The Section/Lateral Header

Owned by Steve Peregrine
Last updated: Aug 19, 2022
18 min read
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† Fields that are only visible to users logged in as ‘Admin’, not visible to those logged in as ‘Operator’.

WinCan VX Section Header

The WinCan VX section (and lateral) header is quite different from the WRc versions due to the fact that this is a different inspection standard, but there are some similarities because both standards follow the guidelines laid out in BS EN 13508.

The WinCan section and node headers are split into two sides, left and right in all standards for all territories around the world. The difference between the two sides is that the left side is all about the asset and the right side is all about the inspection.

In this section we will look in detail at the section header, but not the node header.  The node header is vitally important in HADDMS projects and cannot be ignored, but the general theme of the fields follows the section header and many of the fields only have simple Yes/No option lists so do not really need any detailed explanation.

In the WinCan VX headers there is a consistent colour coding to the field captions:

  • Grey – a regular data entry field.

  • Blue – a WinCan field that is not needed by the standard but is either needed by the software for data management or is a ‘nice to have’ data field in the reporting.

  • Green – a field that WinCan VX takes care of for you.  You can of course overwrite the data in the field at any time, but for now you don’t need to worry about it and it will be taken care of in the background as you work through the inspections.

  • Yellow (or whatever colour is defined in the User Settings) – a mandatory data field that can be mandatory if;

    • WinCan VX cannot function correctly without it, or

    • leaving it blank will lead to a critical upload error with the shapefiles going into HADDMS.

Info – there are some fields that are conditionally mandatory by HADDMS like the ‘Connected Continuous Item’ (SUPP_CON) in the node header which is mandatory when the ‘Node Type’ (ITEM_TY_CO) is ‘CN’.  There are no special colours for these fields, but the validator will detect them as critical errors when they are left blank.

Open a new blank section header and you will see the following fields split into left and right hand sides as described below.

Note – hovering your mouse pointer over the cation of a field will display the ‘tip-text’ for that field which will help to explain what this field refers to and also which HADDMS data field it refers to.

Where relevant, we have included the HADDMS shapefile that this WinCan field maps to and from using the format [Shapefile].[Field Name]

Section Attribute Header

Section †

This is nothing more than a numeric counter inside the WinCan database.

Asset Style

This a very important field for WinCan that cannot be empty.  It describes whether the WinCan object is a Section, Lateral or Surface item as is described in the section Understanding Object Types.

Inspection Status

This is a pseudo-HADDMS field that sits in limbo between the HADDMS data and the internal requirements of WinCan VX.  It is the field that has been described already in the section WinCan VX Project Setup and although it has no direct value in the HADDMS data fields, it does have a significant effect on the scoring values produced by WinCan VX so that they match with the HADDMS scoring results.  Under the normal scoring of pipes, structural and service inspection grades are assigned values form 1 to 5 in a similar (but not identical) way to WRc projects, but in HADDMS data there are two additional grades – 0 for where the asset has not been attempted and 9 for where the inspection was attempted but was not successful.  So, good use of this field will drive good scoring results.

Supplier’s Reference

continuous.SUPP_REF

Mandatory for all assets and must be unique inside the catchment and inside the Wincan VX project. The PLR Suffix concept has been removed in WinCan VX v11.0 because it has no place in HADDMS data. It is a WRC concept. It is the reposnisbility of the contractor to ensure that the SUPP_REF field is correctly and adequately filled in.

Imported Supplier’s Reference †

Added in WinCan VX v11.0 - This is a read only field that shows the imported value for the SUPP_REF. Additionally, a validation warning has been added to inform users that these two field values do not match. This field does not export to shapefile and is provided for error checking purposes only.

DDMS Reference †

continuous.PIPE_REFER

This is the ID of the continuous item on the HADDMS database.  The field in WinCan VX is read-only because of the round-tripping principles.  It does not matter what you decide to change the Supplier’s Reference to during your processing work, but if the DDMS Reference exists already on the system, then it must remain as it is.  You will notice that when you create a new ‘uncharted’ asset that this field is blank and remains read-only, and also for the two nodes that are connected to the object.  This is how HADDMS identifies uncharted assets, because the incoming data on upload has a SUPP_REF field value but it does not have an PIPE_REFER value, and as a result HADDMS automatically creates the PIPE_REFER on upload.

SMIS Reference †

continuous.SMIS_ID

This field contains the value for the SMIS (Structures Management Information System) code for the asset. This is not normally used by CCTV contractors but it may be useful to see it in the data if it exists in the import dataset. Integer greater than zero.

Total Length [m]

continuous.LENGTH

This is the full length of the continuous item from end to end along its geometric shape in metres to 3 decimal places.

Town or Village

continuous.LOC_TOWN

Is a free-text field where you can add free text information.  Maximum 50 characters.

Road Name

continuous.LOC_ST

Is a free-text field where you can add free text information.  Maximum 50 characters.

Division or District

continuous.DISTRICT

Is a free-text field where you can add free text information.  Maximum 50 characters.

Location

continuous.LOC_TYP_CO

This data field defines where the asset is located.

Upstream Node

continuous.SUPP_REFUP

This is the SUPP_REF of the upstream node.  Maximum 50 characters.

Upstream DDMS Node †

continuous.UPSTR_REF

Is read only because it is the HADDMS reference of the upstream node and is defined in the node data.

Upstream Node Type

point/region.ITEM_TY_CO

Is the Node Type of the upstream asset.

Upstream Pipe Depth [m]

continuous.UPSTR_DEPT

Is the depth of the pipe from the cover level at the upstream end.  Up to 3 decimal places.

Upstream Pipe Invert Level [m] †

continuous.UPSTR_INVE

This is the height above sea level for the continuous item at the upstream end.  This is not something that the CCTV operator usually needs to worry about and for this reason, the field is hidden from view when the user is logged into WinCan VX as an Operator and is only visible to users logged in to the application as Admin. 

Downstream Node

continuous.SUPP_REFDN

Similar to Upstream Node, but for the downstream end.

Downstream DDMS Node †

continuous.DOWNSTR_RE

Similar to Upstream DDMS Node, but for the downstream end.

Downstream Node Type

point/region.ITEM_TY_CO

Similar to Upstream Node Type, but for the downstream end.

Downstream Pipe Depth [m]

continuous.DOWNSTR_DE

Similar to Upstream Pipe Depth [m], but for the downstream end.  Up to 3 decimal places. Please be sure to understand the information given here Being Smart with Z Values.

Downstream Pipe Invert Level [m] †

continuous.DOWNSTR_IN

Similar to Upstream Pipe Depth [m], but for the downstream end.  Up to 3 decimal places.

Connectivity Certainty

continuous.CERT_CONN

This field has a simple Yes/No pick list option and is mandatory because it is a critical error on upload to the HADDMS database if it does not have a value. The field is used to describe if the connectivity between the upstream and downstream nodes in this continuous item can be confirmed.

Flow Direction Certainty

continuous.FLOW_DIR

This field has a simple Yes/No pick list option and is mandatory because it is a critical error on upload to the HADDMS database if it does not have a value. The field is used to describe if the flow direction between the upstream and downstream nodes in this continuous item can be confirmed.

Asset Ownership †

continuous.OWNER

Under most circumstances this will be ‘Highway Authority’ but there may be special cases where this is not the case. Default value is ‘Highway Authority’.

Use

continuous.SYSTEM_TYP

The use of the continuous asset. Default value is ‘Surface Water’.

Type of Asset

continuous.ITEM_TY_CO

This is a mandatory field, again because HADDMS throws a critical error if it is left blank. There are a number of validation rules in WinCan VX that refer to the logical use of this field. Example include if the ‘Type of Asset’ is ‘Pipework’ then the material is unlikely to be ‘Gabions’.

Porous

continuous.POROUS

Again, a simple Yes/No option pick list. Refers to whether or not the pipe material is porous.

Perforated

continuous.PERFORATED

Another simple Yes/No option pick list. This should be entered as ‘Yes’ if you can clearly see perforation holes in the pipe. If they are there, then they are usually evenly spaced and all around the pipe, and their purpose is to allow the water to drain away to the surrounding ground when it rains. This is normal an easy field for CCTV operators to complete.

Asset Shape

continuous.SHAPE_1

This is the shape of the continuous item.

Height/Dia [mm]

continuous.HEIGHT

The height or diameter of the asset in mm, integer value. This is the primary dimension used for pipe sizes.

Width [mm]

continuous.WIDTH

This is the asset width in integer mm. WinCan VX offers the user a pick list of common sizes, but the user can also free type a value of their choice if the one they need is not in the list. Integer data input value.

Pipe Dia [mm]

continuous.PIPE_DIA

The pipe width, only used for combined continuous asset types which include a pipe as detailed above. Integer data input value.

Asset Material

continuous.MATERIAL

The asset material. This should generally be considered as mandatory in typical CCTV pipe inspections, but may not be required for all asset types. For example, there is no appropriate material for a Grassed Surface Water Channel or Swale, so in this case leave the material field blank and set the ‘Surface Material’ to Turf.

Lining

continuous.LINED

This is a simple Yes/No pick list which is tied closely into the following 2 fields with some strict logical validation rules. As an example, the validator will give you an error if you enter the value ‘No’ into the ‘Lining’ field and then enter a material value into the ‘Lining Material’ field. This makes no sense because there cannot be a lining material if the pipe is not lined. This logic includes pipes that are lined at manufacture.

Lining Material

continuous.LINING_MA

If the asset is lined, then specify the lining material. Else, leave it blank.

Lining Type

continuous.LINING_TY

If the asset is lined, then specify the lining type. Else, leave it blank.

Strategic Importance

continuous.STRATEGIC

This field contains both the old and new variables so that it gives useful information to the user for imported data. Users should only use the first 5 options in the pick list.

Joint Length [mm]

continuous.PIPE_U_LEN

The length in mm of the manufactured pipe units that make up the asset. Integer data value input. The HADDMS minimum expected value is 100 mm.

Year Constructed [yyyy]

continuous.CONSTR_YR

The year that the asset was constructed, if known. If this is not known, do not try to enter a Z or any other characters, leave it blank. The data input format is a year in numbers only.

Final Outfall Reference †

continuous.DOWNSTREAM

It is common for most highways drainage assets to flow the water to a discharge point such as a river or ditch. This field is for the SUPP_REF of the asset where the final outfall is, and may be quite some distance from the current inspection location for the CCTV crew.

Surface Material

continuous.SURFACE_MA

This is the surface material above the pipe and should always be used when the asset type is combined surface and sub-surface filter drain or is a fin drain.

Original Scheme †

continuous.ORIG_SCH

This is another field that is seldom used by CCTV contractors and mostly used by the areas and the HADDMS team. This is available to admin logins for information in case there is imported data in the field. Maximum 50 characters.

Constraint

continuous.CONSTRAINT

This is an odd name for a General Remarks field but the name does keep it nicely separated from the ‘Remarks’ field on the right hand side which is used for comments about the inspection, not the asset. This field has a 254 character limit.

Section Inspection Header

Inspection †

This is a numeric counter inside the WinCan database for the asset inspection which starts at 1 and increments with each inspection added to the asset.

Catchment ID

This is the WinCan VX identifying key for tor the catchment in the project.

Client’s Scheme Ref †

continuous.SUPP_SCH

This is the catchment ID from the area team and should not be edited. This field is read only so edits can only be made in the Jobs panel in WinCan VX.

Contractor’s Job Ref †

This is the contractor’s job number for this piece of work, and would normally be the same in all jobs because each job in WinCan VX refers to a catchment. This field is read only so edits can only be made in the Jobs panel in WinCan VX.

Inspected Length [m]

The length of this inspection in metres, 3 decimal places.

Inspection Direction

The direction of the inspection along the asset, either upstream or downstream.

Company & Operator

continuous.INSPECTOR

This is a free text field with 12 characters. The suggested way to fill this is with a short code that describes the company followed by the CCTV inspector’s initials, so as an example 'WCE PW' would be describe WinCan Europe Paul Woodhouse in less than 12 characters without actually naming the operator and therefore protecting their identity reasonably well.

Date

continuous.DATE_OF_SU

The date of the current inspection. This is filled in automatically by WinCan VX when you create a new inspection record of an asset as the date that the record was created, but imagine a situation where the header was created on a night shift at 23:50 (i.e. before midnight) and then the actual inspection wasn’t started until 00:13 the next day, so the date is incorrect.

This is also taken care of for you by the software because the date and time is updated when you enter the start observation code or you start the video recording.

Also, if you are post processing video files and maybe coding them in the office a few days or weeks after the actual inspection was done on site, the date is automatically detected from the video file meta data creation date and is set to the actual date that the video was recorded in the background.

Time

continuous.TIME

The time of the current inspection in hours and minutes. This field behaves in the same way as the Date field above with auto-updates based on logic scenarios.

Quick Structural Grade †

continuous.STRU_GRADE

This field allows users to input user assessed grade values when following the Quick Assessment Guide and allows values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 9 where 9 is the value for ‘Attempted but Not Possible’.

The grading for all assets in HADDMS is fully automatic and these values are ignored usually except in one special case - when the value in ‘Inspection Status’ is set to ‘Inspected’ and the inspected length is blank or zero and there are no observation codes in this inspection, then the value in this field is copied into the shapefile because there is no way to calculate a grade in the normal way by computation and this fulfils the requirement of the Quick Assessment Guide.

Quick Service Grade †

continuous.SERV_GRADE

This field is the same as the field above but for the Service Grade.

Pre Cleaned

continuous.PRECLEANED

A simple Yes/No pick list option for this inspection.

Date Last Maintained

continuous.DATE_MAINT

A date entry field for this inspection where you can either double click in the field to automatically enter today’s date or type a date of your own using the computer number keys in the format ddmmyyyy.

Inspection Purpose

continuous.PURPOUS

A user pick list for this inspection which has similar values to the corresponding field in WRc templates. This field has a default value of ‘Sample Survey' specified.

Data Source †

continuous.ORIGIN_DAT

The source of the data that was used to create this data on the HADDMS system.

Other Source †

continuous.OTHER_SOU

This field is only to be used where the selected value for ‘Data Source’ above is ‘Other’. Maximum 254 characters.

Flow Control

continuous.FLOW_CTRL

A user pick list selection that describes what (if any) flow control measures were used to enable this inspection of this asset. Default value is ‘No Flow Control’.

Weather

continuous.PRECIPITAT

A user pick list selection for this inspection for describing the weather conditions.

Temperature

continuous.TEMPERATUR

A user pick list selection for the ambient temperature during this inspection.

Inspection Method

continuous.METHOD

A user pick list selection for this inspection which describes how the inspection was carried out.

Standard †

continuous.STANDARD

A text field for the inspection standard used for this inspection. This field has a default value of ‘CD535 DDMS’ applied. Maximum 18 characters.

Video Media Storage †

continuous.VIDEO_STOR

This field is used for selecting the type of media used for saving the video file(s) for this inspection. Default value is set to ‘Media File’.

Video Location System †

continuous.VIDEO_TIME

The video time referencing system used against the observation codes in this inspection. This is set by default to ‘Time code’ for new inspections because this is how this is always handled inside WinCan VX for all standards, and because the only other option apart from ‘Other’ (i.e. Tape counter) is a hangover from old analogue video tape recorders which don’t exist any more in the CCTV industry.

Video Image Volume †

continuous.VIDEO_VOL

This is another field from the past which is used to hold the name of the media volume that the current inspection is saved on. In years gone by, this would have been the name of the DVD or VHS cassette that this inspection media was saved on where there were multiple disks or tapes. Nowadays, it has little use.

Photo Type †

continuous.PHOTO_STOR

This field describes the type of photos used in this inspection and has a default value set for new inspections, again because the alternative pick list option is a legacy option that has no relevance nowadays.

Photographic Volume †

continuous.PHOTO_VOL

This is the same as ‘Video Image Volume’ but this time it is for photos.

Inclination Method

This is not a HADDMS field and contains a pick list that describes the level of effort and accuracy used when making an inclination test on the pipe. If there is no inclination test, then leave it blank.

Vehicle

Another field that is not used in HADDMS data, but contractors find it useful for filtering and managing data in merged projects. Suggested best practice is to enter the registration number of the CCTV van.

Camera

Also not used by HADDMS. A free-text field to describe the camera used on this inspection. Suggested best practice is that you type text which describes the type of camera used rather than it’s brand and/or model number:

  • Pan & Tilt Mainline

  • Forward Facing Mainline

  • Pan & Tilt Pushrod

  • Forward Facing Pushrod

  • Pole Zoom Camera

  • etc.

Preset Length [m]

Not used in HADDMS data. This is an important field for eliminating distance dimensional errors in CCTV inspections of pipes. More information is available in the MSCC5 (The Manual of Sewer Condition Classification, 5th Edition, WRc).

Client Defined 1, 2 and 3 †

These fields can be used for any specified data from the client or that is required by the contractor for managing their data. Maximum 100 characters each.

Remarks

continuous.REMARKS

A free-text field that is used for remarks regarding this inspection with a maximum 254 characters. This field should not be confused with the ‘Constraint’ field on the left side which is for comments regarding the asset. This field is printed on the pdf reports.

Further Work Required

A simple Yes/No pick list option which is not used by HADDMS but is very useful for rehabilitation planning and filtering in WinCan VX. It is often likely that the client will request information of this type over and above the data requirements of the HADDMS database.

Recommendations

Maximum 100 characters free-text field which is also printed on the pdf reports.

 

 

Hidden Fields

There are a small number of HADDMS shapefile fields that are not available in the WinCan VX data entry areas because they have little or no use to contractors and are normally used by the areas or by Mott MacDonald. However, on import of data at the start of the round tripping process, there can be valuable information in these fields, but it is not ignored. So, the data is still imported into our database and it is exported back out again at the end of the process.

These fields include:

  • continuous.ATT_DOCS

Continuous Fields In Other Locations

There are some fields that map into and out of the continuous shapefile that are not found here in the section/lateral header. These are typically fields that are handled automatically by the software and can be found in other areas of the user interface, but under normal circumstances need not be worried about.

  • Scoring Fields (found in the Ratings panel view in WinCan VX in the section or lateral user area):

    • continuous.SERV_GRADE

      • Note - this field is available in the header but as described its user defined value is only used in special cases where the asset has been inspected but has a zero or null inspected length and has no observation codes.

    • continuous.SERV_PEAK

    • continuous.SERV_MEAN

    • continuous.SERV_TOTAL

    • continuous.STRU_GRADE

      • Note - this field is available in the header but as described its user defined value is only used in special cases where the asset has been inspected but has a zero or null inspected length and has no observation codes.

    • continuous.STRU_PEAK

    • continuous.STRU_MEAN

    • continuous.STRU_TOTAL

  • Backdrop height field (found in the node inlet or outlet data area for the point asset where the backdrop exists and is referenced against the SUPP_REF of the continuous item):

    • continuous.DOWNSTR_BA

    • continuous.UPSTR_BACK

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