📍 Setting Out

0/5 steps

Field Checklist (Supervisor-Free)

Design coordinates validated (units/datum/UTM zone)Occupied correct control point (ID confirmed)Orientation verified (backsight/resection check)Critical points double-checked (independent check)All pegs/marks labeled, witnessed, and protectedAs-staked check measurements recorded (for QA/as-built)

Stop Rules

Cannot reliably orient (backsight inconsistent)
Control disturbed or uncertain
CAD/design data projection mismatch suspected
Independent check fails and cause cannot be identified

STEP 1

Prepare Data

STEP 1 — PREPARE DESIGN DATA (SOP)
Setting out is only as good as the design data and coordinate system alignment.

Inputs you must have:
• Design coordinates (E,N) for all points to be staked
• Coordinate system definition (datum + UTM zone/hemisphere or local grid)
• Required tolerances (depends on project type)

Typical tolerances (guide only — follow project spec):
• Earthworks/rough grading: ±50 mm to ±100 mm
• General construction: ±20 mm
• High-precision (steel, machinery): ±5 mm to ±10 mm

Data validation (trainee-safe):
1) Confirm datum/projection/UTM zone matches the site control.
2) Confirm units (meters) and coordinate order (Easting, Northing).
3) Confirm CAD scale and that coordinates are “grid” (not paper units).
4) Do a reality check: pick 1–2 known points from the drawing and compare to field control.

In METARDU:
→ Add design points to the project OR import (DXF/CSV)
→ Tag critical points (building corners, PI points, services) for double-check.

🔗Open METARDU Tool → Setting Out

STEP 2

Establish Control

STEP 2 — ESTABLISH CONTROL + ORIENTATION (FIELD SOP)
Objective: you must know exactly where you are and which direction is “grid north” for your design.

Best practice hierarchy:
1) Occupy known control point A and backsight known control point B (strongest orientation).
2) Resection with 3+ known points (redundancy) + check residuals.
3) Temporary control only after you establish it with a short closed traverse (and it passes precision gates).

Orientation verification (trainee-safe):
• After orienting, observe an independent check point C (not used in orientation).
• Compute the check point coordinates. If the mismatch is outside tolerance → STOP and re-orient.

Control disturbance checks:
• Inspect the peg/mark (fresh digging, construction activity, loose peg).
• If disturbed or uncertain: STOP and re-establish control before staking.

Hard stop rules:
• You cannot confirm the occupied control ID.
• Backsight/resection is inconsistent or check point fails.
• You suspect CAD/design projection mismatch (grid vs ground, wrong zone).

🔗Open METARDU Tool → Setting Out

STEP 3

Stake Points

STEP 3 — STAKE EACH POINT (FIELD SOP)
Stakeout is a controlled procedure: stake → label → witness → check.

In METARDU:
→ Tools → Setting Out
→ Select target point(s)
→ Follow bearing + distance guidance (and GPS/audio if enabled)

Field staking routine (repeat for each point):
1) Confirm target point name matches the drawing schedule.
2) Move to the computed position and set the peg/mark.
3) Label immediately (point ID + date + offset notes).
4) Add a witness tie (two tape ties to permanent features if possible).
5) For critical points, set an offset peg (e.g., 1–2 m) so the point can be restored if disturbed.

Trainee mistakes to avoid:
• Staking without labels (creates chaos later).
• Using only one check (always do an independent check for critical points).
• Mixing grid vs ground coordinates without applying the project’s scale factor rules.

🔗Open METARDU Tool → Setting Out

STEP 4

Verify

STEP 4 — VERIFY + RECORD (FIELD SOP)
Verification is what makes you supervisor-free.

Verification options (pick at least one independent check):
• Check from a second setup: occupy another control and re-stake/check the point.
• Check an independent point: after orientation, compute coordinates of a check point not used in orientation.
• Check by measurement: measure distance/bearing from control to the staked point and compare to computed.

Tolerance handling:
• Use the project tolerance (do not assume ±20 mm for every job).
• If outside tolerance:
  1) Re-check occupation + HI/HR + prism constant.
  2) Re-check orientation (backsight/resection).
  3) Re-stake and re-check. If still failing → STOP and escalate (control/design mismatch likely).

As-staked record:
• Save the final stake coordinates and the check residuals (QA/as-built evidence).

🔗Open METARDU Tool → Setting Out

STEP 5

Handover

STEP 5 — HANDOVER (SOP)
A setting-out job is not finished until the site team can use your marks reliably.

Handover checklist:
• Walk the site with the foreman/site engineer and confirm point IDs.
• Explain offset pegs and reference marks (how to restore if disturbed).
• Provide a point schedule (ID, coordinates, description, tolerance).
• Provide “as-staked” check residuals (your QA evidence).

Trainee rule:
If marks will be disturbed by work, ALWAYS provide offsets and clear written instructions.

🔗Open METARDU Tool → Setting Out