Garden surveys and site appraisals

Question 1

What is a garden survey?

Answer 1

• Gathering of factual information
• Taking measurements on site
• Recording what is there now
  
  • Where it is
  • Size of features (detailed measurements)
• Recording on plan drawn to scale

Question 2

Define hazard and risk as used in risk assessments

Answer 2

Hazard: something that can cause harm to a person or persons

Risk: chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm

Risk assessment: hazards presented on site which may cause harm are identified and likelihood and severity of harm occurring is assessed. Control methods to minimise the risks can also be identified.

Question 3

Describe how to identify potential hazards and risks on a site

Answer 3

Consider:

• the work activity
• equipment to be used
• duration of the work
• location where the work activity is due to take place i.e. presence of hazards
• working environment e.g. weather conditions, lighting
• physical capabilities of the workers e.g. back problems,

Question 4

Potential hazards and risks on a site

Answer 4

• overhead and underground hazards e.g. electric cables
• unsafe hard landscaping, buildings, features and trees
• topography and existing features e.g. watercourses and ponds

Question 5

Potential restrictions which may limit work on a site

Answer 5

• financial constraints e.g. completion of work in stages to suit clients cash flow
• difficulties with access points for plants, equipment, materials
• topography e.g. degree and extent of slopes
• boundary constraints e.g. need to negotiate work at boundaries with neighbours
• seasonal restrictions to timing or work e.g. weather, day length
• legal restrictions (local byelaws)

Question 6

State which existing features need to be identified in a garden survey

Answer 6

Any significant features which need to be retained such as:

• garden buildings
• hard landscaping features
• trees and plants with design or sentimental importance or tree preservation orders

Other features which need to be removed

Question 7

Why is it necessary to identify existence of overhead and underground services?

Answer 7

Presence of underground services e.g. drainage, water, sewage, gas, oil, electricity, cable TV, may limit where excavations can be safely made

Overhead cables may restrict site access for equipment and large plants.

Damage to services can lead to cost, inconvenience, damage to soil and health and safety issues.

Question 8

What equipment do you need to carry out a linear survey?

Answer 8

• 2 surveyor’s tapes (minimum 30m in length)
• Skewers / metal pins to firmly fix tapes.
• Metal tape measure (with ability to stop it retracting).
• Wooden or metal pegs for datum points
• Notepad and pencil
• Squared / gridded paper.
• Clip board with waterproof cover.
• Builders square to check right angles.
• String line (with as little stretch as possible) or laser tape measure

Question 9

Describe the terms following used in linear surveys:

• Running measurement
• Offsets
• Triangulation

Answer 9

Running measurements: measurement of several features along a single line e.g. position of windows and doors along a house wall or along a fence to indicate the position of shrubs. The tape is secured and measurements are taken cumulatively without moving the tape.

Offsets: used to map the position of features by taking measurements at right angles to an established baseline. Usually used for the finer detail of the survey e.g. fixing the position of a curved border or path or locating the position of a group of trees.

Triangulation: used to determine a location using more than one linear measurement. Once the baseline is established take 2 linear measurements from each end of the baseline to locate the position of a tree or corner of the garden. by knowing the lengths of the 3 sides of a triangle we can plot the exact location of features that are at the corners of these triangles. For better accuracy larger triangles work best.

See https://www.leafylearning.co.uk/post/garden-planning-and-linear-surveying-measuring-methods-explained

Question 10

What needs to be recorded when carrying out a site appraisal?

Answer 10

Collection of physical information about a garden site:

• soil type, depth and texture
• soil pH and drainage
• contour (extent of slopes)
• aspect (N, E, S, W) and exposure e.g. prevailing winds
• microclimate e.g. frost pockets, heavy shade, rain shadows, sun traps, wind tunnels
• visual clues to areas with microclimates
• visual assessment of external features e.g. fine views, eyesores, style of house