What is Telecom Tower and Mast Safety Inspection?

Safety Inspection of Communication Towers and Masts is a crucial area in the building inspection industry, involving multiple aspects such as structural safety, equipment performance, and regulatory compliance. Professional inspection agencies need to follow relevant national and industry standards and use professional equipment and techniques for comprehensive inspection and evaluation.

Inspection Standards and Basis

The main basis for safety inspection of communication towers and masts includes a series of national and industry standards. In China, the main standards include:

• "Design Code for Steel Tower and Mast Structures in Mobile Communication Engineering" (YD 5131)

• "Acceptance Code for Steel Tower and Mast Structures in Mobile Communication Engineering" (YD/T 5132)

• "Code for Inspection and Assessment of Steel Tower and Mast Structures in Mobile Communication" (YD/T 3029-2016), issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

• "Design Code for Lightning Protection and Grounding Engineering of Communication Stations" (GB 50689)

• "Code for Building Deformation Measurement" (JGJ 8)

Inspection agencies usually need to possess national metrological certification qualifications, and agencies undertaking professional maintenance and construction installation should have the installation qualifications for high-rise structures or steel structures specified by the construction administrative department.

Main Inspection Content

Safety inspection of communication towers and masts is usually a comprehensive process, covering the following key elements:

• Structural Integrity: Inspect the overall structure of the tower and mast (including the foundation) for deformation, cracks, corrosion, or other signs of aging, and assess its structural safety.

• Verticality Measurement: Measure the verticality deviation of the tower body using a theodolite or modern measuring instruments (such as drones, mobile phone software assistance) to ensure compliance with design requirements.

• Connection Inspection: Check the tightness and integrity of all bolts, welds, and connection nodes, and check the use of anti-theft bolts if necessary.

• Corrosion Protection and Maintenance: Check the condition of the anti-corrosion layer of the tower body and provide suggestions for rust removal and corrosion protection.

• Ancillary Facilities Inspection:

• Antenna System: Check the secure installation and pointing of antennas, microwave antennas, transmission lines, etc., to ensure communication quality.

• Aviation Obstruction Lights: Check the function of aviation obstruction lights to ensure compliance with the requirements of the aviation administration department.

• Lightning Protection and Grounding System: Check the grounding resistance and the integrity of lightning protection facilities to prevent lightning strikes from damaging equipment or causing safety accidents. • Safety Protection Devices: Inspect the availability and effectiveness of safety facilities such as climbing facilities (ladders, climbing pegs), fall protection devices, and maintenance platform guardrails.

• Environmental Impact Assessment: Assess the impact of environmental factors such as wind, snow, ice, and earthquakes on the tower and mast to ensure they can withstand the environmental stress of the specific location.

Inspection Methods and Technologies

Traditional inspection methods include manual climbing visual inspection and using measuring instruments for verticality measurement. With technological advancements, drone inspection, AI image analysis, and intelligent detection systems are being introduced to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enable automated data collection and analysis.

Industry Collaboration

The ownership of communication towers and masts typically belongs to specialized tower companies, while maintenance and inspection work may be entrusted to qualified professional technical institutions or building inspection companies. All parties involved must sign safety agreements to clarify responsibilities and ensure the implementation of safety measures. Relevant parties can refer to the China Communications Enterprise Association and the National Standard Information Public Service Platform for the latest industry standards and regulations.