New TIA Standard Will Improve Communications in Tower Planning and Construction

Arlington, VA (August 25, 2016) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high tech communications networks, will release a new standard to facilitate improved communication between engineers and contractors when planning and assessing tower construction.

The new American National Standard Institute (ANSI) approved standard – ANSI/TIA-322, Loading Criteria, Analysis, and Design Related to the Installation, Alteration and Maintenance of Communication Structures, revises and redacts TIA’s original 1019-A standard which was first published in 2012.

Through a coordinated effort, TIA and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) have evolved   the original TIA-1019-A standard for two distinct audiences in construction planning and implementation. Portions of TIA-1019-A were brought into the existing standardization efforts underway in ASSE and drove the completion of the ANSI/ASSE A10.48 standard.

“I am extremely proud of the way our member volunteers worked together to develop and release this standard in less than a year,” said TIA CEO Scott Belcher. “The revisions have been anticipated for over a decade, so it was due to extraordinary work and focus by TIA’s TR-14 Engineering Committee to step-up and move this forward.”

Construction related loading, analysis and design requirements are now contained in the standard, while the construction means and methods provisions from ANSI/TIA-1019-A are covered in the ANSI/ASSE A10.48 standard.  The development of both revised standards to TIA-1019-A was a joint effort between TIA and ASSE to ensure the standards are synchronized.  ANSI/TIA-322 and ANSI/ASSE A10.48 each represent important roles required to complete the planning and construction process.  Both standards will go into effect January 1, 2017.

James Ruedlinger, chair of the TIA-322 task group developing ANSI/TIA-322, commented, “I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to all TIA members who served on the TR-14 Task Group 7 responsible for the ANSI/TIA-322.  Tremendous time and effort has been expended to produce this industry leading standard as it relates to loading, analysis, and design of communication structures under construction as well as specialized design criteria for tower lifting devices.  I would also like to sincerely thank my mentor, colleague, and dear friend Ernie Jones for his vision, integrity, and passion which served as the stimulus in the formation and ongoing development of this standard to promote construction awareness for the entire communications industry.”

TIA actively seeks participation in tower industry projects from the user and general interest communities. For more information about TR-14 and how to participate in standards development with TIA, contact Marianna Kramarikova at mkramarikova@tiaonline.org.

Media note: TIA standards may be purchased at http://global.ihs.com.

Contact

Ashley Simmons, 703-907-7704, asimmons@tiaonline.org

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details. TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org for details.