Install Protective Barrier for Overhead Hazards at Communications Site

Emergency Communications Sites are critical to the operation of any Emergency Service organization (ESO). By design, critical connections from the tower to the terminal equipment must be exposed for a short distance.  Items falling from heights above 10 feet can cause significant damage when they strike objects below.  Communications Towers pose a specific risk when ice accumulates on the tower structure during winter weather events.  This accumulation can occur of several days and in certain climates may remain on the structure for an extended period of time.  Gradual melting and re-freezing allows for ice to form large “blocks “of material that weigh 30 to 50 pounds or more in perfect conditions.  There is no determination as to when these formations will release from the structure and reach the ground.  Serious personal injury and property damage have been sustained in these incidents. 

During a recent survey of your facility it was noted that no protection for this event was installed at one or more of your sites to protect critical transmission lines, coax cables, antenna’s and emergency power supplies.  We recommend your organization install Waveguide Bridges/Ice Bridges for protection of exposed equipment.  Consideration should further be given to the protection of personnel working in the immediate area, on-site buildings, generators, commercial power sources and fuel supplies.

We further recommend your organization consult a qualified communications/tower vendor to assist in the assessment and evaluation of the site and subsequent installation.