LARE LARE Construction Documentation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'TOW' and 'BOW' refer to in retaining wall construction documentation?
- Top of Wall and Bottom of Wall elevations (Correct answer)
- Type of Wall and Base of Wall material
- Total Opening Width and Base Opening Width
- Top of Window and Bottom of Window
Correct answer: Top of Wall and Bottom of Wall elevations
TOW (Top of Wall) and BOW (Bottom of Wall) are standard notation giving the finished elevations at the top and bottom of a retaining wall.
Question 2: A 'record drawing' (as-built) differs from the original construction documents because it:
- Uses a smaller scale
- Reflects the actual conditions as constructed, including any field changes (Correct answer)
- Is produced before construction begins
- Contains only the planting plan sheets
Correct answer: Reflects the actual conditions as constructed, including any field changes
Record drawings are updated after construction to document actual installed conditions, capturing field modifications that deviated from the original design.
Question 3: In a plant schedule on a planting plan, the 'Cal.' column refers to:
- The caliper (trunk diameter) of a tree (Correct answer)
- The California origin of the plant
- The caloric value used for photosynthesis
- The color of the plant's foliage
Correct answer: The caliper (trunk diameter) of a tree
Cal. is the standard abbreviation for caliper, the diameter of a tree trunk measured at a standardized height, used to specify tree size.
Question 4: Which specification format section typically covers 'Products'?
- Part 1 – General
- Part 2 – Products (Correct answer)
- Part 3 – Execution
- Part 4 – Quality Assurance
Correct answer: Part 2 – Products
The standard three-part specification format places material and product requirements in Part 2 – Products, covering materials, manufactured items, and mixes.
Question 5: A 'change order' (CO) is issued during construction to:
- Request bids from new contractors
- Formally authorize a modification to the contract scope, cost, or schedule (Correct answer)
- Document the contractor's daily work log
- Approve a submittal from the contractor
Correct answer: Formally authorize a modification to the contract scope, cost, or schedule
A change order is a signed agreement between the owner and contractor modifying the original contract for changes in scope, price, or project schedule.
Question 6: On a stormwater management plan, 'INV EL' notation refers to:
- Inventory of electrical conduit
- The invert elevation (inside bottom) of a pipe or structure (Correct answer)
- The inverted slope of a swale
- The invisible elevation above grade
Correct answer: The invert elevation (inside bottom) of a pipe or structure
Invert elevation (INV EL) is the inside-bottom elevation of a pipe, catch basin, or manhole, critical for ensuring proper drainage flow.
Question 7: Which document type establishes the legal boundary of a project site and is required before preparing any site plan?
- Topographic survey
- Boundary survey (plat or ALTA survey) (Correct answer)
- Geotechnical report
- Environmental impact assessment
Correct answer: Boundary survey (plat or ALTA survey)
A boundary survey establishes the legal limits of a property and must be completed before any site planning to ensure improvements stay within property lines.
LARE LARE Construction Documentation 5
What does 'TOW' and 'BOW' refer to in retaining wall construction documentation?