Everything you need to know before you start digging
What is Underground Service Locating?
Underground Service Locating, also known as Underground Utility Locating, is the process of locating underground pipes, cables or assets and marking them.
It is also a subsurface utility inspection process that uses high-tech equipment to pinpoint the location of identified underground services using spray paint, crayons and flags.
Underground Service Locating: The Importance
Most people do not know that underground service and utility location are vital before digging can begin on-site. Utility locating helps to protect underground assets from accidental strikes and damage during excavation and ensures public safety.
Underground services should be located before digging begins to save time, money, and inconveniences for you and your project.
Service Locating is necessary for your business.
The answer is simple: If you accidentally cause damage to buried services while excavating, it is time to stop. Failure to perform your duty of care while on-site can cause service interruptions, delays in construction, or worse.
Repairing or replacing underground services like cables on construction sites or projects is difficult.
Safety requirements are highly stringent for underground cables damaged in excavation or construction. These rigorous requirements are especially applicable in a highly congested area.
If you plan to excavate or dig for your project, you will need underground service locating.
Diverse Types of Underground Services & Assets
There are many types of underground services. Fire service, traffic lights and streetlights, storm drains and water mains, wastewater pipes and other unidentified assets are just a few examples. You can get a head start by looking at underground assets such as telecommunications, electricity distribution and natural gas, cable TV, fibre optics and non-Telstra assets.
Underground Service Locating: Benefits
Many people may wonder if they need to find underground services.
If underground services are available on-site and you need to know where they are, consider employing a utility locator.
Neglecting underground services can have many unintended consequences, such as interruptions, project delays, and utility strikes. A failure to locate services could also damage underground utilities, which could cause serious safety and life-threatening injuries.
Underground gas lines and telephone cables are also subject to safety concerns. When work is done on roads or highways, water, gas, sewer and electric utility lines cannot be excavated.
You may be unable to fulfil your duty of care due to many setbacks and drawbacks. It is essential to adhere to all safety and health requirements for any construction project. Underground utility locating will help you avoid or mitigate any potential consequences if something goes wrong.
We have now explained what underground service locating means to you and your project. Let us walk you through how to book a utility locating service.
Underground Service Locating Booking Process
You can first call a service locating company and give them information about your project, its location, purpose, and when you plan to dig. They will also need any other details you have to help determine the utility conditions at the site.
You can then contact your utility locating professional to arrange an appointment for a technician to inspect, mark or map the area for underground services.
They will give you a detailed report detailing all underground services they have located or discovered. Also, the recommended safety precautions should be considered before starting any project.
Once you have all the necessary information about your site, you can start the project confidently, knowing that all safety precautions have been taken.
This article will provide detailed information on how to book utility locating companies and the time it takes.
How long it takes
A professional, certified team of service locators can complete the job faster, more accurately, and more efficiently. However, if an uncertified and inexperienced team is hired, the job could take longer and be more difficult.
Locating methods
There are many challenges to digging underground services. Therefore, there are several ways to locate them.
These are the most popular methods for locating underground services:
Electromagnetic Induction (EM)
The electromagnetic utility locating method can locate metal and conductive utilities like phones, gas, and electrical cables. These services can be found using Electromagnetic (EM), Induction if our signal can be pulsed down the line of the metal service.
On-site use of electromagnetic (EM), to locate underground utility metals
There are limitations to electromagnetic locating. For example, it is impossible to locate pipes or cables made of plastic or metal.
Direct Connection Method
Although there are many methods of locating metallic service lines in the subsurface, the most popular is a direct connection.
Direct connection is when the service locator directly connects the transmitter to the utility line. The connection lead then tracks the line.
Direct connection gives technicians the best options to locate buried utility lines. It is also the most accurate method of finding an underground service.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Ground Penetrating Radar is an advanced technique for service location that uses electromagnetic radio waves pulsed into the ground. These energy waves reflect off subsurface objects, such as underground services.
GPR can be used to investigate underground utilities. It is easy to set up and does not require an active connection to the service.
Ground Penetrating Radar is a method that overcomes the limitations of electromagnetic locating. It works well and is used commonly to identify and detect underground pipes and cables.
GPR emits electromagnetic waves at a frequency, either dual or wideband, into the ground. These energy waves can travel through ground soil, concrete slabs, and walls. The antenna captures the energy waves as they reflect from the receiver.
Induction clamp
Ring clamp induction is used when a direct connection is impossible. It is used to force a signal onto a metal cable or conduit.
Before the clamp lead can be connected to the transmitter, it must be plugged in. Clamping sends signals to target lines without any metal–to–metal contact.
Although ring clamp inductive location is a great tool to locate underground services, we prefer a direct connection whenever possible.
Induction method
Induction is an option if a direct connection or ring clamp is impossible. This method is also called the induction sweep or drop box.
Induction works by sending a pulse from the transmitter’s bottom, spilling into the ground and causing the cable or pipe to fall on top. This induction spillage method can free you from a jam if you cannot access the utility. However, it is not effective in areas that have multiple underground services.
Sonde and Trace rod
Sondes and Trace Rods can trace non-metallic underground conduits, pipes, stormwater drains and sewer lines.
The sonde, a battery-powered transmitter, emits an electromagnetic field traceable when activated.
Copper trace rods contain a copper wire within a flexible rod. This copper wire can be used to detect underground pipes and conduits.
These tools are used to locate non-metallic drainage pipes. A sonde and flexible rod can be inserted into the conduit or pipe and push it inside. The rod will transmit signals using a transmitter and connection leads. The service locator will trace the electromagnetic signal above ground, sweeping back and forth until the most robust readings can be detected.
Technicians can use these signals to pinpoint the location and depth of the pipe. This information can help them to make repairs or install new lines. These signals can detect faults and obstructions that are difficult to find otherwise. These rods and sondes, which use cutting-edge technology, can accomplish complex tasks.
Hydro Excavation or Vacuum
Hydro excavation, or vacuum excavation, is a non-destructive method of moving or removing soil using pressurised water. A dirt concoction is created using pressurised water instead of any mechanical tools. The dirt or mud is transferred to the debris tank using an air conveyer or vacuum. Non-destructive excavation has become more popular due to its accuracy, cost efficiency, safety, and safety.
It is also more precise and less disruptive. This method gives you greater control over difficult or hard-to-reach areas. It can be easily used in tight spaces and is safer than other excavation methods.
Because it does not require potentially dangerous chemical agents, non-destructive excavating is more eco-friendly. Because there is no contact with underground services, it decreases the chance of them being damaged.
Potholing, or Utility Potholing Method
Potholing is another non-destructive way to locate underground services.
Potholing is a method that allows you to locate services quickly and accurately without having to use costly and time-consuming excavation methods. It uses high-pressure water jets or an industrial vacuum. Because it is non-invasive and minimally disruptive, potholing is often preferred to traditional excavation.
Potholing, which does not require soil displacement or mechanical excavation, is a cost-effective and safe way to locate underground services.
Non-destructive services such as potholing are an eco-friendly method of service locating. It can be done in any weather condition and soil conditions. These factors make potholing a reliable and efficient method of finding services.
Contact South-East Scanning
South-East Scanning’s team can answer any questions about pricing, services, or anything else. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you with your project.
