Steel Tower Inspection Checklist

[WR3X]

I need to do a visual inspection and report on the structural condition of two towers.
-16m Lattice Mast
-30m Monopole Mast
Does anybody have some kind of inspection checklist template for when inspecting a steel tower, what should i be looking for?

Don't want to spend a day on a tower checking for loose bolts while the meantime i overlook something critical.

 

[hokie66]

I don't use a specific checklist, but for what it is worth, here are some of the things I check:

1. Condition of the base, looking for corrosion of the nuts and anchor bolts as well as any of the other components around the base. If corrosion is a problem with the towers, it will almost always be worst at the base.

2. In the case of the trussed mast, look at the splices of the legs for corrosion.

3. Give all the welds a good visual going over. Other than near the base, these are not likely problems, but check.

4. Report on the overall condition of the corrosion protection system.

5. Look carefully at any items such as lights, ladders or whatever which are connected to the towers. The connections of these things are often the first bits to corrode.

6. Look at the concrete at the base which you can see and comment on its condition as far as can be visually evaluated. Also condition of grout under bases if applicable.

7. For the trussed tower, eyeball the straightness of the legs for any untoward distortion.

8. Oh, you should indeed look for loose bolts, but you know that.

I would usually spend an hour, maybe two, on site inspecting a tower like each of these. You should make arrangements for your access beforehand. Will the client provide you with a safe means of accessing the entire height of the towers?

In writing a report on these type structures, even though you may have only been commissioned to do a condition survey, I like to do enough analysis to convince myself that the structure is adequate, although this need not be a part of your report unless the answer is negative.

 

[WR3X]

Thanks Hokie66

I first have to submit a quotation so i reckon I'll take a bit longer doing the visual inspection, photographing almost all connections. Say 4 hours per Tower.

But also describe the Scope of works should i feel it necessary later on to do a structural analysis check i can charge the extra work.

But for now, scope of work:corrosion, welds, bolts, base concrete, alignment,Paint thickness???

You wouldn't perhaps have an old report i may use as a guideline?

 

[hokie66]

By all means take as long as required, and make your report as comprehensive as necessary. If you take a LOT of photographs, be sure to reference them well.

Paint thickness has not been part of reports I have done, and I would not be comfortable doing that myself. It is a bit specialised, and may or may not be applicable. If, say, the coatings are obviously in poor condition, I would just document that and make recommendations for remedial protection.

I am sorry, but reports I have done are in confidence and cannot be shared other than with the clients.

 

[Robertmet]

Are these amateur radio towers ? In any case take the time necessary to carefully inspect those items Hokie mentions as small problems grow into big ones !! Bolts- loose or corroded, welds - corroded or cracked ,loose paint - chip off loose paint to see problems underneath. Photo problems .And don't fall off ! [ AC2RC]

 

[VoyageofDiscovery]

For small lattice towers without ladders, the biggest trouble is with the actual inspection as the tower climber climbs the lacing or bracing. The members are slender and bend out of straightness thus reducing its capacity.

HTH

VOD

 

[civilperson]

We sure do not want to see confidential tower reports done by hokie66 for clients with secrets to keep.

 

[csd72]

WR3X,

as it appears to be a telecoms tower that you are surveying you need to arrange an outage for the relevant antennas as some of these have exclusion zones for radiation exposure.

You may find that the outage are at undesirable times.

I would also suggest that you carry a readymade check sheet for each tawer based on a standard section. This is what the riggers used when we got lattice tower inspections done in the uk.

There was a good asrticle on towers in the structure magazine last year.

 

[hokie66]

I would have thought it obvious but perhaps not: don't climb a tower without a proper caged ladder! That is what I meant in my first post about arranging for safe access beforehand.

 

[WR3X]

Thanks

And dont worry, my terrified phobia for heights will instinctively warn me if its not appropriate to climb it.

csd72, thanks for that post as well i'll take extra caution for radition exposure.

From the looks of it i might have to increase my rates for Danger-pay.

 

[csd72]

Generally, dont get in front of any antennas unless they are turned off, and dont get within 2 feet of the back of them. If there is not an obvious front or back then it is probably transmitting in all directions.

You may be able to hire a radiation meter that will alarm if you go above a certain level off radiation. But you should look to have a representative of the transmitting antennas on site to allow for outages e.t.c.

These outages will probably need to be pre-aranged and also outside major usage times.

I would think that you may not get the whole survey done at one time and may need to go back a second time to finish it off due to outages e.t.c. Be clear in your quote what is covered and what will incur extra fees.

 

[VoyageofDiscovery]

Watch out for cloudy days in case of lightning