Equipment Maintenance & Care

Category: Field Operations | Last Updated: January 20, 2026 | Author: Brian Krogsgard

Overview

Proper equipment maintenance protects company investments, ensures accurate surveys, and prevents costly repairs or replacements. All field staff are responsible for the care of equipment in their use.

Daily Procedures

Before Each Use

Inspect equipment for physical damage
Verify battery charge level
Check instrument level bubble and adjust if needed
Clean optical surfaces with lens tissue only (never paper towels)

After Each Use

Remove batteries from instruments for storage longer than 24 hours
Wipe down exterior with dry cloth
Return to case and secure latches
Log any issues in the equipment log

Weekly Checks

Total Station: Check horizontal and vertical collimation, re-zero if needed
GPS Units: Update firmware if pending, check antenna connections
Prism Poles: Check centering rod bubble, tighten any loose joints
Vehicles: Check fluid levels, tire pressure, lights

Calibration Schedule

Equipment	Calibration Interval	Method
Total Station	Quarterly	In-house two-face method
GPS Receiver	Annually	Licensed calibration lab
Level Rod	Annually	Compare to reference
Prism Constant	On purchase + if dropped	Two-station method

Damage Reporting

If equipment is damaged:

Stop using the equipment immediately
Document the damage with photos
Report to supervisor within 24 hours
Tag equipment as “OUT OF SERVICE”
Do not attempt repairs without authorization

Equipment Sign-Out

All portable equipment must be signed out in the equipment log:

Equipment name and serial number
Employee name
Date/time out
Date/time returned
Condition notes

Storage Requirements

All equipment stored indoors when not in use
Total stations in climate-controlled area when possible
Batteries stored at ~50% charge for long-term storage
Prism assemblies stored upright or in foam-lined cases

Questions? Contact the Equipment Manager or your supervisor.