An Inspector’sPrimer

An Inspector’sPrimer

Larry JohnsonHarris CountyLarry JohnsonHarris County

Topics to be discussed today

• Preparing Before the Inspection

• During the Inspection

• Follow-Up After the Inspection

Focusing on field inspections for systems trying to get an Authorization to Operate

Preparing for an Inspection- Spray System

• Gather Documentation:– Design Summary– Flow Diagram– Approved Plans, including site layout– Maintenance Contract– Electronic Monitoring Registration Sheet (if

applicable)

Preparing for an Inspection- Drip System

• Gather Documentation:

Requires everything you need for a spray inspection PLUS:

– Soils Evaluation– Effluent Loading Evaluation

Preparing for an Inspection-Systems Located within 100-Year

Floodplain

Additional Documentation Required:

– Elevation Certificate– Floodplain Maps– Buoyancy

Calculations

Preparing for an Inspection-For Sites with Water Wells

• Additional Documentation that may be Required:

– Water Well Log (if applicable) – Well Plugging Report (if applicable)

Gather Inspection Tools

You’ll need:

• Level

• Wheel

• Tape

• Probe

• Personal Protective Equipment (safety vest, safety hat, safety glasses)

Preparing for an Inspection-Basics

• HCAD (Tax) Map

• Key Map Location

• Set Up Appointment Time with Installer

Now you’re ready to go!

During the Inspection

• Verify the Plans with the Site Conditions

• Meet with the Installer to get necessary documents from them– As-Built (if necessary)– Any forms missing from pre-

inspection research

The Inspection

• Begin at the structure– Verify two-way cleanout– Verify piping material

acceptable

• Continue through system– Verify 1/8 inch fall in pipe

from structure to tank

The Inspection

• At the Tanks– Verify inlet and outlet tee’s in trash tank– Are all tanks & chlorinator on Harris County (or your

entity’s) approved tank list?– Verify tanks are level– Are the air compressor & diffusers working properly?– Check alarm floats and pump floats

NTS

The Inspection

• The Disposal Field- Spray– Check sprayhead radius

– Check set-backs

– Grading & Vegetation

• The Disposal Field- Drip– Depth of drip lines

– Number of lines & length of each

– Check set-backs

The Inspection

• Fill out inspection sheet

• Have installer sign with OSSF installer license number

• If it passed, you’re done.

• If not, please proceed to following slides.

The Follow-Up

• Only reinspect areas that failed. Corrections required are called out in paperwork from initial inspection.

• If at first you don’t succeed, try try again. But in Harris County, after your second inspection, you will pay for all additional inspections until you pass. We will charge you what it costs us to reinspect.

Questions?