[SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist

[George Nicholas]

Lots of good suggestions here.  I would also verify the transmission line(s) are holding pressure.  Kind of hard to do just on inspection, as it's real easy to tap a line 5 minutes before you show up.

One thing I did on my company's most recent acquisition was to hire a certified building inspector, who focused on the buildings, roofs, concrete and infrastructure (HVAC, etc).  An independent third party can make things a bit easier to make the seller fix, or determine a discount to rep and warrant.  The key is to ask, otherwise a seller will never admit anything unless it's obvious.  Get them to agree in advance, or you'll pay the repair cost and the legal fees when all is said and done.

gn
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: A9xw at cs.com 
  To: sbe at sbe.org 
  Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 11:50 AM
  Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist


  Are you doing inventory or due diligence?  Due diligence would also include license inspection, public file, legal issues for lawyers to comb through financial records, liens, leases, rent, utilities, space rentals, tower condition, and tower inspection, FAA approvals (with license info usually).  If equipment current, (condition) needs upgrade, repairs. Vehicles? properly licensed, passes EPA inspection, mileage, repair records, OSHA compliance for OB trucks, if classed as commercial, most recent inspection. 

  Transmitter site, FAA registration placards, RF hazard placards, grounding, guys, tower lights, paint, rust, age, type, if necessary, hire crew to inspect, when were guys last tensioned and plumbed? Building condition, transmitter efficiency, power consumption, back up hardware?  STL licenses, RPU licenses, other links, translators, does GPS show correct location per license? Antenna AGL to center of radiation (laser measurements) Coax condition, nitrogen generator, tank or compressor? HVAC, maintenance records, visual inspection of belts, condenser. Coolant condition (transmitter) coolant pumps main and standby working? Transmitter logs?  Tower light inspection quarterly forms. Posted TPO, line loss, antenna gain calculation to show proper RF output level. Document frequency is within tolerance, (all RF devices) Tube hours. Mains breaker and distribution meet electrical code?  Fire extinguishers current and proper type. Main shut off clearly labeled and placarder?  Utility easements? Police, fire, ambulance phone numbers posted.  STL calibration records. Emergency exit placards at studio. 

  Location of fire extinguishers placarder? Sufficient number for each area of building?  Any history of building, fire or other governmental violations. Emergency exits work? Fire/smoke alarms, emergency exit lights working, emergency illumination lights working? Public file up to date?  I did one for a TV station and noted that it was next to a cement factory and cement dust was contaminating everything. General condition of facility (neat or rats nest wiring) water supply and plumbing, electrical boxes have breakers labeled?  Emergency power generator:  run logs, fuel condition, last oil change/maintennace, signs of leaks, fuel type, leakage, old hoses, transfer switch tested with load. 

  Studio lighting, dimmer working? Any floor cracks (concrete) chuck holes, cyc condition, and asbestos light cords? Any asbestos insulation in buildings? Any asbestos removal certificates?  Chemicals and paint in fire proof lockers and hazard marked?  Lead warning for solder? Proper ventilation for paint or wood shop? Lock out on hazard items such as radar, uplink power?  External power shutoff within sight of external items (sat antennas as example).  Proper clearance from electrical panels, high voltage properly placarder?  Binder for manufacturers hazard data sheets for chemicals, solder, paint. Eyewash or first aid stations? 

  That's a start. 

  Henry Ruhwiedel 






------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  The SBE Roundtable, SBE at sbe.org
  To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

  http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://seven.pairlist.net/pipermail/sbe/attachments/20090223/df151d42/attachment.html>