### **ITEM L-103 AIRPORT BEACON TOWERS**

DESCRIPTION

**103-1.1** This item shall consist of furnishing and installing an
airport beacon tower of the type shown in the plans, in accordance with
these specifications. This work shall include the clearing of the site,
erection of the tower, installation of lightning protection, painting,
and all incidentals necessary to place it in operating condition as a
completed unit to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

**103-2.1 GENERAL.**

**a.** All equipment and materials covered by referenced specifications
shall be subject to acceptance through manufacturer\'s certification of
compliance with the applicable specification when requested by the
Engineer.

**b.** Manufacturer\'s certifications shall not relieve the Contractor
of the Contractor's responsibility to provide materials in accordance
with these specifications and acceptable to the Engineer. Materials
supplied and/or installed that do not materially comply with these
specifications shall be removed, when directed by the Engineer and
replaced with materials, which do comply with these specifications, at
the sole cost of the Contractor.

**c.** All materials and equipment used to construct this item shall be
submitted to the Engineer for approval prior to ordering the equipment.
Submittals consisting of marked catalog sheets or shop drawings shall be
provided. Submittal data shall be presented in a clear, precise and
thorough manner. Original catalog sheets are preferred. Photocopies are
acceptable provided they are as good a quality as the original. Clearly
and boldly mark each copy to identify pertinent products or models
applicable to this project. Indicate all optional equipment and delete
non-pertinent data. Submittals for components of electrical equipment
and systems shall identify the equipment for which they apply on each
submittal sheet. Markings shall be boldly and clearly made with arrows
or circles (highlighting is not acceptable). Contractor is solely
responsible for delays in project accruing directly or indirectly from
late submissions or resubmissions of submittals.

**d.** The data submitted shall be sufficient, in the opinion of the
Engineer, to determine compliance with the plans and specifications.
\[The Contractor\'s submittals shall be neatly bound in a properly sized
3-ring binder, tabbed by specification section.\] The Engineer reserves
the right to reject any and all equipment, materials or procedures,
which, in the Engineer's opinion, does not meet the system design and
the standards and codes, specified herein.

**e.** All equipment and materials furnished and installed under this
section shall be guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of at least \[twelve (12) months\] from final acceptance by
the Owner. The defective materials and/or equipment shall be repaired or
replaced, at the Owner\'s discretion, with no additional cost to the
Owner.

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> **The engineer should specify the form in which submittals are to be
> received and number of copies.**
>
> **The length of time for guarantee of materials and workmanship should
> be as stated in the contract between the owner and contractor and the
> contract special provisions.**

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**103-2.2 TOWER.** The beacon tower shall conform to the requirements of
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-30, Design and Installation Details for
Airport Visual Aids, Chapter 6.

**103-2.3 LIGHTNING PROTECTION**. Lightning protection shall comply with
NFPA-780, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.
All materials shall comply with Class II requirements regardless of
tower height. Ground rods and underground cables shall be installed in
accordance with and paid for as described in Item L-108, Underground
Power Cable for Airports.

**103-2.4 PAINT.**

**a.** Priming paint for galvanized steel towers shall be zinc dust-zinc
oxide primer paint conforming to MIL-DTL-24441/19B. If necessary, add
not more than 1/2 pint (0.06 liter) of turpentine to each gallon
(liter).

**b.** Priming paint for ungalvanized steel towers shall be a high
solids alkyd primer conforming to the Master Painter's Institute,
Reference #9, Exterior Alkyd, Gloss, VOC Range E2.

**c.** Orange paint for the body and finished coats on metal and wood
surfaces shall consist of a ready-mixed non-fading paint meeting the
requirements of Fed. Spec. TT-E-489. The color shall be in accordance
with Federal Standard 595, Aviation Gloss Orange Number 12197.

**d.** White paint for steel tower shall be ready-mixed paint conforming
to Commercial Item Description A‑A‑3067.

# 

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

**103-3.1 CLEARING AND GRADING.** The site on which the beacon tower is
to be erected shall be cleared and leveled. All trees and brush shall be
removed from the area within a distance of 25 feet (7.5 m) from the
tower or as called for in the plans. Stumps shall be removed to a depth
of 18 inches (45 cm) below finished grade and the excavation filled with
earth and tamped. If a transformer vault or other structure is included
as part of the installation, the area shall be cleared to a distance of
25 feet (7.5 m) from these structures. The ground near the tower shall
be leveled to permit the operation of mowing machines. The leveling
shall extend at least 2 feet (60 cm) outside the tower legs.  All debris
removed from the tower site shall be disposed of by the Contractor to
the satisfaction of the Engineer and in accordance with Federal, state,
or local regulations.

**103-3.2 EXCAVATION AND FILL.** Excavation for the tower footings shall
be carried to a minimum of 4 inches (100 mm) below the footing depth.
The excess excavation below the footing depth shall then be backfilled
with gravel or crushed stone and compacted to the required level. The
footing plates shall be installed, and a thickness of not less than 18
inches (45 cm) of the same gravel or crushed stone shall be placed
immediately above the footing plates in layers of not over 6 inches (150
mm). Each layer above the footing plates shall be thoroughly tamped in
place. The remainder of the backfill may be of excavated earth placed in
layers not to exceed 6 inches (150 mm). Each layer shall be thoroughly
compacted by tamping.

Where solid rock is encountered, which prevents the carrying of the
foundation legs to the required depth but which is of sufficient
strength to use holddown bolts, the tower anchor posts shall be cut off
at the required length and the holddown bolts shall be installed as
indicated in the plans with the approval of the Engineer. Each tower leg
shall be anchored to the rock by means of two 7/8-inch (21 mm) diameter
by 3-foot (90 cm) long expansion or split bolts and shall be grouted
with neat portland cement into holes drilled into the natural rock.
Except as required for rock foundations, the footing members shall not
be cut off or shortened. If excavated material is of such character that
it will not readily compact when backfilled, the Engineer may order the
excavation backfilled with concrete or other suitable material.

The concrete footing for tubular beacon towers shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer\'s recommendations. Portions of the
footing in the topsoil layer shall not be included in the footing
height.

**103-3.3 ERECTION.** Detail erection drawings furnished by the
manufacturer shall be strictly followed during construction. All towers
shall be erected in sections from the ground up unless otherwise
specified. In final assembly, all bolts and fastenings shall be
installed, and the structure shall be plumb, true, square, and level.
Nuts shall be taken up to a firm bearing after which the bolts shall, if
necessary, be cut to proper length to protrude three full threads.
Approved locknuts shall be placed on each bolt over the regular nut.
Ladder bolts shall be inserted with the head to the outer face of the
tower. Diagonal, leg, and handrail bolts shall be installed with nuts on
the outer face of the tower, unless otherwise specified. Bent parts
shall be straightened before erection without damage to the protective
coating. Surfaces abraded or bared of protective coating shall be
painted with the proper priming paint as specified in these
specifications.

The Contractor shall install the ladder on the side of the tower
adjacent to the driveway or most accessible approach to the tower.
Tubular beacon towers shall be erected in accordance with the
manufacturer\'s recommendations. The safety cable shall be located on
the side of the tower adjacent to the driveway or most accessible
approach to the tower.

**103-3.4 LIGHTNING PROTECTION.** The Contractor shall furnish and
install an air terminal, down conductor, and at least one ground plate
or rod for each beacon tower or as indicated in the plans. The air
terminal shall be installed at the top of the tower with the tip of the
rod extending not less than 6 inches (150 mm) above the top of the
beacon.

Down-conductor cables shall be securely fastened to the surface of the
tower leg at 5-foot (150 cm) intervals with suitable bronze fasteners
having bronze or noncorrosive metal bolts. Sharp turns or bends in the
down conductor will not be permitted.

All connections of cable to cable, cable to air terminals, and cable to
ground plates or rods shall be made with solderless connectors or
noncorrosive metal approved by the engineer and shall be of substantial
construction.

The down-conductor cable shall be securely attached to ground rods or
plates placed at least 2 feet (60 cm) away from the tower foundations.
The ground rod shall be driven into the ground so that the top is at
least 6 inches (150 mm) below grade. The down-conductor shall be firmly
attached to the ground plate or rod by means of a ground connector or
clamp. Plates shall be embedded in the area of permanent moisture.

The complete lightning protection installation shall be accomplished to
the satisfaction of the Engineer. The resistance to ground of any part
of the lightning protection system shall not exceed 25 ohms.

**103-3.5 PAINTING.** The Contractor shall furnish all materials and
labor for painting the beacon tower. The color scheme for the steel
tower shall be as shown in the plans.

**a. Parts to be Painted.** Tower parts (except those parts to be
exposed to earth) shall not be treated or primed before erection. All
tower parts placed below ground level or within 12 inches (300 mm) above
ground level shall be given two coats of approved bituminous paint.

The paint shall be applied uniformly in the proper consistency by
skilled painters. The finished paint shall be free from sags, holidays,
and smears. Division lines between colors shall be sharply defined. Each
coat of paint shall be given ample time to dry and harden before the
next coat is applied. A minimum of 4 days shall be allowed for drying on
metal surfaces. Painting shall not be done in cold, damp, foggy, dusty,
or frosty atmospheres, or when air temperature is below 40º F (4º C),
nor started when the weather forecast indicates such conditions for the
day.

All surfaces shall be cleaned before painting. The surfaces shall be dry
and free from scale, grease, rust, dust, and dirt when paint is applied.

The number of coats of paint applied shall be in accordance with the
following instructions:

**b. Steel Towers, Galvanized.** One priming coat of zinc dust-zinc
oxide primer after erection and one body and one finish of white or
orange paint (as required by the color scheme) shall be applied after
erection.

**c. Steel Towers, Not Galvanized.** One priming coat of
corrosion‑inhibiting primer and one body and one finish coat of white or
orange paint (as required by the color scheme) shall be applied after
erection.

The above specified orange and white ready-mixed paints shall be thinned
for the body coats in accordance with the manufacturer\'s
recommendations. In the absence of such recommendations, the following
shall apply:

**d. Body Coats.** Add not more than 1/2 pint (0.06 liters) of
turpentine to each gallon (liter) of ready-mixed paint for body coats.

**e. Finish Coats.** The ready-mixed paint shall be used as it comes
from the container for finish coats.

METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

**103-4.1** The quantity to be paid for under this item shall be the
number of airport beacon towers installed as completed units in place,
accepted, and ready for operation.

BASIS OF PAYMENT

**103 5.1** Payment will be made at the contract unit price for each
completed and accepted job. This price shall be full compensation for
furnishing all materials and for all preparation, assembly, and
installation of these materials, and for all labor, equipment, tools,
and incidentals necessary to complete this item.

Payment will be made under:

Item L‑103‑5.1 Beacon Tower, in place-per unit

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

AC 150/5340‑30 Design and Installation Details for Airport Visual Aids

FED SPEC TT-E-489 Enamel, Alkyd, Gloss, Low VOC Content

FED STD 595 Colors Used in Government Procurement

MIL-DTL-24441/19B Paint, Epoxy-Polyamide, Zinc Primer, Formula 159, Type
III

NFPA-780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems

Master Painter's Institute

**END OF ITEM L-103**