AN INFORMATIVE BULLETIN PROVIDED BY
Warren Environment, Inc
FAA OBSTRUCTION LIGHTING
MARKING FOR STACKS
Guidelines for lighting and marking tall, permanent structures such as stacks are defined by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Paragraphs 77.13 thru 17 and administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FAA publishes an Advisory Circular, AC 70/7460 to describe the FAA standards for marking and lighting structures to promote aviation safety.
It is the owner’s or owner sponsor’s responsibility to obtain an FAA Permit. To specify the lighting system is to be in accordance with FAA Regulations does not ensure the installation will meet all FAA requirements. The FAA requires that an application for a permit to construct a structure (Form 7460-1) be filled thirty days before construction begins. A copy of this form is available online. Applications are required only for structures 200 feet in height, and over, or for any tall structure to be placed within close proximity of a public use or military airport facility where the tallest height exceeds an imaginary surface extended on a slope away from the nearest point of the airport runway or landing as follow:
· 100 to 1 horizontal distance of 20,000 feet with at least one runway more than 3,200 feet in actual length
· 50 to 1 horizontal distance of 10,000 feet with the longest runway less than 3,200 feet in actual length
· 25 to 1 horizontal distance of 5,000 feet of a heliport
As a general rule three lights are required per lighting level. Lights may be displayed as low as 20 feet below the top of a stack to avoid any detrimental effects of corrosion and heat from downwash. Structures from 200 feet to 350 feet will generally require one level of medium intensity white strobes (L-865) with no marking, or one level of red beacons (L-864) at the top and red obstruction lights (L-810) at the mid-level. Since red lighting is not visible during daylight hours, structures utilizing only red lights are often painted using alternating orange and white stripes in accordance with FAA guidelines. To avoid marking the stack with orange and white stripes Dual Obstruction Lights (L-864/L-865) may be used that provide red lights for night-time operation and white lights during daytime operation.
Structures under 200 feet which do require lights are considered individually and would be controlled by the site-specific FAA Permit and not by the Advisory Circular. In these special cases either double red obstruction lights (L-810) or red beacons (L-864) may be used.
Refer to the Advisory Circular for lighting and marking requirements for structures over 350 feet.
Proper access to lights is necessary for bulb replacement and routine maintenance. Typically, a partial platform and access ladder are provided for lighting access. Occasionally a lowering device may be used to gain access for maintenance at grade or at lower platform level.
