Site Design and Civil Works in Telecom

CW Milestone – Part 9 - Generator installation & commissioning

2012-07-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Although the trend now a days is to avoid diesel generator on new telecom sites and discovering other energy resources e.g. solar, as off-grid powers supplies. However due to space restrictions and big CAPEX (capital expenditure i.e. initial investment) as compared to diesel generator, still makes the most favorable option as off-grid source of powers. Installation of diesel generator along with its fuel tank, are considered under the domain of CW in telecom projects. Installation of generator set is important because without it, site cannot be declared as RFI (Ready for Installation).

Therefore following should be taken care of when installing diesel genset (generator set) and its fuel tank and specially following points should be taken care of.

The genset and fuel tank would be installed on the top slab as per approved layout.
At the same time ATS panel is also installed on the cable ladder along with all connections.
The genset is connected to the ATS panel and its alarm cable is also routed to the same panel.
The fuel tank and genset are also connected to the main grounding system

CW Milestone – Part 8 - Tower Erection (And Recommended Torque Values)

2012-04-12T02:39:00.001-07:00

Following must be ensured in installing different tower accessories:

Tower Erection In Progress

Lightening arrestor to be installed on legs adjacent to ones where BTS equipment is placed.

Antenna and dish mounts must be installed at heights and angles depicted in technical documents.

Fall arrest must be properly installed.

Rest platforms must be installed at the specified heights.

All the tower bolts must conform to the allowable torque limits.

Torque Wrenches

Ensure that torque wrench is being calibrated before use.

Torque test would be applied after finishing of tower erection by subcon in front of CW Engineer to ensure the tightening of tower nut & bolts up to the standards.

Tower Nut & Bolt Essentials

It is to be ensures by a Civil Engineer by client or at least by major vendor to check the nuts and bolts supplied by tower manufacturer are of good quality and of high tensile strength. There are two possibilities for tower supplies. One is that tower is supplied by a company which manufacture its own tower. That is they have their in-house designers, set standards and manufacturing. Such supplies are more reliable and have good standards of quality. 2^nd scenario is that, which is becoming common now a days that a client or major vendor get their tower designed by a trusted designer, according to their own specific needs. And then they bid from local manufacturer for manufacturing of designed towers and come in agreement to those who have lowest rates. Later supply models need to be scrutinized carefully by occasional detailed quality audits, quality inspection of material before dispatch and at arrival on site.

ISO grade 5.8 and 8.8 grades are normally recommended by designer. The number prior to the decimal point is approximately 1/100 of the nominal minimum tensile strength of the bolt in N/mm2 or MPa.The number following the first decimal point is more or less the ratio between the minimum yield stress and the minimum tensile strength, times ten. Grade 8.8 nuts and bolts are more durable and reliable.

Whatever the case is, it is highly recommended to use same grade of nuts for whole tower structure. Below are some common toque values used in tower telecom erections. Note: These values are just for a guide only if torque values recommended by designer or manufacturer are different then prefer those.

Bolt Dia.	ISO Grade	Minimum Torque		Recommended Torque		ISO Grade	Recommended Torque
Bolt Dia.	ISO Grade	(N-m)	(lb-ft)	(N-m)	(lb-ft)	ISO Grade	(N-m)	(lb-ft)
M10	5.8	15	11.1	22	16.2	8.8	31	22.9
M12	5.8	40	29.5	55	40.6	8.8	54	39.8
M16	5.8	78	57.5	110	81.1	8.8	130	95.9
M20	5.8	120	88.5	170	125.4	8.8	255	188.1
M22	5.8	145	106.9	206	151.9	8.8
M24	5.8	150	110.6	200	147.5	8.8	440	324.5
M36						8.8	1550	1143.2

After tower erection, all the necessary tower accessories like cable ladder, lightening arrestor, fall arrest system, tower lights and mounts (both antenna & dish mounts) are installed as per technical documents.
Below are some more hotographs of tower erection in progress

CW Milestone – Part 7 - Boundary wall

2012-04-11T14:17:00.001-07:00

Boundary wall is provided on a greenfield telecom site for safety purposes. Sometimes instead of boundary wall a steel fence can also be provided based upon agreement at the time of bidding or on a later stage. Steel fence will be discussed at a later stage. At some places it is more convenient to use concrete blocks. Same guidelines can be helpful with appropriate modifications.

Rough face of bricck boundary wall

A Typical boundary wall drawing on a telecom site

The backfilling of the compound would be done in layers up to the required level. Approved backfill material would be used to get the desired compaction.

Construction of boundary wall is then made on the edges of leased area. Any of the three options like, reinforced brickwork wall, pre-cast boundary wall and galvanized fence can be adopted. Barbed wire is then installed on the wall for security purposes using turn-buckles to tighten it. Meanwhile the gate (hot dip galvanized) is also installed on the entrance to site.

During the construction of reinforced brickwork boundary wall following points should be checked.

A-Class bricks would be used.
Alignment of area should be correct as per drawings.
Brick Fog portion should be in the upward direction.
Bricks should be properly soaked before application of mortar.
Verticality should be checked after placement of every three layers of bricks.
Ask mason to tie a string around the first stake and loop it around the rest of them until bricks are being laid to the last one, where the string is being tied off. This helps to keep the boundary wall straight and keeps the bricks at same level.

CW Milestones Part-6 - Backfilling and top slab pouring

2011-11-17T03:41:00.001-08:00

Once the proper curing of the foundation pad and columns has been achieved, backfilling of excavated area has to be started. At instances (as per project demand and mentioned in DEDs) the backfilling is also required for whole site up to a certain level. This is normally required, when EGL at site is lower than its surrounding. Or if there is risk of flooding during some part of year due to excessive rains etc.

In some rollout projects where BTS and Generator pads are under tower, the top slab or pad is supported by columns and is cast monolithically on beams connecting all the columns. And in some projects, there is separate pad for BTS/Equipment and Generator/Fuel Tank. In later case the, the supporting wall (either concrete or bricks) for pads, has to be raised before backfilling.

During backfilling proper soil compaction is required to be achieved. Soil compaction is method to mechanically increase the density of soil. If the proper care would have been taken during back filling, the top surface settlement may occur within one year, and sometimes it happens after first rain. Remember, doing it wrong ways costs much more than if it was done right. Some good information about backfilling can be found on this link.

Following are the key points to be considered during back filling and top slab pouring

Following the curing, backfilling should be started with the approved and suitable backfill material up to the required height. The backfilling layer should not exceed 200mm and to be compacted to required level and density.

1. Properly backfilled layer

2. Reversible plate type compactors are normally recommended
on telecom construction projects.

Sand replacement test would be applied to every subsequent compacted layer to check the required compaction value, i.e. 95% in the tower area & 90% in the compound area.
Density of Backfill material should be ≥18KN/m3 .

3 Soil Replacement test is being carraid out

The steel for tie beams, top slab and remaining columns area would be fastened and all the three components would be poured in one go to have monolithic structure.

Prior to concreting of top slab, tie beams and columns, following should be checked:

Check list before concreting the top slab

Temporary Bench Mark position.
Required compaction beneath top slab and tie beams to withstand concrete weight.
Positioning of anchor bolts.
Size and length of re-bars.
Re-bars spacing.
Verticality of columns and tie beams formwork.
Re-bars condition. (No rust bends & cracks etc.)
Steel binding.
Sizes and depths of tie beams.
Application of admixture (if required).
Concrete cover (PCC spacers) in both directions and their positioning.
Placing of chairs (to maintain required distance between main and temperature steel).
Proper formwork placing.
Size and quantity of coarse and fine aggregates.
Availability of required cement bags.
Availability of concrete vibrators, wheel barrows, trowels and other tools.
Application of shuttering oil.
Ambient temperature. (Should be below 30 degree Celsius.)
Availability of water for concreting.
Availability of cubes for testing.
Availability of slump checking cone.
Condition and working of mixer machine.

4 Reinforcemnet for tob slab alongwith
tower template tied with tower anchor bolts

Arrangements to prevent leakage/ seepage during concreting.

Once the above checks are checked and found okay, concrete is ready to be poured. The materials, as per mix ratio, are mixed in the mixing drum with specified water content for a certain period of time (at least for 75 seconds). The mix is then shifted to the wheel barrows and then to the main concreting area.

CW Milestones Part-5 – Concrete pouring of foundation pad and columns for tower (Greenfield Site)

2011-11-16T02:29:00.000-08:00

Once the proper layout, excavation and lean concreting (CW Milestone Part -4) has been done, it comes now the time for steel fixing. The steel for pad/s and columns is then cut and bent according to bar bending schedule. In the meanwhile the size of foundation is marked over the lean layer. The steel for foundation is then fastened with the help of binding wires and placed over spacers to give specified cover in both horizontal and vertical directions. The main reinforcement for columns is also fastened which is extending from top right into the foundation re-bars.

Workers tying steel ribs for foundation columns

Checking of reiforcement is to be done by qualified engineers

Formwork is then placed and fastened around the in-place reinforcement mesh. At this stage the complete column reinforcement is not essentially required, only those re-bars would be fastened which are going into the foundation steel cage but it is to be ensured that verticality of these columns re-bars is maintained. As if not placed properly these would be difficult to be dealt, after foundation concreting.
Before placing the foundation concrete following must be checked:
• Temporary Bench Mark position.
• Size of foundation.
• Size and length of re-bars.
• Re-bars spacing.
• Re-bars condition. (No signs of rust bend & crack etc.)
• Steel binding.
• Concrete cover (PCC spacers) in both directions and their positioning.
• Placing of chairs (to maintain required distance between main and temperature steel).
• Proper formwork placing.
• Size and quantity of coarse and fine aggregates.
• Availability of required cement bags.
• Availability of concrete vibrators, wheel barrows, trowels and other tools.
• Positioning of columns.
• Application of shuttering oil.
• Verticality of main column reinforcement.
• Extended lengths of column reinforcement into foundation steel mesh.
• Ambient temperature. (Should be below 30 degree Celsius.)
• Chute fixing if height of fall is greater than 6 feet.
• Availability of water for concreting.
• Availability of cubes for testing.
• Availability of slump checking cone (workability checking).
• Condition and working of mixer machine.
• Clear cover to Reinforcement for footing shall be 75mm & for column shall be 50mm.
• W/C ratio = 0.45

Once all the above checks are ensured, concrete (normally having a mix ratio of 1:1.5:3) is ready to be poured.

Ensure that proper size, as described by designer , is utilized

The materials, as per mix ratio, are mixed in the mixing drum with specified water content for a certain period of time (at least for 75 seconds). The mix is then shifted to the wheel barrows and then to the main concreting area. Concrete would be placed with the help of chute if the height of fall is greater than 6’.

Vibraters must be used throughout pouring to avoid any air bubble entrapment

Concrete is spread all over the concreting area in the same fashion with the use of poker vibrator periodically to compact the laid concrete. During placing the workability is checked with the help of slump cone and the cubes are filled randomly from any load.

Pouring must be started from one corner and gradually places till the far ends

On site slump test is a good measure to check if the consistancy of concrete is maintained

Sampling for cube test

Every stand-by arrangement (like alternate power arrangement, extra vibrator, availability of proper quantity of material…etc.) is ensured to be available at site to avoid cold joint in concrete and it is ensured that all the concrete should be carried out in one go without providing joint. It is also to be ensured that if joint is inevitable, it must not be located where the columns are placed and other sensitive areas.
The laid concrete is then cured for specified number of days. Meanwhile the remaining steel for columns is fastened and after few days when concrete is sufficiently set, the formwork of columns is fixed.
The formwork should be strong enough to bear concrete weight during concreting and it must be rigidly fixed that it does not get displaced to give the columns an objectionable final shape.
Following checks should be applied before carrying out the columns concrete:
• Temporary Bench Mark position.
• Four back to back distances
• Two diagonal distances.
• Diameter, length and total number of anchor bolts.
• Verticality of anchor bolts.
• Positioning of anchor bolts.
• Leveling of anchor bolts.
• Height of columns.
• Verticality of columns formwork.
• Column reinforcement as per bar bending schedule.
• Re-bars condition. (No signs of rust, bend & crack etc.)
• Concrete cover (PCC spacers) and their positioning.
• Proper formwork placing.
• Application of shuttering oil.
• Alignment of columns formwork.
• Arrangements to prevent leakage/ seepage during concreting.
• Size and quantity of coarse and fine aggregates.
• Availability of required cement bags.
• Availability of concrete vibrators, wheel barrows, trowels and other tools.
• Ambient temperature. (Should be below 30 degree Celsius.)
• Availability of water for concreting.
• Availability of cubes for testing.
• Availability of slump checking cone.
• Condition and working of mixer machine.
After ensuring all the above stated checks, the materials, as per mix ratio, are mixed in the mixing drum with specified water content for a certain period of time (at least for 75 seconds). The mix is then shifted to the wheel barrows and then to the main concreting area. It must be ensured that vibrator is operated periodically to have a dense laid concrete.

Tower achor bolts to be fixed as per manufacturer specifications

Verticality of Anchor bolts is to be checked

Top level of tower anchors is ensured to be maintained before and during concreting

During placing the workability is checked with the help of slump cone and the cubes are filled randomly from any load.
fig
Every stand-by arrangement is ensured to be available at site to ensure uninterrupted concreting.
After concreting of columns, sufficient time is given to concrete to attain ample strength so as to remove the formwork ensuring no damage is done to columns.

Seprate cube test is required for columns concreting

Formwork removal

Farmwork removal 2

After formwork removal it is to be checked that honey combing and other defects are not occurred otherwise proper rectification is to done.
The columns are then cured for specified number of days to give such a conducive environment to concrete to move towards the required strength.
Once every step is followed with an intention to be fair it is only then we enjoy a strong foundation for the steel structure above. And this fairness in work can be clearly seen by watching the structure after farm work removal.

CW Milestones Part-4 – Excavation, Layout and Lean concrete

2011-03-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

When site is being kicked –off, the site becomes the responsibility of Civil Works. And the period between Kick-off and RFI becomes very crucial for maintaining overall project speed because during this time only one department (i.e. Civil Works) is working on site. For the telecom rollout projects, this period normally becomes among major bottlenecks, if not handled or planned properly. And the sales and management team has to be thoroughly worked out this period and need to identify for any manageable (contract negotiation/finalization of subcontractors, Sub-con preparedness and their relative brainstorming and trainings in order to be synchronized with targets etc.) and unmanageable constraints (like offshore supplies of masts or generators etc., shortage of construction material etc in market), before finalizing and sharing targets and deadlines with customers.

The first thing after kick-off a civil subcontractor has to do is to mark boundaries of site, and clear or demolish (if required) the things within parameters.
It then has to mark (limestone powder is generally used for marking) the internal features like location of different foundations specially the tower foundation. And excavate the tower foundation, excavator is required to be used for speed excavations, manual excavations can be done for low cost projects or where targets are not very shrinking. And after that lean concrete should be done for tower/mast foundation. These all processes can take 2 to 10 days after site kick-off depending upon the size of foundation, subcontractors’ working style & methods used and push from vendor about the speed of work.

Material

Following material needs to be estimated and to be transportation of estimated quantity needs to be ensured before start of processes.

Gravel Aggregate (50% 3/4” down + 50% 1/2” standard) (Good quality crush is recommended, should contain broken stones, angular shaped, not plain rounded river stones. The maximum stone size for foundation construction concrete must not be more than 1”)

Cement (Ordinary Portland cement or Sulphate resistant cement as recommended by DEDs of some locally famous Brand)
Sand (which Must satisfy the terms defined by local code to be followed like ASTM or as defined by DEDs, in general it should be coarse, clean, and without stones. Dust should not be mixed in it. It must never be coral sand, and if it is from the sea shore it must be thoroughly washed first and contain no shell or coral fragments. )
Water (Good for drinking Good for concreting)
Re-bars (All reinforcement shall conform to ASTM A 615 Grade 60 steel)
Binding wires
Plaster of Paris
Admixtures (if applicable)
Shuttering oil

Equipment

Following equipment is normally required in this stage.

Excavator
Concrete mixer machine
Chutes
Wheel Barrows
Concrete vibrators (Poker)
Trowel
Compactors (Mini Rollers)
Steel cutting & bending machine
Steel measuring tape
Levelling instrument

Manpower

Civil works subcontractor should have following manpower on site in due time.

Site Supervisor
Surveyor
Mixer operator
Steel fixers
Mason
Vibrator operator
Proper no. Of Labourer etc.

Processes

Following processes are involved in general to achieve this milestone.

1. After getting all the final approvals and documents/ drawings, the site would be handed over to the contractor for build out. It would be done in the presence of Civil Supervisor, Site Acquisition representative, Sub-con representative and land owner. The leased area (four adjacent corners) would be marked in front of all parties so as to demarcate the exact and agreed activity area available for construction of site. If the site is not clear like vegetation or some demolishing is to be done, then the land owner would do all the required works and handover the site for subsequent construction.

Site area should be cleared before start of any construction activities

2. The approved layout is then transferred on to the ground physically with the help of some marking material like lime powder etc. The areas designated for tower, guard house (if applicable) and sharing area would be marked.

Clearing of Site Area

Demarcation of site features

3. A temporary bench mark would then be established which would be governing all the site levels afterwards.

4. The tower area is then excavated manually or with the help of excavator for foundation up to the required depth with a margin in excavation width in order to provide the proper working space. If water is encountered during excavation then designer would be contacted to get some possible workable solution.

5. Grounding ring is to be laid at specified depth just after excavation.

6. The excavated area is then proof-rolled to make the ground compacted.

7. Lean concrete (1:4:8) is then poured according to the specified mix ratio with the help of mixer machine. Prior to pouring, following must be checked:

a. Temporary Bench Mark.

b. Excavation depth. (with reference to BM)

c. Size of excavation area. (that is matching onsite dimensions with those on drawings)

d. Materials for concreting. (Material should be enough to complete the whole operation in one go, that is once the leaning process started the workers should not face shortage of any construction material)

Bricks are places to maintain the top level of lean concrete

Pouring of lean concrete

8. After blinding concrete, the levels are re-confirmed to check the thickness of laid concrete layer.

CW Milestones Part-3 – Site Kick off

2011-02-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

After Work Package approval, a formal hand over meeting is being arranged by Site Acquisition department, called site kick-off. This is the first and most important step which counts towards start of construction works on site. Normally the participants of the Kick Off meeting includes

Site Acquisition(SA) Representative
CW representative
Actual Owner or his representative of leased property of site
CW Sub Contractor’s team lead/site supervisor (along with his team , with all measuring and marking tools)

CW representative have to understand that once s/he will have accepted the site at the time of kick-off, without any report, CW is going to be responsible
for future delays if any, due to any reasons (sometimes the reasons may be site acquisition problems, like). So the representative has to be wise enough to verify all design (like level difference discrepancies, plot/roof dimensions discrepancies etc), and acquisition aspects mentioned in DEDs or Work Package with actualities on site. The CW representative has to clarify all his/her doubts on site with SA representative present on site, he has to explain all construction process to actual Owner of this leased property of site, during the kick off meeting, and also introduce the Subcontractor with site owner. S/He has to again formally hand over all DEDs to Sub contractor’s team lead, and to ask him as well to identify any doubts and discrepancies, Right Now Right Here.

Following steps have to be keenly observed and supervised and in case of any discrepancies the matter has to be immediately raised with concerned departments or personal.

Sites coordinates should be checked, whether they match with SAR coordinates or not.
Demarcation & Layout of area must be done in the presence of owner.
Check EGL w.r.t RL from the drawings and compare it with the existing location. A permanent BM should be marked at site at the time of kick off, for future reference. That can be either any permanent structure around the site or if it is not available a brick masonry column can serve the purpose till the site is complete. This BM will serve as reference till the completion of site and to maintain site levels as per drawing.
Educate the Subcontractor about Health & Safety requirements and the Subcontractor should be professional enough to fulfill strictly.
Site construction schedule must be handed over to Customer at the time of Kickoff by Subcontractor.
Instructions must be given to Subcontractor regarding material specification used at site. Site Quality and HES Checklist to be given to Subcontractor & make him responsible to ensure availability when CW Engineer visits to site.
Subcontractor has to be informed about anticipated schedule of construction activities on site. And timings of construction as agreed between Owner and your own company’s SA team.

CW Milestones Part-2 - Work Package Status

2011-01-22T18:00:00.001-08:00

Work Package (WP) is set of documents mainly containing following documents

Detailed Engineering Drawings (DEDs)
Civil Works' Technical Site Survey Report (CW TSSR)
Radio Frequency and Transmission Planning Technical Site Survey Report (RF-TR TSSR)
Site Acquisition Report
Geotechnical or Soil Investigation Report (If applicable)
Structural Feasibility Report (If applicable – Required for Rooftop sites only)
Any other document as mutually agreed after negotiation

WP should be approved by customer's Site Design Team before
start of CW. And although at his stage, that is the WP being approved by Customer and handed over to CW by Design team, the DEDs have been many times being reviewed by various engineer. The CW Engineer who is going to kick-off the site has to do one last cross checking of DEDs to see if any technical ambiguity is there. By doing this it means that to check if the data placed in all different WP documents and other sources of information is supporting each other or against each other. For example, tower shown in drawings is of 45m but the maximum antenna height is 29m. And you already know that in your project tower of 30 m height is also available. Then this needs to be clarified by design team as to why 45m tower is being used. And if found such an ambiguity, it has to be immediately reported to concerned persons. Remember, self accountability within a team and among various teams of a project is one of its greatest strength. The teams and projects, who fail to achieve it, often fail to achieve their targets within either due time or budgets.

Thoroughly study the WP before CW kickoff and inform sub-contracting partner any special features e.g. retaining wall, Dewatering, SA Issues, and Pilling. This is required so that it should prepare itself and arrange necessary resources.

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CW Milestones Part-1 - Technical Site Survey from Civil works and Site Design Prospective

2011-01-22T15:07:00.000-08:00

Technical Site Survey is an important milestone, to be achieved before land/building for Site is being leased or purchased. TSS component of a Network Rollout Turnkey Project is normally owned by Site Acquisition however a CW/SD representative is also part of TSS team. Here CW representative finalize the site and confirms as if site is initially okay from Design, Material transportation and Power availability point of view. In addition to CW representative there are normally three other departments to be represented, which include RF Planning, MW planning and Site Acquisition. It is important that
a CW guy who is performing this activity should be experienced to handle things, or at least thoroughly briefed about the activity. The briefing should given by the CW/Design manager or a senior member of the team and should include following;

· What is expected out of him from this TSS

· What data needs to gathered

· How to use different equipment at site, and checking accuracy of them before leaving office.

· Different safety measures, during travelling and while on proposed site during TSS.

And

· How this report is going to be helpful for the activities following this TSS

Following are the main activities which are normally expected from a CW representative on TSS

1. SAR coordinates verification

Search Area Radius (SAR) is defined by initial RF planning. It is distance from nominal point which has also been generated and obtained by various methods by RF team in their initial planning for the coverage. CW Engineer on site has to verify with the help of GPS that the proposed site indicated by SA Rep is within officially defined SAR (Especially the location of tower). He then needs, to inform RF and MW representatives in the team about the location of antennas. And asking their vetting about the location of tower/antennas, as the location is okay from RF and MW point of view. And if necessary, he needs to make of rough sketch with location of with location of antennas marked on them, and to vet by RF and MW representatives.

2. Access road to site

That is to check that access from nearby road to site is enough from material transportation point of view.

3. Tower Height Finalization

Tower height is proposed by CW Representative after knowing the heights of RF and MW antennas. The best possible (that is the lowest possible) towers among the available towers for the project needs to be selected. For example If a project has ordered 4 different heights of towers (60m, 45m, 35m and 30m) and RF has 3 antennas at height (28m,25m, 25m) and MW dish antenna is on 26m. Here the highest antenna size is 28m so you have to use 30m tower. However in another case with same RF heights MW team find LOS clearance at 32m height. Now the deciding height is 32m and you have to select tower of 35m height.

4. Prospective site Layout

Measure the available site dimensions. And check if available dimensions fulfills that average layout requirement based upon project requirement and with finalized height (Note: Larger the tower, larger the site area will be, because bigger tower has larger footprints, so it requires more foundation size.). If any demolition is required mention the location and quantity.

5. EGL from RL

This is required by design team to finalize the Site’s surface level. Difference EGL (Existing ground level) to road level. If road is too far from site (that is more than 300-500m), difference between EGL and DPC (Damp Proof Coating) level of nearest houses needs to be taken. This should also be the case when EGL is very down from road level. And if possible take the data from existing site owner and other people living there about the average water level rise during extreme rains or snow. And frequency of precipitation.

6. Commercial Power Availability

That is checking as if commercial power through national grid is available nearby proposed site or not. And if not, till how far it is available. You may also required to mention the possibility of alternative energy resources like solar, wind etc, and cater for their space also.

7. Surrounding Structures Status + Distance (Tower excavation to nearby building foundation)

Mention some features of surrounding of site as well, like houses streets, electric poles etc. Also if a water body is present nearby like a River, canal, a lake or pond etc. nearby it mention it and its distance from site.

8. General Comments

Any other findings which a survey engineer thinks that might be useful for design team need to be incorporated in form of comments. Apparent existing soil condition are also needs to mention like presence of organic material on site etc.

Milestones of Construction Work On Network Rollout Turnkey Project

2011-01-21T17:21:00.010-08:00

On a GSM (or any other Telecom) site there are some activities in which Civil Works team is either fully involved or at least participated (or represented) in the activity. Those activities in which civil works is only represented is basically the one which have ownership with other departments. But due to some sort of support work or participation is required from civil works, so it has to spare its resources for those activities.

1. Technical Site Survey (CW+SA+RF+Transmission) (Normally owned by Site Acquisition )

2. Work Package Approval (Process is owned by Design Department or by CW if design is totally externalized/outsourced)

3. Site Kick off (The process is owned by Site Acquisition, however this is the activity in which site location is handed over from Site Acquisition to Civil Works, so in order to rule out the waste of money time and resources and chances of not meeting the target, at some later stage, CW representative has to take necessary measure. He/She has to mark all area which will be included in Construction, has to clearly tell site owner if any destruction is required, estimated time of construction etc.etc. )

4. Excavation + Layout + Lean concrete (Complete CW Activity)

5. Concrete Pouring (Pad + Columns) (Complete CW Activity)

6. Backfilling + Top slab concreting (Complete CW Activity)

7. Boundary wall (Complete CW Activity)

8. Tower Erection + Accessories installation (Complete CW Activity )

9. Generator installation & commissioning (Complete CW Activity)

10. AC Power Inspection (Power Meter+ ACDB+ Intake box) (Complete CW Activity)

11. Shelter or Sunshade Installation and (if applicable) Guardroom Installation (Complete CW Activity)

12. Declaring site RFI (Ready for Installation) (Complete CW Activity, The activity is important in a sense that normally time from Kickoff to RFI is an important KPI among other indicators. This is because during this time only civil works department can do work on site and is considered one of the main bottle necks in such projects. Once the site is declared RFI other teams of project like Telecom Implementation, BSS, Care can also do their due work on site along with other minor civil works which are being carried out on site. )

13. Finishing Works (Complete CW Activity)

14. Red – Line/As – Built Drawings preparation (Complete CW Activity)

15. Acceptance from Customer (The activity is owned by project as a whole)

Applicable Health and Safety(HSE) Documents on Telecom Projects

2011-01-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

The previously mentioned HES guidelines have normally been enforced by either a Client or vendor (or sometimes by both). And have to be followed in general by all vendors and its Partners’ employees. However if this would not be the case, the each person who is involved in decision making and implementation, either as manager or junior engineer or worker or supervisor at the site have to follow all possible guide lines. In addition to these, project specific documents related to HES will also be applied after getting approval from Project Director. The following documents may normally be applicable, and are vital part of Partial/Final Acceptance Documents folder.

HES Checklists
HES Handbook
Incident-Near miss Report
Risk Assessment Forms

In order to ensure that a fair deal of HSE compliance is on work, a vendor would have to conduct various audits and visits in order to verify that all its local and global conditions are being followed by its Partners during work on sites and/or at factories.

HSE Checks Related to Telecom Implementation

2011-01-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

Although principally Telecom Implementation does not come under the domain of Civil Works Department of a telecom company (either vendor or client or operator), however working in telecommunication industry really demands muti – functional and cross – functional skills to have, demonstrate and at times even to practice. So therefore it is good to know at least some basics of other functions/departments you are working with in project. And some telecom organizations have even trained their staff for cross – functional training to utilize the same work force to work on different type of assignments even out of their main area of expertise. (I am planning to cover this topic of x-functional training in detail in some other post later).

So in view of above details, now I think you be more interested in following some HSE Checks related to TI.

TI Equipment transportation should be carried out keeping in view the safety aspects so that risk of injury could be avoided.
Trained Riggers are required with proper Ropes & Pulleys to pull Feeders and Antenna Dish movement above tower.
Correct Polarities to be used while Installation of Power system/battery. Wires with proper Gauge are required.
Anti Static Strip Should be used by personnel, plugging in modules.
Proper coring & mid spanner Stripper Tool Is required for making on site connectors.

Safety measures for the Antennas Mounted at the Edge of the Rooftop (on Monopole or RT Tower)

2011-01-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

1. Poles less than 5m height will be equipped with step irons or a removable ladder system. Some form of attachment point for safety belt/harness will be installed.

2. Poles higher than 5m are to be considered masts or towers and the standard recommendations as required during erection of towers needs to be applied, as mentioned below

i) Lightening arrestor to be installed on legs adjacent to ones where BTS equipment is placed.

ii) Fall arresting system (a system for the safety of workmen who are climbing the tower) must be properly installed.

iii) Rest platforms must be installed at the specified heights as mentioned tower’s assembly/erection drawings

iv) All the tower bolts must conform to the allowable torque limits as recommended by tower designer

v) Torque test would be applied after finishing of tower erection by sub-contracting company in front of vendor’s Site Engineer (CW representative)

Protective and Safety Measures for Accessing Rooftop Structure Wall Mounted Antennas

2011-01-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Sometimes as per requirement by RF, height of antennas to be installed is such that they need to be installed on the walls of available structures. Care must be taken for fixing mounting poles have to be installed such that no permanent damage is being made to existing structures.

1. Fixation of anchors has to be made on RCC (either on column or on slabs), must not be on brick/blocks

2. Access can usually be handled safely with a portable ladder if there is no inherent fall risk.

3. If there is a potential fall risk, a permanent ladder with safety system will be installed.

4. Working in a two-person team is a general rule of thumb whereby one worker can support the ladder of access for another worker.

5. The ladder has to be of good quality according to local requirements.

Safety measures to be Adopted for Rooftop Structures and Wall Mounted Antennas

2011-01-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

· Access can usually be handled safely with a portable ladder if there is no inherent fall risk. If there is a potential fall risk, a permanent ladder with safety system will be installed.

· Working in a two-person team is a general rule of thumb whereby one worker can support the ladder of access for another worker. The ladder has to be of good quality according to local requirements.

Safety Measures to be Taken Care of for Access to Antennas

2011-01-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

Walkways:

· Only trained personnel with proper certification shall access the antennas. Recommendation is accessing the antennas from rear where applicable.

Exclusion Zones:

· The minimum exclusion zones have to be in accordance with valued international regulations, or where not applicable, according to local standards. Personnel should not work on, or remain within exclusion zones. However passing and climbing through them should not present any hazard.

· If the rooftop is to used by the owner for any purpose, or if the rooftop has public access, an exclusion zone must be clearly marked. Further, if within a public zone, the site must also be physically secured form unauthorized personnel.

· A warning sign board should be placed on every roof top pole sites below the antennas, with written Caution! “Please do not stand in front of antennas”. The size of sign board will be 3ft X 2ft which will contain both local and English text, back ground will be yellow whereas texts will be red, aluminum or G.I sheet (both are non ferrous), thickness of sheet will be 3mm.

· Radiation and exclusion zones related to microwave antennas should be according to local standards.

Note: ESM/Radiation exposure risk evaluation is to be done on a project specific basis where the output and frequency is known, in accordance with local regulations.

Safety Requirements Associated With Individual Types of Machinery and Equipment Used in Construction Works

2011-01-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

Lighting:

· Shelter or equipment room shall be equipped with a permanent fluorescent light mounted on the ceiling of the room.

· On a site-specific basis existing building with complex access routing will need emergency lighting. Further, it is recommended that shelters which would not immediately adjacent to access points have a light fitting near the shelter door installed.

Hoisting:

· Possible point of placement for a mobile crane for material lifts shall be marked on the site drawings. This point is for material lifts only and the lifting point for access to antennas via a cherry picker must be marked separately if applicable.

· When hoisting/erecting is ongoing, safety areas and exclusion zones must be clearly indicated.

Safety Measures to be Taken Care of for Equipment Used in Construction Work on a Telecom Site

2011-01-14T10:42:00.000-08:00

For construction of and GSM cell site following equipments is often in use

· Batch Mixing Machine for concrete Mixing (Normally full load, 50Kg Cement, Machine is asked to be used)

· Vibrator for Concrete compaction

· Vibratory Plate or Reverse Vibratory Plate compactors for Soil Compaction

· Crane for Tower Erection at some places

· Chain Pulley for Tower Erection at some places and for lifting material like Generator on Rooftop Sites

· Fast Moving Concrete Lifts for transporting concrete on Rooftop Sites

To use these equipments on site effectively and to have precautionary measures for any unforeseen risk of life or property following safety measures needs to be taken care of and adopted, with regard to use of equipments.

1. Before start of work ensure that all equipment is in good working condition

2. The moving or motion-transmitting components of any machinery and equipment used in construction works should be protected in a suitable manner.

3. The electrical systems of machinery used in construction work should be properly earthed.

4. Only trained staff is allowed to work on construction equipment.

5. Staff using the equipment should be wearing respective personal protective equipment, and especially no operator with loose cloths is allowed to work on equipment

6. Make sure that staff operating the equipment is alert all the time.

Safety Measures to be Taken During Demolition Work

2011-01-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

Sometimes demolition and flattening of existing structures also need to be done which were either already built on site or come in the way of site hindering standard clearance way. Following are a few safety measures to be adopted during these destruction/demolition works.

1. Perform only the demolition works mentioned in DEDs (Detailed Engineering Documents, e.g. Detailed Site Drawings and/or in TSSR (Technical Site Survey Report). Because these are the one for which necessary approvals and (structural and cost) analysis has already been made. And if it found to be some extra works needs to be done by Site Engineer, this has to be immediately reported to immediate manager and concerned department (e.g. Site Design, Site Acquisition etc.)

2. Demolition works may only be performed under supervision of authorized and qualified personnel.

3. Debris or waste materials, such as masonry, bricks or concrete chunks, resulting from the demolition work should not be piled and left to lie on the floors of the building. Such materials have only to be moved down from floor to floor after taking necessary safety measures.

4. The part of the structure which would has be taken down as a whole cannot be demolished until safety of workers near or under that part has absolutely been ensured.

5. A safety area will be formed around the part of the structure to be demolished, with dimensions at least twice as large as the height of the structure itself, which area should be barricaded with a guarding fence or atleast with safety strip.

6. Building elements like glass doors, window panes or mirrors, which may prove to be dangerous during demolition work, should be dismantled, removed and moved away to a suitable location before start of the work.

7. Workers to take part in the demolition should be provided with personal protective equipment such as goggles, hardhats, masks and steel-toed boots.

Safety Measures to be Taken during Work on Scaffolds/Formworks, Supporting Structures and Staircases

2011-01-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

1. Scaffolds and formworks used in construction works have be installed or dismantled by qualified and authorized technical personnel by taking into account the dimensions and material properties of the scaffolds, and scaffolds should be designed and constructed in a strength suited to the highest loads that may be encountered in the course of the work to be performed on them.

2. Scaffolds should be checked frequently, with a minimum inspection period of one month.

3. Where standing surfaces of the scaffolds become slippery due to rain, snow, ice or similar reasons, appropriate measures should be taken to prevent slippage.

4. Any damages observed in scaffolds/formworks or in any supporting structures should be immediately repaired; weak parts should be strengthened or replaced.

5. Some types of formworks/scaffolds have their usage limit (that is to be used for how many number of times, e.g. Plywood formworks etc.) mentioned by manufacturers, or limit by local expert opinion. Such limits have to be identified and must be enforced to follow by Sub-Contracting/Servicing companies.

6. No debris or waste materials which may restrict passage of workers should be left on scaffolds.

7. Suitable measures should be taken to prevent swing of scaffolds during work.

8. In cases where work must continue in foggy weather or in poor light conditions, lighting should be provided throughout the length of the scaffold as well as any stairways or passages leading to the work area.

9. No obstacles should be left in the passages or routes leading to the work area.

10. Clearance of scaffolds from the walls against which they are installed should be such that no tools or equipment should fall through it.

11. Suspended scaffolds should not be loaded with weights higher than 400 kg per square meter and a maximum of 4 workers should work on this type of scaffold at any given time.

12. Self-standing scaffolds have to be erected with the legs placed on level and firm spots on the ground.

13. Bottoms of the feet of portable or hand-carried ladders, when used on metal or other slippery surfaces, have to be fitted with sheets of ribbed rubber or other non-slipping material.

14. Ladders should not be jointed end to end in order to obtain larger lengths.

15. Any stairs or ladders used by workers for access to and from the work area should be surrounded with ropes, chains or wooden guardrails to ensure safety.

16. Top surfaces of the rungs or steps of ladders made of plain non-corrugated steel sheet or other flat metal material should be covered with a non-slippage material of suitable characteristic.

Safety measure to be Taken during Excavation

2011-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

For a telecommunication site, the excavation works involve digging for tower foundation, for shelter/equipment room foundation and excavation for boundary wall (there could be few other types of foundations also, depending upon project specific need and agreement). So in continuity with previous post, following is a list of a few safety measures adopted during the excavation works at a telecom site.

· All excavations’ bottom outlines have to be marked before start of any single excavation. And in cases where excavation work endangers an adjoining building or structure, temporarily or continuously, any measures dictated by sound engineering practice, will be taken. And such things have to be noted and if necessary need to be consulted with immediate Manager/Site Design Department prior to start of work.

· In the area where excavation work is to be performed
, the locations and routes of power cables, gas pipes, water pipes, sewerages and similar installations will be investigated prior to start of actual work. Measures should be taken against gas leakages and work should not be commenced until any accumulated gas will has been discharged.

· In excavations deeper than 150 cm, hand ladders for access of workers have to be provided in sufficient numbers. In case there are any supporting structures, these should not be used for climbing down or up the excavated trench.

· No excavation work should be performed under heavy rain. Workers may resume work after rain has stopped and any necessary safety measures have been put into place.

· Workers have to be provided with suitable cover to protect them from the elements during rain. Workers should not be made to work with wet clothing if the electrical or falling hazard is there.

· Work machinery such as excavators, bulldozer and the like used in excavation work should not be operated by any other person than the qualified operator.

· Earth excavated from the work area should be dumped in a suitable distance from the digging, to prevent a landslide. In cases where this is not possible, supporting braces should be implemented.

Related Posts

1. Safety Measures to be Adopted and Taken Care of During Construction Work

2. Safety Measures to be Adopted and Taken Care of During Construction Work

Safety Measures to be Adopted and Taken Care of During Construction Work

2011-01-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

Constructions Works refer to the set of activities performed for the build out of site which normally includes Excavation for foundations, Structural steel fixing, concreting of foundations, Construction of boundary wall equipment room/equipment shelter, erection of tower and power supply works at site. Some of the activities are extremely risky such as excavation (which involves risk to settlement of nearby foundations such as a house just adjacent to the site, due to removal of lateral support for its foundation, and tower erection works). Following is a generalized list of safety measures to adopted for construction works. However, project and case specific measures also needs to be identified and adopted by the concerned Project manager and Site Engineer.

1. Construction works should be essentially performed in the daytime. When work at night is necessary or compulsory, however, the working area and any accesses to the work area will be light up to a sufficient extent, and measures to guarantee the during work safety.

2. All scaffolds (i.e. formwork), platforms, passages, railings, staircase handrails, safety ropes, safety nets, chains, cables and all other protective equipment as well as safety belts issued to workers should be of a sufficient strength to bear the weight associated with the work performed, and workers situated in areas where there is danger of tools, debris and work materials falling will be provided with and made to wear protective hardhats.

3. Dangerous spots within the work area should be clearly marked and bordered using an appropriate method.

4. During the course of construction work, materials and wastes with pointed ends or sharp edges should not be disposed carelessly or left in the work area, and materials should not be piled or left lying in a manner that will cause workers any danger.

5. Any holes or openings on roofs has to be fitted with screens or covered suitably for the duration of the work.

6. In cases where collective safety of workers cannot be ensured, workers should be given personal protective equipment suited to the nature of the work they perform and to the physical attributes of individual workers.

7. Scaffolds used on rooftops or inclined surfaces has to be fitted with suitable guardrails, which should be strong enough to prevent a worker losing his balance from falling from the scaffold.

8. In work areas exposed to strong winds, workers without appropriate safety measures being implemented, needs to be strongly discouraged by all possible means very strictly.

General Safety Guidelines

2011-01-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

Safety should be topmost priority while designing, carrying out work on site or during site visit, as there is no supplement to human life. In today's world the importance of HSE (Health and Environmental Safety) has been widely understood by most Operators and Vendors and there have been procedures in place to be followed at every step of work on site. And it the prime responsibility of a Project Manager, HSE Manager, Project Engineer and Site Engineer to ensure that routine HSE guidelines as described by the company has been being followed in its true sense. And where ever necessary, the project specific safety measures needs to be identified and adopted and beforehand.

Following are a few general safety guidelines to be adhered on site

During tower erection or BTS installation work, safety guidelines will be strictly adhered to and all appropriate measures will be taken. During work, necessary protective equipment such as safety belts or safety ropes will be used by workers, and no materials, tools or equipment will be dropped from above.
Care will be taken to avoid causing any harm or injury to site owners, general public or the material property situated in the general vicinity of the site, and excessive noise during work will be avoided to the possible extent.
Cleanliness and orderliness will be observed in all work activities. Care will be taken to avoid damage to the surrounding property or structures, and existing, completed work items will be protected.
All necessary measures will be taken to prevent any trip hazards at the sites.
At the end of the working day, roof access doors and gates will be closed and exposed equipment, if any, will be protected against rain or other elements.

What is this Blog all about....?

2010-11-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

Purpose of this blog is to share outcome of my experience in telecommunications as civil engineer. That is how different cross functional activities that are related with Site Design Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (CME) are may be performed by a telecom vendor its supplier or subcontractor. This is however is to be noted that in this blog the things will be presented in a generalized way. And there may always be some case specific or project specific methods or procedures which suits even better in there own conditions.
Comments Suggestions are always be welcomed and will be incorporated for making improvement in this blog.

For your opinion specific to some post please write in comments of that post. and for generalized feedback, comments and suggestions please write to expertfront-313@yahoo.com

Thank You
Ahmed Bilal