How Telecom Surveys Can Be Used for Tower Mapping

Posted by Calvada on November 6th, 2015

It is obligatory for telecommunication companies to submit 2C certifications for locations where they laid or installed antennas, as per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Because of this, telecom companies are also required to provide similar certifications so construction can commence. Telecom surveys typically record and report details such as boundary, easement, zoning, utility, access information, and topographical data of the location of the cell site. These types of surveys are also conducted to: 

• Accurately determine the site's flood plain information and ensure that it is in compliance with the latest FEMA regulations. 

• Record and report boundary, easement, utility, zoning, topographical data, and access information about the tower location. 

• Collect accurate boundary information in compliance with state or city regulations for cell tower construction. 1A or 2C FAA certifications include details about the site structure's horizontal position (latitude and longitude) as well as the height of the structure to be built above mean sea level. 

• Identify new locations 

• Establish and expand the customer base 

• Gain a better understanding of the fundamental layout of the cell tower site. 

• Collect zoning information regarding setback requirements, height restrictions, and other limitations for the site construction. 

A telecom survey typically begins with a clear determination of the respective limits of the carrier's area of the lease. Once this has clearly been defined, surveyors can start to prepare a detailed topographic map of the defined area, which will include all objects and monuments within the corners of the lease area. Concurrently, the ingress-egress easements that are relevant to the site are identified, after which the longitudinal and latitudinal positions of the site are established to make sure that it meets the FAA requirements. Finally, the information is collected, recorded, and packaged in an organized, easy to understand parcel of information, which can then be presented to the requesting company. 

Surveyors offer a long list of services suitable for the telecommunications industry. Some of the most common types of telecom survey services available from these companies include: 

•    1A and 2C FAA certifications

•    As-built surveys

•    Record boundary mapping

•    Construction staking

•    Site walks

•    Cell site certification

•    Geodetic control

•    Tower Mapping

•    Topographic surveys

•    Lease area legal descriptions and exhibits

•    Boundary surveys

•    High definition 3D laser scanning surveys and services; and

•    Title report analysis, among many others. 

About the Author: 

Armando Dupont, a professional land surveyor started his career in surveying in 1977 and has extensive experience in managing personnel and projects. His experience includes: topographic mapping, boundary surveys and analysis, construction and control surveying, preparation of tract and parcel maps, earth work calculation and quantities, targeting and control for photogrammetric, and land title surveys in accordance with the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. Mr. DuPont founded Calvada Surveying, Inc. in 1989 and is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in the State of California.