Every time a contractor, or even a homeowner, needs to excavate the ground, they run the risk of striking utility pipes and cables. This can not only be costly if lines are accidentally cut or damaged, but it can also be very dangerous. Gas lines can explode, and electric power lines can cause electrocutions and fires. While water may not be as dangerous, a sudden release of water could cause trenches to collapse, trapping workers beneath the surface.
Before opening any trench, you can contact our company. A utility locator will visit the site before your project begins to identify the exact location and depth of each type of utility on the property. With this information, workers can go about their business safely and confidently.
Locating technicians use a variety of electromagnetic sensors and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment:
Utility Locating Trial Pits: Physically exposes a segment of the utility, allowing its alignment to be inferred.
EM System (Electromagnetic Locator): A radio detection system that allows tracking a pipe or cable along its path.
Single-channel or Multi-frequency GPR System: This technology allows for real-time, on-site marking of buried pipes by a qualified operator.
Multi-channel GPR System: Allows for the rapid acquisition of continuous 3D information of the subsurface; requires a qualified operator.
It is highly recommended to get in touch well before starting to excavate or beginning the design phase. Depending on the scope of the project, it is often essential to know the exact locations and depths of utility lines during the early stages so that designs do not have to be repeatedly modified.
There are different methodologies to locate affected utilities on construction sites, which involve varying degrees of precision and time/cost:
- On-site detection and spray marking of the different affected utilities.
- Detection, marking, and delivery of a basic planimetry with external references.
- Massive 3D utility detection: For this methodology, a high-density grid of parallel profiles is acquired, which allows building a georeferenced 3D GPR image that is later interpreted using 3D CAD in the office.
