Setting Out and Surveying Ceilings

Why ceilings are a different kind of problem

A ceiling is an extended horizontal plane accessible only from below, and often already occupied by routed services — ductwork, cable trays, pipework. Standard linear measurement is either unusable or highly inaccurate here.

How a total station solves it

There is currently no other high-precision way to survey or set out a ceiling under these conditions. A total station records the coordinates of points on the ceiling or the bare soffit without touching the surface and without depending on what obstructions are in the way.

Setting out on site

The reverse task — transferring points from the drawing onto the bare soffit for hangers, ducting and equipment — is solved the same way: the instrument projects a line to the exact coordinates required, which removes the error inherent in marking out a large area by hand.