Fcc Tower Light Monitoring Requirements

Earlier this week the fcc s enforcement bureau released an order approving a consent decree with scripps broadcasting where scripps agreed to pay a penalty of 1 130 000 for perceived violations of the fcc s rules requiring tower light monitoring for towers used by a number of tv stations that it had recently purchased.

Fcc tower light monitoring requirements.

In addition the federal communications commission governs monitoring requirements for airport obstruction lights. In a recent decision the fcc s enforcement bureau ruled that a tower owner should pay a fine for a single day where the required tower lights were not operational and where no required monitoring of the tower to discover such outage was taking place. Building a new tower or collocating an antenna on an existing structure requires compliance with the commission s rules for environmental review. Examples of fcc rules in regard to tower light regulations.

In this new environment with stricter tower light regulations you must protect yourself with an automatic tower light monitoring system. This option is now available to any owner. The company also agreed to adopt numerous procedures to insure. By eliminating a requirement that tower owners conduct quarterly physical checks of the monitoring systems at all of their towers the fcc will save antenna structure owners millions of dollars annually said wtb representative michael smith.

You must observe tower lights at least once every 24 hours either visually or through an automatic indicator. The changes that are designed to assist wireless providers will also benefit broadcasters. These regulatory processes ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect environmental and historic resources. The fcc s rules governing antenna tower lighting and painting requirements are based upon the advisory recommendations of the faa which are set forth in two faa advisory.

The fcc decided to exempt antenna structure owners using qualifying noc based monitoring systems from the part 17 quarterly tower inspection obligation. The fcc has been given the authority by congress to require the painting and or illumination of antenna towers when it determines that such towers may otherwise constitute a menace to air navigation.