[TowerTalk] Height of tower foundation with respect to grade

[W7CE]

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 at bellsouth.net ; W7CE ; towertalk at 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 at 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 

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    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: hdmc38 at bellsouth.net 
    To: W7CE ; towertalk at 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 your 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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