Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
6.1 SITE VISITS
Site visits are either scheduled or unscheduled. A scheduled visit normally serves
one of two purposes. The first is to carry out routine inspections and maintenance
tasks, such as replacing batteries, adjusting guy wire tensions, and checking boom
orientations. This type of visit is typically done once every several months, depending
on the expected life of the equipment and manufacturers' guidelines. The second
purpose, which only applies if remote options are not available, is to retrieve data
manually from the data logger. The frequency of visits for manual data retrieval
depends on the storage capacity of the logger but in any event should be no less
often than once every 2 weeks. This schedule helps ensure that sensor problems are
promptly detected and fixed so that data losses can be kept to a minimum (the data
retrieval process is detailed in Chapter 7).
An unscheduled site visit is warranted whenever a significant problem with the
data collection is suspected. This could happen, for example, because of a failure to
retrieve data remotely, nonsensical sensor readings, a marked change in the readings
of one or more sensors relative to others, and other issues. Reports of severe weather,
including high winds, lightning, or icing conditions, around the site may also indicate
that a visit is warranted. In such cases, an unscheduled visit should be made as soon as
possible to minimize the potential loss of data. Both the program budget and staffing
plans should anticipate at least one unscheduled visit to each tower every year.
6.2 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The operation and maintenance program should be documented in an Operation and
Maintenance Manual. The purpose of this manual is to provide field personnel with
comprehensive, step-by-step procedures for carrying out both scheduled and unsched-
uled operation and maintenance tasks. The manual should include the following
elements.
6.2.1 Project Description and Operation and Maintenance
Philosophy
The manual should start by describing the project and its overall goals. The impor-
tant role of the technician in maintaining data quality and completeness should be
emphasized.
6.2.2 System Component Descriptions
The manual should provide a brief description of all instruments (anemometers, wind
vanes, temperature probes, data loggers, and others) and how they work. Detailed
information, such as manufacturers' manuals, should also be available for reference.
Such information helps field technicians to perform their jobs well and respond effec-
tively to unexpected situations.
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