Being troubled by the variable quality field notes I'm getting I'm thinking of making up a form / template for the field crew to use for diagramming and reporting manhole dips. But it occurs to me that some of you may have already done just so.
If you have and are willing to share I'd appreciate it.
Here, this is from my website, but more for the UK i suppose and construction, could be a basis for your own.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8dbfzs0jlvv3a7b/MH%20Data%20Sheet.pdf
Thanks!
Having lived many years in Canada I'm fairly bilingual -British and American - but I wonder if you could tell me what the "B.D." in "B.D. Inv. Lvl" refers to?
Here's something I cooked up for a manhole inventory: three hole punched on Rite in the Rain™ paper. If need be, the particular manhole info can be continued on the back since the form is two-sided.
That is frustrating. I would suggest giving the crew a hand compass to measure approx direction. Mistakes in invert direction make it really tough if you are trying to map old lines with little asbuilt/design info. Good luck.
A company I used to work at had their crews use a range pole or a 25 foot level rod to measure manhole inverts. They would use similar triangles to get the invert elevations. They had a tablet of sheets that were broken into 9 blocks and had spaces in each one that had blanks for the manhole point number, rim elevation and the measurements for the inverts. We had an excel spreadsheet that we plugged the numbers into in the office and it would calc the invert. I have the spreadsheet, but not the sheet that the field guys used.
:good:
Very nice. Thanks!
This is a sample of what I've been getting, and this is actually better than the average. 
At least there's only one North Arrow on the sheet. Count your blessings. 😉
BTW - You're right. For your basic field notes around here, those aren't too bad. I've seen them on Taco Bell napkins...
We use a similar sheet to this one...
http://www.chrisnik.com/uploads/Pipe_Mic_sample_sheet.pdf
The linked sheet is a sample from Chris Nik to use with the Pipe Mic. We do use the pipe mics. They seem to pay for themselves very quickly.
> The linked sheet is a sample from Chris Nik to use with the Pipe Mic.
Nice example of pipe diameter determination.
> A company I used to work at had their crews use a range pole or a 25 foot level rod to measure manhole inverts. They would use similar triangles to get the invert elevations....
If the barrel diameter is 48", and you measure the slant distance from IE to rim, you might assume that the horizontal offset is 2 feet. Now having two legs of the triangle it is easy Pythagoras to solve for the 3rd, the vertical offset IE to Rim.
I've had guys use a clinometer or a smart level to determine the slant of the rod and correct to the vertical that way. Unfortunately more than one clinometer and more than one smart level was dropped in the drink and lost.
They tried using the same stuff, but liked this method better and it's what the crews were used to.
Here in OK pretty much all roads run in cardinal directions so determining north is not so much of a problem. I agree with having a compass in Oregon. They are built in to everyone's smartphone.
Those are some "interesting" field notes.:-O You'd think that a person tasked with writing and sketching for a living would take more pride in their work.
Our crews use an Excel Mobile file in their Rangers to enter inventory information. The information can then be easily merged with the mapping points into one document.
B.D Back drop.
Agree with compass. And a photo is essential IMO.
I make notes on condition, type(s) of pipes and also if there is ground water entering the cylinder, barrel section of the manhole.
Some huge manholes with a ladder are interesting!
Where the pipes are tucked way off to the side and out of reach.
> ...And a photo is essential IMO.
Probably a very good idea and easy to get with everyone carrying a smartphone these days.
> I make notes on condition, type(s) of pipes and also if there is ground water entering the cylinder, barrel section of the manhole.
Ground water infiltration is frequently evident in the Pacific NW, but not really an issue in Oklahoma. A typical residential water well around here needs to be over 300 feet deep!
I use the Pipe Mic and 25 ft extendable level rod; also along with their form that I modified to my firm name and logo. Well worth the small investment.
