ETL 1110-2-540
30 Sep 96
Chapter 5
checks are required to ensure that the system operates properly
Plan Operation and Maintenance
during an emergency.
5-1. General
ensure high quality data recovery. Raingage tipping buckets
and stream gage sensors, particularly pressure transducers, can
Effective flood warning systems do not sit in the closet only to
drift from their nominal calibrations.
be pulled out when a flood strikes. Continuous operations and
maintenance are essential to keep the system functional and
c. Radio systems must be checked and retuned
ready when needed. Various specific elements of a flood
periodically to satisfy regulations of the Federal Communi-
warning - preparedness program can affect reliability.
cations Commission. In addition, should radio transmitters drift
Table 5-1 identifies several of these key elements.
off frequency, data recovery declines.
d. Hydrologic models require periodic adjustments to
Table 5-1
reflect knowledge gained by experiencing new storms.
Reliability Considerations
Frequently, new flood warning systems do not have adequate
Category
Items
data to calibrate the hydrologic models properly. Each new
Hardware Sensor Site Hardware
!
storm provides information to refine hydrologic model para-
Sensor function/calibrations
!
Transmitter electronics
meter estimates. In the early years of a flood warning system,
!
Battery life
calibrations should be reviewed annually and after each
significant event.
Base Station Hardware
!
Electrical power
!
Radio receiver
e. Ongoing inspection, maintenance, and replacement are
!
Telephone modems
essential. Floods are aperiodic. Major floods are infrequent
!
Computers
and anything but routine. Keeping the system well maintained
Communications Hardware
to achieve optimal system performance when the unexpected
!
Telephone lines
flood does occur is critical.
!
Radio repeaters
Software
Base Station Computer
5-3. Revisions and Enhancements
!
Data collection
!
Data quality control
Technologies are constantly evolving into tools that can
!
Alarming features
improve system performance. Advances in electronic compo-
!
Display functions
!
Hydrologic models
nents are specific cases in point. New components are smaller,
faster, and cheaper to make. In some cases, technologies are
Leadership Flood Warning Coordinator
changing so rapidly that obsolete equipment can become a
!
Forecast procedure updates
!
Volunteer observer updates
critical concern - especially if the rate that equipment becomes
!
Training
obsolete is higher than a community's capacity to replace it.
!
Drills
!
Documentation for volunteers
5-4. Training
Response Emergency Plans
!
Updates
a. On-going training is vital to overall system
!
Training
performance.
Personnel and technology change, and
!
Drills
enhanced versions of components and/or software become
available. Also, interagency relationships and responsibilities
5-2. Periodic Calibration, Inspection, and
change over time, making on-going training and "situational
Maintenance
awareness" essential.
a. Measurement systems, communication systems, and
Specifically, on-going training is essential for:
b.
forecast systems need periodic calibrations to ensure quality
performance. Rain- and stream gages must be checked
Operation and maintenance of field equipment
!
routinely to ensure that they are working properly. Plugged
(electronics, sensors, and radios)
raingages, jammed stream gages, broken antennas, and dead
batteries degrade system performance. Frequent maintenance
Operation and maintenance of communications links
!
5-1
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