Good morning/afternoon all,
We recently completed an FAA-1A for cell phone antena's on a high rise building within 3 miles of an airport. We completed our observations as per the requirements of the company that hired us. I just got a call back from our client saying we need to have the elevation of the highest point on the building which would be the penthouse on top of the building. Now the sector antena's are proposed on the corners of the building, not the top of the penthouse. Besides the obvious that the highest point should be located my question to you all is, are there FAA guidelines to what locations need to be on a FAA-1A. The FAA website gives the accuracy standards of the different types of surveys but nothing that i can find on actual locations of the observations. (ex. highest point, roof elevation, ect.) Anyone have some expertise on this subject who could enlighten me? I very much appreciate your time and look foward to your responces! Thanks.
Sometimes thje FAA standards are a little weird. Like on the 7460 form where they require teh building location and height. At first I tried to give teh location of the highest peak of the building - not what they are looking for. They want the nearest point to hte runway, and then the elevation of the highest point, even though they are different points in reality.
Our experience with those types of FAA projects is that there are no set guidelines or form to use; i.e., it varies from project to project. We've found that it's better to give them more than what they need (Ground Elevation at Base of Structure, Structure Height, Elevation of Top of Structure, Height of Antenna on Structure, Overall Structure Height (including antenna), Elevation of Highest Point on Roof or Top of Structure (if not antenna), etc.) along with the certification to the specified accuracy. Most of it seems rather redundant, but it keeps them happy.
Try “googling” 8620.19D Appendix 3. If you can’t find it, e-mail me and I’ll forward it to you.
CV
The FAA uses the report to determine whether or not the subject structure needs to have a warning light. Usually they are concerned with the tallest point on the structure and may be antennas that are above that, but many clients use the report as an inventory of what is present on the structure. Generally more info is better than not enough and the FAA can ignore what is not pertinent to their needs. I've argued with clients as to what the FAA wants and what their compliance person wants and they usually are different. If they want more than the FAA needs, adjust your fee.
Try this link, it might lead you to what your looking for.
https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/content/surveyAccuracy.jsp
