N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 3108: Section BC 3108: Radio, Television, and Telecommunications Towers and Antennas

3108.1 General.

Subject to the provisions of Chapter 16 and the requirements of Chapter 15 governing the fire-resistance ratings of buildings for the support of roof structures, radio, television, and telecommunications towers and antennas shall be designed and constructed as herein provided. All such towers and antennas shall be collectively referred to as "towers" for the purposes of this section. Towers shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of TIA-222.

Exceptions:

1. Exceptions related to seismic design in Section 2.7.3 of TIA-222 shall not apply;

2. The specified values for seismic coefficients S

s

, S

1

and Site Factors F

a

and F

v

shall comply with Section 1613.3; and

3. The horizontal extent of Topographic Category 2, escarpments, shall be 16 times the height of the escarpment.

3108.2 Location and access.

Towers shall be located and equipped with step bolts and ladders so as to provide ready access for inspection purposes. Guy wires or other accessories shall not cross or encroach upon any street or other public space, or over above-ground electric utility lines, or encroach upon any privately owned property without written consent of the owner of the encroached-upon property, space or above-ground electric utility lines. Towers shall be equipped with climbing and working facilities in compliance with TIA-222. See applicable OSHA, FCC and EPA regulations relating to limitations on access to tower sites.

3108.3 Construction.

Towers shall be constructed of approved corrosion-resistant noncombustible material. The minimum type of construction of isolated radio towers not more than 100 feet (30 480 mm) in height shall be Type IIB.

3108.4 Loads.

Towers shall be designed to resist wind loads in accordance with TIA-222 and Chapter 16 of this code. The design criteria shall not be less stringent than required by Chapter 16. Consideration shall be given to conditions involving wind load on ice-covered sections.

3108.4.1 Dead load.

Towers shall be designed for the dead load plus ice load.

3108.4.2 Wind load.

Towers shall be provided with adequate foundations and anchorage designed to resist two times the calculated wind load.

3108.4.3 Earthquake load.

Towers shall be provided with adequate foundations and anchorage designed to resist two times the calculated earthquake load.

3108.5 Grounding.

Towers shall be permanently and effectively grounded in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.