Basic Plans

Layout Plan

Establish the horizontal position, orientation, and extend of specific design elements proposed by the LA relative to some know point or points.

Fixed Dimesions

Locate site elements with a high level of accuracy and are typically used for legal purposes. (E.g. property lines, ROW, building setbacks)

Semi-Fixed Dimensions

Located in reference to fixed dimensions or other semi-fixed dimension points. There are a majority of the dimensions on a plan

Flexible Dimensions

Locate site elements that do not require precise positioning and therefore have a greater tolerance of error in their location.

Notation Standards

LA drawings follow architectural rather than engineering conventions (12’-9” not 12.75’)

Baseline System

Dimensions lines are drawn perpendicular to those elements to locate faces, edges, and centerlines of proposed elements, and specific points/corners of proposed elements can be located by the implied intersection of extension lines

Offset System

Used to locate curvilinear elements that do not require a high degree of accuracy

Architectural Grid System

Utilizes the proposed building grid system to organize and lay out proposed site construction

Coordinate System

Uses a distance along a horizontal axis and vertical axis to define the specific geographical position of a point

Stationing System

Technique used to lay out linear and curvilinear elements such as centerlines of roads, paths, and utilities

Angular System

May require use of angles, bearings, and arcs

Bearings

Acute angle and is located within one of 4 quadrants - NE, SE, SW, NW

Closed Dimensions

Occurs when a dimension string specifies the dimensions of everything between two known and fixed points. Should be avoided at all costs

Modular System

Layout repetitive objects such as paving patterns

Running System

Locating semi-fixed and adjustive objects

Material Plan

Identify hard scales and site furnishing used in the project and direct the contractor to the associated enlargement plans, sections, elevations and detail drawings within the construction document set

Irrigation Plan

Deliver water to plant material while also minimizing the water used for this purpose

Spray Irrigation

Applies water to the entire surface area within its design radius

Tree Bubblers

Specialized emitters placed in proximity to a tree’s roots

Rotor-Style Irrigation

Same as spray head but larger spray radius

Drip Irrigation

Water is conveyed through a network of flexible tubes and delivered directly to the roots of plants

Water Meter

Measure the amount of water used by a specific property or location

Backflow Preventer

Placed at beginning and used to protect potable water supplies from contaminations or pollution due to backflow

Master Valve

Automatic valve that protects the system from a line breaking by shutting off the water when none of the zone valves are operating

Flow Sensor

Attached to master valve and used to detect leaks

Irrigation Controller

Used to regulate the time and duration that each valve provides water to the devices in a distinct zone

Weather Sensor

Determine if and when any changes to the irrigation controllers programming should be made

Irrigation Wiring

Connect automatic control valves back to the irrigation controller

Isolation Valve

Manually operated devices that are placed at critical junctures along the irrigation mainline

Automatic Control Valve

Communicate with the irrigation controllers to regulate the flow of the water within a specific irrigation zone

Quick Coupler Valve

Used to connect a hose to the irrigation system

Valve Box

Plastic housing that contains one or more irrigation valves

Irrigation Piping

Typically PVC but sometimes require copper piping

Sleeving

Large diameter tubing placed under hardscale surfaces

Purple Pipe System

Any piping or equipment using reclaimed water is required to be purple

Fertigation

Irrigation system that introduces fertilizer into the water prior to it being emitted to plants

Planting Pit Width

2-5x wider that width of root ball

Planting Pit Depth

Slightly less than depth of root ball

Wrappings

Non-biodegradable nursery wrappings around the roots must be carefully removed. Burlap can be left but the top third should be cut back

Soil and Roots

Holes should be backfilled with same soil that was removed

Mulch and Fertilizer

3-4 inches and spread 5-7 feet around trees and approx. 4 feet around other plants

Lighting Plan

3 objectives

• Safety

• Security

• Aesthetics

Lighting Regularity

Arranged in regular and consistent patterns that provide clear illuminations

Lighting Hierarchy

Enhance the legibility of the site by reinforcing existing hierarchies

Lighting Articulation

Key site areas and elements should be illuminated to signal their location and to provide a visual cue as to what lies ahead

Lighting Intensity

Less important than providing a clear and consistent lighting scheme

Lighting Placement

Spacing and height of lighting elements should be considered in reference to their surroundings

Low Voltage System

Uses transformers to convert 120v line into 12v. Can be safely installed by landscape contractors that are not licensed electricians

Transformer

Change voltage from main power source to supply a lighting fixture with either lower or higher voltage

LED(Light Emitting Diode)

highly efficient light source

Shroud

Shielding device that attaches to the front of the fixture to block lamp brightness

Louver

Shield lamp brightness

Lumens

Unit of measurement that quantify the total amount of light energy emitted by a light source

Footcandle

Unit of measurement (1 lumen per sf) that quantifies illuminance or light intensity

Candlepower

Unit of measurement for the intensity of a light source in a given direction