1. Using the Dumpy & Recording Levels
M. S. Martin
Aug – 2004
Revised Feb – 2006 & July 2009

2. Automatic Level / Dumpy Level
Circular Bubble
Eye Piece
Sighting Pointer
Horizontal Circle
Focusing Knob
Objective Lens
Base Plate
Foot Screw
Fine Adjustment

3. Completed booking sheet example
Rise & Fall method BS IS FS
RISE
FALL RL
REMARK
2250
47.195 BM
2825
575
46.620 A
2120
1976
849
47.469 B
1880
2400
280
47.189 C
486
1394
48.583 D
6250
4862
2243
855
1388

4. Leveling equipment & booking sheets
An automatic level or alternatively a laser level, are the most common instruments used by builders to establish RL’s on a building site. To do this and for future reference, the levels you take on site should be recorded formally, from which you can transfer given RL’s into contour plans, calculate required cut & fill etc.

5. Notes continued
Before we look at the level book, you should be aware and familiar with the following terms
View through telescope
Cross hairs
Upper & lower stadia lines

6. Line of Site or Line of Collimation
The view through the telescope is referred to as “the line of site” or “the line of collimation”

7. Notes Terms: BS – backsite IS – intermediate site FS – foresight
RISE – a change in height going up in level
FALL – a change in height going down in level
RL –reduced level
CP – change point
STN – station
BM – bench mark

8. Notes In reference to the use of instrument:
The first reading you take is always a B S backsite
The last reading you take is always a F S foresight
Readings in-between are I S intermediate sites

9. Using the Instrument