Antennas, towers, and antenna-supporting structures

Scope:

To develop and publish an update to CSA S37-18, reflecting climate change adaptation, with aim to ballot a draft standard by  January 2019 and publication in June 2019. The technical committee will also provide feedback on “lessons learned” regarding incorporating climate change considerations into the standard, and any barriers faced for this project, shortly after the June 2019 publication.

In updating the standard, the technical committee should consider:

•             Consultation with a balanced matrix of experts, including from industry or regulatory bodies, with experience in climate change adaptation and/or experience in technical matters related to CSA S37-18 and its prior editions. In particular, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association should be consulted.

•             Existing best practices for climate hazards and climate resilience relevant to the content of the standard, including but not limited to the following:

o             CEN-CENELEC Guide 32 - ‘Guide for addressing climate change adaptation in standards’

o             Climate Risks Study for Telecommunications and Data Centre, prepared by Riverside Technology Inc., (2014)

o             Relevant sections of the NYC’s Hurricane Sandy After Action Report (2013) and NYC’s “A Stronger, More Resilient New York” (2013)

o             The National Infrastructure and Buildings Climate Change Adaptation State of Play Report. Prepared by Amec Foster Wheeler and Credit Valley Conservation, for the Infrastructure and Buildings Working Group, part of Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform. March 2017. http://www.ibwgsop.org/.

o             Currently available weather and climate data, projections, and tools available from Environment and Climate Change Canada and/or other sources

o             Other relevant best practices or information as recommended by experts participating in or consulted by the technical committee

•             A literature review of international tower standards, specifically related to climate change, adaptation and resilience

•             Potential impacts of climate change through a risk assessment approach (i.e. How will the various components of the structure be impacted by a change in a particular climatic parameter? For example, warmer temperatures in the northern parts of Canada may be significant for foundations on permafrost sites)

•             Providing guidance as to how climate change impacts would reasonably be taken into account for assessment and rehabilitation versus new design of antenna tower structures (i.e. existing structures impacted by changing permafrost conditions)

•             Requirements for soil reports to account for changes in ground water elevations resulting from climate change

•             Climate hazards/impacts related to foundations (i.e. flooding, scour, and erosion)