High Wind Evacuation of Standard ATCT Structures

6480.5B · FAA

Public domain · FAAOrders & Notices

Overview

The High Wind Evacuation of Standard ATCT Structures (6480.5B) is a public-domain FAA order, republished here as a free chaptered HTML edition with a linked table of contents and the official PDF.

Publisher: FAA
Document: 6480.5B
Pages: 1

Key points

This order assigns responsibilities to Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Managers for evacuating ATCT structures under severe wind conditions.
ATCTs in the Southern Region must be evacuated when wind gusts reach 75 mph (65 knots), or 65 mph (56 knots) for the Turnkey Tower in Hickory, North Carolina.
Compliance with building codes does not guarantee that ATCTs will not suffer damage during storms.
Airport Traffic Control Tower Managers have the authority to evacuate personnel at lower wind speeds if they deem it necessary.
This order cancels the previous order SO 6480.5A regarding high wind evacuation procedures.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of this order?

The purpose of this order is to assign responsibilities to Airport Traffic Control Tower Managers to ensure the evacuation of ATCT structures under severe wind conditions.

At what wind speed should ATCTs be evacuated?

ATCTs in the Southern Region should be evacuated when wind gusts reach 75 mph (65 knots), while the Turnkey Tower in Hickory, North Carolina, should be evacuated at 65 mph (56 knots).

Can personnel be evacuated at lower wind speeds?

Yes, Airport Traffic Control Tower Managers may evacuate personnel at any lesser wind speed if they judge that conditions warrant such action.

What does compliance with building codes ensure?

Compliance with building codes ensures that ATCTs are designed to withstand wind loading, but it does not guarantee that a building will not suffer damage during storms.

What order does this document cancel?

This order cancels the previous order SO 6480.5A, dated 9/28/89, regarding high wind evacuation of standard ATCT structures.

Document

U.S. Department of Transportation L

I so 6480.SB

ORDER

Federal Aviation Administration SOUTHERN REGION 3/2/99 SUBJ: lllGH WIND EVACUATION OF STANDARD ATCT STRUCTURES I. PURPOSE. This order assigns responsibilities to Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Managers to ensure the evacuation of ATCT structures (tower shaft and control cab) under severe wind conditions.

2. DISTRIBUTION. This order is distributed to the section level in the Airway Facilities, and Air Traffic Divisions; to all Airport Traffic Control Towers; all System Management Offices (SMO), Covington Sector Office, all System Support Centers (SSC) and all Sector Field Offices.

3. CANCELLATION. Order SO 6480.5A, dated 9/28/89, High Wind Evacuation of Standard ATCT - ------- -----srrucrures, is· cancelloo. ~--- --- ---------~------------ -- - 4. BACKGROUND. The ATCTs located in the Southern Region have been designed to withstand wind loading in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Uniform Building Code (UBC), or other building code appropriate to the facility. However, compliance with codes does not assure that a building will not suffer damage, minor or major, due to storms. Therefore, in the interest of personnel safety, Airport Traffic Control Towers in the Southern Region will be evacuated when wind gusts reach 75 mph (65 knots). The Turnkey Tower located at Hickory, North Carolina, has been designed using a lower wind load, therefore this facility should be evacuated when wind gusts reach 65 mph (56 knots).

5. RESPONSIBILITY. Airport Traffic Control Tower Managers shall be responsible for evacuating all personnel from the ATCT when wind gusts reach a velocity of 75 miles per hour (65 knots). The Airport Traffic Control Tower Managers may evacuate personnel at any lesser wind speed if in their judgment, conditions warrant this action. The Air Traffic Division and Airway Facilities Division are in agreement with the procedures outlined in this order.