Cell Towers

[Jerramundi]

I have been a consultant on several easement / lease issues that were in dispute.
And there a few things I would put in the lease if they apply (there was a lawsuit about each one):

• No directional boring to the site, all open trenches.
• No overhead lines
• Put a limit in db on the backup generator(s).
• Put a time limit on any vandalism / graffiti / trash clean up with a back charge if you have to deal with it.
• Be specific about the fencing if that matters.
• All permits (building , electrical, mechanical) / FCC stuff must be finalized before the site is operational.

I'm nowhere near capable of processing one of these jobs on my own, but I'm curious... why would there be a lawsuit about open trenches as opposed to directional boring? Did someone fall in a trench?

 

[tortuga]

I'm nowhere near capable of processing one of these jobs on my own, but I'm curious... why would there be a lawsuit about open trenches as opposed to directional boring? Did someone fall in a trench?

The directional boring contractor bored thru an existing streetlighting duct, and another telecommunications providers underground structures, but claimed otherwise. The damages had to be first fixed by the HOA who did not have enough insurance to cover it.

 

[Jerramundi]

The directional boring contractor bored thru an existing streetlighting duct, and another telecommunications providers underground structures, but claimed otherwise. The damages had to be first fixed by the HOA who did not have enough insurance to cover it.

How does an HOA come into play with utility work such as this? I guess I'm not used to cell sites on properties that would invoke an HOA. I've only been on ones that were on commercial properties like a bank parking lot and my mind struggles to associate an HOA to that kind of experience.

And the way you framed your initial post... it read like the problem was that trenching was utilized as opposed to boring... which is what I was asking about out of sheer curiosity. Does boring HAVE to be utilized?

 

[tortuga]

How does an HOA come into play with utility work such as this? I guess I'm not used to cell sites on properties that would invoke an HOA. I've only been on ones that were on commercial properties like a bank parking lot and my mind struggles to associate an HOA to that kind of experience.

And the way you framed your initial post... it read like the problem was that trenching was utilized as opposed to boring... which is what I was asking about out of sheer curiosity. Does boring HAVE to be utilized?

The HOA leased some unused land for a cell site. But to access the site the telcom had to bury lines across the HOA common areas. This was many years ago so directional may have gotten more accurate now. It was a total mess.

 

[winnie]

I'm guessing the problem isn't the directional boring, but rather the responsibility when the underground install goes wrong.

-Jon

 

[Jerramundi]

Alright I guess no one's answering my question, which was... is directional boring something that MUST be utilized as opposed to trenching for some reason? @tortuga said "no directional boring, all open trenches" implying, to me, that trenching was a problem and that directional boring MUST be utilized.

 

[retirede]

I'm guessing the problem isn't the directional boring, but rather the responsibility when the underground install goes wrong.

-Jon

Exactly…they could have had the same issue if the guy did the damage while trenching and covered it up without owning up to it. A proper liability clause should cover all manners of construction mishaps.

 

[tortuga]

Exactly…they could have had the same issue if the guy did the damage while trenching and covered it up without owning up to it. A proper liability clause should cover all manners of construction mishaps.

Good point, but trenches can be inspected

 

[tortuga]

Alright I guess no one's answering my question, which was... is directional boring something that MUST be utilized as opposed to trenching for some reason? @tortuga said "no directional boring, all open trenches" implying, to me, that trenching was a problem and that directional boring MUST be utilized.

I was suggesting not to allow the use of directional boring.

 

[ggunn]

I was suggesting not to allow the use of directional boring.

Eight years or so ago I designed 11 PV systems for a school district where a lot of the conductors were set UG though boring (not my call). It was fraught with problems. They hit water lines, electric cables, and in one case, a gas main. That one was interesting; luckily there was no fire and no one got hurt.

 

[petersonra]

One of the cable contractors installing UG cable lines ran through a storm sewer near here not real long ago. I think it was discovered in some kind of camera inspection of the storm sewer years later.

 

[Jerramundi]

I was suggesting not to allow the use of directional boring.

Alright thank you, that answers my question. Not sure why that's your position. It sounded like the issue was with open trenches. And the sites that I've been on utilized directional boring. As far as I can recall, there were no problems. Unless they were discovered after the fact because I didn't stay with that company forever.

 

[zbang]

Open trenching could make some sites too expensive to construct (e.g. across a parking lot or a stream), but it's just another one to bring up with the lawyer and let them figure out how to keep the land owner protected. It's also something to bring up when evaluating whatever proposal the tower company brings.

 

[GoldDigger]

Alright thank you, that answers my question. Not sure why that's your position. It sounded like the issue was with open trenches. And the sites that I've been on utilized directional boring. As far as I can recall, there were no problems. Unless they were discovered after the fact because I didn't stay with that company forever.

I guess that with directional boring you might not be quite as precise as to where the conduits are when work is done later. And you will not have a tape or sand layer as a warning.