PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KENYA STANDARD KS 1894-2:2008 
ICS 03.100.01; 13.020.30; 33.060.01 
© KEBS 2008 First Edition 2008  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Radio sites ―  
 
Part 2:  
Site management  
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008 
 
 
 
 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
ii © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION 
 
The following organizations were r epresented on the Technical Committee: 
 
Widestream Communications Limited Kenya Broadcasting Corporation 
Meteorological Department 
Kenya Power & Lighting Company  
Telea (K) Limited 
SR Kenya Limited 
Department of Defence 
Kenya Police Force 
Communications Commission of Kenya Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat 
 
  
 
   
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS 
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Ke nya standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions 
for improvement to published standards, addressed to  the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome. 
 
  
 
   
 
  
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2008 
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the C opyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001  of  the Laws of Kenya, copyrig ht 
subsists in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act,  no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau  of 
Standards may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in w riting 
from the Managing Director. 
 
   
 
  
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KENYA STANDARD KS 1894-2:2008 
ICS 03.100.01; 13.020.30; 33.060.01 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  iii  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Radio sites ―  
 Part 2:  
Site management 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS) 
 
Head  Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi-00200, Tel.: (+254  020) 605490, 69028000, 602350, Mobile: 0722202137/8, 0734600471/2; 
Fax: (+254 020)  604031 
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KEBS Coast Region 
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Fax: (+254 057) 21814 
E-mail: kebs-ksm@swiftkisumu.com KEBS North Rift Region 
P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru 20100 Tel: (+254 051) 210553, 210555PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
iv © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved FOREWORD 
 
This Kenya standard wa s prepared by the Communication Equipment  under the mandate of the Electrical 
Industry Standards Committee in accordance with the procedures of the Bureau and is in compliance with 
Annex 3 of the WTO/TB Agreement. 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
Normative and informative annexes  
 
A 'normative' annex is an integral part of a standard, whereas an 'inf ormative' annex is only for information 
and guidance. 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Summary of development  
 
This Kenya Standard, 
having been prepared 
by the Communication Equipment Technical 
Committee was first 
approved by the 
National Standards 
Council in December 2008  
 Amendments issued since publication 
Amd. No. Date Text affected 
   
   
   
   
   PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  v  
Contents 
 
1 Scope ....................................................................................................................... ............................. 1 
2 Normative reference ......................................................................................................... .................... 1 
3 Defini tions ................................................................................................................. ............................ 1 
4 Environmental impac t investigation .......................................................................................... ............ 2 
4.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................... ............................. 2 
4.2 Parties concerned ......................................................................................................... ........................ 2 
4.3 Project proposal .......................................................................................................... .......................... 2 
4.4 Classification ............................................................................................................................... .......... 3 
4.5 Repo rt .................................................................................................................... ............................... 3 
5 Management of  high sites .................................................................................................... ................ 3 
5.1 Site managem ent committee ................................................................................................. ............... 3 
5.2 Environmen tal aspects ..................................................................................................... .................... 4 
5.3 Technica l aspects ......................................................................................................... ........................ 4 
Annex A (normative) Environmental im pact investigati on flow chart ............................................................. ... 5 
Annex B (informative) R adio site pl anning ..................................................................................... ................... 6 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
vi © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  
Introduction 
 
This Kenya standard is intended to standardize the establishment and management of radio communication 
antenna high sites. The responsibilit y for operating a well managed and prope rly engineered site rests on the 
site owner and on the radio site licensee. 
 The range of radio communication is greatly extended by  the use of a repeater or remote controlled base 
station located on a high site.  
Throughout the world the growth in mobile and personal  communication has resulted in the simultaneous 
growth in the number of high sites. Unfortunately, m any of these sites have been unplanned, both from an 
aesthetic and an engineering standpoint. Antennae have been installed on masts or rooftops without any 
regard to environmental impact, safety, and compatibility with existing installations. The result is public 
resistance to unsightly antenna masts and installa tions, and user dissatisfaction with the degree of 
interference with their communication. 
 
The growth in radio services has resulted in an increase in the number of radio sites required. It is very important that the planning authorities carefully consid er applications for new sites, investigating (among 
other aspects) the technical, environmental and aesthetic impact.  Sites should be shared wherever possible and new applications should take this into consideration. Radio 
systems should therefore be so desi gned that individual systems operate wi th minimum interference to other 
systems. The radio sites should have sufficient capacity  for the foreseeable requirements, with the minimum 
impact on the environment and the optimum use of the proposed installation. 
 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008 
KENYA STANDARD KS 1894-2:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  1   Radio sites ― Part 2: Site management 
 
 
1 Scope 
 
This part of this Kenya Standard covers procedures for radio site management. Guidelines are given with 
regard to the methods to be followed in the managem ent of the high site and in the environmental impact 
investigation. However, the responsib ility rests with the authority to ens ure that the management of the high 
site and the impact investigation report comply with the requirements of this Kenya Standard. 
 
NOTE 1 This part of this Kenya Standard is seeks to encour age compliance with the Environment al Management Coordination Act, 
(EMCA), 1999. 
 
NOTE 2 A flow chart for a high site impact investigation is given in annex A. This c hart does not provide for all possibilities  that are 
discussed in this Kenya standard and should therefore be read in conjunction with this part of this Kenya standard. 
 
NOTE 3 A check list of items that may need to be address ed in the high site impact investigation appears in annex B. 
 
2 Normative reference 
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable fo r the application of this Kenya Standard. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
 
KS 1590-1, Kenya Standard — Specification for siting of radiocommunication facilities — Part 1: Low 
frequency, medium frequency and high frequency tran smitting and high frequency receiving facilities  
 
KS 1590-2, Kenya Standard — Specificat ion for siting of radiocommunication  facilities — Part 2: Guidelines 
for fixed, mobile and broadcasting services operating at frequencies above 30 MHz  
 
3 Definitions 
 
For the purposes of this Kenya standard, the following definitions apply:  
3.1 
EMCA The Environmental Management Coordination Act, 1999. 
 
3.2 
alternative site 
A site at another location, which could a dequately serve the proposed coverage area. 
 
3.3 communal site 
An area that is shared among several users for the same purpose. 
 
3.4 
existing development An area, a building or an activity that has already been developed, built or established for a particular 
purpose. 
   
3.5 
management 
The exercise of control over a site and its users, to ensure that the site is maintained at the same level of 
operation as when it was originally approved. 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
2 © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved 3.6 
radio mast 
The fixed structure upon which an antenna is mounted. 
 
3.8 
radio site The area demarcated for the erection of a mast and ancillary structures. 
 
3.9 
relevant authority 
The Communications Commission of Kenya. 
 3.10 
RF pollution Undesirable emission to the other r adio-frequency spectrum users that will cause in terference problems. 
 
4 Environmental impact investigation 
 
4.1 Purpose 
 
In the case of new sites, the purpose of an investi gation is to determine whethe r the proposed development 
of a radio site will have sign ificant environmental impact. 
 
In the case of existing sites, the purpose of an inve stigation is to determine whether the site has had any 
adverse impact on the environment and to determine how such an impact can be reduced. 
 
4.2 Parties concerned 
 
The applicant should identify the parties concerned and he should also notify them of the site of the 
proposed development, unless the relevant authority gi ves the permission for this step to be excluded on 
account of the confidential nature of the proposal. 
 
Parties that could be concerned with an envir onmental impact investigation are as follows: 
 
a) the relevant authority (possibly a ssisted by its own advisory expert(s))  that sets requirements and that 
has eventually to approve or reject the project proposal; 
 
b) the applicant who submits the project proposal for approval by the authority; 
 c) the applicant's own advisor (own staff member or an appointed advisor) who conducts the investigation 
and prepares the report; and 
 d) persons who could be affect ed by the development, including the associations, committees or 
organizations representing them. Exampl es of possible affected parties are  
 
1) the building/land owner,  
2) the co-user of the site, and 
 3) the user(s) of site(s) nearby. 
 
4.3 Project proposal 
 
Before the project proposal is submitted for approval by  the relevant authority, the aspects given in 4.3.1 to 
4.3.3 should be taken into consideration. 
 
 
4.3.1 Location of site 
 
The applicant should identify whether the establishment of a radio site at the proposed location could have a 
significant impact on the environment, as in a case wher e the location of the radio site is in protected areas 
(see annex C). PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  3  
All other aspects as outlined in KS 1590 should be taken in consideration.  4.3.2 List of environmental characteristics 
 An investigation should be undertaken to  determine whether the radio site could have a significant impact on 
any of the following: 
 
a) the physical characteristics of the site and its environment; 
 
b) the current and potential land use and landscape character; 
 
c) infrastructure services; 
 
d) risks and hazards; and  
e) the level of RF pollution. 
 
4.3.3 Alternative locations 
 
Possible alternative locations of a radio site sh ould be identified and considered in the planning and 
assessment of the proposal. Investigations should be undertaken to determine whether 
 a) an existing mast can be used, i.e. mo re than one user sharing a mast, or 
 
b) an existing site nearby can be used. 
 If neither of the above is possible,  the reasons should be provided. 
 The environmental impact of the alternative site should be compared with the original proposal. 
 
4.4 Classification 
 
Before an environmental impact investigation is undertaken, the project proposal should be classified in 
accordance with the procedure outlined  in Annex A. This classification is done by the applicant and his 
consultant, in consultation with the relevant authorities. 
 
4.5 Report 
 
When the investigation is finalized (in consultation with  the parties concerned), a report should be compiled.  
 
Particular report requirements may be established by the parties concerned.  
The completed report should be reviewed by the authority prior to the licence application. 
 
5 Management of high sites 
 
5.1 Site management committee 
 
A site management committee should be formed to coordinate the engineering and environmental activities 
of all operators within a radius of 500 m of the site(s ). Any new site operator should be represented on the 
committee at the planning stage of the installation. PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
4 © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  
5.2 Environmental aspects 
 
5.2.1 New sites 
 
An environmental impact investigation as described in clause 4 should be carried out by the applicant to try 
to minimize the site's adverse impact on the existing environment.  5.2.2 Existing sites 
 
In the case of an existing site, the investigation as de scribed in clause 4 should be carried out by the site 
management committee, to determine whether the ex isting site has had any adverse impact on the 
environment and to determine how su ch an impact can be reduced. 
 
5.3 Technical aspects 
 
A full investigation of the technical aspects of the site should be carried out with special attention being given 
to the following: 
 
a) the possibility of elec tromagnetic interference 
 
1) with existing services, 
 
2) from existing services, and  
3) between co-users of the site; 
 
b) the possible future of the site in terms of 
 
1) the number of users, 
 
2) future developments planned for the site, and 
 
3) future services that could impact on the operation of the site; 
 
c) the long-term management of the site; 
 
d) maintenance of the site, which should include consid eration of relevant electrical, interference, civil 
engineering and environmental standards; 
 e) the approval mechanism to be employ ed by any new user of the site; and 
 
f) interaction with the local authorities. 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  5  
Annex A (normative)  Environmental impact investigation flow chart 
 
 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
6 © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  
Annex B (informative)  Radio site planning 
 
The purpose of this annex is to introduce prospective applicants and site management committees to the 
basic procedure and to the necessary information that needs to be gathered in the process of site 
development. 
 
This list is not necessarily complete and is given as an introductory guideline only. 
 
B.1 Service area 
 The service area should be determined in respect of 
 a) present planned service area, and 
 
b) forecast coverage area. 
 
B.2 Selection of a new radio site location 
 B.2.1 Environmental impact analysis 
 
The analysis should consider the environmental and te chnical aspects of the proposed radio site, and 
alternative locations, including the sharing of sites.  B.2.2 Availability for site development 
 The developer should ensure that 
 a) the owner is willing to allow development, 
 
b) co-users are willing to share the mast, and 
 
c) the area is neither protected nor restricted. 
 
B.2.3 Availability of services  
The availability of the following services should be ensured: 
 
a) mains power;  
b) access road(s); 
 c) existing infrastructure; and 
 
d) potential for future infrastructure. 
 
B.2.4 Limitations  
Consideration should be given to  
a) limitations on structures,  
b) effects of or on structures nearby,  
c) aviation routes, and 
 d) urban planning.  
B.3 Improvement or rehabilitation of existing sites 
 When existing sites are being considered, 
 a) the existing site should be investigated with respect to environmental and technical aspects, PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  7  
b) the existing site should be upgraded to comply wi th current radio site engineering requirements, and 
 c) any alternative locations that would decreas e the environmental impact should be considered. 
 
B.4 Frequency assignment plan  
The relevant assigning authority has to consider 
 
a) limits on interference in the area (e.g . emergency services, airports, etc.), 
 
b) other services to be accommodated, 
 
c) frequency bands to be used, 
 d) intermodulation products analysis, 
 
e) electromagnetic compatibility with existing installation, and  
f) plans for the future. 
 
B.5 Administrative considerations 
 
B.5.1 Site management 
 The site management committee should 
 a) appoint a site manager, and 
 
b) formally define and document the re sponsibilities of the site manager. 
 
B.5.2 Procurement of the site  One or more of the following steps could be involved: 
 a) buying the location; 
 
b) leasing the location;  
c) agreeing the rental period; and 
 
d) considering escalation costs. 
 B.5.3 Legal considerations 
 The following conditions should be fulfilled: 
 a) approval by the relevant authority; and 
 
b) right of access. 
 
B.5.4 Servitude  Servitude for other users should be granted. 
 
B.6 Future potential of site 
 
Possible future development of the site should be inve stigated in the case of an existing site and planned for 
in the case of a new site. 
 B.7 Site design 
 Consideration should be given to the following: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008  
8 © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  
a) climate; and 
 
b) fencing requirements. 
 
B.8 Site licensing information  
Approval for the erection of a site has to be obtain ed from the relevant licensing authority under whose 
jurisdiction the site falls. To obtain such approval, the applicant for the site will have to provide a report that 
provides at least the information below: 
 
a) the name of the site; 
 
b) the map co-ordinates; 
 c) topographic information (site co-ordinates) and also information on how to access the site; 
 d) the site manager;  
e) the site owner; 
 f) the name of and the distance to the nearest town; 
 
g) the planned service area;  
h) the envisaged frequency bands and details of transmissions; 
 i) the envisaged services to be accommodated, such as 
 
1) broadcasting, 
 
2) fixed links, 
 
3) land mobile, 
 4) paging, 
 
5) telemetry,  
6) trunking, 
 7) cellular telephony, and 
 
8) other; 
 
j) antenna types; 
 k) plans of the structure and site , including location of antenna(e); 
 l) the site area (showing slope, size of area for erection of mast, building, etc.);  
m) a summary of the environmental impact analysis; 
 
n) constructional aspects, including precautions to be taken during construction to minimize the impact on 
the environment; 
 o) the height of the site above sea level; 
 
p) the height of the site ab ove the surrounding terrain; 
 q) significant obstructions on or near the site;  
r) details of possible alternative sites; PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT, OCTOBER 2008KS 1894-2:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  9  
s) distance of nearest road, power, etc.; and 
 
t) existing infrastructure on and near the site. 
 
B.9 Authorities and organizations concerned  
The following authorities and organizations should be informed of the proposed development of the site, 
either during the planning phas e or during the approval stage: 
 
a) the Communications Comm ission of Kenya (CCK); 
 b) the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority; 
 c) the relevant local government authority;  
d) the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA); and 
 e) any organization currently operating a radio site at or  near the proposed location. 
 f) the Ministry of Information and Communication