Construction Industry/grade line transfer

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/4/2007


Question
im learning how to lay storm &sewer pipe and im put in a situation to were i need to know how to use a grade line transfer and  im dumb founded PLEASE HELP ME or send me to a site to were i can find the answer ive been looking for it and cant find it  

Answer
Dear Matt,
Please excuse my delay in answering you query.  I have unexpected house guests (snowbirds).
A Gradeline is an established elevation. (Sometimes called a baseline.)  First you must have a "Benchmark" or elevation that is the control point for all your work.  This is usually a pin or stake located where it will not be disturbed.  
Set up your level.  Measure the elevation at the Benchmark with your pole.  Swing the level to your pipe line, and, using your pole again, find the benchmark level and measure down to your pipe installation point.  This is the transfer point.  For example:  Your benchmark is established at a plus 7'0".  Your pipe begins at a plus 3'0" and slopes to a minus 1'0" between structures.  You set up your pole at the benchmark and get a reading of 5'0".  You then transfer to your pipe and measure down the 5' plus another 4' to get to the 3' elevation. At this point your mark from the level is down 9' and will be down 13' at the other end of the pipe.
This grade transfer applies to your structures as well.  Your approved shop drawings will give you the elevations for installation.  Here on the Florida coast, all our elevations are based on "sea level" as 0'-0" and everything is up (or down) from that point.
A house elevation is established as 18" above the crown of the road frontage.  The Surveyor will establish or find a benchmark for the subdivision and establish a stake on the building property showing the road crown elevation above (or below) the benchmark.  The stake is marked and flagged and must remain undisturbed until the Surveyor certifies that the proper grade of the finished floor has been met.
Was all that clear?  Let me know if you need more info.

Construction Industry

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roger Zona

Expertise

I am experienced in all types of construction: residential, industrial and commercial; single family, multi-family, mid-rise and high rise buildings (16 story office building) as well as remodeling, additions and tenant improvements. I can field most any question that relates to general construction. I have consulted with infrastructure (utility) contractors also and have a good general knowledge of underground utility construction for subdivisions and commercial projects.

Experience

After college, I began my career in the construction industry. I chose to become an apprentice Architect and 4 yrs later I opened my own architectural design firm. Six years later I moved to Florida to buy & develop land and build. I became a State of Florida Certified General Contractor and operated my business for 45 years. I built all types of residential and commercial buildings including warehouses, shopping centers, high rise apartments and office buildings and developed sites for other contractors. I retired and became a consultant to the construction industry. I maintain my license and continuing education requirements, operate a small construction company and write a weekly newspaper column for the Palm Beach Post (a Cox publication) with the byline "Ask The Contractor". I am the "technical editor" for a publisher of books that relate to home maintenance.

Organizations
Previously - NAHA Currently - FLCA (Florida Licensed Contractors Assoc.)

Publications
Palm Beach Post newspaper - weekly Q & A column Happy Herald monthly real estate publication - monthly column

Education/Credentials
Michigan State University University of Detroit BS in Engineering

Past/Present Clients
I built a home in Palm Beach for a member of the Pulitzer Family. I was responsible for the completion of a twin hi-rise condominium project for G.E. Credit. I was a partner in the successful development of a P.U.D. (Planned Urban Development) subdivision. I represented the largest home builder from France (Bati Service, S.A.) in the development of a subdivision and the design and construction of the homes.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.