Orange County NC Website
19 <br />reasonable time thereafter. This inspection shall include, <br />but shall not be limited to, visual inspection of tower <br />foundations, structures, guys, and connections for <br />evidence of settlement or later movement; soil erosion; <br />condition of paint or galvanizing; rust or corrosion, loose or <br />missing bolts, loose or corroded lightning protection <br />connectors; tower plumbness, significant variation in guy <br />sags (i.e. tensions), and other material areas or matters <br />relating to the structural integrity of the tower. This is <br />considered a minor inspection review. <br />c) In addition to the regularly scheduled major and minor <br />inspections set forth in paragraphs 1) and 2) above, a <br />minor inspection, at a minimum, will be conducted if the <br />tower or its appurtenances are noted at any time to be <br />visibly damaged. Additionally, a major inspection shall be <br />conducted if the visible damage to the tower is significant <br />or when, after conducting a minor inspection, significant <br />questions remain about the structural integrity of the tower. <br />3) The Inspections Division may conduct periodic inspections of <br />telecommunications towers to ensure electrical integrity. The <br />owner of the telecommunication tower may be required by the <br />County to have more frequent inspections should there be reason <br />to believe that the electrical integrity of the tower is jeopardized. <br />The County reserves the right to require.additional inspections if <br />there is evidence that the tower has a safety problem or is <br />exposed to extraordinary conditions. <br />4) Structurally Unsafe or Unused Towers. Any tower found, through <br />inspection by the owner or by inspection of the Inspections <br />Division, to be structurally unsafe and cannot be brought into <br />compliance within one hundred and eiahty (180 days shall be <br />removed at the owner's expense. <br />5) Compliance with Standards. Current or former EIA standards <br />shall apply to the addition of antennas or other appurtenances to <br />communications towers under the following conditions: <br />a) Additions to towers constructed prior to the effective date <br />of this Ordinance, regardless of whether the additions are <br />accounted for in the original design, shall comply with the <br />current EIA standards, and the wind loading specified <br />therein. Additions to towers constructed subsequent to the <br />effective date of this Ordinance shall comply with <br />standards set forth elsewhere in this Section. <br />b) Existing towers that will not have any additional attached <br />appurtenances shall at a minimum comply with the EIA <br />standards in existence at the time the tower was erected. <br />c) Replacement of antennas or other appurtenances shall at <br />a minimum comply with the EIA standard in existence at <br />the time the tower was erected if the replacement does not <br />add to the original design loading. <br />