When developers start scoping out a site, they will typically commission an underground utility survey to map the exact type of underground infrastructure and its location, including drainage systems, metal pipes and data cables. Underground utility mapping services help site developers, as well as architects, designers and engineers, to see the location of these underground features before they begin planning a bigger project. This allows for environmental constraints to be observed during the design and planning stages, ultimately helping to reduce costs and minimise risks.
Lucion offer a selection of underground utility detection surveys, including utility mapping surveys, utility clearance surveys and drainage mapping surveys, to produce a wide range of reliable data to support construction projects.
What is an underground utility survey?
An underground utility survey is used to determine the type and location of subsurface utility infrastructure to create a comprehensive map for a client. This is vital for ensuring the limitations of a project in the early stages.
Mapping using precise data collected from an underground utility survey reduces project planning time and minimises the risk of costly adjustments to the design or mistakes later in the project.
Professional underground utility surveys contribute to site safety on construction projects. By using thorough, detailed, and accurate utility survey maps, contractors can work confidently prior to and during the project, ensuring safe excavation, and can provide suitable protection for workers, abiding by health and safety regulations.
What underground utility surveying methods are there?
Surveying underground utilities consists of two underground utility detection methods: Radio Frequency Location (RFL) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Most underground utility surveys require a combination of the two to ensure that the map is produced accurately.
Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT) and Signal Generators, also known as Genny tools, are combined with GPR to ensure a comprehensive mapping approach, meaning both metallic and non-metallic utilities can be mapped efficiently. CCTV drainage surveys can then offer even further insight into underground infrastructure by highlighting the condition of these utilities.
Radio Frequency Location (RFL) technology is the most popular data collection method used in underground utility mapping, and it works by tracing the signals emitted by underground targets.
RFL features two modes – passive and active – but most utility surveys use active RFL scanning to determine the position and depth of the target. For RFL to be successful, the target must emit a signal to pick up on the locations and dimensions of metal objects. RFL is useful for collecting information on:
- Metallic fuel pipes
- Metallic vent pipes
- Electricity cables
- Telecommunication cables (metallic)
- Communication cables
- Metallic water pipes
- Metallic gas pipes
- Cable TV cables
The power of GPR surveys in subsurface mapping is used to locate objects of a different material to the surrounding environment. Although GPR is not as exact as RFL because it can’t give exact sizes or material readings, it is useful for finding the location of objects buried underground, which would otherwise be invisible.
There are some benefits of conducting a GPR survey for utility mapping including the rapid data acquisition, low operation cost and high-resolution imagery this type of underground utility survey offers.
GPR surveys are used to detect the following:
- Fibre optic cables
- Plastic gas pipes
- Concrete pipes
- Plastic water pipes
- Clay pipes
- Plastic cable ducts
- Plastic fuel pipes
- Plastic vent pipes
What are the benefits of underground utility mapping?
Underground utility surveys are extremely useful ahead of both major and minor construction projects because they clearly locate and map out underground infrastructure without needing to dig up the surrounding areas, therefore reducing disruption.
The top benefits of using utilities surveys to locate drainage systems or metallic utilities include:
- Being non-intrusive
- Reducing unexpected costs and delays
- Improving health and safety
- Securing future development opportunities
However, whilst there are some important benefits, challenges of an underground utility survey still remain. The main challenge faced by underground utility surveyors is maintaining accuracy across their word, with repercussions in place if constriction workers are provided with inaccurate location data, which could have a detrimental impact on the project and the wider location of the underground feature. Conflicts of location can cause delays in construction projects, but also for those using the surrounding roads or other land and there is a risk of injury to utility owners, road users and contractors due to previously inaccurate surveys.
The production of accurate and reliable data is maintained in underground utility surveys by abiding to the British Standards Institution (BSI) PAS 128 specification.
Choosing Lucion for your Underground Utility Surveys
Lucion offers reliable underground utility surveys for consistent delivery of underground mapping. Contact us here or on 0345 5040 303 for more information on how we can support your project.
