Yes, that is a big part of it. But it is also placing symbols and "connecting the dots" with linework automatically, in accordance with the codes entered in the field. And layerizing said lines and symbols in accordance with a standard setup.?ÿ
It is a mistake to think that the primary reason for doing field to finish is instant mapping. The primary purpose is quality control, the speed part is a bonus.?ÿ
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my old tutor at college drummed it into me to check a tripod prism is centred before taking it down and also the check the target height before taking it down.
In my early days I used to be bad at not changing rod heights on my data collector. Nowadays I have the rod height marking right where the bubble level is. I've got myself into the habit every time I shoot a point to check the bubble for plumb, read the rod height and check the rod height on the data collector. I still make the odd mistake, but I'm more on top of it and find out very quickly in the field so they can be resolved quickly.
I find myself taking redundant level shots from other stations just to guard against gross errors. They can always be deleted when processing the survey.
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I seem to be well focused on the complex procedures, and make inexplicable goofs with the "easy" or "routine".?ÿ there is no easy, no routine. Watch out for the big errors, not the non perfect.?ÿ
My biggest mistakes have been vocational?ÿ?ÿ
Trust, but verify.?ÿ
1. record complete BS readings. some guys just sight BS point and set to 0.0000.
if you miss record your pole or instrument heights then you can correct this from the difference in elevations of the same control point from the BS/FS
2. if you use a prismless ts then always observe a far off point that is visible from most?ÿ of your site from every occupied traverse. you can then compare the resulting coordinates after post processing and see if they are all within your allowable error.?ÿ?ÿ
@jonathan50?ÿ ?ÿ Both of those will allow you to fix raw data in the office without have to drive two hours back to the field. Of course I've NEVER had to do that.
My biggest risk is setting cut stakes. After 1 mistake when I was new to being party chief, I do redundant calcs of the cut (create a proposed grade point in the collector, shoot with 2 rod heights in case it's locked on something besides my prism, inverse between the calc and shot for the cut, and the second check shot, then do the math manually on my notes at the end to verify I get the correct cut. I also take a picture of the cut stake with the lot number on it.?ÿ
I knew a recently licensed surveyor that jumped out there immediately and opened his own shop.?ÿ He used to call me frequently and pick my brain about various things.?ÿ I remember once I told him that all my years as someone else's employee had been a blessing since, the way I saw it, my employer had to pay for my mistakes as I climbed the ladder as opposed to making those "learning moments" on your own dime.?ÿ I had no idea how prophetic those words became.
He had picked up a big staking contract for a huge shopping mall.?ÿ The project took about two years and he did well with all the dirtwork, infrastructure, buildings and parking.?ÿ The job was pretty well complete and the landscaper was putting in the "green areas".?ÿ By this time he was cashing in on hourly incidental work such as this.
The parking areas were built with long curb & gutter islands about 15' wide.?ÿ The landscape plan showed specific trees to be planted in these islands but there were no dimensions except minimum and maximum distances between the trees.?ÿ He was asked to stake the trees for the landscaping contractor.?ÿ The number of trees in the contract and the number of pretty symbols on the plans seemed to correlate well so he created a bunch of points centered in the islands and had his crew "spray' in the stakes.?ÿ Easy - peasy...well, you get the drift.
The contractor used an equipment auger to dig the holes for the trees.?ÿ Everything went well until they snagged a 4" MP natural gas line.?ÿ No one died but the equipment was toast, some asphalt paving needed to be replaced and two guys went to the burn unit.
After the bus loads of attorneys got through with everyone my buddy took the biggest hickey.?ÿ It was determined he had been negligent by creating the geometry and locations of the trees, even though he was utilizing criteria specified on the plans.
His insurance covered some but it left him broke with a bad taste in his mouth for construction projects.
Moral of the story:?ÿ Don't stake a damned thing unless there are firm dimensions on the plans decided upon by others.?ÿ
Moral of the story:?ÿ Don't stake a damned thing unless there are firm dimensions on the plans decided upon by others.?ÿ
Yea, verily. No truer words have been written.
No utility locate call?
I'm sure there was Bill.?ÿ At least in some sort of fashion.?ÿ As is common on new construction sites the physical plant outruns the records at times.?ÿ If I remember right the gas line had been newly placed and was the feed to the mall.?ÿ I can't remember who all were found to be negligent.?ÿ I'm sure the landscape contractor coughed up some money, as did a number of other people, including the poor surveyor.
?ÿExactly.?ÿ Not sure how that would be the surveyor's fault.?ÿ The person doing the digging is responsible for their work.?ÿ We stake things all the time near sensitive utilities and never ever call in the locates as it's not our responsibility.
as it's not our responsibility
In Washington, if you are driving a stake in the ground, you are responsible for calling for locates.
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You are right though; the contractor, doing the digging, is responsible for his own locates.
Only if the stake is 12" or deeper into the ground. ?ÿI can't recall ever setting a construction stake that deep.?ÿ We do call in locates for monument and control establishment when we're setting rebar.
I was told; simply scratching the surface, is considered excavation.
(8) "Excavation" and "excavate" means any operation, including the installation of signs, in which earth, rock, or other material on or below the ground is moved or otherwise displaced by any means.
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I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that's what I was told...
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I did find this:
(b) An excavation of less than twelve inches in depth on private noncommercial property, if the excavation is performed by the person or an employee of the person who owns or occupies the property on which the excavation is being performed;
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So. I suppose, under certain circumstances, you might be OK...
Whatever the RCWs might say notwithstanding, calling in locates every time you drive a stake on a construction site is absurd.?ÿ
That is EXACTLY what I told the guy...
His response; Well, when you damage that utility, without a locate ticket number, you will be responsible for the repair. I said, I'll take my chances...
Although; we were talking about setting a property corner, not curb stakes every 25'...