Utility Surveys

What is a Utility Survey and Why is it Important?

August 21, 2024

Before you start drilling, it’s essential to understand what lies under the surface. Utility surveys are necessary before any work can begin on a construction project and are at the core of our business—but what exactly do they do?

In this blog, we look into utility surveys and discuss how crucial it is to have one before a project starts.

What is a Utility Survey?

A utility survey extensively evaluates subsurface utilities and structures in a specific location, typically a construction site. As construction projects commence, teams can use this information to prevent risks and damages by knowing the location, depth, and kind of utilities present. Utility surveys are an essential part of construction projects. They help reduce dangers and offer helpful information about the underground environment. By utilising innovative technologies and procedures, surveyors can correctly map underground utilities, assuring worker’s safety and the integrity of existing infrastructure. Investing in a utility survey is not just a wise business decision — it’s a necessary step toward a successful, sustainable construction project.

Advantages of Utility Survey

Accurately identifying underground utilities is crucial for safe construction work and avoiding strikes that could endanger workers.
A utility survey provides confidence to progress on a project without fear of delays or unwanted surprises.
Delays in construction projects can be frustrating and costly; utility surveys help prevent these issues.
Utility surveys can reduce project planning time by showing the location of all buried utilities and ensuring compliance with the latest health and safety regulations.
Construction sites are known for high potential risks; following health and safety legislation is crucial to avoid injury and legal repercussions.
Minimizing risks and protecting workers’ well-being should be a priority for any construction company.
Planning and obtaining a utility survey keeps staff safe on the job.

Methodologies Used in Utility Survey

A utility survey includes data from different sources. The following are some different methodologies used in utility surveys:

Electromagnetic Locators (EM)

EM locators detect underground pipes and cables by sensing their electromagnetic signals. Depending on the specific situation, various techniques are employed.

Direct connection (Conductive method): For precise tracing, a current is applied directly to an exposed metal part of the target line (for example, a fire hydrant). Direct connection requires accessible metal and only works for metallic lines.
Ring clamp (less accurate): The ring clamp method can be used when direct access isn’t available. A clamp induces a signal onto the line for tracing. It’s a good choice for midpoints and non-disruptive cable TV or internet line tracing.
Induction (works best with a few other lines): The transmitter sends a signal to locate the line without direct contact. This method can be tricky if there are many underground metallic lines nearby.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) detects the presence of underground utility lines. It functions by releasing brief electromagnetic energy bursts into the earth. When these pulses come into contact with pipes and wires, they bounce back after passing through the soil. The material the signal strikes determines how it rebounds. GPR can decipher these “echoes” to produce a picture of what’s buried, complete with depth data. GPR is an excellent method for locating non-metallic pipes, such as PVC, plastic, and concrete, in addition to metal pipes because the pulses can pass through various materials.

Acoustic Methods

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic locators (EM locators) are fragile instruments, but they are only foolproof in some circumstances. Acoustic techniques can help with that. These approaches emit specialised sound waves into the earth. Operators may determine how deep anything is buried by timing how long these sound waves bounce back. Unlike GPR, which may have trouble, this approach excels in sand-filled soil, asphalt, or damp ground environments.

Vacuum Excavation

Utility locators occasionally need to reach the actual utility line. In similar situations, a vacuum excavation technique delicately removes the soil surrounding the pipe or cable by blasting air or water into the earth using specialised equipment. After that, an intense hoover gathers the loose soil, leaving a safe and clear path to the line.

Our Process of Conducting Utility Survey

Our team performs an initial on-site consultation with the client to determine the scope of work.
Next, to look for signs of underground utilities, our surveyors visually examine the survey area within each utility vault and inside any adjacent buildings.
After completing the survey, our surveyor meets with the client for a final in-person consultation to review the results and discuss any restrictions or areas that need attention.

Also Check: Best Practices for Conducting Utility Surveys

How to Choose a Reputable Utility Survey Provider?

Selecting a trustworthy utility survey supplier entail investigating their experience, comprehending their surveys’ deliverables, and evaluating how well they can accurately and efficiently fulfil project needs.

Criteria for Choosing Utility Surveyors

When choosing a utility survey provider, consider their experience and credentials. Providers with a wealth of industry knowledge are more likely to manage challenging surveying tasks successfully. To ensure precise underground utility discovery, look for skilled surveyors using cutting-edge techniques like penetrating radar (GPR) and other non-intrusive approaches.

Additionally, reputation is crucial. Look for case studies, evaluations, and endorsements from customers. A utility surveyor’s reliability may be determined by their capability to offer precise and complete references. Furthermore, ensure the team consists of experts with the newest equipment and technology to improve the accuracy of the surveys.

Understanding Survey Deliverables and Reports

A reputable utility survey provider should offer clear, comprehensive survey deliverables. Deliverables ought to contain data in digital (CAD), PDF, and, if necessary, 3D model forms. This guarantees compliance with the requirements of your project. Please request a sample report from each supplier before choosing one so you can assess the level of detail and clarity in their reports.

Survey reports should include high-resolution photos or maps, an overview of the utilities found, and a summary of the results. Because they are organized, combining the information with other project materials should be simple. You also need to be aware of the deadline for deliverables to keep your project timeline on track.

Ready to see how we can help? Contact Survey2Plan today to discover the difference we can make for your project.