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U.S.
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
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Obstruction Lights
FAA Rules
for Monitoring Red Obstruction Lights
CHAPTER 5. RED OBSTRUCTION
LIGHT SYSTEM
52. CONTROL DEVICE
Red obstruction lights
should be operated by a satisfactory control device
(e.g., photo cell, timer, etc.) adjusted so the lights
will be turned ..on when the northern sky illuminance
reaching a vertical surface falls below a level of 60
foot-candles (645.3 lux) but before reaching a level of
35 foot-candles (367.7 lux). The control device should
turn the lights off when the northern sky illuminance
rises to a level of not more than 60 foot-candles (645.3
lux). The lights may also remain on continuously. The
sensing device should, if practical, face the northern
sky in the Northern Hemisphere. (See AC 150/5345--13.)
47. MONITORING
OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS
Obstruction lighting
systems should be closely monitored by visual or
automatic means. It is extremely important to visually
inspect obstruction lighting in all operating
intensities at least once every 24 hours on systems
without automatic monitoring. In the event a structure
is not readily accessible for visual observation, a
properly maintained automatic monitor should be used.
This monitor should be designed to register the
malfunction of any light on the obstruction regardless
of its position or color. When using remote monitoring
devices, the communication status and operational status
of the system should be confirmed at least once every 24
hours. The monitor (aural or visual) should be located
in an area generally occupied by responsible personnel.
In some cases, this may require a remote monitor in an
attended location. For each structure, a log should be
maintained in which daily operations status of the
lighting system is recorded.
23. LIGHT FAILURE
NOTIFICATION
a. Sponsors should keep in
mind that conspicuity is achieved only when all
recommended lights are working. Partial equipment
outages decrease the margin of safety. Any outage should
be corrected as soon as possible. Failure of a steady
burning side or intermediate light should be corrected
as soon as possible, but notification is not required.
b. Any failure or
malfunction that lasts more than thirty (30) minutes and
affects a top light or flashing obstruction light,
regardless of its position, should be reported
immediately to the nearest flight service station (FSS)
so a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) can be issued. Toll-free
numbers for FSS are listed in most telephone books or on
the FAA's Website at www.faa.gov/ats/ata/ata400. This
report should contain the following information:
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Name of persons or organizations reporting light
failures including any title, address, and telephone
number.
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The type of structure.
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Location of structure (including latitude and
longitude, if known, prominent structures, landmarks,
etc.).
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Height of structure above ground level (AGL)/above
mean sea level (AMSL), if known.
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A return to service date.
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FCC Antenna Registration Number (for structures that
are regulated by the FCC).
Notes:
1. When the primary lamp
in a double obstruction light fails, and the secondary
lamp comes on, no report is required. However, when one
of the lamps in an incandescent L-864 flashing red
beacon fails, it should be reported
2. After 15 days, the
NOTAM is automatically deleted from the system The
sponsor is requested to call the nearest FSS to extend
the outage date. !n addition. the sponsor is required to
report a return to service date.
P&R offers commercial
panels to meet the requirements above. The size and
complexity of the panel depends on the number of red
obstruction lights and red beacons, whether the lights
are flashing type, and whether there needs to be
contacts for remote alarms. Specify P&R Technologies
Type M1AA.
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