Introduction to Conservation Engineering

Transcription

1 Introduction to Conservation Engineering Annual Conference March 15-17, 2017 The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. Scott Mueller, P.E., NRCS Agricultural Engineer Travis Buckley, EIT., DATCP

2 Topics Questions throughout the presentation EJAA / AEPC Conservation Planning References Standards Specifications Spreadsheets Standard Drawings Others Design folders Construction plans Construction Quality Assurance Documentation As-Built Plans Construction approval Final thoughts

3 NRCS - ENGINEERING JOB APPROVAL AUTHORITY DATCP - Agricultural Engineering Practitioner Certification

4 Engineering Job Approval Authority/Certification Maintains the credibility and public trust of agency engineering staff. Provides accountability required by the state statutes for registration of engineers. Establishes a boundary for an employee s scope of employment.

5 State Law WI Dept. of Safety & Professional Services Chapter 443 of the Wisconsin Statutes No person may practice professional engineering in Wisconsin unless that person has been duly registered as a professional engineer.

6 Definitions (6) Practice of professional engineering.. includes any professional service requiring the application of engineering principles and data, in which the public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health or property is concerned and involved, such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, or responsible supervision of construction, alteration, or operation, in connection with any public or private utilities, structures, projects, bridges, plants and buildings, machines, equipment, processes and works. 7

7 Exempt persons (2) Employees of the federal government, while engaged in professional engineering for the federal government are exempt from the State Law. Ch. 443 WI Statutes Exempt persons. The following persons, while practicing within the scope of their respective exemptions, shall be exempt from this chapter:

8 Exempt persons (10) Any person employed by a county or this state who is engaged in the planning, design, installation or regulation of land and water conservation activities under ch. 92 or s and who is certified under s Ch. 443 WI Statutes Exempt persons. The following persons, while practicing within the scope of their respective exemptions, shall be exempt from this chapter:

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10 NRCS Engineering Job Approval Authority (EJAA) Delegation & DATCP Agricultural Engineering Practitioner (AEP) Certification o The agencies collaborate on the assignment of EJAA/AEPC. o NRCS and DATCP utilize a joint approval form. o changes are coming o The joint form is a working document to comply with the state rules and federal policy.

11 DATCP Policy 12

12 ATCP 50.46, Wis. Adm. Code Conservation engineering practitioners 1. Identifies conservation engineering practices 2. Designates State Soil & Water Conservation Engineer 3. Certification Requirements Evaluation of applicants Certification Ratings Planning, Design, Construction (5 Job Class Levels) Review certification ratings (min. of every 3 years) Suspend or Revoke Certification Training (can charge fees)

13 Joint Engineering Certification/Job Approval Extension of NRCS Job Approval Authority Exemption from engineering licensing by: Establishing & maintaining certification levels for each technician in: Planning Design Construction

14 NRCS Policy 15

15 Policy References GM_210 - Title 210 Engineering GM policy Employee Responsibility as a Practicing Professional Engineer. D. Each engineer has the responsibility to ensure that their work meets this objective and to use professional judgment in committing and securing the necessary time and resources to do the job in a professional manner. 16

16 Policy References M_210_NEM_500 - Part 500 Introduction These policies are provided for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the technical excellence in engineering that results from a knowledge of engineering principles and the ability to apply that knowledge effectively. 17

17 Engineering Job Approval Authority (EJAA) Policy National Engineering Manual (NEM) 501 Engineering job approval authority is the quality assurance process that ensures adequate consideration by competent NRCS employees in the planning, design, and installation of conservation practices

18 A Major Responsibility! Each employee providing engineering technical assistance must be assigned engineering job approval authority. NEM of 170 practices currently listed in the WI FOTG have engineering designated as the lead discipline.

19 Some Policy Samples A person with the appropriate job approval level must: Approve alternatives before they are presented to the landowner. (NEM WI and 510) Perform a functional review of designs or construction plans submitted by non- NRCS sources. (NEM 505) 20

20 Some Policy Samples A person with the appropriate job approval level must: Verify that practices implemented meet standards and specifications. (GM ) Spot check practices. (GM ) 21

21 One More Policy Sample All certified conservation planners will develop conservation plans that contain conservation practices that meet NRCS standards and specifications. (GM ) 22

22 TELL ME Who can design engineering conservation practices? 23

23 Delegation NRCS EJAA is based on: Training Experience Demonstrated competence

24 How to Obtain Certification ATCP 50.46, WI Admin. Code Demonstrated Knowledge Training Experience Record of appropriately seeking assistance Work with your Area Engineering Contacts

25 NRCS EJAA Delegation The State Conservation Engineer is delegated the EJAA for all engineering practices (NHCP) by NEM policy. State Soil & Water Conservation Engineer is delegated the AEPC for engineering practices by DATCP Rule.

26 NRCS EJAA Delegation Policy The State Conservation Engineer delegates EJAA to all NRCS Field Engineers and Civil Engineering Technicians. The Area Engineer delegates EJAA to other field staff.

27 DATCP EAP Certification Policy The State Soil & Water Conservation Engineer (Conservation Engineer Supervisor) delegates EAPC to all DATCP Field Engineers and Engineering Specialist. The DAATCP Field Engineer delegates EAPC to staff employed by a County (LCD staff)

28 NRCS General Manual, 210 Part 402 (and WI s ) Engineering Practice Includes: Consultation Investigation Planning Evaluation Design Inspection of Construction

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30 Wisconsin EJAA Form 31

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33 EJAA/AEPC The individual s supervisor must concur with the EJAA/AEPC delegation. Individual EJAA/AEPC is reviewed annually for those in their present position for less than three years. EJAA/AEPC is reviewed at least every three years for all other staff.

34 Continuing Education Minimum of 30 hours of engineeringrelated training every three years (review cycle of the approval). On the job Formal classes Area training Technical update meetings

35 WI NRCS Engineering Approval DATCP Agricultural Engineering Practitioner Continuing Education Requirements Minimum of 30 hours every three years (review cycle of the approval). Individual is responsible to track the hours. No submittal required except for: The renewal review (every three years); Or if additional level of approval is requested, reasonable progress will need to be shown. A tracking form is available on the WI NRCS webpage. Information needed: Title of training session/agenda item (to show relevance) Name of the trainer/presenter and type of training (classroom, webinar, etc.) Sponsor of the event CEU hours (one hour of continuing education per hour of training)

36 Name: Job Approval Authority Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Record Date of Training Title of Training Session / Agenda Item Trainer / Type of Training (classroom, webinar, etc.) Sponsor CEU Hours Comments Totals 0 Signature: Note: This record should be reviewed with your supervisor and submitted to the NRCS/DATCP Engineers when requesting job approval authority updates/renewals. A minimum of 30 hours during the course of 3 years is required.

37 What is the job class? You are reviewing a construction plan that contains the following: a Job Class III grassed waterway a Job Class II subsurface drain What is the EJAA/AEPC Job Class needed for approval? 38

38 In Summary Why are staff delegated EJAA/AEPC? Who needs EJAA/AEPC? EJAA/AEPC must be earned by...?

39 In Summary EJAA/AEPC must be earned It is not a privilege. Know your limits of EJAA/AEPC and state law exemption. Doing work without EJAA/AEPC may be a violation of state law --- unless you are a PE. Approve only those practices meeting standard (s) Planning Design Construction You may put liability on yourself - not NRCS, DATCP, or LCD.

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41 Conservation Planning Figure out the problem you re trying to solve BEFORE you solve it. Plan systems and systems of practices Structural practices Management changes Operational changes Philosophy 100% of manure - 100% of the time Water management top of the field to stable outlet Treat erosion at the source Keep Clean water Clean

42 References i/technical/engineering/

43 Standards & Specifications E-FOTG Section IV

44 NRCS Conservation Practice Standards Wisconsin NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (e-fotg), Section IV Not meeting non-national criteria requires waiver from the NRCS State Conservation Engineer JR Cannot give a waiver to national criteria

45 Design Standards Minimum Criteria for Design Structure: Definition Purpose Conditions Where Practice Applies Laws Criteria (General and Specific) Considerations Plans and Specifications Operation and Maintenance References Definitions

46 NRCS Wisconsin Construction Specifications Wisconsin NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG), Section IV How to Construct practice to meet the Practice Standards Deviation requires waiver from the Individual with EJAA/EAPC

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49 Spreadsheets Engineering Spreadsheetshttp:// etail/wi/technical/engineering/?cid=nrcs14 2p2_ More detail: Friday 9:15-10:15 Palm Garden Ballroom D

50 Engineering CAD Drawings The designer is responsible to insure the site conditions, structure function, hydraulic and structural requirements are not exceeded when selecting the applicable standard detail drawing. Standard detail drawings and standard designs must be adapted to the specific site conditions. Wisconsin standard detail drawings are either structural or nonstructural. Wisconsin Supplements WI to WI to the National Engineering Manual (NEM), contains the policy for use of all standard detail drawings. The design folders for structural standard detail drawings are on file at the NRCS State Office in Madison. 51

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52 Standard Drawings Drawings that can be used to assemble plan sets. Do NOT alter standard drawings without talking to your technical point of contact Altering standard drawings may change your approval level Fill in the blanks

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56 NEM Design Folders All notes, computations, drawings, sketches, and other data must be recorded neatly and organized in a manner that allows reproduction and incorporation in reports with a minimum of editing. Design drawings, diagrams, graphs, sketches, or other pictorial representations should be incorporated into the computation file if the size and scale permit. Designs drawn on larger sheets that cannot be folded to computation sheet size must be cited at the appropriate place in the computations by a notation that fully identifies the drawing and its file location. 57

57 Design Folder contains Preliminary / conceptual designs Printed hard copy of the survey data Site investigations Soil Logs Soil test results Design narrative (Assumptions), Design computations, Note standard(s) and dates, used in the design Design spreadsheet printouts, Construction drawings, Specifications, Cost Estimate, Inspection plan, and Operation and maintenance plan Construction Quality Assurance Plan 58

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59 Construction plans What is included in a construction plan? Where do I find what is required? 60

60 Construction plans What is included in a construction plan? Information the contractor needs to build the design. Project location Quantities Notes Surface and Subsurface information Site plan and layout information Dimensions Construction detail Typical cross sections of the project Profiles of the project Disposal requirements for excess soil material Vegetative establishment requirements Site specific construction specifications (WCS) Others??? 61

61 Construction plans Where do I find what is required? Every standard has a Plans and Specification section Not a comprehensive list, but a good start Include what is needed to communicate what is required to be built Plans - What and where Specifications - How 62

62 Construction What is your role? 63

63 Construction: Communication / Quality Assurance / Documentation COMMUNICATION Pre-Construction Conference: What and when are we going to do things-who is responsible for what: Permits 811- Diggers Hotline Construction site erosion control Layout Quality Control Etc. QUALITY ASSURANCE Who are the inspectors? Know the design and specifications! Follow the specification and inspection plan What needs to be checked PRIOR to construction? What needs to be checked during construction? QC vs QA. Anticipate next step in construction When to be onsite DOCUMENTATION If you measure it, shoot it, or specifically observe it; write it down How do we handle changes and how do we support changes Approvals. (you need to have the appropriate design EJAA to make changes.) The documentation must tell the construction story Photos

64 Communication Ensure that landowner is aware of the requirements of the construction plan and associated specifications. Landowner s hire the contractor(s) assist with site showing. Property boundaries and neighboring landowner(s) concerns. Make sure the landowner has proper permits and utilities marked. Mandate that you have a pre-construction conference with the contractor (Suppliers?)

65 Pre-construction conference A pre-arranged meeting with the landowner, contractor and all sub contractors preferably onsite with the project staked for construction. (Suppliers) Have copies of the plan and specifications for all Discuss who is doing what when? Establish the Chain of Command Review materials requirements before they are purchased. Especially items that have to be inspected off site like concrete, stone, geotextile, etc. Discuss how to handle changes (Don t forget $) Discuss safety, utilities, and permits Review inspection requirements QC vs. QA

66 Construction Quality Assurance Maintain a professional demeanor. Review and understand plan and specifications-have a copy of both with you Be on-site when QA is needed. Anticipate time when you are needed onsite. (Continuous or intermittent) Verify the materials quality as early as you can in the process Follow the chain of command established. (usually the foreman) Keep the landowner (LO) involved. Be adaptable (listen) to changes-contractors have good ideas Must meet practice standard (Specification too, if required by the standard) Inform the LO and foreman when construction needs to be stopped or paused If in doubt CALL YOUR DATCP OR NRCS ENGINEERING CONTACT! We got your back

67 Construction documentation: SURVEY DOCUMENTATION Layout notes Survey shots taken during construction Grade checks Final as built survey WRITTEN NOTES Keep a job diary. Make notes on the construction plan Record anything that you specifically observe (and corrective actions) Construction techniques e.g. how was it built is needs to be written down. MATERIALS DOCUMENTATION Steel tags, pipe material, batch delivery tickets, seed tags, manf. literature Supporting photos Examples of product

68 Documentation: How to do it: Job diary (hard or soft) bound and keep your notes there. Make sure your observations are dated. Annotate right on the plan by checking (and dates) or makes notes directly on the plan. Use photographs. Job diary Photo number, date, and appropriate notes and descriptions Keep a daily construction log on your installation. (job diary) Organize construction documentation, including materials documentation. If you observe it, shoot it, or measure it- WRIGHT IT DOWN- When the project is over, use the documentation and complete the as-built drawings (in red on the construction plan)

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70 Inspection plans

71 What is construction Approval? Does not necessarily have to be the inspector or the design approver The approver is responsible for the constructed practice The approver certifies the construction documentation and as built drawings represents the project was built meeting the minimum requirements of the standard(s). It doesn t allow a person to make design change, only the design approver can do that.

72 Final thoughts Know your role, do it well, and let others do theirs Be safe Stay within your approval limits when signing your name The landowner owns the project The contractor works for the landowner Don t obligate additional cost w/o consulting landowner (agency) Get engineering assistance as soon as possible if the job runs into areas where you are not going to meet the standard. Don t change the plan without the plan approvers permission Document, Document, Document Be an active inspector - Be on-site when QA is needed. If you see something un-safe Say something. Communicate, communicate, communicate

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