HomeMy WebLinkAbout17-165_FtPierce_inspSSPATE 13540 N. FLORIDA AVE., SUITE 203
-,A ENGINEERING TAMPA, FLORIDA 33613
INC. (813) 960-0002
TOWER INSPECTION REPORT
November 24, 2021
Florida Department of Transportation
Traffic Engineering & Operations Office, ITS Section
605 Suwannee St., MS 90
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
ATTN: Ms. Danielle Morales, PE, PMP
Communications General Consultant
220-Ft. Self Supporting Tower
Ft. Pierce Interchange Site
Our Job No. 17-165
AUTHORIZATION
In accordance with your instructions, Pate Engineering has inspected the 220-Ft. self supporting
tower located at the Ft. Pierce Interchange site, Milemarker 152, Florida Turnpike, Port St.
Lucie, St. Lucie County, Florida.
INTRODUCTION
The structure is a three -leg, 220-ft. self-supporting tower manufactured by PIROD, Inc. The
inspection included the installation work of the tower modifications, the new antennas, lights and
cameras for the following project: "Florida's Turnpike Enterprise Towers, Refurbishment And
Repairs Project".
The information concerning this tower work was provided by the Florida Department of
Transportation. The information included the project drawings Appendix A, the revised Tower
Loading Diagram and some of the project submitted documents approved by FDOT.
The inspection also included the tower modification drawings. Pate engineering designed the
modifications under Job No. 17-165. The Drawings No. FP-1, FP-2, FP-3 and FP-4, dated
5/8/18 were issued for the project. The Drawing No. FP-1 is attached for reference.
Pate Engineering visited the site on November 16, 2021, to visually inspect the tower work.
Photographs of the tower taken by the climber and taken from the ground are attached for
reference. The photographs taken by the climber and his comments were carefully reviewed.
INSPECTION CRITERIA
The tower was visually inspected for general compliance with the provided drawings and
documents, and different tools and equipment were used for this purpose. The inspection was
mainly to verify modifications, and new antenna and equipment installation.
To: FDOT
Re: Our Job No. 17-165
The tower was inspected with the assistance of a professional climber under the direction of
Pate Engineering. The climber was provided by FDOT and carefully selected for this specific
inspection. The climber used two of the tower latticed legs to climb the tower, to access the
equipment and the antenna locations.
RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION
Tower Modifications
1.1 The new diagonal members between the 180-ft. and 190-ft. levels were inspected. The
member sizes and connection details were verified. The installation was according the
previously described Pate Engineering drawings. See Drawing FP-1.
1.2 The new diagonal members between the 20-ft. and 40-ft. levels were inspected. The
member sizes and connection details were verified. The installation was according the
previously described Pate Engineering drawings. See Drawing FP-1.
1.3 The new leg splice bolts at the 20-ft. level were inspected. The bolt sizes and installation
details were verified. The installation was according the previously described Pate
Engineering drawings. See Drawing FP-1.
Antenna Installation
2.1 The approximate mounting heights for the new antennas and equipment were verified.
There were some approved changes during the installation of the new antennas. The
final antenna elevations are listed below. See photographs, sheet No. 1.
Antenna Description
Elev. As Installed
8-ft. HP Dish
215'
(2) ASP705K
212'
8-ft. HP Dish
207'
8-ft. HP Dish
185'
8-ft. HP Dish
177'
2.2 The two 8-ft. HP dish antenna installations on leg A (28 deg. Leg) were inspected. These
antennas are located at the 215-ft. and 185-ft. levels. The inspection included antenna
mounts, hardware, connections and side struts. The antenna installations were adequate
and consistent with the previously described documents for the antennas, except that
one of the outboard side struts was not installed. This was accepted, we understood,
during the project review process to avoid the addition of several supporting members.
Those member would increase the wind loads. See photographs, sheet No. 2, 4, and 10.
2.3 The two 8-ft. HP dish antenna installations on leg 8 (148 deg. Leg) were inspected.
These antennas are located at the 207-ft. and 177-ft. levels. The inspection included
antenna mounts, hardware, connections and side struts. The antenna installations were
adequate and consistent with the previously described documents for the antennas. See
photographs, sheet No. 3, 4, and 11.
I
To: FDOT
Re: Our Job No. 17-165
2.4 The two ASP705K antenna installations were inspected. These antennas are located at
the 212-ft. level and they were originally leg mounted at the 219-ft. level. The antennas
were installed on 6-ft. side arms with stiff arms, this is a change to the original scope of
work. The inspection included antenna mounts, hardware, connections and stiff arms.
The antenna and the standoff installations were adequate. See photographs, sheet No.
1.
2.5 Two pieces of steel cable and an empty can (soda) were abandoned at the top of the
tower, at the dish antenna locations. See photographs, sheet No. 5.
2.6 The antenna transmission lines installations were inspected. The inspection included
hangers and support brackets. The installations in general were adequate and consistent
with the previously described documents. However, one hanger at the 207-ft. level is not
connected. See photographs, sheet No. 6.
Camera Installation
3.1 The two camera installations were inspected. These cameras are located at the 96-ft.
level. The inspection included camera mounts, hardware, connections, lowering boxes
and lowering post. The cameras installations were adequate and consistent with the
previously described documents. However, the eye bolt for the lowering wire of the
camera on leg C (268 deg.) was installed on the fence corner post. The other camera
has the eye bolt installed on a new pole, as required. See photographs, sheet No. 7.
Obstruction Lighting System
4.1 The obstruction lighting system installation was inspected. The inspection included the
top light and the side markers. The installations were adequate and consistent with the
previously described documents. See photographs, sheet No. 8.
4.2 The old side markers located below the new markers were removed. However, some of
the steel parts were abandoned on the tower. See photographs, sheet No. 8.
Safety Climb System
5.1 The safety climb system installation was inspected. The inspection included top and
bottom mounts, hardware, connections, cable and cable guides. The installation was not
adequate, some of the intermediate brackets are not connected and the cable is
unsupported at those locations. See photographs, sheet No. 9.
5.2 The safety cable at the 162-ft. level is in front of a pipe member (stiff arm) from the
sector mounts. The cable is continuously moving (rubbing) and future cable damage can
be anticipated. See photographs, sheet No. 9.
To: FDOT
Re: Our Job No. 17-165
RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 The final antenna elevations and mounting system described in 2.1 and 2.2 need to be
reviewed by FDOT, and compared with the approved changes. Pate Engineering
participated only partially during the final review process.
6.2 The antennas described in 2.4 were installed on side arms and at a lower elevation. It
is assumed that this change was approved during the review process.
6.3 The abandoned items described in 2.5 need to be removed from the tower,
6.4 The transmission line hanger described in 2.6 needs to be properly installed. Any other
similar hanger condition needs to be corrected, the inspection didn't cover every new
hanger installed on the tower.
6.5 The location of the eye bolt described in 3.1 needs to be reviewed by FDOT, and
compared with the approved changes. Pate Engineering participated only partially during
the review process.
6.6 The abandoned items described in 4.2 need to be removed from the tower.
6.7 The safety climb system needs to be properly re -installed. The conditions described in
5.1 and 5.2 need to be corrected. The safety cable needs to be properly supported and
any possibility of cable damage should be avoided.
6.8 To the best of my knowledge, information and belief, the antennas and equipment
described as adequate have been installed in substantial compliance with the previously
described documents approved by FDOT.
6.9 The antennas and equipment, in general, should be inspected for maintenance purposes
on a routine basis and after severe weather conditions.
The information contained herein is for the use of the addressee, the tower owner, and
Pate Engineering, Inc. Any use by others is prohibited except by express permission
from Pate Engineering, Inc., and the addressee. Any information gathered to complete
this report is considered "Proprietary Information" and remain the sole property of Pate
Engineering, Inc.
If you have any questions regarding this report, please call.
Pate Engineering, Inc.
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PATE
ENGINEERING
INC.
Photogra_hs
13540 N. Florida Ave., #203
Tampa, Florida 33613
Phone: (813) 960-0002
Fax: (813) 264-2605
E-Mail: pateeng@AOL.com
Job No. 17-165 Ft. Pierce Interchange Site Sheet No. 2
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PATE
ENGINEERING
INC.
Photographs
13540 N. Florida Ave., #203
Tampa, Florida 33613
Phone: (813) 960-0002
Fax: (813) 264-2605
E-Mail: pateeng@,AOL.com
Job No. 17-165 Ft. Pierce Interchange Site Sheet No. 3
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PATE
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ENGINEERING
® INC.
Photographs
13540 N. Florida Ave., #203
Tampa, Florida 33613
Phone: (813) 960-0002
Fax: (813) 264-2605
E-Mail: pateeng@AOL.com
Job No. 17-165 Ft. Pierce Interchange Site Sheet No. 6
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PATE
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Photographs
13540 N. Florida Ave., #203
Tampa, Florida 33613
Phone: (813) 960-0002
Fax: (813) 264-2605
E-Mail: pateeng@,AOL.com
Job No. 17-165 Ft. Pierce Interchange Site Sheet No. 8
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PATE
ENGINEERING
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INC.
Photographs
13540 N. Florida Ave., #203
Tampa, Florida 33613
Phone: (813) 960-0002
Fax: (813) 264-2605
E-Mail: pateeng@AOL.com
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Job No. 17-165 Ft. Pierce Interchange Site Sheet No. 9