[TowerTalk] Height of tower foundation with respect to grade

[hdmc38 at bellsouth.net]

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 your call. 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.
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73 K4XZ Joe Patrick