competency in skills and knowledge through assessment tests,
but are not required to complete a specific number of hours.
Small Cell Technician
Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP)
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Work Process Content
On the Job Training
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SAFETY & PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - Proper PPE & Usage
8
- Demonstrates proper use of fall restraint equipment
- Demonstrates proper use of fall arrest equipment
- Demonstrates proper use of Harness
- Selects Class 2 or Class 3 high visibility garments based upon work environment
- Inspects applicable bucket truck, Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) lift and platform equipment prior to use
- Implements or assists in implementing on-site urgency and emergency notifications
- Tests for potential foreign voltage prior to working on the structure (if required)
- Understands PPE requirements for traffic and night work.
SAFETY & PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT - Working in the Right of Way (ROW)
3
- Applies pedestrian foot traffic control measures (Sidewalk closures) if required
- Applies traffic control plans (maintenance of traffic) if required
- Demonstrates proper bucket truck set up and placement
USE OF HAND TOOLS & HEAVY EQUIPMENT - Demonstrates proper use of common hand tools such as:
6
- Hand Tools
- Power Tools
- Tape Measure
- Traffic Control Tools
- Digital Level
- RF Monitor/ Meter
USE OF HAND TOOLS & HEAVY EQUIPMENT - Demonstrates proper use of common heavy equipment such as:
2
- Bucket Truck
- Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP)
PRE-INSTALLATION - Documentation
6
- Awareness of penetration, permitting and fire/safety codes. Retains physical copy of permit on site.
- Completes or assists in the completion of pre-work forms including JHA, RF, rescue, etc.
- Understands RFDS (RF Data Sheets), Bill of Materials (BOM), blueprints and wire diagrams.
- Demonstrates ability to read and follow installation design plans.
- Identifies the deliverables required for the specific scope of work.
- Identifies overhead utility lines in work area. These include high-voltage and communication utilities.
PRE-INSTALLATION - Equipment & Materials
5
- Differentiates between RF and electrical equipment types.
- Can correctly identify equipment required to build a small cell site based on construction documentation, such as construction drawing
- Identifies equipment by unique identification number.
- Identifies commonly used equipment for small cell construction.
- Inspects received equipment for damage or compromise.
PRE-INSTALLATION - On Site Preparation
4
- Verifies pole is in correct location per construction drawing – reports discrepancies to supervisor.
- Recognizes and mitigates obstructions and other problematic issues near the site location.
- Assist in preparation of job site to include establishing and installing traffic control devices to create a safety zone for work (jurisdiction specific).
- Differentiates underground locate markings and identifies potential missing utility locates.
INSTALLATION - Familiarity with General Construction Methods, such as:
4
- Cable/System Identification & Coding- tags, tape, etc.
- One Touch Make Ready
- Port assignments for fiber and RF at small cell location
- Installation of signage
INSTALLATION - Structure Installation
4
- Identifies and applies construction methods for structure type per scope of work.
- Understands installation methods for wood, steel and composite poles.
- Understands installation methods for direct mount to building, H-Frame, or rooftop sled.
- Understands installation methods for ground furniture or cabinet.
INSTALLATION - Equipment Installation
5
- Installs radio cabinets, radios, shrouds and DC Rectifiers.
- Installs and aligns antenna(s) including pole top, direct mount, and side mount antennas and the associated mounting hardware.
- Applies grounding to equipment and cables.
- Installs auxiliary components. Examples include combiners, splitters, diplexers, duplexers, etc.
- Awareness of primary power application (Power Prep) and backup power types.
INSTALLATION - Cable Installation
3
- Installs coaxial cable (attachments, internal pole routing methods, and bend radius).
- Installation of s fiber optic and power cables using various attachment and routing methods (attachments, internal pole routing methods, and bend radius)
- Applies general cable management on vertical structures and other common cable installation techniques.
INSTALLATION - Coax Connectorization & Fiber Splicing
3
- Can complete fiber optic cable connectorization and splicing
- Can complete coax cable connectorization (with common connectors).
- Proper installation and usage of weatherproofing.
TESTING & TROUBLESHOOTING - Testing
4
- Assists with sweep testing process (if required)
- Uses Digital Multimeter correctly.
- Completes antenna alignment testing (azimuth and down tilt) if applicable.
- Understands status lights for common small cell equipment (light sequencing).
TESTING & TROUBLESHOOTING - Applies general troubleshooting techniques, such as:
9
- Power cable
- Azimuth setting
- Downtilt setting
- Centerline(s) of antenna(s)
- Faulty antenna
- Verifies sweep test results meet performance criteria; if not, may need to escalate to next level
- Faulty Connectors on coaxial cable
- Use of visual fault locator
- Clean and inspect fiber
DELIVERABLES - General construction close-out documentation includes:
5
- Collects and labels both pre- and post-construction photos.
- Provides evidence of centerline(s) of antenna(s).
- Collects or assists in test results from Sweep and PIM test gear.
- Installs FCC and client specific signage.
- Assists in redlines depicting field installation.
ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS & TASKS - Office Tools
3
- Uses office PC software as applicable. Products such as, Excel, basic file transfers in Windows, file renaming, etc. are commonly used.
- Demonstrates effective email communication using common email etiquette.
- Demonstrates proper use and maintenance/care for Laptop, Tablet, or cell phone.
ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS & TASKS - Administrative Tasks
5
- Completes daily timesheets and detailed recording of work activity.
- Maintains equipment documentation.
- Maintains job-site reports.
- Assists in jobsite or truck supply inventory .
- Completes accident/incident/outage reports.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES - Maintains certifications:
3
- OSHA 10
- RF EME
- CPR/First Aid
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES - Maintains certifications and endorsements as required by employer such as:
5
- Operator DOT qualifications
- OSHA 30
- Confined Space
- HAZCOM
- Traffic Flagger
Related Instruction Content
Training Provider(s):
Apprentice Program Overview
1
This course will provide the apprentices with an overview of the apprenticeship program including information on the National Sponsor, employer’s expectation, discussion of the Standards of Apprenticeship, etc.
Fundamentals of Wireless, 4G (LTE)
8
This is an introduction to the mobile broadband eco-system, including fundamentals of radio frequency, overview of 3G, 4G, and LTE. Frequency bands – 700 MHz, 850 MHz, PCS, AWS, Midband and mmWave are reviewed. The deployment of LTE at low and midband frequencies are discussed.
Introduction to Cell Sites, Small Cells, and Overview of RF Sources
8
Small cell base stations play an important role in expanding the capacity of wireless networks. This course introduces the apprentice to the fundamentals of small cells including types of small cells (femto, pico, micro/metro), capacity versus coverage planning, use of indoor versus outdoor small cells and general design challenges associated with deployment of small cells within the network.It is important to understand the different types of base stations for 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies - NodeB for 3G, eNodeB for 4G LTE, gNodeB for 5G – NR. Power requirements for each base station will be studied.
5G Fundamentals: Spectrum, Standards and Use Cases
8
This course will provide a brief history of 5G NR (New Radio) standardization process. Spectrum allocation for 5G – low-band, midband, mmWave Bands needs to be reviewed. Understanding of Small Cell selection based on frequency bands will be provided. 5G Use-cases – eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband), URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications), mMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications) and role of Small Cells for each of 5G Use-cases will be discussed.
Understanding RF Plumbing Diagrams, RF Data Sheets, Bill of Material (BOM), Blueprints and Wire Diagrams
8
RFDS (RF plumbing diagrams) are the schematic diagrams of a small cell design and offered as an output of several design tools. The symbols and annotations will guide the installation activities in the field and must be understood by the apprentice. Further, if field considerations require updates or changes to the plumbing diagrams the apprentice may be required to annotate changes made in the field during installation or optimization.
Antenna Installation and Alignment (Downtilt and Alignment)
8
This course will provide an introduction to Antenna Port assignment, determination of frequency, quality checks on Antenna, Antenna testing using Sweep Gear, Installation techniques including weather proofing, Mechanical Vs Electrical Tilts, Use of Remote Electrical Tilt Controllers. Learn use of antenna alignment tool (AAT).
Fiber for Small Cells – Front Haul Vs. Backhaul, Fiber Access and Routing Considerations, Splicing and Connectorization
8
Overview of types of Fiber cable – Single-mode Fiber, Multi-mode Fiber. Bandwidth and range differences. Review of traditional backhaul options. Overview of fronthaul and how that is different from backhaul. Review of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). Presented here will be an in-depth discussion on the structure and mechanism of RF, fiber optic cable transport and connectorization options.
Passive Cable Installation and Connectorization Techniques
8
Demonstrate proper preparation of the coax cable and the installation of a connector using industry-standard tools, such as a battery-operated Compression Tool. After the connector has been compressed, the fitting should be tested to verify proper functionality. At the end of this process, the apprentice must be able to explain each stage of the connector installation process and the basic parts of a coax cable.
Site Walk, Build Process, Battery Systems & Pre-Installation Site Survey
1
This course will bring awareness to the physical site conditions and site development considerations that may impact the overall design of the site. A level of awareness is required for the following topics: Overview of requirements – Engineered designs Power, Battery backup requirements, Environmental considerations, Heat dissipation requirements, Structural loading considerations. Review of factors to consider when selecting sites for Small Cells – Street Furniture, Power, Backhaul, City Approval.
Test Instrumentation, Line Sweeping and PIM Testing
8
In order to design or confirm proper operation of an outdoor small cell solution, it will be necessary for the apprentice to become familiar with the use of the instruments listed: AC/DC Multi-meter, Sweep Tester, Spectrum Analyzer, OTDR meter, PIM tester. In addition to use, calibration requirements needs to be taught as well.
Reports and Closeout Package Preparation
4
As the system transitions through acceptance testing and into regular operation a final report indicating that all duties and tasks associated with the deployment for all the stakeholders are complete and that evidence of such completion has been formally delivered, is a standard part of the deployment initiative. The apprentice will learn what goes into such a report and how to protect the critical data collected during the testing activities.
Regulatory and Compliance – Applicable Codes & Standards
3
During this portion of the RTI, the apprentice is introduced to some of the critical standards and codes for the industry. The apprentice will have an awareness level of training on the following topics: Applicable Codes, Local, State, Federal/national safety standards, Utility engineering standards, Environmental and land management, FCC & FAA compliance, Local building and civil codes, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), National Electrical Code (NEC), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Real Estate Considerations – Permitting Requirements
3
This course will provide an awareness of real estate and permitting requirements that may impact the construction process. Topics such as Right of Way (ROW) usage, Access to Street Furniture, and Pole Attachment Process Flow will be reviewed.
OSHA 10
10
This is a version of the OSHA 10-hour course that is provided by a trainer that has been authorized to perform instruction from OSHA. Topics covered can include hazard identification, exit routes, electrical safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, ergonomics, recordkeeping, and reporting, etc. This course does not include confined space training.
First Aid/CPR/AED
4
Accidents in the workplace happen and incidents are more common during construction projects. This session contains information on how to recognize and respond to various medical emergencies in the workplace including choking, cardiac arrest and the use of automated external defibrillators.
RF Assessment & Exposure
3
PPE is not enough. It is important for there to be an understanding of the hazard associated with RF and the ability to work as part of a team to communicate the hazard and means of abatement or use of PPE for protection.
Working around Other Utilities (Overhead and Underground):
2
All apprentices should be aware of the hazards of working around overhead and underground utility lines and how to minimize the chance of contact. Apprentices should take precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and other personnel and the integrity of the existing overhead or underground utility line facilities. Topics to address include safe working distances, one-call (underground utility awareness), awareness of state and local jurisdiction processes, verify tickets are complete after identifying each locate, hand-digging, aerial aspect, able to identify aerial equipment, understanding of private versus public locates.
Defensive Driving & Maneuvering a Large Vehicle (Bucket Truck):
3
Drivers of large trucks and heavy equipment must use extra caution in order to safely navigate and share the roads with smaller vehicles. This course covers some of the things that must be considered when driving large vehicles or operating heavy equipment in order to ensure the safety of operators and people who are nearby. Essential topics to discuss in this course include hazard recognition, understanding and securing additional safe driving/stopping distance, recognition of overhead clearance requirements.
Safety: Working in the Right of Way
16
Working close to traffic is dangerous. Each roadside work site has its own unique set of hazards. This course focuses directly on the hazards faced when working within the right of way and provides practical approaches to recognizing and controlling common hazards. Proper selection and use of PPE Class 2 / Class 3 high visibility garments is discussed.
Safety: Working at Height
16
Many apprentices are unaware of the dangers they are working around. The familiarity of the workspace and tasks can hinder their awareness and lead to accidents. Apprentices need to ensure they take all measures necessary to lower the risk of falling from a height using preemptive hazard recognition to constant site assessment. This course addresses fall protection measures.
Effective Communications
2
Must demonstrate ability to communicate with job site personnel, management and customers.
Grounding & Bonding
10
This course focuses on the grounding and bonding requirements for small cell work. Both NEC and NESC will apply and will depend on which side of the meter and where on the pole the facility is located. Small attachements are per the Utiity or JHA Standards, NESC, NEC and GO95 for California based worked. Motorola R56 is also frequently referenced.
Lock Out/Tag Out
2
Must be trained in the identification and abaement of electrical hazards that may be encountered as a part of the SOW. Such training will address the proper use of monitors, lock out/tag out, systems turn down and client communication IAW 29 CFR 1926.4, sub part K. (This topic is part of OSHA 30 course content).