Once in the field, inspection crews observe construction to
make sure that the pipes are built with the utmost attention
to public safety. They check pipe joints to see that they are
constructed to minimize the potential for failures. As materials
come in, inspectors verify quantities and make sure the budget
is on track. With all this information, documentation is key.
“With construction, it’s always about the records,” said civil
engineer Shane Kelleher, CEI (construction engineering and
inspection) coordinator at Ayres. “By the time the project is
completely constructed, all of the utility work will be buried.”
Potential problems with the piping, like leaks, aren’t going
to happen today. Those problems wait years to pop up.
“During construction is the best opportunity to provide good
information for future use,” he said.
Tools streamline documentation
Ayres’ inspectors used several tools to log activity, from the
simple hand-written journal to standard daily record templates
to a more high-tech, software option. For this project,
inspectors used GeoJot, an application that records geospatial
information and incorporates it individually with each picture.
Inspectors can add important details right then, such as the
condition of existing structures or field notes pertaining to
the pictured item. All of the information is linked to a dot on a
map of the project site. By the end of construction, the project
location map is covered in a smattering of dots, and each dot
contains photos and important details. Future users have an
easy way to manage and retrieve all this information that is
now buried underground.
Martin described how this geo-referenced photo approach to
documentation is much simpler to manage than thousands
of photos in reports.
“You might have a photo that’s showing a very close-up detail
of the pipe, and it’s harder to connect that detail to the bigger
picture. But using GeoJot, it’s easy to see that pipe and its up-
close details and also know exactly where it is,” Martin said. “If
Top photo: A line tapping procedure in process, with installed
saddle around existing pipe. Bottom: Water main getting installed
then followed with compaction and marking tape to prevent line
from damage during future excavation.
www.AyresAssociates.com
11