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...ause of tower loss. Wind, ice and lightning account for more than 75 percent ...election of a location, following construction safeguards, and by undertaking ...

... This content has not been rated yet. HOW TO AVOID THE 12 MOST COMMON CAUSES OF BROADCAST TOWER LOSS by Douglas Federau If it ain't broke, don't fix it' applies to the way many owners view the more than 20,000 broadcast towers dotting the nation's landscape. Unfortunately, there is a tendency to ignore towers simply because they require less attention than the more technically intensive facilities involved with radio and television broadcasting. There is also what can be called the We're-insured-so-why-worry' attitude. Even if something goes wrong, the safety ... times. 7. INADEQUATE TOWER MAINTENANCE. One of the major problems is a failure to visually inspect and maintain proper logs. Maintenance logs are prescribed by the F.C.C. and the F.A.A. The back-up transmitter, generator, de-icing equipment, lightning dissipation equipment, safety lights, radome, and other mechanical devices should be tested regularly, using an inspection form. A comprehensive inspection will include guy wire retensioning and tower bolt tightening. This type of preventive maintenance not only solves problems but also may help to identify potential causes of damage ... 8. LOSS CONTROL PROCEDURES. An absence of some or all key loss control procedures can result in an unnecessary signal loss. Taking the right steps in advance will help keep the station on the air and minimize down time. Utilize an Emergency Restoration Service (ERS) . Provide for an auxiliary tower. Provide for a back-up antenna. Provide for an alternative source of power: 1) install an on-site generator; 2) contract for emergency generator use; or 3) use a grid review to obtain power from another direction ...