer that represents the tower
designer, manufacturer and/or Contractor.
The certificate is to be handed to BellTel as part of site specific documentation package on
completion of the tower.
The following minimum information must be supplied on the certificate:

The Professional Engineers full name, signature and registration number.

The manufactures name and company address.

The site name and ID number.

The terrain category and false datum height for wind calculations of the site.

The tower type and designed terrain category of the tower on site.

The reference to this specification and his compliance thereto.

The designed load as per this specification.

The foundation bearing pressure obtained and required as per his design.

Certification of the tower structure including foundation structure.

Special maintenance instructions.

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4.25

Tower Maintenance and Warranty Maintenance Procedures

The tower manufacturer is to define their recommended maintenance procedures for their towers
that must include at least:

Frequency of inspections (recommended to be 6 monthly initially and then yearly or

every other year depending on the location). Please note that if the tower is painted it
is recommended that a visual inspection is done to look for bolt movement before
applying a spanner.

Checks for loose bolts

Instructions on bolt tightening procedures for specific bolt and washer types with
associated required torques.

Checks for signs of movements at connections

Checks for signs of rust on bolts and members

Checks for signs of cracks on welds

Checks on drainage hole blockages

Checks for signs of cracks on concrete foundations

Checks for signs of settlement on foundations

Checks for soil erosion in vicinity of foundations

The tower manufacturer must fix any latent defect due to supply, fabrication and delivery that
becomes evident after warranty period has expired.
4.26

Tower Marking and Aviation Lights

4.26.1

Tower marking

All towers including stub towers shall have night aviation markings/lights as required by the
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Towers shall only have daytime aviation markings (international orange and white painting)
when specifically required by the CAAP.
Painting application shall confirm to paint manufacturers specification and as a minimum
shall be water based, lead free industrial type paint suitable for all weather conditions.
Painting solution shall consist of three (3) layers. One (1) undercoat and two (2) top coats.
Tower supplier is to propose painting solution suitable for supplied towers and submit the
proposal for BellTels approval prior commencing painting works at sites.
Painting excludes all climbing ladders, platforms, Antenna mounting poles, and handrails, as
well as matching flanges or lap joints on legs.
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All aviation light systems and installations must comply with the CAAP requirements and
instructions. Supplied aviation light systems shall be DC powered led lights with battery back
up and alarm function capability.
No drilling shall be allowed during the installation of any marking, cabling or equipment on
the tower.
4.26.2

Aviation light types

Low-intensity aviation light Characteristics

Low-intensity aviation lights on fixed objects shall be fixed red lights having intensity
sufficient to ensure conspicuity considering the intensity of the adjacent lights and the
general level of illumination against which they would normally be viewed. In no case
shall the intensity be less than 10 cd of red light.

Medium-intensity aviation light Characteristics

Medium-intensity aviation lights shall be flashing red lights, except that when used in
conjunction with high-intensity aviation lights they shall be flashing white lights. The
flash frequency shall be between 20 and 60 per minute. The effective intensity of the
flash shall be not less than 1 600 cd of red light.

High-intensity aviation light Characteristics

Recommendation - High-intensity aviation lights should be flashing white lights.

Applicable type of aviation light for each site is determined based on CAAP and/or ICAO
(International Civil Aviation Organization) rules and regulations and as identified in CAAP
approval / permit for the site.

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