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Glossary of Terms
Many of the definitions presented here are taken in
substance from "Definitions of Surveying and Associated
Terms" prepared by a joint committee of the American
Congress on Surveying and Mapping and the American Society
of Civil Engineers, dated 1972. This publication is
available from the American Congress on Surveying and
Mapping and other sources.
Accuracy
Degree of conformity with a standard. Accuracy relates
to the quality of a result, and is distinguished from
precision, which relates to the quality of the operation
by which the result is obtained.
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BFE
Base Flood Elevation
The base flood elevation is the elevation determined
for a specific area to be the upper limit of a Special
Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). SFHA’s are areas subject
to inundation by a flood having a one- percent or greater
probability of being equaled or exceeded during any
given year (this is also known as a 100-year flood event).
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Chain
A unit of surveying measurement. When Kansas was originally
surveyed the method of measurement was with a 66 foot
"chain" divided into 100 links. Can also be
the procedure of measuring a line using a calibrated
steel tape today.
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Easement
Areas of land owned by the property owner, but in which
other parties, such as utility companies, may have limited
rights granted for a specific purpose.
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Encroachment
A structure or part of an improvement that occupies
the property of another.
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Encumbrance
An interest or partial right in real property, which
may affect the value of ownership, but does not prevent
the transfer of ownership. Mortgages, taxes and judgments
are encumbrances known as liens. Restrictions, easements,
and reservations are also encumbrances, although not
liens.
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Error
The difference between a measured value and the true
value. Error in measurement is inherent, but is separate
and distinct from a blunder (a mistake).
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Exception
From a title insurance policy, portions of the land
containing encumbrances and in which free and clear
title is subject to certain conditions. From a legal
description, portions of land, which are included in
the description of a larger parcel of land but then,
excluded from it by a subsequent legal description.
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Gun
A slang term for the instrument known as a "theodolite".
This instrument is what the surveyor uses to turn angles
and measure distances.
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Improvement
Usually some sort of manmade structure, although perhaps
not always a literal "improvement".
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Legal Description
A method of describing a particular parcel of land in
such a way that it uniquely describes the particular
parcel and no other. A legal description may be a simple
reference to a lot as shown on a subdivision plat, or
be described by metes and bounds. To be adequate, it
should be sufficient to locate the property without
oral testimony.
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Level
An instrument the surveyor uses to determine elevations.
Is used in conjunction with a level rod. The level is
used to read the measurement on the level rod.
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Measurement
An estimated value that is, by its nature, subject to
error. A person can count (an absolute value) one hundred
beans and get the same quantity as someone else counting
one hundred beans. However, if two people each measure
(an estimated value) a cup of beans, it is likely that
they will have a different quantity of beans. Two surveyors
measuring the same distance may obtain different values.
Both of the values should be similar, but they will
only approach the true theoretical value through repetition
and statistical analysis.
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Monument
An object placed to mark the physical location of a
position. A property corner monument is often a length
of iron rod driven vertically into the ground so that
the top is at or below natural grade. A cap identifying
the registration number of the surveyor responsible
for placing the monument must be placed atop the monument.
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Offset
In boundary: a point located at the extension of a line
and marking the direction of the line. An offset monument
may be placed on the extension of a line because the
offset position can provide a more durable monument.
A common practice is to place offset monuments in a
sidewalk or top of curb, as these monuments are less
likely to be disturbed than a monument marking the actual
position. In construction: a short distance usually
measured at a right angle to a line, to preserve the
position of the line when it is anticipated that points
marking the line itself would be disturbed.
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Precision
The degree of refinement in the performance of an operation,
or the degree of perfection in the instruments and methods
used when making measurements. An indication of the
uniformity or reproducibility of a result. Precision
relates to the quality of an operation by which a result
is obtained, and is distinguished from accuracy, which
relates to the quality of the result.
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Right-of-Way
A parcel of land granted by deed or easement for construction
and maintenance according to a designated use. This
may include highways, streets, canals, ditches, or other
uses.
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Shoot
A slang term for the physical act of measuring a line
with a "gun" or "theodolite". The
surveyor shoots the distance by triggering the electronic
distance-measuring device contained within the instrument.
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Subdivision Plat
A legal instrument intended to take a large parcel of
land and divide it into smaller parcels of land. A subdivision
plat may also create public rights-of-way or easements,
and is usually filed with the public real estate records
of the county.
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Title Commitment
A commitment to provide title insurance to a parcel
of land. The surveyor is interested in the legal description
and the exceptions.
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Tolerance
A mathematical term indicating the allowable variation
from a standard or from specified conditions. It is
an indication of the accuracy and the precision of a
measurement.
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Traverse
(TRAVerse) A geometrical shape that the surveyor follows
by placing and occupying points on the ground and measuring
the distances and angles between the points. The purpose
of the traverse is to help determine the accuracy and
precision of the measurement process. (traVERSE) The
physical act of measuring the geometrical shape.
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XYZ coordinates
A grouping of three numbers which designate the position
of a point in relation to a common reference frame.
In common usage, the X and Y coordinate fix the horizontal
position of the point, and Z refers to the elevation.
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