PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Supporting Structures for Telecommunication

Equipment

PTS 11.22.21
October 2017

© 2017 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the permission of the copyright
owner. PETRONAS Technical Standards are Company’s internal standards and meant for authorized users only.
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FOREWORD

PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS) has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge,
experience and best practices of the PETRONAS group supplementing National and International
standards where appropriate. The key objective of PTS is to ensure standard technical practice across
the PETRONAS group.

Compliance to PTS is compulsory for PETRONAS-operated facilities and Joint Ventures (JVs) where
PETRONAS has more than fifty percent (50%) shareholding and/or operational control, and includes
all phases of work activities.

Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers who use PTS are solely responsible in ensuring the quality of
work, goods and services meet the required design and engineering standards. In the case where
specific requirements are not covered in the PTS, it is the responsibility of the
Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers to propose other proven or internationally established
standards or practices of the same level of quality and integrity as reflected in the PTS.

In issuing and making the PTS available, PETRONAS is not making any warranty on the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained in PTS. The Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers shall
ensure accuracy and completeness of the PTS used for the intended design and engineering
requirement and shall inform the Owner for any conflicting requirement with other international
codes and technical standards before start of any work.

PETRONAS is the sole copyright holder of PTS. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording or
otherwise) or be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever, without the prior written
consent of PETRONAS.

The PTS shall be used exclusively for the authorised purpose. The users shall arrange for PTS to be
kept in safe custody and shall ensure its secrecy is maintained and provide satisfactory information to
PETRONAS that this requirement is met.
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Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 4
1.1 SCOPE .............................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERM ........................................................................................................ 4
1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ................................................................................................. 5
2.0 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................... 6
2.1 DESIGN CODE AND STANDARD ....................................................................................... 6
2.2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS .............................................................................................. 6
2.3 RE-ASSESSMENT .............................................................................................................. 8
3.0 TOWER AND GUYED MAST FOUNDATIONS ............................................................ 9
3.1 GENERAL ......................................................................................................................... 9
3.2 ONSHORE ........................................................................................................................ 9
3.3 OFFSHORE ....................................................................................................................... 9
4.0 HAZARD WARNING.............................................................................................. 10
4.1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................................... 10
5.0 MISCELLANOUS DESIGN....................................................................................... 11
5.1 LADDERS AND LANDING PLATFORMS ........................................................................... 11
5.2 CABLE SUPPORTS .......................................................................................................... 11
5.3 OTHERS.......................................................................................................................... 11
6.0 CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................................... 13
6.1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................................... 13
7.0 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE......................................................................... 14
7.1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................................... 14
8.0 DOCUMENTATION ............................................................................................... 15
8.1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................................... 15
9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................... 16
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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This PTS provides the minimum technical requirements for design, construction, inspection
and maintenance of Supporting Structures for Telecommunication Equipment.

This PTS also incorporates PETRONAS lesson learnt and best practices, and supplements with
API RP2A, ISO 19901-3 and BS EN1993-3-1.

1.1 SCOPE

1.1.1 This PTS specify requirements for design, construction, inspection and maintenance of
Supporting Structures for Telecommunication Equipment in onshore and offshore areas to
ensure their integrity throughout the service life. These structures shall include:
i. Self-supporting Structure: tower and monopole
ii. Guyed-mast

1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERM

1.2.1 General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations

Refer to PTS 00.01.03 for PTS Requirements, General Definition Of Terms, Abbreviations &
Reading Guide.

1.2.2 Specific Definition of Terms

No Term Definition

1 Guyed-mast A steel lattice structure, built in the plan form of

triangular, square, rectangular or a cylindrical
steel structure, supported by diagonally
tensioned guy which is spaced equally around
the base and anchored to the ground

2 Monopole A self-supporting vertically cantilevered

cylindrical steel structure

3 Tower A self-supporting vertically cantilevered steel

lattice structure, built in the plan form of
triangular, square or rectangular
Table 1.1: Specific Definition of Terms

1.2.3 Specific Abbreviations

No Abbreviation Description

1 CAP Civil Aviation Procedure

2 CIMG Carigali Inspection and Maintenance Guideline

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No Abbreviation Description

3 COG Center of Gravity

4 FRP Fibre-Reinforced Plastic

5 GRP Glass-Reinforced Plastic

6 Gust Brief rise and fall in wind speed lasting less than
1min, typically grouped in four different
durations i.e. 3s, 5s, 15s, 60s

7 ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation

8 SWL Safe Working Load

Table 1.2: Specific Abbreviations

1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This PTS 11.22.21 (October 2017) replaces PTS 14.40.05 (November 2014).
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2.0 GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

The supporting structure for telecommunication equipment shall be designed by competent

Structural Engineer in collaboration between Telecom Engineer and Manufacturer of the
telecommunication equipment based on telecommunication specifications, drawings and
isometrics.

2.1 DESIGN CODE AND STANDARD

2.1.1 PTS 11.15.02 shall be adopted for the design of supporting structures located in onshore.

2.1.2 PTS 11.22.02 shall be adopted for the design of supporting structures located in offshore.

2.2 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

2.2.1 The following minimum scope of the structural design shall be carried out:

i. Pre-service Analysis:
a) Lifting & Upending, except for piece mill installation method
b) Transportation, applicable for offshore transportation in vertical position
with length more than 15m

ii. In-service Analysis:

a) Inplace
b) Wind-induced Vibration
c) Fatigue
d) Earthquake, if applicable

iii. Appurtenances Design:

a) Davit Arm
b) Bolted Connection Design
c) Guyed Wire Design
Guidance on these analyses can be found in specification stated in Section 2.1.

2.2.2 The structure shall have the adequate strength and stability to withstand the following loading
condition which combined of gravity and environmental loads:

i. Storm Condition with Maximum Gravity load

ii. Storm Condition with Minimum Gravity Load

iii. Operating Condition with Maximum Gravity Load

Storm and operating condition is referred to the gust wind speed with the associated return
period for each condition. Table 2.1 shows the wind speed criteria to be adopted for global
and local Onshore and Offshore Telecommunication Structures design.
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Load Condition
Gust
Storm Operating
Global - Onshore 3 sec 50-years 1-year
Global- Offshore 5 sec 100-years 1-year
Local- Equipment Supports 3 sec 100-years -
Table 2.1: Wind Speed Criteria for Onshore and Offshore Telecommunication Structures

2.2.3 Wind load for global structural design shall be based on total projected area of the structure
whereas wind load for equipment shall be calculated based on their respective actual surface
area stated in Vendor Datasheet. Utilise of actual area of structural members for wind load
determination is allowed for re-assessment purposes but subjected to Owner approval.

2.2.4 The wind load attracted by the large telecommunication equipment particularly from antenna
shall be accurately modelled and applied accordance to the COG of the equipment with
respect to the support frame.

2.2.5 Location of each equipment support shall be accurately modelled and reflected in the
Computer model to capture the right load transfer path from equipment to the primary
structure.

2.2.6 Live load of 1.5kPa shall be adopted for design of working or landing platform.

2.2.7 Deflection check shall be carried out for the following area:

i. Overall structural – horizontal deflection

ii. Working or Landing platform – vertical deflection

iii. Equipment support frame – horizontal deflection

Guidance on maximum allowable deflection can be found in specification stated in Section
2.1. More stringent or lower deflection limit can be applied subjected to deflection limitation
of the telecommunication equipment operation.

2.2.8 The new structures shall be designed with reserve structural capacity to accommodate
potential future telecommunication equipment. The strength utilisation ratio or unity check
(UC) for the structural primary members shall be less than 0.8 in the event of unavailability of
information of future mounting.

2.2.9 The new structures shall be designed with reserve structural capacity to accommodate
potential future telecommunication equipment. The strength utilisation ratio or unity check
(UC) for the structural primary members shall be less than 0.8 in the event of unavailability of
information of future mounting.
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2.2.10 Telecommunication supporting structure need not be modelled and integrated with the global
topside model, however their maximum reactions shall be accounted and applied in the global
topside model. As-built computer model and all relevant design analysis files shall be prepared
and handover to Owner upon project completion.

2.2.11 For offshore, any of the telecommunication equipment support structure design (tower or
pole structure), should be designed and fabricated by platform Contractor to ensure
consistency in design standard and specification.

2.2.12 Vent or flare line shall(PSR) not be installed on any of the telecommunication structure.
Similarly, vent or flare boom shall (PSR) not be used to mount telecommunication equipment.

2.3 RE-ASSESSMENT

2.3.1 Structural Integrity reassessment of existing telecommunication structures shall be in

accordance to PTS 11.25.02.

2.3.2 For offshore brownfield upgrade of telecommunication equipment particularly with

installation of new or larger Antenna, existing topside structural integrity connected to the
equipment support framing shall be re-assessed accordance to PTS 11.25.02.
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3.0 TOWER AND GUYED MAST FOUNDATIONS

3.1 GENERAL
Foundation for tower and guyed masts shall be designed to resist maximum reaction
(gravity, base shear and overturning moment) induced by the worst loading condition
stipulated in Section 2.2.2.

3.2 ONSHORE

3.2.1 Soil investigation accordance to PTS 11.11.01 shall be carried out on the exact proposed
location of the self-supporting tower or guyed mast.

3.2.2 The foundation design shall take cognizance of the soil investigation findings and reaction at
the installation site for purposes of determining bearing pressures (vertical and horizontal),
other sub-surface conditions to select suitable foundation type i.e. slope stability, reinforced
concrete blocks, standard pad and column, concrete raft, pre-set rock anchors and piles. The
design shall be in accordance to requirement stipulated in PTS 11.15.03 and PTS 11.13.01.

3.2.3 Three basic physical forces shall be taken into consideration whilst designing tower and masts
foundations. These are:

i. Gravity force

ii. Base shear

iii. Uplift force

iv. Tension and compression force (applicable for guyed wires)

3.2.4 Foundations and guy anchors constructed of concrete shall be permitted to cure properly
before any loads are applied to them.

3.2.5 Foundation design calculation for temporary structural support for self-supporting tower or
guyed mast erection shall be performed to check for stability. The temporary structural
supports is commonly configured in the form of backstay with certain number of guyed wires
tied to concrete block. The need to perform soil investigation on the temporary structural
support location should be based upon actual site observation and existing soil investigation
for the main structure.

3.3 OFFSHORE

3.3.1 Self-supporting tower is commonly adopted in offshore environment due to space constraint.
The foundation supports for the tower shall be positioned on primary members of the topside
structural framing to carry and resist the vertical load and overturning moment from the
tower.
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4.0 HAZARD WARNING

4.1 GENERAL

4.1.1 All relevant civil, aviation, and military authorities shall be notified and consulted on the
installation of telecommunication structures, particularly for structure to be installed in the
vicinity of airport or in a flight path.

4.1.2 Telecommunication structures which identified as aeronautical hazard shall be lighted in

accordance to Chapter 6, Annex 14-Volume I, ICAO – Visual Aids for Denoting Obstacles.

4.1.3 Telecommunication structures shall be painted accordance to specification given in PTS

15.20.03.

4.1.4 For telecommunication structures installed at offshore platform, marking and lighting
requirement stipulated in Chapter 4, CAP 437 shall be adopted and complied.
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5.0 MISCELLANOUS DESIGN REQUIREMENT

5.1 LADDERS AND LANDING PLATFORMS

5.1.1 The tower and guy-masts shall be designed with safe climbing system to ensure safety of
personnel while performing installation, inspection and maintenance on the structure.

5.1.2 Permanent climbing ladders shall be provided to the tower and guy-masts. The specification
of the ladder such as its climbing step and safety cage shall be designed accordance to PTS
11.22.02.

5.1.3 A fall arrester system (climb guided rail system) shall be provided as safety features to prevent
fall incident on all vertical ladders with length or vertical separation of two landing platform
more than 5m. The system shall be equipped with vertical rail and trolleys. The trolley shall
be of a smooth running snag free type.

5.1.4 For easy access and to facilitate works in a standing position, working platforms shall be
provided at each antenna level in order to provide an access to the rear of the antennas.

5.1.5 Landing platforms are to be provided and integrated with vertical ladder, in the event working
platform is not designed for.

5.1.6 All working and landing platform shall be installed with handrail and FRP/GRP Gratings, to be
designed accordance with PTS 11.22.02.

5.1.7 Live load and deflection limit given in Section 2.2 shall be adopted to design the landing and
working platform.

5.2 CABLE SUPPORTS

5.2.1 Cable separation with minimum 300mm between data cable and power cable are required for
new telecommunication tower to prevent electromagnetic interference in accordance with
PTS 14.00.06.

5.2.2 Spacing for cable support shall be provided with sufficient space for future expansion of
telecommunication equipment.

5.2.3 The cable support shall be designed accordance to the wind criteria specified in Section 2.2
and each maximum gravity weight. Vendor datasheet on the support requirement shall be
consulted to ensure the design is consistent with the recommended specification.

5.2.4 Clamping method and its material type for cable should be as recommended by Vendor or the
Manufacturer. Stainless steel material should be considered for offshore application.

5.3 OTHERS

5.3.1 Lightning protection system and electrical grounding for the structure shall be in accordance
with PTS 13.51.01.
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5.3.2 For onshore tower and guyed masts installation, a permanent single-gated fence with internal
walkway shall be constructed to completely enclose the immediate area around the base of
each tower including the guyed wire anchor foundation. Fencing requirement offshore tower
is optional, subjected to specific site security requirement or sensitivity of telecommunication
equipment installed.
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6.0 CONSTRUCTION

6.1 GENERAL

6.1.1 A complete construction procedure shall be submitted for Owner approval. For lattice tower
built with angle bar, specific erection and fit out sequence shall be prepared and submitted.

6.1.2 Construction of onshore reinforced concrete foundation shall be in accordance with PTS
11.15.03.

6.1.3 Anchor plate templates which provide proper anchor bolt orientation at the time of
foundation forming shall be used to eliminate problems associated with misalignment.

6.1.4 Anchor bolt templates shall be precisely fabricated and used in constructing tower or guyed
masts foundations in accordance with design specifications

6.1.5 Bolt lengths shall be such that with the locking device in place, a minimum of one complete
thread shall protrude beyond the nut.

6.1.6 Anchor bolt and all anchor hardware shall be coated with corrosion resistant paint or
compound accordance to PTS 15.20.03.

6.1.7 For installation of tower in offshore platform with height exceeding 30m or subjected to
maximum allowable crane hook height, telescopic type of design is permitted. The jack-up
system specification i.e. strand-jack, roller shall be submitted to Owner for approval.

6.1.8 Installation method statement for guyed masts with ginpole and pulley rods & rope (for light
masts) or power winch (heavy masts) shall be submitted to Owner for approval.

6.1.9 Guyed wire shall be tensioned in accordance with design tables provided by the Mast Supplier
using dynamometers connected between the lower end of the guyed wires and the
turnbuckles or bottle screws attached to the anchor plates during the erection activities.
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7.0 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

7.1 GENERAL

7.1.1 The inspection and maintenance interval and scope for telecommunication structures and
their appurtenances shall be in accordance with the requirement stipulated in CIMG.

7.1.2 For Onshore leased telecommunication structure, the inspection and maintenance strategy
(interval and scope) to be implemented based on the Vendor recommendation, whereas for
structures owned by respective Owner’s OPU, the strategy developed shall be consistent with
existing practise in the OPU.

7.1.3 Scopes as given below which is specific to angled type of lattice tower and guyed masts shall
be included during Baseline and In-service Inspection Campaign:

i. All exposed concrete foundation surface shall be checked for any sign of
deterioration.

ii. All guyed anchor shall be checked for movement or slippage from their original
positions, and for any sign of deformation or corrosion.

iii. Guyed mast alignment for its verticality and straightness, in accordance to design
specification.

iv. Guy tension check shall be performed during guyed mast re-alignment inspection.
In event the re-tension is required, this activities should be carried out in ambient
temperature and low wind condition. Air temperature shall be measured to
calibrate the tension to compensate the thermal expansion effect.

v. Bolted connection on lattice tower shall be subjected to close visual inspection

(CVI) which include loose connection, and missing or corroded bolt and nuts. Re-
tension and replace shall be carried out.

vi. All structural members connected directly with Antenna shall be checked to
detect sign of damage, bent, and buckle.
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8.0 DOCUMENTATION

8.1 GENERAL

8.1.1 Documentation requirement for handover to Owner shall be in accordance to PTS 11.22.02
and specific project requirement.

8.1.2 Specific documentation given below shall be made available and handover to Owner:

i. Guy tension in MT at specified temperature

ii. Guy properties i.e. size, length, attaching height

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9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

In this PTS, reference is made to the following Standards/Publications. Unless specifically

designated by date, the latest edition of each Standards/Publications shall be used, together
with any supplements/revisions thereto:

PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Index to PTS PTS 00.01.01
PTS Requirements, General Definition of Terms, Abbreviations & PTS 00.01.03
Reading Guide
Soil Investigation for Onshore Facilities PTS 11.11.01
Geotechnical Engineering Onshore Facilities PTS 11.13.01
Steel Structures PTS 11.15.02
Design and Construction of Reinforced Concrete Foundation PTS 11.15.03
and Structures
Design of Fixed Offshore Structures (Working Stress Design) PTS 11.22.02
Structural Integrity Fitness-for-purpose Assessment of PTS 11.25.02
Existing Fixed Offshore Structure
Lightning Protection System PTS 13.51.01
Instrument Signal Line PTS 14.00.06
Protective Coating and Linings PTS 15.20.03

MALAYSIAN STANDARDS
Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Act 1998 MCMC

INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Planning, Designing, and Constructing Fixed Offshore API RP 2A

Platforms – Working Stress Design
Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures BS EN 19901-1
Design of Steel Structures - Towers, Masts and Chimneys - BS EN 1993-3-1
Towers and Masts
Standards for offshore helicopter landing areas CAP 437
Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries - Specific ISO 19901-3
Requirements for Offshore Structures - Topside Structure