http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/~agen215/tapeproc.html

TAPING PROCEDURES

TAPING CREW

• Leads with zero end of tape, heading directly toward desired point
• Sets chaining pins or keel marks when at end of tape or when "breaking tape"
• Reads graduations on tape to determine fractions of a foot
• Applies correct tension as suggested by tape manufacturer
10 pounds on a flat tape suspended along its length
20 pounds suspended (a suspended tape needs more pull due to sag from effect of gravity)
• Records distances in survey notebook

• Follows with "100 ft" end of tape, notifying first person when end is being reached
• Maintains alignment by guiding forward tapeperson towards desired point
• Maintains level by eyeballing or by using hand level or other instrument
• Picks up chaining pins and notes total full tape lengths measured

TAPING ON LEVEL GROUND

Mark the line at both ends and at intermediate points as necessary.

The rear tapeperson calls "Tape" when reaching end of tape.
The forward tapeperson is lined in holding the zero end of the tape.
Tape should be straight and held at the same elevation.
A specified tension is applied to the tape.

Required when obstacles or surface irregularities make it undesirable to lay the tape on the ground.
Tape is held in a horizontal position with a plumb bob over the point used to mark the tape length.

The rear tapeperson holds the "100 ft" end of the tape over the rear (or first) point, and calls "Stick" when ready.
The forward tapeperson places a pin exactly opposite the zero mark on the tape, and calls "Stuck" when the pin is in place.
The pin location is checked by repeating the measurement (as many times as necessary).
The forward tapeperson paces off 100 feet and the process is repeated until a final partial tape length is measured.

Two types of tapes
adding tape -- is actually 101 feet long
cut tape -- is 100 feet long, and requires subtraction to use
Measure the distance.
Double check measurement.

After the partial tape length has been measured, the rear tapeperson determines the number of full tape lengths by counting the number of pins collected.
This number is called out to the forward tapeperson, who adds it to the partial tape distance, and records the total distance.

TAPING ON UNEVEN OR SLOPING GROUND

On a steep slope, a method of finding horizontal distance is "breaking tape".
Breaking Tape -- Measuring shorter distances at a time to allow the tape to be held horizontal at or below chest height.

The forward tapeperson places a pin at a tape mark.
The rear tapeperson moves ahead and holds the tape mark at the pin while the forward tapeperson proceeds.
This is repeated until the full 100 foot distance is marked.
The procedure is the same as when taping 100 foot lengths, only for shorter segments.

Taping downhill is preferable and easier to taping uphill.

TAPING ON A STEEP SLOPE

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