×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

(OP)
I am debating with a fellow engineer which term is appropriate to use.  In my experience as a site design engineer, I have seen "limit of disturbance (LOD)" or "limit of clearance (LOC)" used to describe the area in which a contractor may operate.  In his experience as a mining engineer, he has seen the phrase “limits of work”.  

We are operating in the mid-Atlantic region of the US.

I would like to know if one phrase is more common or standard than the other.

RE: Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

We usually use limit of disturbance because the other two limits you mention could be taken as more lenient limits.  Limit of disturbance gives me the idea that nothing for any reason what so ever will be disturbed beyond that boundary which is generally established and staked by an accurate field survey.  This is particularily true concerning grading limits at blue line streams, contaminated areas, or at property lines.  You could be fined, find the need to be decontaminated, or have a property owner taking shots at you if you cross those limits.  We have used the other two limits you mention but I suppose their usage is situational and a good cover all would always be limit of disturbance.  At least thats my opinion.

RE: Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

In PA, USA (also in the mid-Atlantic region of the US), sam is correct on Limits of Disturbance.  It is a legally binding delineation - like a wetlands delineation - to be field marked during stakeout.  I've only ever seen it used in the civil field.  It is strictly a regulatory term.

I disagree with sam on the leniency implied in "Limits of Work".  It is equally legally binding, but it is a contractual term.  I have seen it in all fields.  It is a graphic delineation of what the contractor must supply...exactly like a Scope of Deliverables is in the written contract.  For example, if your P&ID has the check valve on a run of piping delineated within the Limits of Work, and I don't supply it, you can sue me for it and win.

I've never seen or heard of Limits of Clearance, but it sounds like it means LofD.

Remember: The Chinese ideogram for “crisis” is comprised of the characters for “danger” and “opportunity.”
-Steve

RE: Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

In Illinois, the term "Construction Limit" is used, which defines the maximum area of the contractor's operation.

RE: Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

I've seen all the terms mentioned used.  It seems to be a preference of the engineering firm/organization you are working for.  Currently, the place I work at used "grading limits" and easement lines to note limits of disturbance.  Our specs state that despite what "grading limits" are shown on the plans, the contractor shall grade to the elevations shown, baring going beyond easement lines.

RE: Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

I've seen all the above terms used except LoD. I don't think the term used makes much difference IF it is clearly defined and shown on the plans and in the specs.  Know what you want, tell them what you want, show them what you want, remind them what you want and generally you'll get what you want.

RE: Limit of Disturbance or Limit of Work?

you are probably both right since each engineering discipline have their terminology.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources