Sitemark is the only field app built around the sewer contractor's workflow — MH-to-MH grade runs, station-by-station verification, DG813 error codes, and inspector-ready as-built documentation. Stop logging on paper that gets wet.
Common DG813 errors encountered during sewer installation. Sitemark's AI Field Assistant can walk you through any DG813 issue in real time.
The pipe being installed has deviated beyond acceptable tolerance from the design grade. This is the most critical DG813 warning during active installation.
Fix: Stop installation immediately. Re-check the pipe invert at the last confirmed station. Verify the laser beam is still at the correct height at the sending end. Do not continue until the source of deviation is identified.
The DG813 has detected that it is no longer plumb — the instrument has shifted, settled, or been disturbed in the manhole.
Fix: Re-plumb the instrument using the built-in bulls-eye level. Re-establish the invert elevation benchmark before continuing. Log the disruption as a note in Sitemark.
Communication between the DG813 and the wireless remote has been lost or failed to establish during pairing.
Fix: Ensure both units have adequate battery. Move the remote within 100 feet of the instrument with clear line-of-sight. Hold the pairing button until the LED flashes confirmation.
Battery level is below 20%. The DG813 will continue to operate but accuracy may degrade as voltage drops further.
Fix: Swap batteries at the next convenient stopping point. Do not complete a full pipe run on a near-dead battery — verify a final grade shot after battery replacement.
The Spectra Precision DG813 is a self-leveling pipe laser designed for gravity sewer, storm drain, and conduit installation. It projects a visible laser beam along the pipe centerline at the exact design grade, allowing crews to set pipe to ±1/8-inch accuracy from the upstream manhole to the downstream manhole.
| Grade Accuracy | ±0.5mm/m (±1/16" at 10 ft) | Class 3R visible red laser beam |
| Grade Range | 0% to 25% | Covers all standard gravity sewer and storm drain grades |
| Self-Leveling Range | ±5% | Auto-levels on initial setup in manhole |
| Horizontal Alignment | Manual horizontal centering | Align to pipe centerline with adjustment knobs |
| Laser Class | Class 3R (IEC 60825-1) | Visible red 635nm beam |
| Working Range | Up to 200m (650 ft) per setup | Manhole-to-manhole on typical sewer runs |
| Wireless Remote | DG Remote (optional) | Grade and horizontal adjustment from remote end of pipe |
| Compatible Receivers | HR320, HR500 Series | LED and digital display options |
| Battery Life | 40+ hours continuous | Standard D-cell batteries |
| Operating Temp | -20°C to +50°C | Full seasonal operation including cold climates |
| Housing | Aluminum; polycarbonate optics | Designed for manhole and trench environments |
| IP Rating | IP67 | Fully dust-tight; 1m submersion for 30 min |
Step-by-step procedure for setting up the DG813 at the upstream manhole for a sewer pipe run.
Read the invert elevation from your construction plans. Verify it with your survey control before setting the laser. The invert elevation at this manhole is the starting point — all grade calculations for this run depend on it.
Calculate how high the DG813 needs to be set in the manhole so the beam exits at the design invert elevation at the center of the outgoing pipe. Laser height = invert elevation − manhole bottom (measured). Use a tape from a benchmark or shoot the invert directly with a rod and level.
Install the manhole bracket at the computed height. Level the bracket using the adjustment screws. Mount the DG813, power on, and confirm the display shows the correct grade percentage from your plans. The instrument self-levels after power-on.
Look down the trench alignment and adjust the DG813 horizontal rotation until the laser beam is aimed directly at the pipe centerline in the downstream direction. A slight misalignment here compounds over the full pipe run.
Place the HR320 or HR500 receiver on the pipe laser target at the downstream end. The pipe is correctly graded when the receiver shows on-grade (center LED lit). Check grade at every pipe joint and at intermediate stations per project specification.
Standard pipe laser receiver for DG813. LED display shows beam position above/below grade. Magnetic mount for pipe installation.
Digital receiver with numeric grade deviation display. Compatible with DG813 grade remote for offset grade settings.
The DG813 is compatible with the Spectra CR600 machine control system for excavators and graders. The CR600 receives the DG813 laser signal and provides cab display for automatic blade/bucket control, eliminating the need for a rod person on the downstream end. Ideal for long sewer runs where productivity gains justify the machine control setup time.
Every sewer run needs to be documented from manhole to manhole. Here's how Sitemark supports your DG813 workflow from setup to submittal.
Create a pipe run in Sitemark. Enter the upstream MH invert, downstream MH invert, design grade, and pipe diameter. Sitemark calculates expected fall per station automatically.
Set the DG813 in the upstream manhole at the design invert. Log the instrument setup in Sitemark — benchmark elevation, instrument height, and setup notes.
As you install pipe, log grade shots at each station (typically every 25 ft or per spec). Sitemark shows actual vs. design at each point and flags deviations.
At the downstream MH, log the final invert shot. Sitemark generates a station table showing grade compliance across the full run — ready for the engineer.
One click produces a PDF with pipe run summary, station-by-station grade table, elevation profile chart, and equipment details. Share directly with the inspector.
Reference values based on standard hydraulic minimum for self-cleaning velocity. Always verify against project plans and local codes. Calculate exact grade requirements →
| Pipe Diameter | Min. Grade | Min. Fall |
|---|---|---|
| 4" | 1.00% | 0.010 ft/ft |
| 6" | 0.60% | 0.006 ft/ft |
| 8" | 0.40% | 0.004 ft/ft |
| 10" | 0.28% | 0.0028 ft/ft |
| 12" | 0.22% | 0.0022 ft/ft |
| 15" | 0.15% | 0.0015 ft/ft |
MH-to-MH documentation, station-by-station grade verification, and one-click as-built PDFs for sewer contractors.
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