Installers, surveyors, vendors and manufacturers

Duly qualified persons

Duly qualified persons (DQPs) are responsible for surveying and installing benchmarks, installing and validating storage meters, telemetry connection to the data acquisition service and validating the installation of existing storage meters. DQPs include the following occupations:

• certified storage meter installer and validator
• certified meter installer
• registered surveyor
• telemetry technician
• registered engineer

Surveyors

Storages used for floodplain harvesting will need to have a survey benchmark installed. A registered surveyor will survey, install and verify benchmarks prior to installation of storage meters.

• Read the Guideline for survey benchmarks—for qualified surveyors installing or verifying existing benchmarks

Register your details as a qualified surveyor to get involved and find out more about the measurement project.

Certified storage meter installers and validators

Certified meter installers (CMIs) are responsible for installing and validating storage meters and local intelligence devices at floodplain harvesting storages.

Find a certified meter installer.

If you want to become a certified storage meter installer and validator an accredited course is being offered by Irrigation Australia Limited.

Storage meters

A storage meter measures the water level within the storage and is used to determine the storage volume. It must meet the minimum specifications for storage meters.

Minimum specifications for storage meters

Criterion	Minimum specification
Output	Digital (SDI-12/Modbus) directly output from sensor
Range	Appropriate to the storage depth (typically 0 to 5 metres, up to 10 metres)
Accuracy	±10 millimetres
Calibration capability	Has the capacity to record and adjust calibration constants and can be tested against a reference meter
Supply voltage and power consumption	Can operate on nominal 12-volt direct-current supply and less than 20-milliamp average current draw
Data-acquisition service/data logger and telemetry unit compatibility	Data-acquisition-service compatibility for relevant floodplain harvesting measurement parameters; sensor can respond to requests for serial number and other diagnostic information
Temperature range	–5°C to +50°C operating temperature
Warranty	Minimum 12 months
Performance testing	Sensor has been trialled or is used in harsh environments by a reputable independent agency in Australia
Support	Satisfactory vendor documentation and local support available

Local-intelligence devices

A local intelligence device (LID) is a combined data logger and telemetry unit. It stores and transmits the water level data and related information to the data acquisition service. To achieve this LIDs need to be compatible with the storage meter that is being used.

A list of LIDs that meet the minimum specifications is now available and listed below.  The storage meters in the list above will interface with LIDs that have Modbus or SDI-12 communication outputs, but not Pulse outputs.

It is the water user’s responsibility to make sure that the chosen storage meter interfaces with the chosen LID. A meter installer will be able to provide advice about this integration, and other installation matters.

The product trade names in this publication are supplied on the understanding that no preference between equivalent products is intended and that the inclusion of a product name does not imply endorsement by the department over any equivalent product from another manufacturer.

Vendors

The department welcomes device manufacturers to develop storage meters and local intelligence devices that are compatible with the technical requirements of the healthy floodplain measurement policy. Device manufacturers are invited to submit their compatible devices for testing.

The assessment of storage meters against the minimum specification will be undertaken by Manly Hydraulic Laboratory at the vendor’s expense. An outline of the assessment process is provided below.

The assessment process also applies to storage sensors that have been previously assessed and will need to be reassessed if the supplier considers their device now meets the minimum standards. The department expects that nominated devices are proven technology with no further development work required to meet the specifications.

Please note vendors that have a fully integrated storage meter and telemetry solution will need to follow the local intelligence device assessment process as described in the market engagement policy for metering and telemetry.

More detailed information about the storage meter assessment process and ongoing listing requirements can be found in the Market engagement policy for metering and telemetry.