Project Standards

Overview

Adherence to applicable standards ensures survey products meet professional and regulatory requirements. California surveyors must be familiar with both national and state-specific standards.

Learning Objectives

• Identify applicable survey standards
• Apply accuracy standards appropriately
• Document standard compliance
• Understand when standards apply

Key Concepts

National Standards

Key national standards include:

• ALTA/NSPS Standards: Land Title Survey requirements
• FGDC Standards: Geospatial positioning accuracy
• NGS Guidelines: Geodetic control surveys
• FEMA Requirements: Flood zone determinations

California-Specific Standards

State requirements include:

• Professional Land Surveyors Act regulations
• Board for Professional Engineers rules
• County Surveyor requirements
• Recording standards for maps

Accuracy Standards

Understanding accuracy specifications:

• Positional accuracy vs. relative accuracy
• Local accuracy vs. network accuracy
• Confidence levels and reporting
• Appropriate accuracy for survey type

Documentation Requirements

Proper documentation includes:

• Field notes and observations
• Equipment calibration records
• Procedures and methods used
• Deviations from standard practice

Key Terms

• ALTA Survey: Land title survey meeting ALTA/NSPS standards
• Positional Accuracy: Uncertainty of a point's coordinates
• Relative Accuracy: Uncertainty between related points

Practice Questions

1. When is an ALTA/NSPS survey required?
2. How should a surveyor document that a survey meets specific accuracy standards?