Learner Guide

AHCDRG301 Install drainage systems

 Table of Contents

Prepare for drainage systems ................................................................................................................. 3

Tools and equipment............................................................................................................................... 3
Pre start check ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Tools and equipment........................................................................................................................... 5
Report Hazards and Potential Workplace Incidents ............................................................................... 5
PPE ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Work and job orders................................................................................................................................ 7
Select and sequence information........................................................................................................ 8
Environmental concerns........................................................................................................................ 10
Maintaining a clean and safe work area ............................................................................................... 11
Terminology and abbreviations............................................................................................................. 12
Locating services ................................................................................................................................... 14
Soil and drainage ................................................................................................................................... 14
Drainage Properties of Soils .............................................................................................................. 15
Types of drainage systems .................................................................................................................... 15
Subsurface drains .............................................................................................................................. 16
Laying Ag Pipes .................................................................................................................................. 17
Surface and Subsurface Drains Compared ........................................................................................ 17
Stormwater detention basins ............................................................................................................ 17
Drain Testing ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Runoff Equation................................................................................................................................. 19
Finish site earthworks ........................................................................................................................... 20

Page 2 of 21 V1 July 2017 AHCDRG301 Learner Guide

Prepare for drainage systems
Knowledge and understanding of drainage systems are essential to apply in the workplace. The
knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

 The purposes of drainage systems and the application of drainage system plans to the physical
situation

 Drain types, components

and installation
techniques

 Environmental impacts of
irrigation and drainage
systems

 Soil characteristics

 Enterprise WHS
procedures

Drainage systems may include surface drains, culverts, mole drains, sand slit, sub-surface traps, pit
and trap systems, dune and swale systems, reed beds, water-recycling pumps and baffles.

The construction site for the drainage system and construction method needs to be identified
according to the site and drainage system plans, specifications and enterprise work procedures.

For example, it may specify the type and size of drainage material to be used.

When setting up and marking out a drainage project the following need to happen:

• Transfer measurements for the plan to the ground by marking with paint or stringlines

• Marking existing services (in a different colour)

• Levels taken from the plan and transferred to site

• Height markers along trench

Tools and equipment

Materials, tools, equipment and machinery
are selected according to drainage system
design requirements and enterprise work
procedures and pre operational safety
checks are performed.

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 3 of 21

Pre start check
Before using any equipment, tools and machinery, it must have a pre operational and pre-start safety
check to ensure that there is no damage to the equipment, guards are missing or faulty and all
required parts are attached.

Information for pre start checks for specific pieces of equipment can be found in operator manuals
and manufacturers guidelines.

Examples of what to look for on a pre start safety check:

 No obvious damage to any parts

 All guards are in place, in the correct position and firmly secured

 Cables or cords fitted or attached to the equipment are not frayed or damaged

 Blades are sharp with no damage and fastened correctly. Depending on the device the blades
may pivot in their lock bolts or be firmly secured. Blades may need to be replaced or disposed
on a regular basis depending on manufacturer’s recommendation and in line with
environmental policies

 Air cleaners are fitted correctly

 Power leads have no damage connected correctly for use outdoors

 Check oil levels are correct

During the inspection if any faults or damage is identified the equipment should not be used and
removed from service immediately and tagged as out of service. The damage should be reported to
your supervisor or other nominated person in the company to ensure that the damage is repaired
prior to it being used.

Steps to be taken when damage is identified:

 Stop using equipment

 Report to supervisor or relevant personal

 Tag equipment out of use

 Fill out damage equipment report

 Written report to WHS representative

Things need to be taken into account when judging the equipment characteristics, techniques
capabilities and limitations. For example:

 Terrain to be used in

 Weather conditions

 Type of work loads

Page 4 of 21 V1 July 2017 AHCDRG301 Learner Guide

Tools and equipment
Tools, equipment and machinery may include surveying and levelling equipment such as automatic
level, laser level, dumpy level, Cowley level, staff, boning rods, pegs, notebook, pencil and calculator;
hand tools such as rakes, shovels, spades, rollers, wheelbarrows, hoses and hose fittings; machinery
such as bobcats, ditch witches, backhoes, front-end loaders, graders, mechanical rollers, trucks,
hydraulic trailers, and tractors and 3-point linkage equipment; pumps and pump fittings; and fitting
and welding tools appropriate to the drainage system.

Report Hazards and Potential Workplace Incidents

Stay vigilant while you are at work; be on the lookout for any hazards or potential incidents.

To ensure that the workplace is and remains safe you have an obligation to report any workplace
hazards or potential incidents that you may find. These should be reported to your site supervisor,
leading hand, employer or HS representative who in turn has an obligation under the Work Health and
Safety Act to fix the problem in order to eliminate any risk to the workers.

Some sites may require you to complete a form identifying the hazard and its location. If this is the
case, this would usually be done using a Hazard Report form.

Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, soil and
waterborne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, manual handling, moving vehicles,
machinery and machinery parts, uneven surfaces and flying and falling objects

Some examples of site hazards, the risk they pose and control measures employed are:

 Cement dust – corrosive to the skin, skin and respiratory irritations - wear gloves and dust
masks

 Plant and equipment – collisions, damage to property impact with workers – using correct
hand signals, wearing high vis

 Traffic and pedestrians – collisions, injury by walking into construction area - signage and
barricades

 Uv radiation – heat stroke, sunburn, dehydration – hat sunscreen, long clothing plenty of
water

 Manual tasks – injury – correct manual handling, correct PPE, following company procedures

 Noise - hearing impairment – signage, earmuffs

 Dust – breathing in dust – watering down site, signage and dust masks

 Excavations – falling into holes and trenches – barricades and signage

 Falling objects – being impacted – hard hats, barricades and signage

 Infectious diseases – soil born bacteria’s – gloves and washing hands

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 5 of 21

PPE
The correct PPE can be identified through reading Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals or company
policy and procedures may specify what PPE is required when carrying out a task.

You could insure operational effectiveness of PPE and other equipment by regularly maintaining it
and through the pre start safety check.

On completion of a job your PPE should be checked, cleaned and stored correctly so it will be in the
correct working order when required next.

If PPE is not maintained correctly it will not give the required protection it was designed for and injury
may result.

Basic steps to check and store PPE:

• Check PPE for damage

• Clean PPE at a wash station

• Thoroughly dry PPE before storing

• Store PPE following workplace procedures

• Check manufacture guide if unsure

PPE may include:

 Hat

 Boots

 Overalls

 Gloves,

 Goggles

 Respirator or face mask

 Face guard

 Hearing protection

 Sunscreen lotion

 Hard hat

Page 6 of 21 V1 July 2017 AHCDRG301 Learner Guide

Work and job orders
Work procedures may include supervisors oral or written instructions, installation program, enterprise
standard operating procedures (SOPs), specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes,
product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), manufacturers service specifications and operators
manuals, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines and WHS procedures.

A work order is an order received by an organization from a customer or client, or an order created
internally within the organization. A work order may be for products or services. Things included in a
work order include:

• Where

• Customers name

• When

• Type

• Size of material

• Quantity

• Environmental instructions

All this information can be confirmed with your supervisor.

Supervisors, suppliers, clients, colleagues or managers may all receive a copy of a work order.

Once you have a work order you can create a job order.

Contractors may use a single job work order and invoice form that contains the customer information,
describes the work performed, lists charges for material and labour, and can be given to the customer
as an invoice.

A job order is an internal document extensively used by projects-based, manufacturing, building and
fabrication businesses. A job order may be for products and/or services. A job order will be more
specific and include such things as;

• The day of the week

• The names of staff and the days they are working

• What job each person will be doing that day

• Time frame to be completed in

• Materials needed and their availability

• Equipment and machinery to be used

• PPE needed for the job

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 7 of 21

Select and sequence information
There is a large amount of information you need to access and manage as part of your job.
Information may include workplace policies and procedures, client or manufacturer's instructions,
safety guidelines and other workplace documentation. You don't have to deal with it all at once
otherwise you would soon be overloaded with information. But you do have to work out how to select
the information you need at the right time, and then be able to put it all in the right order.

Selecting and sequencing information involves identifying ideas or key pieces of information and
putting them into the correct order to make sense so the job is done in the correct order and that the
requirement materials and equipment are available at the correct time.

Sequencing and selecting information are critical skills to develop to help you carry out daily activities.
You should also use active listening techniques and be willing to ask questions if necessary. Always be
willing to speak with your supervisor if you are unsure of what is expected of you and the standard of
work you are expected to attain.

Once you have a job order you can sequence your work tasks as to provide you with a time line to
complete your works in an effective and timely manner. An example of this is using a Gantt chart.
Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the work tasks and puts them in a sequential order
so all workers can see what, where and when each task needs to be performed. Terminal elements
and summary elements comprise the work breakdown structure of the project. Modern Gantt charts
also show the dependency (i.e., precedence network) relationships between activities. On the
following page is an example.

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AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 9 of 21
Environmental concerns
Restructuring and creation of slopes for drainage purposes may affect the run-off and flow rates of
stormwater and excess irrigation water from the site, which may have beneficial or adverse impacts
on the external environment. Drainage systems may also enable the enterprise to store and recycle
storm and grey water for re-use within the enterprise, thereby reducing detrimental impacts on the
external environment such as salinisation, waterlogging and erosion.

The extent of environmental implications of any construction works may be either positive or
negative. If it is drainage and irrigation, this may reduce excess water, nutrient and chemical flow into
natural waterways. If the works involve excavation, then this may damage the soil structure and
stability of the site.

As it is the law to follow environmental protection requirements on a work site, it is our individual
duty of care to identify hazards in the workplace and possible ways of reducing them. However, while
we think we might already know what is needed to achieve this and improve sustainability, there are
also federal, state or territory, and local government laws and by-laws that must be adhered to. The
Environmental Protection Act covers all these issues.

Identifying the correct workplace documents for reporting incidents or hazards will be explained as
part of your workplace induction and will vary depending on the company and its policies and
procedures.

Environmental hazards are reported using workplace specific report forms. For example an incident
report form would be used when a chemical spill occurs.

The incident would be reported to the supervisor, manager, safety officer and in the case of a major
spill the relevant local authority would need to be notified.

An example of a workplace environmental hazards may include:

• Herbicide or pesticide spill

• Incorrect disposal of materials

• Faulty or broken equipment

• Fuel or oil spill.

Some workplace environmental issues and their solution may include:

• Chemical spills – these require the correct containment procedures and neutralising chemicals
or another solution would be to change chemicals to a bio degradable chemical

• Noise emissions – to rectify noise pollution he use of sound proofing in walls and ceilings may
be required or updating to a more efficient and quieter piece of equipment

• Power usage – as power production is polluting using more power efficient equipment and
turning off equipment when not in use can save power consumption

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Environmental plans, policies and procedures outline the required responses to known environmental
issues on site. Every construction worksite needs to comply with environmental requirements and
controls.

Information on what is required can be found from the relevant statutory and regulatory authorities
such as federal, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of
practice.

Environmental requirements includes clean up management and waste management for the work site
which may include:

• Site clean-up management

• Waste material management

• Demolition management

• Vegetation protection or rehabilitation

• Erosion and sediment control plans

• Chemical and hazardous material storage management

• Heritage protection

Different states and work sites will have varying requirements so obtaining and understanding a copy
of the site specific plans is important so that all parties know what must be done for the specific site.
Always refer to the environmental control plan for that site.

Maintaining a clean and safe work area

The importance of maintaining a clean and safe work area cannot be under estimated and is necessary
to maintain a site so it limits injury, damage and the spread of diseases either for humans or plants.
This includes cleaning up the work area; disposing of waste; checking plant, equipment and tools, and
ensuring these are stored as required. Cleaning up should be an ongoing process. Time should be
scheduled daily, at the end of shift, end of week and end of project according to the work. The aim is
to leave the workplace in a neat and safe condition, to clean up tools and equipment ready for the
next session, and to extend the useful life of plant, tools and equipment.

Ensuring the worksite is neat and tidy is not just for appearances. Removing waste and rubbish for
disposal, re-use or recycling is now an environmental responsibility as well as malting the workplace a
safer place.

The task of cleaning up should be planned when the site is first established. As well as removing
unwanted items from the site, clean- up strategies may include:

 Controlling waste water so that run off does not affect waterways and stormwater systems

 Managing waste management including resource recovery and recycling

 Controlling and managing hazardous materials

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  Avoiding site contamination such as damage to underground tanks or pipelines; leakage of
chemicals or waste fluids by inappropriate storage, handling or disposal or importing
contaminated fill

 Managing soil erosion and sediment

 Restoring the site to its original condition where this is appropriate, by re-vegetation or
environmental repair, backfilling and levelling off excavations

 Putting away all power leads, tools and equipment to prevent unauthorised use and to
prevent slips, trips and falls

 Ensuring hazardous items such as solvents and fuel are safely locked away or removed from
the work area in accordance with safety regulations.

Cleaning is a work task that warrants a job safety analysis (JSA) and when hazards such as chemicals
and high-pressure washers are present, appropriate measures should be in place, including access to
safety data sheets (SDSs), appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training, and
adequate ventilation.

Consideration must be given to the appropriate disposal of unused and waste materials. Materials
suitable for later use should be stored in a suitable place to prevent possible damage from moisture or
termites. Check the supplier or manufacturer's instructions.

Legislation, regulations and by-laws require specific measures to prevent environmental damage such
as pollution of water by waste products, and these must be carefully monitored. Clean-up
requirements may also apply through codes of practice or be detailed in the job specifications.

Regulations by councils and environmental authorities apply to the disposal of items such as solvents,
chemicals and plastics, paints and cleaning fluids, sealants and fixing compounds, electrical wiring, and
the removal of asbestos (by licensed persons only).

Terminology and abbreviations

You can find the meaning of abbreviations, signs, symbols and construction structures marked on the
plan in the plan legend. Construction maps, plans or drawings use symbols and abbreviations and
must also provide a legend to explain what these symbols and abbreviations mean. The legend is the
information that allows you to clarify the meaning of the symbols, the scale of the drawing and the
directional information. The standard location for the legend on drawings and maps is in the upper
right-hand corner. It is generally identifiable by the title 'legend' and is usually surrounded by a border.

Some symbols and abbreviations included in the legend may be common within the industry while
others may be specific to the organisation, worksite or task being undertaken. It is important to read
and understand the legend as it details exactly what each symbol and abbreviation means.

People on both sides of a conversation are likely to be more comfortable if you are using familiar
language, which could help make negotiation go a bit more smoothly. If there’s an industry-standard
term that fits what you’re trying to say, use that term if you can. It is also important to understand
industry terminology as it avoids confusion and ensures that everyone understands and can action the
true meaning of what is being said. Below are a list of abbreviations and there meaning:

Page 12 of 21 V1 July 2017 AHCDRG301 Learner Guide

Ag pipe - Ag Pipe also known as agricultural pipe is the pipe used in the drainage systems. It comes in
three varieties: unslotted, slotted and slotted with sleeve. The slotted pipe is used for water collection
and transfer. The slotted pipe with the sock is used when it is necessary to prevent soil from entering
through the slots in the pipe. The sock is a fine mesh material that surrounds the pipe.

Storm water system - Also called rainwater system, they are the pipes serving downpipes, roof drains,
scuppers and farm drains in the property.

Sewage and drainage water - Water that is conveyed from properties and roads. Divided up into
waste water, storm water and drainage water.

Yard and Garage Gullies - A large gully which includes a sediment bucket to collect any grit or slit
which might otherwise block the outlet pipe. The bucket should periodically be removed for cleansing
purposes

Below are some examples of abbreviations and their meaning:

 BV - Back Vent
 CIP - Cast Iron Pipe
 EV - Educt Vent
 EW - Earthenware
 GEW - Glazed Earthenware
 GIT - Grease Inspection Trap
 GT - Gully Trap
 IC - Inspection Chamber
 IO - Inspection Opening or Outlet
 JU - Jump Up
 PJC - Plain Junction Cap
 P Pan - Toilet outlet through rear wall
 RW – Rain water
 RWH - Rain Water Head
 S PAN - Toilet outlet through floor
 SC - Stopcock
 SD - Sewer Drain
 SP – Sewer pipe, Soil Pipe and Stand Pipe
 SV - Stop Valve
 SVP - Soil Vent Pipe
 SWD - Storm Water Drain
 WC - Water Closet (Toilet)

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 13 of 21

Locating services
Another consideration is on-site services, such as telephone, water pipes and electricity. Along with
these you also need to be careful of existing trees and structures. These need to be located before you
dig so that you don't damage them or cause injury to yourself or others on the site.

It is important to obtain a copy of the site plans to identify where these services are located or consult
with your supervisor before you start digging. If site plans are not available you need to dial before
you dig. By contacting the local services companies you can identify where these services are located.

Dial before You Dig is a referral service for information on locating underground utilities anywhere in
Australia. If you do not contact dial before you dig and you damage services you will not be covered by
insurance.

If discrepancies are found with the location and depth of services they must be reported to your
supervisor.

When excavating you need to make sure not to damage services, facilities, features and established
plants. As part of WHS requirements you must have a spotter (a person watching the excavation
procedure) at all times.

Soil and drainage

All sites should be able to maximise permeable surfaces such as garden beds, lawns, porous paving
and paths.

Before installing subsurface units such as soak wells and infiltration trenches, consider the following
matters for your site:

Soil type — Check the soil type, which affects the efficiency of some drainage solutions. Sandy soils
are excellent for infiltration but clay soils tend to become waterlogged. For example, water sensitive
design in heavy clay soils may need to be supplemented with traditional conveyancing methods.

Soil depth — Ensure that the soil has sufficient depth. Areas with shallow soil underlain by impervious
rock such as granite, shale or limestone may impede infiltration and may require some stormwater
pipes to remove water for discharge off-site.

Groundwater — Determine the depth to groundwater. A high groundwater table may reduce the
effectiveness of infiltration methods during storms.

Slope — Ensure that the stormwater design accounts for the terrain. Severe slopes increase runoff
velocities.

Regulations — Check with your local council before employing drainage solutions. Some components
may conflict with local government drainage regulations.

Page 14 of 21 V1 July 2017 AHCDRG301 Learner Guide

Drainage Properties of Soils
A soil may need artificial drainage for:

 A high water table that should be lowered

 Removing excess water that cannot move downward

Following properties of soils affects the artificial drainage:

 Permeability - A permeable soil seldom needs artificial drainage, except when the soil has a
high water table. Slowly permeable soils often needs artificial drainage, especially when the
land surface is level and rainfall is high.

 Texture - The texture or particle size affects pore size distribution. The finer the texture, the
smaller size of pores and greater the need for artificial drainage. Conversely, the need for
removal of excess water by artificial drainage is reduced as particle sixe, increase from clay to
silt to loam to sandy loam to sand.

 Soil Structure - The arrangement of soil particles, i.e. soil structure affects the drainage
properties of soil. Soils having platy structure or aggregate with horizontal axis loner than
vertical have poor drainage than granular structure.

 Infiltration - Infiltration characteristics of soil surface greatly affects the drainage of soils, if
infiltration rate of soil is poor we need artificial drainage.

 Soil Colour - Permeable soils that don’t require drainage are uniform in colours throughout
the profile. Yellow sub soils usually intermediate permeability. Grey clay sub soils in humid
regions indicate very slow permeability that needs artificial drainage.

Types of drainage systems

The purpose of a drainage system is to collect, transport, and dispose of the water through an outfall
or outlet.

Drainage systems are meant to function as regularly as possible to prevent undue waterlogging at any
given time and it is this regular drainage system that is most often employed. In agricultural literature,
this is sometimes also called a "relief drainage system".

Drainage systems are classified into 2 groups:

 Surface drains

 Subsurface Drains

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 15 of 21

Surface drains

Surface drains, as the name suggests, will

remove water from the ground surface prior
to infiltration and can also prevent excess
water from flowing on to an area. In short,
they collect water from the ground surface
and transport it to a suitable disposal point.
A la rge gullywhich includes as edimentbuckettocollectany gritors lit whic h might otherwise block the outlet pipe. The bucketshouldperiodicallybe re movedforcleans ing purposes (s ee Fig2).

Anti-Flood Gullies

A fitting des ignedtopre ventsurchargingorfloodingofs urfa ce wate rdrains . Withthe ball types hown,whenbackflow orsurcharging occurs the ball rises ontothe unders ide of the acces s cover untilitfinallys its into the rubberseating,preventinganyfurtherflow ineitherdire ction untilthe flood wate rs ubsides

Surface drains can be classified into three

groups:

 Contour, swale or mowable drains

are earth furrows. The surface of the drains vary from grass to artificial creek beds.

 Dish drains are drains constructed of hard units or sections laid to a grade on a solid footing.
Grate drains like the one pictured here.

Subsurface drains
The main force which influences the movement of water
through the soil is gravity. So the main aim of subsurface
drainage is to help this water movement. Subsurface
drainage can also provide a path for water to leave the
soil profile when the water-table rises to its level.

Water must be able to move through the soil and into a

drain and off the site. This means that drains should be
constructed so that they can transport water to where it
can be discharged freely and safely.

Drains do not pull water from the soil and it is wrong to

say that an area has been over-drained. It is more likely
that the soil does not have the required water holding.

It is essential that the gravel and Ag pipe are encased by geo fabric textile to protect from
contamination by soil. Without the geo fabric the soil will contaminate the gravel and in time will
block the system.

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Laying Ag Pipes
You don’t need to be a plumber to lay agricultural drains in your garden. Some advice for laying the
pipes are:
• The pipes should be laid at a gradient of no flatter than 1 in 100 (1cm in 1m) to the point to
which the flow will be directed. A gradient of 1 in 50 is better!
• When excavating a trench for agricultural drains you need to dig the trench at a width of at
least twice the width of the pipe and at least 25mm deeper than the level of the pipe.
• Line trench with geofabric textile
• Lay 25mm of 10mm gravel in the trench keeping it at the set gradient.
• Lay the pipe along the top of the gravel keeping it as straight as possible.
• Fill the trench with 10mm gravel to 100mm below ground level.
• Fill the last 100mm with topsoil.
• Make sure you have a silt trap before the point where you connect to the point of discharge.

When working out how much drainage material is needed for a trench make sure you subtract the size
of the pipe and the 100mm of soil to go over the top of the drainage system. So the formulae would
be LxWxD minus the pipe and top soil volume.

Surface and Subsurface Drains Compared

Both of these drainage systems are very specific in both the way they assist drainage and the way in
which it is achieved.

 Surface drains will remove above ground water that has not, or will not infiltrate into the soil
quickly enough.

 Subsurface drains will remove excess water that exists in the soil profile.

The best system for a particular location will ultimately be decided for you, if you follow a good design
process.

Stormwater detention basins

Sometimes it will be necessary to drainage water from a
site into a detention basin.

'Detention' means to hold something. Stormwater

detention structures are big constructed ponds that
catch water during a storm. The base is sometimes
made from rock, concrete or stone. This minimises soil
disturbance in the pond.

There are several benefits to holding water in this way:

The rate of flow is reduced by capturing the water. It can then either drain out more slowly or be held
until it evaporates. This can reduce erosion from areas where water would otherwise have flowed.

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 17 of 21

Silt has very fine soil particles that can be held by water. Detention structures are sometimes called silt
traps. While water is held in the pond, silt settles to the bottom. Detention structures can help reduce
off-site problems caused by sedimentation, such as destruction of habitat.

Stormwater can bring other sorts of contaminants into the pond. Depending on the environment in
the catchment area, this may include animal waste, oily residues from roads, chemicals or nutrients
from agricultural areas and rubbish dropped by people. Capturing these contaminants can reduce
other off-site problems caused by pollution, such as algal blooms and destruction of habitat.

If ponds are being used to catch silt, pollution and rubbish, then at some stage they need to be cleared
out, otherwise the system will block up over time.

Drain Testing
After the drain has been laid and before backfilling, or pouring concrete or granular material round
the pipes, it should be tested for configuration, soundness and that it is working to designed
specification. For example blowing smoke through the pipe.

The three main methods of testing underground drains for soundness are:

1. Water Tests.

2. Air Tests.

3. Smoke Tests.

If any leak occurs, the defective pipe or joint should be rectified and the drain again tested. Wherever
possible, testing should be carried out between the manholes and short branch drains tested along
with the main drainage system. Long branch drains and manholes should be tested separately. The
test before backfilling should be carried out as soon as is practicable and the pipe should be supported
to prevent any movement of the drain during the test.

Water Tests - The drain should be filled with water, to give a test pressure equal to 1.5m of water
above the soffit of the drain at the high end, but not more than 4m head of water above the soffit of
the drain at the low end. Steeply grade drains should be tested in stages, so that the head of water at
the lower end does not exceed 4m.

The pipeline should be allowed to stand for two hours and topped up with water.

After two hours the loss of water from the pipeline should be measured by noting the quantity
of water needed to maintain the test head for 30 minutes. The fall of water needed in the vessel or
stand pipe may be due to one or more of the following:

Absorption by pipes or joints;

Trapped Air;

Sweating of pipes and joints;

Leakage from defective pipes or joints;

Leakage from stoppers.

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Final Water Test - The rate of water loss should not exceed 1 litre/hour per metre diameter, per metre
run of pipe. For various pipe sizes the rate of loss per metre run during the 30 minute period is 0.05
litre for 100mm pipe, 0.08 litre for 150mm pipe, and 0.12 litre for a 225mm pipe.

Calculating drainage (also called storm water runoff) may sound difficult, but it is actually quick and
easy to do. By following the steps outlined, you will be able to determine the amount of water
draining from your property and ways that this water can be efficiently stored. The steps below
include examples that show exactly what you need to do.

Runoff Equation
In most cases, storm water runoff can be calculated using the Rational Method. This method can be
used for all drainage areas

 Less than 200 acres. For drainage areas greater than 200 acres, other methods can be used, or
the drainage area can be divided

 Into zones less than 200 acres.

The Rational Method equation is: Q = C x I x A where:

Q = Storm Water Runoff (in cubic feet per second)

C = Coefficient of Runoff

I = Rainfall Intensity (in inches per hour)

A = Area of Drainage Zone (in acres)

The equation above can be modified to give you runoff in gallons per minute.

The modified equation is: Q = (C x I x A) / 96.23 where:

Q = Storm Water Runoff (in gallons per minute, gpm)

C = Coefficient of Runoff

I = Rainfall Intensity (in inches per hour)

A = Area of Drainage Zone (in square feet)

Calculating runoff from your property can be done in three steps;

1) Calculate the runoff

2) Calculate the volume of water to be stored

3) Determine how to store the water

Remedial action must be taken when drainage systems fail to meet specifications. Your supervisor
needs to be informed so the problem can be remedied as soon as possible. For example, you might
notice that a silt trap has not been installed before the point of discharge.

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Finish site earthworks
On completion of drainage activities the site should be restored to its original condition where this is
appropriate, by re-vegetation or environmental repair, backfilling and levelling off excavations.

As part of the completion process when undertaking a drainage program all earthworks and surface
finishes need to be carried out according to the site plan specifications.

Once all work has been completed a final report should be submitted to the client or supervisor noting
any discrepancies and how they were rectified. This may be done through notes on the site plan. The
waste material may include unused construction and excavated materials, and plant debris, litter and
broken components.

Plant-based material may be mulched or composted, plastic, metal, paper-based materials may be
recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work
procedures.

Waste may be removed to designated areas for recycling, reuse and return to the manufacturer or
disposal. Type of client and the job undertaken will determine the type of report required for the
client.

Clean and maintain tools and equipment

Cleaning, maintaining and correctly storing, tools, equipment and machinery is necessary to keep it in
good working order and prevent malfunctions. It also decreases the risk of the spread of disease and
will prolong the life of the equipment tools and machinery.

Plant, equipment and tools will deteriorate if not correctly used, maintained and stored. In most
cases, detailed advice and recommendations will be provided by the manufacturer, and may be
supplemented by particular requirements of WHS authorities.

Many workplaces develop procedures for maintenance, cleaning and storage of tools and equipment
and these procedures should be carefully followed. Where required, ensure these actions are
recorded. Failure to inform others of faulty items and returning them to storage can result in injury to
people and damage to equipment and the environment.

It is important to clean maintain and store equipment correctly because:

• This will ensure the equipment will give you the results in which it was intended to.
• It will prevent malfunctions and injuries
• Prevent contamination
• Prolong the life of the tools and equipment

Keeping tools and equipment in a clean condition also provides the opportunity to check their
operation and carry out basic maintenance. How often this is scheduled will vary according to the type
of item, frequency and conditions of use, durability of the item, ability of the operator, and general
workplace practices.

Levelling device operator maintenance may include:

Page 20 of 21 V1 July 2017 AHCDRG301 Learner Guide

 • Authorised servicing

• Cleaning to remove the build-up of dirt, rust and grease

• Monitoring, recording and reporting of faults

• May include conduct of authorised minor replacements

It is important that care is taken (particularly with automatic and laser levels), and you follow the
manufacturer's recommendations, particularly those relating to any authorisation of repairs and
adjustments. All faults need to be recorded and acted on as soon as possible in accordance with the
workplace procedures.

Levels are precision instruments, and proper care includes:

• Transporting equipment in a suitable container

• Taking care when removing the levels from the container

• Ensuring the level is firmly screwed on to the tripod

• Ensuring the level tripod assembly is adequately supported when being carried.

Levelling staffs should be carried and stored in a protective cover to protect the face from damage and
any moisture should be allowed to disperse before storage. Correct storage ensures that the
equipment is fully protected from moisture, vibration, or unauthorised access.

All work outcomes should be recorded and reported. They may need to be reported to the
supervisor, client or all involved parties. Plans need to be amended with all changes that were made
or of discrepancies found so a correct record can be kept.

AHCDRG301 Learner Guide V1 July 2017 Page 21 of 21