Thanks to all who responded.
I looked more closely at the US Tower foundation plans and they specify that
the top of the foundation be a maximum of 8" above grade with a full 8' below
grade. A minimum above grade dimension is not specified. They also specify
that the area under the base plate be grouted after the tower is installed,
which is probably to keep water off of the mounting bolts. I think I'll
compromise and have the center of the base (everything beneath the area
occupied by the t-bar mount) 2-3" above grade and then slope it down towards
the outside edges. Even though water will never build up near the base, this
will add an extra level of protection. In addition, I'm going to make the hole
about 9' deep, rather than 8' to make sure I have sufficient concrete. BTW,
according to the Chief Building Official of my city, PRB-1 is the law and the
city has no jurisdiction over ham towers. No height restriction, no set back
requirements and no permit. In his words, "if the FCC is happy, then
I'm happy." I have it in writing.
Now on to my next problem. I started digging the hole in order to locate a
water drain pipe that I expect to find in the middle of the new tower location.
What I found was much worse -- an abandoned heating oil tank. Now I have to
contact someone to dispose of it properly and do the requisite ground
contamination testing. Either that or find a new tower location and begin a
new round of negogiations with SWMBO.
73,
Clay W7CE
----- Original Message -----
From: David Branson KC0LL
To: hdmc38@bellsouth.net ; W7CE ; towertalk@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 1:17 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Height of tower foundation with respect to grade
One other comment about grade height and inspections.
The "grade" can sometimes be what ever you have the dirt to when they inspect
it. So,,, if you dirt is 6 inches below the top, and it is inspected and
passed, later the dirt could be raised back to where ever you want it to be,
problem solved. I once build a garage on my house here in Pima County and on
inspection they looked at it and said I had to tare the wall down and redo it
because the siding absolutely HAD to be 6 inches above grade (dirt). So I
called the next morning and said I had rebuilt the garage, they said NO WAY. I
said come out and look. When they got there they found my wall 6 inches+ above
the dirt. I had not raised the wall but had lowered the dirt. They B***ed and
mooned but what could they do? The rules said 6 inches and I was 6 inches above
the "new" grade. So they had to pass it. True story.
David F. Branson
Senior Technician
Action Communications, Inc.
Tucson, AZ
520.792.0326
520.792.2709 fax
KC0LL@comcast.net
www.kc0ll.net
www.ActionCommunications.com
"America will never be destroyed from the outside.
If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed
ourselves."
--- Abraham Lincoln
Freedom isn't Free, Support our Troops
----- Original Message -----
From: hdmc38@bellsouth.net
To: W7CE ; towertalk@contesting.com
Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Height of tower foundation with respect to grade
I agree if you have a permit and reviewed plans that show the the base 6"
above grade then that's what the inspector will want to see. Or a plan revision
read that as PITA. I assume when say you sidewalk you mean a walkway on your
property and not a public side walk in front of your house. The 6'' is not only
for water drainage but is also part of the foundation. I think the point is to
maintain the base design and keep the water from puddling at the tower base. My
Rohn 45 base is approx 5' x5' x5'. The plan calls for 6" above grade. This
tower is bracketed to the house. When we formed the base at the backside
against he house foundation we started at 6 1/2" ABG sloped and away from the
house to the front at 5''. Giving 1 1/2 "slope for drainage, broom finish.
There is also a 1/2" piece of expansion joint between the the two foundations.
The inspector was happy and so was I! Of course no permit makes you the
engineer. The one that is held liable. That's all. It's now yo
ur c
all. If you install a tower or any other permitable structure and get a
permit and inspections If nothing happens it's all trash. On the the other hand
if somehow someway something does go wrong and it can.Then that paperwork is
gold. Last time I checked gold was close to $1000.00 an once.JMHO. Good luck
and always follow the K7LXC golden rule and you will be fine.
--
73 K4XZ Joe Patrick
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