Setting up an automatic level

Choose your set up site carefully. It should be:

• out of the construction area so that you are not hindering machinery or putting yourself in danger

• in a spot where you can see the entire construction site so you do not have to move the level

• in the shade.

As you will be spending a fair amount of time using the level, make sure that the tripod is set up at a comfortable height for you to look through. You should not be crouching or on tip toes to look through the sight of the level.

The tripod height can be adjusted by extending or retracting the tripod legs. Once the tripod height has been adjusted, push the legs into the ground to secure the tripod position.

Position the automatic level on the top of the tripod but do not lock it in. The level has a bubble on it, similar to a spirit level. Manoeuvre the level until the bubble is in the exact centre of the circle.

Aligning the bubble correctly will be made easier if the tripod has a domed top on it.

Once the bubble is centred, carefully lock the level onto the top of the tripod by screwing the locating bolt into the base of the level.

Unless you have an extremely steady hand you will find that after you have secured the level the bubble will be off centre. Use the adjustable legs on the base of the automatic level to move the bubble back into the centre of the circle.

Now adjust the focus of the viewfinder so that a clear image of the cross hairs is established.

A datum or reference point must now be established. As all your future measurements will relate back to this point it is vital that you measure this accurately.

This point should be:

• clearly visible from your viewing site

• a fixed object that will not move in either location or height (e.g. corner of a building, permanent posts...)

If a fixed object is not available, you will need to drive a surveyor's peg into the ground to ground level. To protect your datum point, surround it with at least three protective pegs and brightly coloured surveyor's tape. Make sure that all machinery operators and staff working on the site are aware of the location of the datum point and its importance to the project.

Finally, take a measurement at the datum point using the surveyor's staff and automatic level.

Write this measurement down and store it in a safe place. Do not rely on your memory!

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