a. Mounting Intermediate Level Lights. The number of light levels required is determined by the height of the structure, including all appurtenances, as shown in, Figure A-6. The number of lights on each level is determined by the shape and width of the structure. At least two or more of these lights (L-810 F) should be mounted diagonally or on diametrically opposite positions to ensure an unobstructed view of at least one light at each level by a pilot approaching in any direction. These lights should be configured to flash simultaneously with the L-864 flashing light on the top of the structure at a rate of 30 flashes per minute (fpm) (± 3 fpm). Steady burning lights (L-810) and red flashing lights (L-864) are not used as intermediate level lights on these types of structures.
3. Structures exceeding 350 feet (106.68 m) AGL. At least one red flashing (L-864) light should be installed on the highest part of the structure in a manner to ensure an unobstructed view of one or more lights by a pilot. In addition, intermediate levels of lights of flashing red (L -864) will be required.
a. Intermediate Levels Lights. The number of light levels required is determined by the height of the structure, including all appurtenances, as shown in, Figure A-6. The number of lights on each level is determined by the shape and width of the structure. At least two or more of these lights (L-864) should be mounted diagonally or on diametrically opposite positions to ensure an unobstructed view of at least one light at each level by a pilot approaching in any direction. These lights should be configured to flash simultaneously with the L-864 flashing light on the top of the structure at a rate of 30 flashes per minute (fpm) (± 3 fpm). Steady burning lights are not used on these types of structures.
14.4.1 Construction Cranes or Rigs (Oil and Drilling).
When a crane or rig cannot be removed from site or lowered below the no-effect height, the addition of lighting will be used to alert pilots of their presence during the hours between sunset and sunrise and periods of reduced visibility. Lights must be mounted at the highest point, and in cases of more extensive structures additional lights may be necessary at intermediate levels and furthest horizontal (i.e., horizontal boom ends, etc.) points to clarify the outline of the structure (see Figure A-32).
1. Systems. Steady burning and flashing red lights (L-864/L-810) may be used to light cranes and rigs. High-intensity lights (L-856) are not recommended.
2. Display. The flashing light (L-864) should be displayed on the highest point, and the steady light (L-810) at the ends of boom, and other various locations along the top of the structure to best define the outline. Additionally, in certain cases, intermediate level lighting or sidelights (L-810) may be required. For construction cranes with angular booms, the lights must be mounted on a pivot axis so the fixture remains level when the boom tilts to ensure the lights remain level and is not obscured by the structure.
3. Exceptions.
a. Architectural lighting or floodlights may be used in addition to, but not in place of, standard lighting provided they do not cause an adverse effect on the obstruction light fixture’s photometrics and do not result in an obscured view of one of more obstruction lights by a pilot.
b. In some cases, the boom or rig may be lowered below the no-effect height or removed from site, and nighttime lighting is not required.
14.4.2 Container Cranes.
1. These structures are generally used in brightly lit areas, however lighting must be used to alert pilots of the current configuration and presence of the obstruction during the hours between sunset and sunrise and periods of reduced visibility. Extensive structures require additional lights at intermediate levels and furthest horizontal points, (i.e., horizontal boom ends, etc.), as well as horizontal mid-points as necessary, to clarify the outline of the structure for pilots approaching from any direction.
2. Systems. Medium intensity white lights (L-865) may be used, however high-intensity lights (L-856) are not recommended.
3. Display. The lights should be displayed on the highest point, ends of boom, and other various ways to best define the size and shape of the structure. Lights must be mounted at the highest point at all times during usage. For large container cranes with angular booms, the lights must be mounted on a pivot axis so the fixture remains level when the boom tilts to ensure the lights remain level and is not obscured by the structure (see Figure A-33).
4. Exceptions. Architectural lighting or floodlights may be used in addition to, but not in place of, standard lighting provided they do not cause an adverse effect on the obstruction light fixture’s photometrics and do not result in an obscured view of one of more obstruction lights by a pilot.
14.5 Operational Characteristics.
When using flashing lights, the lights should flash simultaneously.
CHAPTER 15. MARKING AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND INFORMATION
15.1 Purpose.
This chapter lists documents relating to obstruction marking and lighting systems and where they may be obtained.
15.2 Paint Standard.
15.2.1 Paint and aviation colors/gloss, referred to in this AC, with the exception of wind turbines, should conform to Aerospace Material Specification Standard, SAE-AMS- STD-595, Colors Used in Government Procurement, previously known as FED-STD- 595 (cancelled February 14, 2017). Wind turbines must meet the standards in Chapter 13, paragraph 13.4, of this AC.
15.2.2 Approved colors must be formulated without using lead, zinc chromate, or other heavy metals to match international aviation orange, white, and yellow, as listed in Table 3-1. All coatings must be manufactured and labeled to meet Federal Environmental Protection Act Volatile Organic Compound(s) guidelines, including the National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for architectural coatings.
1. Exterior Acrylic Waterborne Paint. Coatings should be ready-mixed, 100 percent acrylic, exterior latex formulated for application directly to galvanized surfaces. Ferrous iron and steel or non-galvanized surfaces must be primed with a manufacturer-recommended primer compatible with the finish coat.
2. Exterior Solvent-Borne Alkyd-Based Paint. Coatings should be ready-mixed, alkyd-based, exterior enamel for application directly to non-galvanized surfaces, such as ferrous iron and steel. Galvanized surfaces must be primed with a manufacturer-recommended primer compatible with the finish coat.
Table 15-1. Aerospace Material Specification Standard, SAE-AMS-STD-595
Color Number Orange EA 12197 White EA 17875 Yellow EA 13538
15.3 Availability of Specifications and Advisory Circulars.
1. Federal and military specifications describing the technical characteristics of various paints and their application techniques are available through the ASSIST Database at https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/. ASSIST is a robust, comprehensive website used by standardization management activities to develop, coordinate, distribute, and manage defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions, data item descriptions, and related technical documents prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP).
2. For Federal Product Description line items only (for download, refer to ASSIST), use the following Uniform Resource Locator (URL):
https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/purchasing-programs/requisition- programs/gsa-globalsupply/supply-standards/index-of-federal- specifications-standards-and-commercial-itemdescriptions.
3. Copies of FAA Advisory Circulars may be obtained online at:
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/
15.4 Lights and Associated Equipment Standards.
The lighting equipment referred to in this AC should conform to the latest edition of one of the following specifications, as applicable:
1. Obstruction Lighting Equipment.
a. AC 150/5345-43, FAA Specification for Obstruction Lighting Equipment.
b. Military Specifications MIL-L-6273, Light, Navigational, Beacon, Obstacle, or Code, Type G-1.
c. Military Specifications MIL-L-7830, Light Assembly, Marker, Aircraft Obstruction.
2. Certified Equipment.
a. AC 150/5345-53, Airport Lighting Certification Program, lists the manufacturers that have demonstrated compliance with the specification requirements of AC 150/5345-43, FAA Specification for Obstruction Lighting Equipment.
b. Other manufacturers’ equipment may be used provided the equipment meets the specification requirements of AC 150/5345-43, FAA Specification for Obstruction Lighting Equipment.
3. Airport Lighting Installation and Maintenance.
AC 150/5340-30, Design and Installation Details for Airport Visual Aids.
4. Vehicles and Structures.
a. AC 150/5210-5, Painting, Marking, and Lighting of Vehicles Used on an Airport, contains provisions for marking vehicles principally used on airports.
b. FAA Standard FAA-STD-003, Paint Systems for Structures. Obstruction marking for FAA facilities must conform to FAA Drawing Number D-5480 (page 39 of 42).
15.5 Availability of Military Specifications.
The military standards and specifications listed above may be obtained from:
DAP/DODSSP Building 4, Section D 700 Robbins Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19111-5904 Telephone: (215) 737-8000 FAX: (215) 737-7155
URL: https://quicksearch.dla.mil/ (ASSIST Database)
APPENDIX A: SPECIFICATIONS FOR OBSTRUCTION LIGHTING EQUIPMENT CLASSIFICATION
Type Symbol Description
L-810 L-810 F
Steady-Burning or Flashing (30 FPM) - RED Single Obstruction Light
L-810 L-810 F
Steady-Burning or Flashing (30 FPM) – RED Double Obstruction Light
L-856
High-Intensity Flashing – WHITE Obstruction Light (40 FPM)
L-857
High-Intensity Flashing – WHITE Catenary Light (60 FPM)
L-864 Medium-Intensity Flashing – RED Obstruction Light (20-40 FPM)(30 FPM when used with L-810 F)
L-865
Medium-Intensity Flashing – WHITE Obstruction Light (40-FPM)
L-866
Medium-Intensity Flashing - WHITE Catenary Light (60-FPM)
L-864/L-865
Medium-Intensity Flashing Dual – RED / WHITE Obstruction Light (20-40 FPM) Obstruction Light (40 FPM)
L-885
Flashing Obstruction Light - RED Obstruction Light (60 FPM) FPM = Flashes Per Minute Table A-1. FAA-Approved Obstruction Lighting Fixtures
Figure A-1. Meteorological Evaluation Tower (MET) Marking Standards (Monopole Structure)
METEROLOGICAL (MET) TOWER
MARKING STANDARDS (GUYED STRUCTURE) Day Protection = Aviation Orange / White Paint, High-Visibility Sleeves and Spherical Markers Two marker balls per outer guy wire (One within 15 ft of upper anchor point and the other at mid-point of cable) Two sleeves per outer guy wire (One just above expected vegetation height, and the other midway between lower sleeve and upper anchor point.)
50ft. - 200ft (15m - 61m) Expected Vegetation = High-Visibility Sleeve = Spherical Marker - Aviation Orange Figure A-2. Meteorological Evaluation Tower (MET) Marking Standards (Guyed Structure) 65
PAINTING AND LIGHTING OF WATER TOWER, STORAGE TANKS,
AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES Day Protection = Avlation Orange / White Paint Night Protection = 2,000 cd Red Light and 32 cd Red Steady-Burning Side Lights Above 150 fl (45 m) but not more than 350 ft (108 m) Above 150 fl (45 m) but not more than 350 ft (108 m) = L-864 (Flashing Red Light) Note:
See paragraph 5.2. regarding
•/ = L-810 (Steady-Burning Red Light) IR specifications for LED-based red obstruction lights.
Figure A-3. Painting and Lighting of Water Towers, Storage Tanks, and Similar Structures 66
PAINTING AND LIGHTING OF WATER TOWERS
AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES Jay Protection = Aviation Orange / White Pain Jight Protection = 2,000 cd Red Light and 32 cd Red Steady-Burning Side Light The number of light units recommended depends on the diameter of the structure Above 150 fl (45 m) but not more than 350 ft (108 m) = L-864 (Flashing Red Light) Note:
See paragraph 5.2. regarding = L-810 (Steady-Burning Red Light) IR specifications for LED-based red obstruction lights.
Figure A-4. Painting and Lighting of Water Towers and Similar Structures 67
PAINTING OF SINGLE PEDESTAL WATER TOWER
BY TEARDROP PATTERN Day Protection = Aviation Orange / White Pain light Protection = By Flood Ligh
JAMESVILLE, USA = 360° Coverage of the Water Tower (Flood Light) Figure A-5. Painting a Single Pedestal Water Tower Using the Teardrop Pattern 68