and 4. Place the wire X from batter board 1 over
midway between the two marks thus found. Vertical
stakes A and B to batter board 3.
distance can then be measured up or down from the
batter board lines.
b. After locating and sinking stake C erect
batter boards 5 and 6. Place the wire Y from batter
1-42. SQUARING BUILDING LINES
board 2 over stakes A and C to batter board 6.
There are two generally accepted methods for
c. After locating and sinking stake D, erect
squaring building lines commonly used by the
batter boards 7 and 8. Place the wire Z from batter
carpenter: the diagonal method and the 3 - 4 - 5
board 5 over stakes C and D to batter board 7.
triangle method.
d. Place line O over stakes D and B from
a. The diagonal method. If all the
batter boards 8 and 4.
corners are square, the diagonals will be of equal
length. These diagonals are seldom equal on the first
e. Since TO buildings are generally built
trial; therefore, we must adjust the sides so that the
with the top of the subfloor a specified minimum
building will be square. Referring to figure 1-39, let
distance off the ground, it will usually be found
us assume that when the diagonals were measured
convenient to mark the height of subfloor above the
BC was shorter than AD. It has already been
ground on the batter board post at the "high" corner
established that al sides are the correct length and
(the corner where the existing grade is highest). The
also that side AB is always the base. Therefore, all of
top of the batter board will be placed at the mark and
the adjustments are made by moving the wires on
will represent the top of the subfloor. The first batter
batter boards 6 and 8 either to the left or the right. In
board crosspiece is located by placing the top edge
this case, the wire BD should be moved to the right a
crosspiece in line with the mark on the post and
sufficient distance on batter board 8, and AC a
leveling the crosspiece with a carpenters level, then
corresponding distance on batter board 6. The
fastening the crosspiece to the posts with nails. The
diagonals are then measured. If they are not yet the
same procedure is used for the second batter board
same length, the process is repeated until the
crosspiece. Now the problem is to carry this
diagonals are equal. When the outline is correct, saw
reference level to the other corners, thereby
cuts are made in the outside edges of the batter board
maintaining a truly horizontal plane. This is best
to mark and hold the correct location of the wires.
done with a transit but it can be accomplished with a
line level. With the wire attached to the established
b. 3 - 4 - 5 method. Referring to figure 1-
batter board, attach a line level at the center of the
39, the distance AF is measured. AF is3 feet or a
wire. Move the free end of the wire up and down on
multiple thereof such as 6, 9, or 12. Measure off AG
the next post until the line is level. Once it is level
to a distance of 4 feet (8 feet if 6 feet was used for
mark the post and reverse the line level and repeat the
AF, 12 feet if 9 feet was used for AF, or 16 feet if 12
process. In many cases, due to variation in position
feet was used for AF). Adjust the wires until FG
and inaccuracies of the level, the reversal will give a
equals 5 feet if the other two measurements used
different point on the post, but the variation should
were 3 feet and 4 feet (10 feet if 6 feet and 8 feet
not exceed 1 inch. If the variation is greater, repeat
were used, 15 feet if 9 feet and 12 feet were used, and
the procedure. The point of elevation will be a point
20 feet if 12 feet and 16 feet were used).
1-42
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