The FAA’s "7/8 Inch Rule" for Tower Lighting
Megan Stockton • March 29, 2018
Here’s a summary of the “7/8 Inch Rule”, what to avoid and how to resolve.
Here is an example of a tower lighting beacon that is nested below antennas that are greater than 7/8” diameter. This lighting system is out of compliance and is creating a hazard due to lack of visibility.
Background
Towers are vertical real estate. Real estate is all about “location, location, location”. Of course, the prime location in vertical real estate is at the top of the tower. This can lead to the addition of antennas over time as this prime real estate is crowded. To ensure proper visibility of the any light on tower the FAA has included provisions in its Advisory Circular regarding the maximum size of any object, either horizontally or vertically, blocking, or partially blocking, visibility of the that light. The regulation spells out limits on such situations which are referred to by some as the “7/8 Inch Rule.” In this article we point to the regulation and review ways to resolve this issue if you encounter it.
Regulation
FAA Advisory Circular 70/7460-1L CHG1 Section 4.7.7 spells out the regulation as follows:
Nesting of Lights. Care should be taken to ensure that obstruction lights do not
become blocked or “nested” as new antennas, hardware, or appurtenances are added to the top of a structure. If new equipment is added that blocks the obstruction light’s visibility, the light fixtures must be relocated and/or raised so that it is not blocked by the new equipment. For example, when new larger cellular antenna panels are fitted to older towers, the obstruction light will need to be raised so that it is not blocked by the larger antenna panels. The widest structure, appurtenance, lightning rod, or antenna that can be placed in front of an obstruction light (excluding the L-810 light) without significantly blocking the obstruction light’s visibility should be no wider than 7/8 of an inch. Due to their smaller size, L-810 lights should not be blocked by any structure.
Examples
Here are a few examples of 7/8 Inch Rule violations that may not be as obvious to a tower owner.
Noncompliance as viewed from the ground. | Noncompliance as viewed from the top.
Approaches to Fix the Problem
There are three basic resolutions to the problem.
- Remove any antennas or other object that cause noncompliance. This is obvious, but typically not simple or even feasible.
- Extend the beacon using a beacon extension system. This is a logical approach that can ensure compliance. The biggest challenges are to ensure proper mounting infrastructure and structural integrity and to make sure you have the proper service loop existing in the cable. If the cable’s service loop is not long enough then a re-wire may be required or the installation of an undesirable electrical junction at the top.
- Install a “+1 system”. This solution involves repositioning the existing beacon and adding a second beacon, both positioned in a manner to ensure 360° visibility of the system. This offers the advantage of not having to move any antennas or other items but creates the need for a second beacon. The second beacon would need to be engineered to ensure proper cabling connectivity and control resulting in synchronous flashing with the other beacons on the tower.
More Information on our Portal
LumenServe’s FAARegulations Portal
contains all the important links to Federal obstruction lighting regulations for your towers including:
- Full color FAA Lighting System Illustrations for each of the most common tower styles.
- Links to helpful FCC/FAA tower related sites.
- All the links to the current and previous FAA Circulars which govern obstruction lighting (AC 70/7460).
- Request an FAA Tower Lighting Compliance Illustration – the industry’s best illustration to help simplified tower lighting compliance.
We hope our article on the 7/8 Inch Rule is helpful and remember that LumenServe℠
can help you analyze the costs and benefits of all your options. Also, do not forget, as the nation’s first Tower Lighting as a Service℠ company, LumenServe℠ can provide qualified customers with a lighting solution that requires no-upfront costs.
For more information, please contact LumenServe℠ at: (512) 580-4600
info@LumenServe.com
We extend our condolences to the families impacted by the recent helicopter crash in Houston’s Second Ward. While the cause is still under investigation, this tragedy is a reminder of how crucial obstruction lighting is for aviation safety. At LumenServe ℠ , we are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that ensure your towers meet federal compliance standards, operate at peak efficiency, and ultimately protect lives. With cutting-edge technology, including Infrared (IR)-capable LED lighting systems, we help you stay ahead in safety and compliance without compromising on quality or cost.
Effective as of September 11, 2020, the FAA requires Infrared Emitters (IR) for your LED obstruction lighting for newly constructed towers or circular updates. The FAA’s Advisory Circular (AC) spells out the specifications for IR and obstruction lighting equipment. The obstruction lighting rules were created in response to the Safety Risk Assessment of LEDs in Aircraft Operations with the FAA establishing IR specifications for LED based obstruction lights. Specifications are contained in Airport Engineering Brief 98 and Infrared Specifications for Aviation Obstruction Light Compatibility with Night Vision Goggles, published December 18, 2017. Military, emergency service, and other helicopter pilots are starting to use NVGs more frequently for increased safety and to amplify visible light. The illustrations below highlight the need for IR with your obstruction lighting.
Simplify Your Tower Lighting Compliance with LumenServe℠ Attention tower owners! Staying on top of federally mandated lighting compliance regulations is crucial, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. LumenServe℠ is here to help with our all-inclusive program that takes the stress out of compliance and monitoring. Are You Up to Date with FAA Regulations? Here's a straightforward compliance checklist: Monitor Your Lighting Systems: If there's an unresolved qualifying outage, file a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) with the FAA within 30 minutes, and clear the NOTAM once resolved. Daily Monitoring Logs: Create and maintain compliance logs for at least two years. Quarterly On-Site Inspections: Ensure your lighting systems are functioning correctly. Paint Inspections: Check the top portion of Style A towers. Biennial Lens Inspections: Regularly inspect your lenses every two years. Stay Ahead with New Regulations Regulations are always evolving. Whether it's the 7/8ths inch rule, IR lighting specifications, or the Avian standard, staying compliant can be a challenge. But that's where LumenServe℠ comes in! LumenServe℠ offers a complete range of compliance services to make your life easier: Compliance & Monitoring Services 24/7/365 Active Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of your lighting system. Remote Diagnostics: Quickly identify and resolve issues. FAA NOTAM Management: Reporting, tracking, and resolution. Daily Logs: Maintain logs with over two years of storage. Lighting Circular Validation FAA Rule Updates: Stay informed on new rules like the 7/8ths inch rule, IR LEDs, and aviation lighting regulations. Customer Reports: Stay in the loop with everything regarding your tower lighting. On-Site Tower Lighting Inspections Quarterly Lighting Inspections: Regular checks to ensure proper operation. Biennial Lens Inspections: Comprehensive lens checks every two years. Paint Inspections: For the top portion of Style A towers. Real-Time Monitoring and Updates With our 24/7/365 Network Operations Centers and customer portal, you'll always be informed about your tower’s health, alarm status, maintenance, and repair history. Trust LumenServe℠ for Compliance Rely on us to keep your tower compliant. Our expertise and scale can save you money and free up your time to focus on your core business. Contact LumenServe℠ today to learn more about our services. Contact Us Phone: (512) 580-4600 Email: info@LumenServe.com
Tower owners with FAA Style A marking, which includes painted towers with red obstruction lighting at night, should be aware that there are cost-saving options to consider when it comes to periodic painting required for compliance. Here at LumenServe ℠ , our Never Paint Your Tower A gain program eliminates the need to repaint your tower for obstruction lighting purposes. First, let us clarify some background information. Painting of the structure: FAA Style A towers are painted to ensure visibility for air navigation, with specific requirements for painting the structure. The most important requirement is that the paint must meet the FAA's Aviation Orange color standard, which is Federal Standard 595 color #17875 for white and color #12197 for aviation orange. Additionally, the number of bands required on the tower depends on its height. You can visit our website for helpful information on each FAA Tower Style. Cost of painting of the structure: When evaluating the cost of painting a structure, there are five primary cost drivers: Material cost of paint – Paint costs approximately $70 per gallon with each gallon covering roughly 400 sq. ft. Tower type – There are three primary tower types - Guyed, Self-Supported, or Monopole. Each tower type is unique and requires a different amount of labor to complete depending on total surface area and other factors. Height of tower – As one would expect, the height of the tower is directly proportional to the amount of labor required to do the painting. Tower location – Tower crews charge to mobilize to the site. The more difficult it is to get to the location, the more the tower crew will charge to get there. Tower crew labor cost – The labor cost to paint your tower is typically based on the hours of work required for the project. Typically, labor will range from $25 per tower foot to $80 per tower foot depending on tower type, height, and location. Annual paint test:
In the world of tower maintenance, costs can soar to new heights, especially when it comes to climbs. Picture this: a typical climb on a 325’ tower can set you back a staggering $2,500 each time – a price that quickly accumulates with multiple climbs over the life of your lighting system. Now, what if we told you that there's a smarter, more cost-effective way to safeguard your tower's lighting without breaking the bank? Enter our fully comprehensive Assurance Warranty Service , an unbeatable solution that not only saves you money but offers peace of mind like never before. With an annual cost that is less than ½ of the cost a single tower climb referenced above, you'll receive not only all the tower climbs necessary to support your lighting system, but a level of support that covers everything from diagnostics to repairs, equipment replacements, mobilization and more. Our Assurance Warranty Service is only available with newly purchased and installed systems through LumenServe or through our Tower Lighting as a Service ® solution. Our Assurance Warranty Service is designed to be a game-changer in tower lighting maintenance. It covers the full array of services need to keep your system operational and in full compliance including: Problem diagnosis Remote troubleshooting Equipment replacement Site mobilization and expenses Repair labor on the ground Tower climb labor Shipping and transport RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) Firmware upgrades All associated expenses In essence, it's your one-stop solution for ensuring the proper operation of your tower lighting system. Here are some more details on our Assurance Warranty Service . The math is simple: when you opt for the LumenServe℠ solutions that includes our Assurance Warranty, you're not just saving money; you're investing in long-term reliability and peace of mind. Say goodbye to the anxiety of unpredictable costs associated with tower climbs and embrace a more cost-effective and comprehensive approach to tower lighting maintenance. Join us on a journey where you can "Scale Heights, Not Costs," and let your tower shine brighter than ever before. For more information, please contact LumenServe℠ today!
Attention all tower owners! Keeping up with the Federally required lighting compliance regulations for your towers is a vital responsibility, but it doesn't have to be a burden. At LumenServe℠, we offer a comprehensive program to take the hassle of compliance and monitoring off your plate.
Virtually all lighting system original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) provide a warranty on their product, but what are you really getting with that warranty? With the Tower Lighting as a Service® approach from LumenServe℠ you get an Assurance Warranty that covers more than the average product warranty – we provide an end-to-end solution with no hidden costs. This ensures you stay on budget while not having to worry about your tower lighting. Let’s look at what you are getting (or not getting) with your current lighting system OEM warranty and compare it to what LumenServe offers in our bumper-to-bumper solution. The LumenServe℠ Assurance Warranty LumenServe℠ offers Assurance Warranty solutions as part of our full range of services that ensure that there are no unexpected costs with repairing and maintaining your system. Our approach is all inclusive: on ground, above ground, equipment and materials, labor and mobilization. You get flat pricing for up to five years so there are no budget surprises! How Does Your Current Lighting System Warranty Compare?
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Let Us Help You Ensure FAA Compliance Keeping up with your towers’ federally mandated compliance and monitoring requirements is an expensive and time-consuming responsibility. Compliance is a must and requires you to constantly ensure that your towers adhere to the proper regulations with proper procedures and documentation. How would you like to never worry about this again… for zero upfront cost? LumenServe℠ is a full-service tower lighting company which means we take the burden of compliance and monitoring activities off your plate. Included with our unique Tower Lighting as a Service® program, is a full range of compliance services including: FAA Compliance & Reporting ● FAA NOTAM Reporting ● NOTAM Tracking and Resolution ● Lighting Circular Validation ● Notification of FAA Rule Updates such as: ○ 7/8 Inch Rule ○ IR LEDs ○ Aviation Lighting Regulations Monitoring ● Active Monitoring of Lighting ● 24/7/365 Monitoring ● Remote Diagnostics ● Daily Logs (2+ Years Storage) ● NOTAM Reporting to Customer ● Compliance Events On-site Tower Lighting Inspections ● Quarterly Lighting Inspections ● Biennial Lens Inspections ● Annual Paint Inspections at the top portion of the tower (Style A towers only) The new requirements related to Infrared Lighting (IR) are also an area we can help you with. Another option to learn more about is our Never Paint Your Tower Again where we assist you in changing your tower type from painted to dual mode. With Tower Lighting as a Service® . We will help you to update the FAA paperwork to make the change to dual mode, buy you a new lighting system, take care of it with our Assurance Warranty Service, and take care of the necessary compliance and monitoring. With our 24/7/365 Network Operations Centers and customer portal we can keep you informed of your tower’s overall system health status, alerts and alarm status maintenance and repair history. Your time is better spent on your core business and not on tower lighting. Let us use our size, scale, and expertise to free up your time to tend to your business and save you money too. To learn more about us and our services please contact LumenServe℠: (512) 580-4600 info@LumenServe.com
Not all warranties are the same…
