ALL THINGS FIRE PROTECTION | SUBSCRIBE NOW
|
My company has recently re-evaluated how we take measurements onsite in the hope that we can find better/faster solutions than running tape measures to nearby structure. We create shop/installation drawings, to precision in measuring parts of existing systems is important.
What do you use when on job sites? Tape? Laser Measure? 360 cameras? Has anyone had any luck using laser scanners or photometrics for measurements? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe
6 Comments
12/5/2018 10:14:00 am
i have been working on a small project just for this application and have developed a working technique. Material: 1, 4' Wooster paint stick, round bubble level and a 165' bosh laser. I can vertically pin point the branch line plumb and then rotate the laser into horizontal for a length to one wall. also the laser is affixed at 4' to identify center line, openings at wall and ceiling using Pythagorean theorem.
Mike
12/5/2018 10:15:13 am
Laser scans are good if area is open but they won't result in single line drawings that I am aware. 12/5/2018 10:17:59 am
any ideas for identifying half sized vs full size in threaded at 20' or higher? binoculars?
Noah K
12/5/2018 11:35:48 am
This is definitely something that hinders the accuracy and efficiency of designing off an existing system. Aftering trying all the traditional methods of tapes, one distance lasers, chalking floors, strings, etc I started looking into more advanced options. I've found that Leica Geosystems makes some lasers that i have not personally tested yet, but look extremely applicable. BLK 360 is a 3d scanner that converts to autoCAD ocmpatible 3d geometry, Disto X4 has point to point measurement lasers and D810 touch has diameter measurements and height tracking lasers that are claimed to be 1/16" accuracy which hypothetically would be able to read the difference between any two pipe sizes. This still does not resolve not being able to identify existing sprinklers at high elevations, but i have been informed by some experienced building surveyors that they make some 300-400$ cameras that would be able to read the writing on a pendent sprinkler in a 40'-0 warehouse. Feel free to email me to follow up at Noah.Koski@rfp-inc.us to further discuss some results of lasers and new methods of surveying.
Dave L.
12/5/2018 03:28:51 pm
That’s interesting, Noah. I’ve been curious to hear feedback on the 3D laser systems. I have read articles on them in trade journals but have not heard any direct experience. At my current employer we just stared using a 3D camera and I am reluctantly seeing its benefit as an additional tool. I think the 3D technology may become a useful (albeit expensive) tool in the future. For the smallest jobs a good sturdy tape is still all I use, but my kit also contains (along with PPE) misc. things like a wooden folding ruler, diameter tape, binoculars, flashlights, camera, 5-pointed vault-lid socket, etc. And lots of lumber crayons and chalk. When I started in the industry we used telescoping fiberglass measuring poles, and plumb bobs. But I was an early user of plumb lasers instead, and you get what you pay for, the ones from the home centers aren’t as good as a good one like a Hilti. (One that also has a horizontal beam comes in handy sometimes.) Same goes for a distance-laser, I try to always bring them with me (and extra batteries). You can even use the plumb laser to spot both sides of a pipe on the ground and measure the diameter on the floor to help spot those 3.5” and 5” pipes on older systems. And use the plumb to find pipe centerline on the floor, then shoot distances off walls. It helps to have a good mentor when you are a rookie, and lots of practice. The importance of the one measurement you forgot to take, and the price of the tool you left there, are proportional to the distance to the jobsite.
Joe
12/5/2018 03:30:48 pm
"The importance of the one measurement you forgot to take, and the price of the tool you left there, are proportional to the distance to the jobsite." Leave a Reply. |
Free SignupSubscribe and learn something new each day:
CommunityThank You to Our Top
February '21 Contributors!
Your PostThe ToolkitSprinkler Designer or Engineer?
Get all of our tools, including the Sprinkler Database, Friction Loss Calculator, Fire Pump Analyzer and more: 
Filters
All
Archives
April 2021
Daily
Daily discussions are open-ended fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety questions submitted anonymously for the benefit of sharing expertise and learning from other perspectives. Anyone can submit a question here:
Exam Prep
2020 PE Prep Guide
(Available Now!) 
PE Prep Series
(Available Now!) 2020 PE Prep Series
Current Leaderboard (Click to enlarge) 
PE Problems
Visit July-October for daily Fire Protection PE Exam sample questions.
Solutions are posted the day after posting. Comment with your solutions, questions or clarifications. Please note that questions posted are unofficial and in accordance with NCEES rules are intended to be similar to actual exam questions, not actual exam questions themselves. |
RSS Feed
