Section - 12F: Sketching

and Baseline
Written by LeeSmith

Sketching and Baseline

My last few projects have been low budget, no survey team, minimum field
support, and no one available to assist in field data gathering. Sometimes
you have good drawings of the existing units, but often you need to sketch
the whole thing.

So, here is a few hints on setting up your sketch and establishing a baseline
for dimensions.

1. Check the area for structure, be it piperack, platforms, equipment,

fencing, etc., and use as your sketch baseline. If there is some distance
between them, use colored twine to stretch between to measure to. Use
duct tape to tape the twine to the structure to make sure it doesn't slide
down or slip off. You'll probably need to verify north/south line baseline.
Also make sure that you establish the baseline at a known height of concrete
pad or structure.

2. Sketch all the item that you need in your project plan to adequately make
you modification to. Note where drains and sewers are, power lines and
boxes, manways and access points to the area, and any nozzle and tie-in
points that you need.

3. With you baseline established start pulling measurements to it. If you

have a partner, thus should go fast with one holding the tape and one
reading measurements and taking notes. Most of the time, I'm doing this
alone, so I use magnets to hold the tape in place or have magnetic tips on
my tape. I keep several of each in my field bag. Just a note, if you do use
magnets, keep the in a separate bag and away from you laptop bag and
portable drives. I usually check this bag at the airport to keep from taking it
through security. My field bag not only has magnets, but multi-tools, stakes,
d-clips, mirrors, flashlights, markers, survey tape and colored duck tape,
several rolls of twine, several plumb Bob's, tennis ball, torpedo levels, line
levels, dry eraser board and markers, and grease markers and Sharpies. I
also have a tape that is for measuring diameters of pipe, so if I have a
question in the piping I am looking at, I can verify with it or measure the
circumference of the pipe to get the OD. Yep, it weights about 35 pounds
when I add my winter FRP, hard hat, FRP rain gear, and gloves.

4. To keep your self square in measurements, pull from the object to your
baseline. You'll notice that there are ruled marks on top and bottom of the
tape. Slide the tape along the baseline till both side of the tape read the
same or the marks line up with the baseline. This will so you that you have
squared your tape with the object and have an accurate measurement to it.
Take all your measurements and add them to your sketch.

5. For elevations, use the baseline as well. Attach another length of twine to
the object at the face of flange, top of support, etc., and pull to the baseline.
With a line level, stretch the line till the line level bubbles boxes and take a
measurement between the lines. If the pad is level, I just measure from the
object to top of pad. If you have objects overhead, measure down to the
baseline to establish an elevation.

6. Always get help from unit operators. Your going to need to know where
underground piping, conduit, and sewers are. You can see some of these
objects above grade, and if there are several of them, you can locate them
between what you see. But most of the time, the operators will have to help
locate them. Add them to you sketch. Oh, while the operator is there, tell
them what your project is and see if they have any suggestions on layout,
operations, or maintainable clearances you need to consider. If these guys
don't like what you designing, you might get bad reviews.

7. Finish up by taking photos of all you have sketched. Don't get to close
that you can't establish what you looking at. If you need close pictures, use
a dry eraser board, identify what your taking a photo of, and place it beside
the object in the picture. It also helps if you go to the corners of the area
and take panning photos from all sides. Don't forget to get overhead photos
also. And if you can safely climb, take an overhead of the area.

Hope this helps. Be safe in the field.

Things that are in the field

bag………………………………………………………………………………………….
About the Author

Lee Smith is the Owner/Operator of Smith

Design, CADWorx and AutoCAD experienced,