Maintenance of telecommunications towers
Telecommunication towers and installations are large metal structures installed in outdoor locations. This means they’re constantly exposed to dust, debris, moisture, sunlight, wind, and other such outdoor elements. While these structures are designed to handle the outdoor environment, the forces take their toll eventually.
That’s why it’s essential to maintain them well and repair any problems promptly. While this maintenance can be expensive, it’s far more expensive to neglect the structures. The maintenance is carried out by a line worker who climbs the structure, examines the components and determines if the telecommunication tower is in good shape.
Why is regular inspection and maintenance important?
Regular inspections are important because they ensure the telecommunication systems work reliably at all times. Here are some reasons why experts always recommend thorough and consistent maintenance:
- Prompt repairs – Regular scheduled inspection and maintenance plans are designed to examine all vulnerable aspects of the telecommunications tower and assess their condition. If the line workers find a problem, they quickly carry out the repairs before the problem has the chance to worsen.
- Reduces downtimes and outages – Prompt repairs and regular inspections reduce the likelihood of outages and downtime as all the problems are identified quickly. This helps clients save money and receive consistent service. This is especially important in corporate and business settings where clients rely on constant connectivity to phone and Internet lines in order to run their business.
- Structural failures – The telecommunication towers are made from resilient steel or metal. The structures are always exposed to outdoor elements and that can compromise the metal over time. If the towers aren’t maintained well, the structure can become damaged and even collapse. Line workers will make sure there’s no excessive rust on the structure and it is sound.
What’s included in maintenance?
Telecommunication tower maintenance is a multi-step process that requires some planning and organization. Here’s a brief look at how the maintenance is carried out:
- The maintenance is usually carried out at the predetermined schedules to ensure it’s consistent.
- The line workers examine the structure and components thoroughly to understand their current state and determine if they require repairs.
- They then create a plan to carry out the repairs in an organized and systematic manner.
- Once the repairs and maintenance are complete, the client gets a comprehensive report explaining the job.
- The line workers also provide advice on future maintenance and recommendations on how to optimize the performance of the telecommunication systems.
What do line workers maintain?
Line workers are well-trained and skilled so they can handle maintenance of all kinds of telecommunication structures and towers. Here are some things line workers inspect, repair, and maintain:
- Guyed steel masts, the equipment attached to it, and its foundation
- Steel telecommunication towers, connected equipment, and their foundation
- Concrete towers, connected equipment, and foundations
- Chimneys and monopoles with telecommunication systems
- Parabolic antennas
- Glass fiber towers and structures with telecommunication equipment
- Rooftop telecommunication towers, antennas, and connected equipment
The line workers will also maintain and repair facilities, containers, technical rooms, and antennas, etc. They repair and maintain indoor telecommunication systems to ensure there’s no disruption in the connection. The line workers have access to several types of equipment and personal safety gear that help them carry out the repair and maintenance work efficiently.
Reliable line workers will also have access to good quality spare parts and equipment to ensure all repairs are durable and effective. The experts will recommend a good schedule for inspection and maintenance. If client adheres to the recommended schedule, they won’t need to worry unexpected breakdowns and disruption of service in their telecommunication systems.