So today is a milestone of sorts. We answered our first RFI based on the input of an iPhone application. Specifically, the app is called “Clinometer” and it measures levelness. Contractor stated that our walkway slopes the wrong way, and we responded with a photo of the iPhone indicating 3 degrees of positive slope, and closed the RFI.
I love this little device!
Has your iPhone AND the app been calibrated for accuracy to a known/accepted standard? Do you know what the measuring tolerance is? I hope it’s not plus/minus 4 degrees!
Also developer’s site says “recreational use only”!
All this is true, but it provides a better visual demonstration than my own practised eye. The contractor is more accepting of the gadget than my own heightened sensitivity to alignment issues.
There is more than one utility like this for the iPhone. I have one called iHandy Carpenter that contains several other utilities besides the level.
There is a calibration capability, but everyone I have seen installed if the default calibration on install was not changed they all had identical results. I did this with several reinstalls on mine just to check it. Also, installed it on both the first generation iPhone as well as the new one out. All identical.
They are at least as good as any carpenter’s level, perhaps better since you can more easily maneuver it to measure a surface.
Do I think its useful as a scientific instrument? Not really. But is it a handy utility more than good enough for the purpose to which Nathan is putting it - absolutely.
Do I think it needs to be calibrated to a known/accepted standard? No, not at all, because neither is the carpenter’s level that was likely used (or more likely NOT used) to set the work he was reviewing.
When I review woodwork for tolerances for separation between joints, I carry along an old automobile valve ‘feeler gage’ used to check the gaps for valve clearances. Very handy. Are they calibrated? No. But it serves as a very useful and handy tool.
If I was using my iPhone to check the level on something and the contractor raised the issue of ‘is this calibrated, if not why should I believe it?’ my response is going to be, its your work, I am questioning it (or in Nathan’s case the contractor was himself questioning the work installed based on the documents). Next word out of my mouth is going to be, "so, you are responsible to maintain tolerances. My basic tool here says there is a possible problem. So, lets get your calibrated laser level out here and determine just what the condition is.
We all carry ‘handy tools’ into the field. None of them need to be calibrated - they are more than close enough to serve their purpose.
William
While the above are “handy tools” that would merit further investigation of any non-complying work, my implicit “point” was that Mr. Wood’s is, in principle/concept, formally (via RFI) depending on this “handy tool.”
I would venture to say that as regards determining levelness or just about any other measuring requirement, as far as any CA or architectural observation requires, that a ‘handy tool’ is all anyone uses at first. As for a calibrated tool especially for levelness, the only thing you are going to find is a surveyor with his instruments.
So when what the architect considers is a spurious RFI questioning a built item, he is going to go hire a surveyor just to respond formally to an RFI? Why? Go make a casual observation to assure ones self, take along a ‘handy tool’ (a carpenter’s bubble level is the next most likely thing from what he happened to use that is adequate).
If the observation proves itself obvious, send the observation along to the contractor, challenge THEM to go hire a surveyor if they are so concerned.
If the observation is really close, then before responding you get a better tool.
The application for the iPhone’s various measuring tools is easy to determine if its accurate enough for the purpose.
When formally responding to an RFI, the first thing anyone should do is determine if the question merits further investigation. I would not advise anyone to go get a surveyor without their first taking a look at it with some casual ‘handy tools’. Obviously, you have to be intelligent enough to operate the ‘handy tool’ correctly as well as determine if it is accurate enough for what is required.
Not everything has to be instantly escalated to standards based calibrated tools, not even to formally answer an RFI.
William
I agree. As my old man the aircraft mechanic used to say, trust your most accurate tool, the “Mark One/Mod One Eyeball”. If it looks wrong, it probably is wrong. All any handy tool used by a construction administrator does is add credence the initial visual impression.
Laying out and building to level, line and plumb is clearly the Contractor’s job, as is verifying the results to the requisite level of accuracy.
A marble might work for this situation, too.
Saw that application on television ad. How does it work? Is there some sort of level inside the phone?
There is an extremely accurate motion sensor in the iPhone and also a very accurate electronic compass. It can detect very small motions. The compass is interesting because you can set it for true north, or magnetic. If magnetic, it uses the gps built into it to get the known deviation of magnetic north from true north for your location.
One interesting application is a star map. You hold it up to the sky and it shows the map of what is above you at exactly that angle, location, direction and time. Very nice. You can limit the objects you see, or, you can look at ‘everything’. A couple weeks ago, I was wondering what a very bright object was. This was also on the map. zoomed in and selected it and it turned out to be 2 planets so close they appeared as one visually. You don’t have to reset the view, you just move the phone around and the view dynamically changes.
There is actually another tool called iHandy Carpenter that contains a 2 levels (one is like a carpenters level, the other a horizontal lens level, both gives degreesl), plumb bob, ruler (metric and inches), protractor, quite interesting.
you are making me want an iphone…but that would mean having to give up my blackberry. What’s a gal to do???
Robin…that’s an easy question to answer. BOOT THE BERRY! (I LOVE my iPhone!)
William…the Google Earth iPhone app works in a similar manner. With the iPhone in a horizontal position, it works just like Google Earth on a computer. However, when you tilt it upward, Google Earth morphs to Google Sky. I have no clue if it’s really mapping the solar system though.
Starmap is really nice - you can turn on and off different different things, or, move out the depth of field. You can also turn on a feature that will show where meteor showers are likely to be seen. Its accurate enough that one of its first uses was by amateur astronomers to get their initial settings for their telescopes.
Robin, there are other nice features. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams have paint applications. You can photograph something, zoom in on a particular color (down to just pixel) and ask for the color match. It gives the closest color by the actual catalog color name. It will also give complimentary and contrasting color matches too.
Haworth even has an iPhone app, features some of their furniture or display rooms, tells you what the piece is, links to let you call them, email them, or takes you to the map to show you the location of that showroom. Its not really doing much, but, its a great marketing piece though.
It has Tripit and Flight track apps that work with those web sites. Setup a trip, then you get the iPhone link and you are given driving directions from the airport to your hotel, and that comes up in the mapping app with gps and driving directions. And of course, lets you check flight status. Coming back from Indianapolis CSIShow, our flight was delayed departing due to the plane we would be on was late arriving. With our phones, we were able to see how far away the flight was and its approximate arrival time before the information was available at the gate.
And of course, AroundMe where I can filter for various types of locations from restaurants, coffee shops or gas stations and many other categories, and it tells me where they are and how far away - and of course links to the gps mapping system with driving directions and distance from where I am located.
For those that don’t like ATT as the sole provider for the iPhone, it will open up to other providers when the exclusive contract ends. Its thought that it ends in 2010, that’s what the latest tend to believe (no one officially is really saying, its just the latest ‘thought’ on the subject).
William
So it’s been a few years since I started this thread. My iPhone is as indespensible as ever. I am curious how others are using them in Construction Admin activities?
Here is how I use mine:
So how are you using yours?
I use my Galaxy Note II Phablet in the following ways during CA activities:
Finally an honest CA!