Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCUP 12-13; SDG&E STEEL POLE; RADIO FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS EXPOSURE; 2012-09-18YOUR RF SAFETY PARTNER RADIO FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS EXPOSURE REPORT Prepared for Sprint Site Name: SDG&E Steel Pole #2718327 Site ID: SD34XC861 Site Type: Powerline Tower Located at: 1926 Swallow Lane Carlsbad, CA 92009 Latitude: 33.1087 I Longitude: -117.2680 Report Date: 9/18/2012 Page 1/10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Dtech Communications, LLC ("Dtech") has been retained by Sprint to detennine whether its wireless communications facility complies with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") Radio Frequency ("RF") Safety Guidelines. This report contains a computer- simulated analysis of the Electromagnetic Fields ('EMF"') exposure resulting from the facility. The table below summarizes the result at a glance: Table 1: EMF Summary Access to antennas locked NA RFS None Recommended NA Max cwnulative EMF level for 0.6% General Population Yes-with recommendations BACKGROUND Dtech uses the FCC's guidelines described in detail in Office of Engineering & Technology, Bulletin No. 65 ("OET-65'') "Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation". Table 2 below summarizes the current Maximum Permissible Exposure ("MPE") safety limits classified into two groups: General population and Occupational. 11526 Somnto Valley Road, Ste. F • San Di~go, C4 92121 • 858.792.0066 • www.dtechcotn.com Page 2/10 Table 2: FCC MPE Limits (from OET-65) 30 300 0.2 30 1.0 6 300-1500 Frequency (Mhz)/1500 30 Frequency (Mhz)/300 6 0.2-1.0 L0-5.0 1500-1.0 30 5.0 6 100,000 Generalpopulation/uncontrolledlimits apply in situations in which the general public may be exposed or in which persons who are exposed as a consequence of their employment, and may not be fully aware of the potential for exposure or cannot exercise control over their exposure. Therefore, members of the general public always fall under this category when exposure is not employment-related. Occupational/controlled limits apply in situations in which persons are exposed as a consequence of their employment, and those persons have been made fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over their exposure. Occupational/ controlled limits also apply where exposure is of a transient nature as a result of incidental passage through a location where exposure levels may be above general population/ uncontrolled limits, as long as the exposed person has been made fully aware of the potential for exposure and can exercise control over his or her exposure by leaving the area or by some other appropriate means. It is important to understand that the FCC guidelines specify expos11re limits not emission limits. For a transmitting facility to be out of compliance with the FCC's RF safety guidelines an area or areas where levels exceed the MPE limits must, first of all, be in some way accessible to the public or to workers. When accessibility to an area where excessive levels is appropriately restricted, the facility or operation can certify that it complies with the FCC requirements. 11526 Somnto Vallry Road, Ste. F A San Diego, CA 92121 A 858.792.0066 A Wltw.dtechcom.rom Page 3/10 SITE DESCRIPTION The wireless telecommunication facility is located on the ground. The antennas are mounted on a powerline tower and connected to the equipment via coaxial cables. Technical specifications provided below are gathered from physical field surveys where possible, provided drawings and/ or other documents provided by our clients, site/building managers and other licensees at this facility. "Generic", "Others", "Unknown" and conservative estimates are used where information is not available. Table 3: Site Technical Speci.ftcanons Antenna Bollom 1'> Height ID or Arianna Model X Y AboaGround A1 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 20 65 6 86 28 44.2 A2 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 20 65 6 89 27 44.2 A3 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 20 65 6 92 28 44.2 B1 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 90 65 6 15.9 94 21 44.2 B2 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 90 65 6 15.9 94 18 44.2 B3 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 90 65 6 15.9 395 94 14 44.2 C1 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 250 65 6 15.9 395 83 14 44.2 C2 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 250 65 6 15.9 790 82 17 44.2 C3 Sprint RFS APXVSPP18-C Panel 1900 250 65 6 15.9 395 81 20 44.2 11526 Sorrmto Valley Road, Ste. F A San Diego, C4 92121 A 858.792.0066 A www.dtechcom.com Page4/10 Fig11re 1: Site Map 11526 Somnto Vaf'9 Roat4 Ste.F A S1111 Diego, CA 92121 A 858.792.0066 A twP,dtechcpmrom Page 5/10 RESULTS Figure 2: &suit-The top (bird's ~e) view of the resulting MPE (M.aximum Permissible Exposure) map surrounding the facility. Site ID: SD34XC861 $print Antenna■ (9) Total %DfPCC-I ,._ . .,.... .. .__ X> 5,DIIO □ 600cX~5,DIIO ■ tOO•Xs500 ■ 11h_~100 □ Xs5 Max Sim Levels Sprint: 0.6% Existing Building Sprint SectorB -I-- 11526 Sorrento Vail!, Road, Ste. F A San Ditlf), G4 92121 A 858.792.0066 A lflllW.dt«hcom.rom Page 6/10 RECOMMENDATION(S) Calculations for Sprint's site resulted in exposure levels below the applicable FCC's General Population MPE Llmits. Since the antennas are mounted on a tall tower and therefore not accessible by the general public, compliance actions are not required. It is presumed that Sprint employees and facility owners are aware of the transmitting antennas and will take appropriate precautions when working near them. However, there may be situations where workers i.e. powerline personnel, etc. may find themselves directly in front of the antennas. For the facility to be classified as an Occupational/ Controlled environment, the following are recommended: 1) Install RF advisory sign(s) in accordance with Sprint's RF policy on or near each sector or on the tower no lower than 10 feet above ground, preferably away from public view. 2) Individuals entering the site or working near/in front of antennas must receive appropriate RF safety training1 and be made aware of the potential HotZones (areas exceeding the FCC's MPE Llmits). In addition, contact information should be made available in the event work is required within the HotZones. CONCLUSION Based on the above results, analysis and recommendation(s), it is the undersigned's professional opinion that Sprint's site complies with the FCC's RF Safety Guidelines. The worse-case exposure levels in publicly accessible areas are below the FCC's General Population MPE Llmits. 1 See Appendix C for Dtech Communication's RF Safety training program -Antenna View 11526 Sorrento Valley Road, Ste. r J. San Die.go, CA 92121 J. 858.792.0066 J. 1nvw.dtechcom.com Page 7/10 CERTIFICATION This report has been prepared by or under the direction of the following Registered Professional Engineer: Darang Tech, holding California registration number 16000, with renewal date of 06/30/13. 11526 Sorrmto Valley Road, Ste. F & San Diego, C4 92121 & 858.792.0066 & www.dtechcom.com Page 8/10 Appendix A: Measurement and/ or Computer Simulation Methods Spatial averaging measurement technique is used. An area between 2 and 6 feet, approximately the size of an average human, is scanned in single passes from top to bottom in multiple planes. When possible, measurements were made at very close proximity to the antennas and inside the main beam where most of the energy is emitted. The maximum levels (max-hold) were recorded. Dtech uses an industry standard power density prediction computer ModeI2 to assess the worse-case, cumulative EMF impact of the surrounding areas of the subject site. The Model does not take into account losses due to buildings. Its methodologies are conservative enough to account for typical down-tilts deployed in wireless communications. In addition, the analysis is performed at 100% duty cycle-all transmitters are active at all times and transmitting at maximum power. For purposes of a cumulative study, nearby transmitters are included where possible. The result is a surrounding area map color-coded to percentages of the applicable FCC's MPE Limits. A result higher than 100% exceeds the Limits. Appendix B: Limitations Dtech performed this analysis based on data provided by our clients that Dtech believes to be true and correct. Estimates where noted, are based on common industry practices and our best interpretation of available information. As mobile technologies continuously change, these data and results may also change. Therefore, Dtech disclaims all other warranties either expressed or implied. Any use of this document constitutes an agreement to hold Dtech and its employees harmless and indemnify it for any and all liability, claims, demands, litigation expenses and attorneys fees arising from such use. This is a technical document and may contain minor grammatical and/ or spelling errors. 2 Roofview® Version 4.15, Richard Tell Associates, Inc.© 1996-2000. 11526 Sorrento Vallry Road, Ste. 1-' .& San Difgo, CA 92121 .& 858.792.0066 .& w1vu,.dtechcom.com Page 9/10 Appendix C: Antenna View® Dtech Communications offers a unique, online tool (Antenna View®) to train, identify and inform individuals of site-specific HotZones -areas that exceed the FCC's Safety Llmits. Antenna View® is an online, interactive training tool that will educate nontechnical people in about ten minutes. It is a site-specific, RF safety training program that requires the end user to sign an online agreement thereby limiting the liability to the landlord and carriers. Some of the advantages include: • Virtual walk-through in 3-D with corresponding photographs • Site-specific, interactive, simple to understand • Delivers pertinent information i.e. HotZones (areas exceeding FCC safety limits), site owners and contact numbers. • User online agreement= accountability We invite you to take a quick tour at www.AntennaView.com and see how easy to understand and informative Antenna View® is. Under Article 47 CPR§ 1.1307(b), the FCC & OSHA mandates wireless operators/facility owners to have an RF SN1'llf!Y completed incl11ding a safety plan and training to ensure that their tenants, emplf!Yees and contractors who work in or around RF sites are aware of the potential risks posed l!J RF radiation. Most cell sites are located on bmlding rooftops whm HV AC contractors, window washers, painters, etc. routine!, work and general!, do not know what antennas even look like. Dtech Communications can help with ongoing FCC/ OSHA compliance and provide practical training that is ea.ry to understand l!J anyone regardless of their technical background. 11526 Somnto Va/1,y Ro.ui; Str. F A San Diegi, CA 92121 A 858.792.0066 A Rfl',dtrchcom.com Page 10/10