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MEM Airfield Signage Replacement

Arora Engineers (Arora) provided design and engineering services required to upgrade the existing airfield guidance signs at Memphis International Airport (MEM). The project included the replacement of 460 airfield guidance signs with new LED signs, with the conformance to current standards and regulations. The project consisted of surveying, inventory, and engineering design and the creation of complete construction documents for the replacement of the elevated airfield signs.

Arora was responsible for surveying and evaluating existing signs and locations. The design services were carried out in accordance with the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) standards, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and all applicable Federal, State, and Local Codes, Regulations, Ordinances, and Policies.

SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

The project scope included survey, field investigation, stakeholder coordination, and the design of the removal and replacement of the existing airfield signage in compliance with current standards and regulations.

Arora prepared and delivered signed and sealed contract documents, including a detailed basis of design, estimate of probable construction costs, and engineering calculations to the MSCAA. Scope of work included:

Field Investigations & Equipment Analysis – The Arora Team conducted field investigations within the anticipated limits of work, and associated utilities, to review and record site and equipment conditions. Existing airfield electrical equipment, including lighting infrastructure, signage, and underground distribution systems were evaluated to confirm equipment and circuits affected by the project.

Project Initiation/Coordination Meeting – Arora conducted a project initiation meeting with MSCAA to coordinate procedures, schedule acquisition of MSCAA’s project related historical documents, and to finalize the technical approach, design schedule, and project plan.

Acquisition & Review of Existing As-Built Data – Arora obtained all available MSCAA information relative to the project and adjacent project areas. The information gathered was useful in creating base files for performance requirements and conceptual design solutions. Any discrepancies were identified during the field investigation and mitigated through coordination with MSCAA. Hardcopies of any project related documents were reproduced in-house and immediately returned to MSCAA after reproduction.

Airfield Signage – Design and layout of the removal of existing airfield guidance sign, transformers, sign bases, L-867 sign base cans, interconnecting conduit and associated equipment, and installation of new LED type airfield guidance sign and concrete base, L-867 sign base can, isolation transformer and connectors, series lighting cable, and interconnecting conduit. A concrete maintenance pad for the airfield signs was recommended to protect equipment from mowing. Signage was in accordance with FAA AC 5340-18 (latest edition) and placed to avoid any obstructions or utilities. Sign panel inscriptions were coordinated with the airport signage plan and approved by the FAA prior to final submission.

Airfield Lighting Vault – Load calculations were confirmed to determine regulator capacity for modified lighting circuits. Any regulators evaluated to be in poor condition and/or running near maximum capacity were replaced. If regulator replacement was required, the existing regulators were replaced with new generation constant current regulators.

Underground electrical and communications distribution systems – The work involved the design and layout of modified underground distribution for airfield lighting systems, junction structures, ductbank, interconnecting conduit, and associated cabling.

Lightning protection (counterpoise) design for underground cables – Design and layout of lightning protection for airfield lighting circuits in accordance with FAA AC 150-5340-30 (latest edition) for base cans, conduit, and ductbank installed.

Owner

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority

Location

Memphis, TN

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