ITEM MO-101 AIRPORT ROTATING BEACONS

DESCRIPTION

101-1.1 This item shall consist of furnishing and installing airport rotating beacons. This work shall
include the mounting, leveling, wiring, painting, servicing, and testing of the beacon and all materials and
incidentals necessary to place the beacons in operating condition as a completed unit to the satisfaction of
the Engineer. This item shall include a mounting platform if specified in the plans.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

101-2.1 GENERAL.

a. Airport lighting equipment and materials covered by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
specifications shall be certified and listed under Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5345-53 (current version),
Airport Lighting Equipment Certification Program.

b. All other equipment and materials covered by other referenced specifications shall be subject
to acceptance through manufacturer's certification of compliance with the applicable specification when
requested by the Engineer.

c. Manufacturer’s certifications shall not relieve the Contractor of the Contractor’s responsibility
to provide materials in accordance with these specifications and acceptable to the Engineer. Materials
supplied and/or installed that do not materially comply with these specifications shall be removed, when
directed by the Engineer and replaced with materials, which do comply with these specifications, at the
sole cost of the Contractor.

d. All materials and equipment used to construct this item shall be submitted to the Engineer for
approval prior to ordering the equipment. Submittals consisting of marked catalog sheets or shop
drawings shall be provided. Submittal data shall be presented in a clear, precise and thorough manner.
Original catalog sheets are preferred. Photocopies are acceptable provided they are as good a quality as
the original. Clearly and boldly mark each copy to identify pertinent products or models applicable to
this project. Indicate all optional equipment and delete non-pertinent data. Submittals for components or
electrical equipment and systems shall identify the equipment for which they apply on each submittal
sheet. Markings shall be boldly and clearly made with arrows or circles (highlighting is not acceptable).
Contractor is solely responsible for delays in project accruing directly or indirectly from late submissions
or resubmissions of submittals.

e. The data submitted shall be sufficient, in the opinion of the Engineer, to determine compliance
with the Contract Documents plans and specifications. The Contractor's submittals (five (5) copies) shall
be neatly bound in a properly sized 3-ring binder, tabbed by specification section. The Engineer reserves
the right to reject any and all equipment, materials or procedures, which, in the Engineer’s opinion, does
not meet the system design and the standards and codes, specified herein.

f. All equipment and materials furnished and installed under this section shall be guaranteed
against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of at least twelve (12) months from final
acceptance by the Owner. The defective materials and/or equipment shall be repaired or replaced, at the
Owner's discretion, with no additional cost to the Owner.

101-2.2 BEACON. The beacon shall meet the requirements of AC 150/5345-12, Specification for
Airport and Heliport Beacons. The beacon shall be a Type L-801A, medium intensity, Class 2.

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101-2.3 PANEL BOARDS AND BREAKERS. Panel boards and breakers shall conform to the
requirements of Fed. Spec. W-P-115.

101-2.4 WEATHERPROOF CABINETS. The weatherproof cabinets shall conform to National

Electrical Manufacturers Association Standards and shall be constructed of steel not less than No. 16 USS
gauge.

101-2.5 WIRE. Wire in conduit rated up to 5,000 volts shall conform to AC 150/5345-7, Specification
for L-824 Underground Electrical Cable for Airport Lighting Circuits for Rubber Insulated Neoprene
Covered Wire, or Fed. Spec. J-C-30, Type RHW, for rubber insulated fibrous covered wire. For ratings
up to 600 volts, the thermoplastic wire conforming to Fed. Spec. J-C-30, Types TW, THW, and THWN,
shall be used.  The wires shall be of the type, size, number of conductors, and voltage shown in the plans
or in the proposal.

101-2.6 CONDUIT. Rigid steel conduit and fittings shall conform to the requirements of Underwriters
Laboratories Standard 6, 514, and 1242.

101-2.7 PAINT.

a. Priming paint for ungalvanized metal surfaces shall be a high solids alkyd primer conforming
to TT-P-664D.

b. Priming paint for galvanized metal surfaces shall be zinc dust-zinc oxide primer paint
conforming to MIL-DTL-24441/19B. If necessary, add not more than ½ pint of turpentine to each gallon.

c. Orange paint for the body and the finish coats on metal and wood surfaces shall consist of a
ready-mixed non-fading paint meeting the requirements of Fed. Spec. TT-E-489. The color shall be in
accordance with Federal Standard 595, Aviation Gloss Orange Number 12197.

d. White paint for body and finish coats on metal and wood surfaces shall be ready-mixed paint
conforming to the Master Painter’s Institute, Reference #9, Exterior Alkyd, Gloss, VOC Range E2.

e. Priming paint for wood surfaces shall be mixed on the job by thinning the above-specified orange
or white paint with ½ pint of raw linseed oil to each gallon.

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

101-3.1. PLACING THE BEACON. The beacon shall be mounted on a beacon tower, platform, or
building roof as shown in the plans.

101-3.2 HOISTING AND MOUNTING. The beacon shall be hoisted to the mounting platform by
using suitable slings and hoisting tackle. Before fastening the beacon to the mounting platform, the
mounting holes shall be checked for correct spacing. Beacon base or mounting legs shall not be strained
or forced out of position to fit incorrect spacing of mounting holes. The beacon base shall be raised first,
set in position, and bolted in place. The drum shall then be raised and assembled to the base.

101-3.3 LEVELING. After the beacon has been mounted in place, it shall be accurately leveled
following manufacturer’s instructions. The leveling shall be checked in the presence of the Engineer and
shall be to the Engineer's satisfaction.

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101-3.4 SERVICING. Before placing the beacon in operation, the Contractor shall check the
manufacturer’s manual for proper servicing requirements. Follow the manufacturer’s servicing
requirements for each size beacon.

101-3.5 BEAM ADJUSTMENT. After the beacon has been mounted and leveled, the elevation of the
beams shall be adjusted. The final beam adjustments shall be made at night so that results can be readily
observed. The beams shall be adjusted to the elevation directed by the Engineer or as shown in the plans,
except that, in no case shall the elevation of the beams be less than 2  degrees above the horizontal.

101-3.6 BEACON MOUNTING PLATFORM. Where the beacon is to be mounted at a location other
than the beacon tower and where a special mounting platform is required, the construction of this
mounting platform and any necessary lightning protection equipment shall be in accordance with the
details shown in the plans.

101-3.7 WIRING. The Contractor shall furnish all necessary labor and materials and shall make
complete above ground electrical connections in accordance with the wiring diagram furnished with the
project plans. The electrical installation shall conform to the requirements of the latest edition of National
Fire Protection Association, NFPA-70, National Electric Code.

Copies of the National Electric Code may be obtained form the National Fire Protection Associations,
Inc., One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269.

If underground cable for the power feed from the transformer vault to the beacon site and duct for this
cable installation is required, the cable, ground rods and duct shall be installed in accordance with and
paid for as described in Item MO-108, Underground Power Cable for Airports, and Item MO -110, Airport
Underground Electrical Duct Banks and Conduit.

Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall connect the tell-tale relay mechanism in the beacon to
energize the tower obstruction light circuit when failure of the beacon service (primary) lamp occurs.

If lightning protection is specified in the plans or proposal as a part of this item, it shall be installed in
accordance with 103-2.3 in Item MO-103, Airport Beacon Towers.

101-3.8 PANEL AND CABINET. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish and install at
the top of the beacon tower or mounting platform a circuit-breaker panel consisting of four 15-ampere
breakers mounted in a weather-proof cabinet to provide separate protection for the circuits to the beacon
lamps, motor, obstruction lights, and other equipment. The cabinet shall be located on the side of the
beacon platform, as directed by the Engineer.

101-3.9 CONDUIT. All exposed wiring shall be run in not less than ¾ inch galvanized rigid steel
conduit. No conduit shall be installed on top of a beacon platform floor. All conduit shall be installed to
provide for drainage. If mounted on a steel beacon tower, the conduit shall be fastened to the tower
members with “wraplock” straps, clamps, or approved fasteners, spaced approximately 5 feet apart. The
conduit shall be fastened to wooden structures with galvanized pipe straps and with galvanized wood
screws not less than No. 8 or less than 1-¼ inches long. There shall be at least two fastenings for each 10-
foot length.

101-3.10 BOOSTER TRANSFORMER. If shown in the plans or specified in job specifications, a

booster transformer to compensate for voltage drop to the beacon shall be installed in a suitable
weatherproof housing under or on the tower platform or at the base of the tower. The installation shall be
as indicated in the plans and described in the proposal. If the booster transformer is required for

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installation remote from the beacon, it shall be installed in accordance with and paid for as part of the
beacon installation.

101-3.11 PHOTOELECTRIC CONTROL. If shown in the plans or specified in job specifications, the
Contractor shall furnish and install an automatic control switch at the location indicated in the plans. The
switch shall be a photoelectric type. It shall be a standard commercially available unit that will energize
when the northern sky illuminance falls below 60 footcandles but before reaching a level of 35
footcandles. The photoelectric switch should de-energize when the northern sky illuminance rises to a
level of not more than 60 footcandles. It shall be installed, connected, and adjusted in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions.

101-3.12 OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall install on the top
of the beacon tower or mounting platform two L-810 obstruction lights on opposite corners. These lights
shall be mounted on conduit extensions to a height of not less than 4 inches above the top of the beacon.
They shall be connected in series into the tell-tale circuit with the necessary relay and wiring connections.

101-3.13 PAINTING. If construction of a wooden mounting platform is stipulated in the proposal as

part of this item, all wooden parts of the platform shall be given one priming coat of white or aviation-
orange paint after fabrication but before erection and one body and one finish coat of aviation-orange
paint after erection. Steel mounting platforms shall be given one priming coat of corrosion-inhibiting
primer before erection and one body and one finish coat of aviation-orange paint after erection. All
equipment installed under this contract and exposed to the weather shall be given one body and one finish
coat of aviation-orange or white paint as required. This shall include beacon (except glass surfaces),
beacon base, breaker cabinet, all conduit, and transformer cases. It shall not include air terminals or
obstruction light globes.

The paint shall be applied uniformly in the proper consistency by skilled painters. The finished paint
shall be free from sags, holidays, and smears. Each coat of paint shall be given ample time to dry and
harden before the next coat of paint is applied. A minimum of 3 days shall be allowed for drying on
wood surfaces, and a minimum of 4 days shall be allowed for drying on metal surfaces. Painting shall not
be done in cold, damp, foggy, dusty, or frosty atmospheres, or when air temperature is below 40º F, nor
started when the weather forecast indicates such conditions for the day.

All surfaces shall be cleaned before painting. The surfaces shall be dry and free from scale, grease, rust,
dust, and dirt when paint is applied. All knots in wood surfaces shall be covered with shellac
immediately before applying the priming coat of paint. Nail holes and permissible imperfections shall be
filled with putty. The ready-mixed paint shall be thinned for the priming and body coats in accordance
with the manufacturer's recommendations. In the absence of such recommendations, the following shall
apply:

a. Body coats (for both wood and steel surfaces) - add ½ pint of turpentine to each gallon of
ready-mixed paint for body coats.

b. Finish coats (for both wood and steel surfaces) the ready-mixed paint shall be used as it comes
from the container for finish coats.

101-3.14 TESTING. The installation shall be fully tested in operation as a completed unit prior to
acceptance. These tests shall include operation of the lamp-changer operation and taking megger and
voltage readings. The insulation resistance to ground of the beacon supply circuit shall be not less than
50 megohms. Testing equipment shall be furnished by the Contractor. Tests shall be conducted in the
presence of the Engineer and shall be to the Engineer’s satisfaction.

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 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

101-4.1 The quantity to be paid for shall be the number of beacons installed as completed units in place,
accepted, and ready for operation.

BASIS OF PAYMENT

101-5.1 Payment will be made at the contract unit price for each completed and accepted job. This price
shall be full compensation for furnishing all materials and for all preparation, assembly, and installation
of these materials, and for all labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals necessary to complete this item.

Payment will be made under:

Item MO-101-5.1 Airport Rotating Beacon (In Place) -- per unit

MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

AC 150/5345-7 Specification for L-824 Underground Cable for Airport

Lighting Circuits

AC 150/5345-12 Specification for Airport and Heliport Beacons

FED SPEC J-C-30 Cable and Wire, Electrical (Power, Fixed Installation)
(cancelled; replaced by A-A-59544 Cable and Wire,
Electrical (Power, Fixed Installation))

FED SPEC TT-E-489 Enamel, Alkyd, Gloss, Low VOC Content

FED SPEC TT-P-664D Primer Coating, Alkyd, Corrosion-Inhibiting, Lead and

Chromate Free, VOC-Compliant

FED SPEC W-P-115 Panel, Power Distribution

FED STD 595 Colors Used in Government Procurement

MIL-P-24441/19B Paint, Epoxy-Polyamide, Zinc Primer, Formula 159,

Type III

Underwriters Laboratories Standard 6 Rigid Metal Conduit

Underwriters Laboratories Standard 514 Fittings for Conduit and Outlet Boxes

Underwriters Laboratories Standard 1242 Intermediate Metal Conduit

NFPA-70 National Electric Code

NFPA-780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection

Systems

Master Painter’s Institute

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