GPRS Glossary

Here are some words and phrases that you may come across when researching or communicating about utility locating, concrete imaging, leak detection, CCTV video pipe inspection, reality capture, and all the ways GPRS Visualizes The Built World®. Note that these are broad definitions meant to clarify the essential meaning for an average reader.

Follow the links provided for more information.

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811 Service, aka One Call, is a state-provided, federally mandated free “before-you-dig” service that you must use before breaking ground on any project. Your state’s 811 system will then contact the owner of any registered public utilities on site so that the utility owner can have them located and marked out to help you dig safely. Learn more about 811/One Call services, here.

The 811 phone number is a toll free nationwide number and should always be called before starting any type of digging project.

Acoustic Leak Detector equipment uses sophisticated ground microphones and specialized accessories to help Leak Detection Project Managers locate water leaks within subsurface and pressurized water lines. Pressurized acoustic leak detection can be used to pinpoint leaks in water utilities or in fire suppression systems. Learn about pinpoint leak detection here.

A GPRS Project Manager wearing the proper PPE, including a helmet and red vest, while utilizing an acoustic leak detector, also known as an “elephant foot,” and wearing noise canceling headphones to listen for leaks. — GPRS Project Manager pinpoint the exact location of subsurface water leaks with Acoustic Leak Detectors, often referred to as an elephant foot.

CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design. It is the technology and software designed to produce precise 2D technical drawings for architecture, construction, and engineering projects, and has expanded into 3D drawings and modeling. See how GPRS’ in-house Mapping & Modeling Team creates CAD & BIM deliverables, here.

A 3D and 2D CAD drawing. The 3D model is shown on the left with turquoise, brown, and gray pipes shown. The 2D CAD drawing on the right features red, green, and grey lines representing aspects of a facility like a staircase and doorways. — GPRS can create site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, details, isometric drawings, reflected ceiling plans, and more for construction planning.

CCTV Crawlers stands for Closed Circuit Television Crawlers. Small, remote-controlled vehicles equipped with high-resolution cameras used to move through and investigate sanitary sewer and storm drain pipes as part of GPRS’ video pipe inspection services. Learn more about VPI, here.

The silver crawler with four black tires is shown on the right side, with a handheld display shown to the left of it — The majority of sewer pipe defects occur underground in buried pipes that can only be accessed via CCTV crawlers or excavation.

CMU is the acronym for concrete masonry unit. It is a standard concrete block used in building construction, some more commonly referred to as cinder blocks.

Multiple cinder blocks stacked on top of each other. — GPRS can use ground penetrating radar equipment on concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls and structures.

Concrete Imaging GPRS uses ground penetrating radar to locate and help Project Managers visualize what is within or underneath a concrete slab. Post tension cables, rebar, conduit, and other reinforcements can all be located by GPRS Project Managers trained to “see” inside slabs with GPR. Learn more about concrete scanning & imaging here.

A GPRS Project Manager on one knee utilizing handheld ground penetrating radar to investigate what lies within and beneath a concrete slab. — GPRS Project Managers provide GPR scanning services to determine key slab information for structural engineers, including concrete cover and overlay thickness, concrete thickness, and even dowel placement.

Concrete Slab is a flat, often horizontal surface made of concrete commonly used in modern structures, patios, and driveways. There are several common variations of these slabs: post-tensioned, pan-decked, prefabricated, slab-on-grade, etc. Learn more about various types of concrete slabs, here.

A concrete slab with black diagonal spray painted lines that represent rebar. — GPRS’ SIM-certified Project Managers interpret data from ground penetrating radar to tell clients what is located within concrete slabs.

Conduits are protective tubes that houses and route electrical wires used in various construction or structural applications. They usually are located in slabs with the use of GPR so you can avoid hitting one when cutting, coring, or drilling.

A large amount of conduit going in all directions on a job site before the concrete is poured over it. — The risks involved in severing electrical conduit when coring or cutting concrete are very high, which is why GPRS Project Managers utilize ground penetrating radar to show where it is and isn’t safe to cut.

Coring is the use of a diamond-tipped core drill to create precise, circular holes in concrete structures. There are specific best practices that are recommended when cutting or coring into concrete. You can learn more about concrete cutting & coring safety, here.

A slab of concrete with three circular holes that have been cored into it, along with blue, red, black, green, and yellow spray paint. — GPRS Project Managers use their 99.8% accurate concrete scans so that our clients can core concrete with confidence.

Cross Bore refers to a situation where a new utility line, typically installed using trenchless methods such as directional boring, inadvertently intersects and breaches an existing underground utility, most commonly a sewer line, although gas, water, telecommunication, and electrical lines are also at risk. There are an estimated 1 million undiscovered cross bores in utilities throughout the United States. Learn more about effective cross bore mitigation, here.

An intersection between two underground utilities surrounded by dirt. — GPRS Project Managers perform cross bore inspections to locate any undiscovered cross bores before they cause any harm to workers or the public.

EM Locators is a shortened term for electromagnetic locators. This piece of utility locating equipment detects the electromagnetic signals radiating from metallic pipes and cables. It is a complementary tool to ground penetrating radar as part of GPRS’ Subsurface Investigation Methodology. Learn more about EM locators and their uses here.

A yellow and black electromagnetic (EM) locator. — GPRS utilizes EM locators with GPR and other technologies as part of our Subsurface Investigation Methodology process to detect conductive utilities.

EMI is the acronym for electromagnetic induction locators. This technology uses induced electromagnetic fields to determine the conductivity of soils and locate buried metallic objects and utilities. It is often part of the complementary tool set for GPRS Project Managers in utility locating. Learn more about EMI here.

A GPRS Project Manager in the foreground utilizing an electromagnetic locator. In the background, there are two other Project Managers, one using ground penetrating radar and the other is using the electromagnetic transmitter. They are all standing in front of two bulldozers on a dirt job site. — EMI data is displayed as a color-coded contour map showing conductivity changes.

Field Markings are just what they sound like, markings placed on the surfaces of a scanned area to communicate utility location or concrete clearance information to clients, most often through paint, flags, or stakes. GPRS marks out the scanned area, whether a concrete slab or a piece of land, and provides specific notations. Scanned utility data is then uploaded to our GIS delivery software platform, SiteMap® (patent pending). In most cases, utility field markings are translated into layered digital utility maps within minutes. Learn more about field markings and what they represent here.

At GPRS, our nationwide network of Project Mangers follows the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) standard to ensure our partners in safety know what they are looking at when observing our markings and our utility mapping data.

GIS is the acronym for Geographic Information Systems. Digital systems that capture, display, and store geospatial data, often through satellite imagery of the Earth. Learn how GPRS uses GIS systems to visualize our clients’ built world here.

A satellite image with green, pink, red, and yellow circles and lines representing underground utilities. — SiteMap®, GPRS cloud-based infrastructure platform, utilizes GIS technology to present our client’s above and below ground infrastructure in one place.

GPR is the acronym for Ground Penetrating Radar, the GPR in the name GPRS. GPR is a non-destructive detection and imaging method that identifies subsurface elements either underground or within a surface such as concrete by sending radio signals into the surface that bounce off any materials they encounter. Those “bounces” can then be interpreted and read by a highly trained Project Manager to accurately visualize and map underground utilities & facilities, or the interior of a concrete slab. Learn more about GPR and its uses here.

A GPRS Project Manager utilizing ground penetrating radar on a job site in front of a fence. Behind the fence is a job site with an orange building and excavators. — With other complementary technologies, GPR is used by GPRS Project Managers to identify buried objects and underground utilities.

Green Box Guarantee is GPRS’ industry-leading program that provides customers with peace of mind before they cut, core, or drill into concrete slabs. If a GPRS Project Manager marks out a green box with the word “CLEAR,” we guarantee it is free of obstruction. If we get it wrong, we will pay the material cost of repair. Learn more about the Green Box Guarantee here.

The GPRS Green Box Guarantee allows you to accomplish four things: safety,  efficiency,  cost savings, and clear communication.

Ground Disturbance Policy is the foundation of safe excavation. Also known as a “dig policy,” the rules and regulations in the plan outline how to safely perform activities that disturb the earth’s surface, like digging, trenching, or drilling. Click here to learn more.

An excavator on a dirt job site with three construction workers standing to the left of it wearing helmets and bright yellow vests while looking at an iPad together. — GPRS offers complimentary Ground Disturbance Policy reviews as part of our SIM processes.

KMZ is a zip-compressed file format containing map locations that can be viewed in various geographic information system (GIS) applications. Features can be recorded as points, lines, or polygons. Various information and annotations can be attached, such as photos, descriptions, coordinates, and more.

Satellite imagery with green and blue lines representing sewer and water lines. — GPRS provides complimentary high-resolution maps in the form of PDF, KMZ, and SHP files with every outdoor utility locating project performed.

Lateral Launch Camera is a type of CCTV crawler with an attached camera used to inspect sewer laterals from the mainline. GPRS uses lateral launch cameras as part of video pipe inspections and/or a full-site utility locate to non-destructively investigate lateral storm and sanitary sewer lines upstream of a mainline. Learn more here.

A black and silver CCTV lateral launch camera. — Once GPRS has assessed conditions and mapped mainline water and/or sewer lines, GPRS will investigate all lateral lines with a lateral launch camera or a push camera to document existing lateral line conditions, locate and report any cross bores, and map the entire water or sewer infrastructure.

Leak Detection refers to a professional service that uses acoustic leak detectors and leak detection correlators to locate leaks and eliminate the need to pothole or remove structures to physically inspect leaking pipes prior to pinpointing the problem. Once the leak is detected, then you can pothole to confirm and repair, saving time, damages, and money. Learn more about GPRS Leak Detection services here.

A GPRS Project Manager wearing a helmet and headphones connecting a leak noise correlator to a yellow and black fire hydrant on a patch of grass in a neighborhood. — GPRS Project Managers can locate leaks in any pressurized water line to make sure your system is effective when you need it.

Leak Noise Correlators are specialized electronic devices used to quickly and accurately pinpoint leaks in water lines and pipes through the results of radio waves. Read more about leak noise correlators and other tools used for GPRS’ Leak Detection services here.

A GPRS Project Manager utilizing a blue, black, and silver leak noise correlator in a grassy field. — Leak noise correlators are used in conjunction with acoustic devices to provide pinpoint leak detection in water and fire suppression infrastructure.

Line is the term used for wires, pipes, and other utilities that run underground. GPRS’ 99.8% underground utility and concrete scanning services can locate and map buried lines of all shapes and sizes. Learn more here.

Underground utilities lined in orange plastic in an open dirt trench with an excavator in the background. — A “line” could refer to a water line, power line, telecommunication line, sewer line, or a gas line.

Mainline Inspection is an inspection on the main sewer line, typically through Video Pipe Inspection services. GPRS deploys sturdy, robotic mainline crawler CCTV cameras to assess pipe conditions, document all defects, laterals, and map your mainline sanitary and/or storm sewer infrastructure. Learn more about mainline inspections and other VPI services offered by GPRS here.

A GPRS Project Managers utilizing an orange and black push camera to investigate a mainline. An orange cone with two white lines is placed to the right of the Project Manager. — 850 billion gallons of untreated sewage is discharged into U.S. waterways annually, so mainline inspections are vital when managing water & wastewater infrastructure.

Manhole Inspection is the investigation processes used to ensure the integrity and safety of a sewer manhole, typically through Video Pipe Inspection services. GPRS Project Manager utilize a variety of complementary technologies to gather detailed information, document all defects, and accurately document existing conditions so clients have the information they need to make repairs, maintain your infrastructure, and mitigate risk. Learn more about manhole inspections and other VPI services offered by GPRS here.

A cartoon version of a sewer inspection featuring a GPRS Project Manager wearing the proper PPE while operating a CCTV crawler that inspects the manhole. — GPRS Project Managers provide the special attention to detail that manholes, which are more complex structures than a typical pipe, require.

NASSCO stands for National Association of Sewer Service Companies. This is an industry source for trenchless technology education, resources, and advocacy. All GPRS Video Pipe Inspection Project Managers require NASSCO certification in Pipeline Assessment, Lateral Assessment, and Manhole Assessment. Learn more about NASSCO here.

GPRS reports include photos and video of each pipe defect, mapped and categorized by type and severity to provide a complete sewer system overview, so that you can repair, maintain, and plan effectively.

NDT is an acronym for Non-Destructive Testing. This is a method of investigation which allows subsurface locators to examine an area without digging, coring, or excavating. SIM-certified Project Managers complimentary technologies to accurately locate and map underground utilities without the need to break ground. Learn more about GPRS utility locating services here.

Ground penetrating radar and an electromagnetic (EM) locator in a grassy area to the right of a red sewer cleanout. — Ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic locators are complimentary technologies used by GPRS Project Managers to non-destructively investigate areas.

Non-Revenue Water Loss (NRW) is water leaking from water line infrastructure before it reaches a private water meter, accruing costs for the water distribution facilities. NRW is one of the main threats to aging water systems. GPRS understands the importance of this issue and advocates for proper, routine maintenance. Learn more about what GPRS is doing to counteract improper water & wastewater management here.

A cracked water pipe with water spraying in many different directions. — GPRS offers free Water & Sewer Damage Prevention Week presentations to teach facility managers how to keep non-revenue water loss from hurting their communities and their bottom line.

Phase I Investigation is Phase I Environmental Site Assessments are due diligence investigations used to assess whether hazardous materials are present on a property and determine the risk to prospective purchasers, owners, operators, insurers, and lenders. Learn more about Phase I Environmental Site Assessments here.

A soil boring machine. — As a trusted leader in damage prevention within the environmental sector, GPRS provides dependable results from the initial investigation through delineation, remediation, and project completion.

Phase II Investigation is Phase II Environmental Site Assessments consist of collecting soil, soil gas, vapor intrusion samples, and groundwater samples and then sending these to a lab to determine whether the operations have caused environmental contamination. Learn more about Phase II Environmental Site Assessments here.

A drill coming out of a muddy area after drilling into the Earth. — As a trusted leader in damage prevention within the environmental sector, GPRS provides dependable results from the initial investigation through delineation, remediation, and project completion.

Post-Tension Cables are cables made of steel wires encased in plastic sheaths that are tensioned and grouted after the concrete is poured to enable thinner slabs and longer spans between columns. GPRS Concrete Scanning services utilize ground penetrating radar (GPR) to locate and map PT cables, preventing costly and potentially dangerous subsurface damage. Learn more here.

Multiple steel wires sticking out of four holes in a concrete structure. — Post tension cables are a critical component in modern construction, offering enhanced strength and flexibility to concrete structures.

Project Manager refers to certified GPRS Field Team Members. GPRS Project Managers are consultants, trained in Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM), to provide clients with real-time, actionable information needed to plan, design, manage, dig, and build better. Learn more here.

Two GPRS Project Managers utilizing electromagnetic (EM) locators on a job site with dirt floors and two excavators behind them. — All GPRS Project Managers are required to have 80 hours of hands-on training in a classroom setting and 320 hours of mentorship in the field to obtain their SIM certification.

Push Camera is a small camera system that can access pipes through smaller spaces to locate small lateral lines in a sewer system. Each camera is equipped with a sonde that can also be detected by a properly programmed EM locator to map non-metallic pipes as part of a full site utility scan or NASSCO VPI report. Learn more here.

A GPRS Project Manager wearing a helmet and bright yellow vest while analyzing the results of a push camera in use. — GPRS uses an arsenal of state-of-the-art video pipe inspection tools to visualize wastewater infrastructure, including push cameras.

Routine Water Loss Inspection is a service performed to reduce water loss before it becomes a larger issue. Inconsistent or improper water loss inspections can lead to non-revenue water loss which leads to the loss of money and can potential cause voids. Learn more about water loss inspections and how GPRS can help here.

A light blue municipal water tower with a clear blue sky behind it. — Routine water loss surveys, and proactive water, sewer, and stormwater system maintenance plans can eliminate service interruptions.

Sewer Lateral is an underground pipe that carries wastewater from a residence or business to the public sewer main. Learn more here.

The view of a push camera from inside a pipe with debris at the bottom of the pipe that is a light turquoise color. Data in white text and blue boxes are featured in the bottom right, top left, and bottom left corners. — GPRS can investigate lateral lines with a lateral launch camera or a push camera to document existing lateral line conditions, locate & report any cross bores, and map your entire water or sewer infrastructure.

SIM stands for Subsurface Investigation Methodology. A standard operating procedure and set of professional specifications that work as a guide for utility locating experts when scanning for buried utility lines. All GPRS Project Managers are required to achieve SIM 101 certification, which requires 80 hours of hands-on training in a classroom setting and 320 hours of mentorship in the field. Learn more here.

Current recommendations by the American Society of Nondestructive Testing advise an 8-hour minimum training combined with 60 hours of practice using GPR equipment in order to achieve a Level 1 certification.

Slab-On-Grade is a type of concrete slab that rests directly on the ground below. GPR only needs access to one side of a concrete slab or structure to scan the material for anomalies such as embedded conduit, so it can properly evaluate slab-on-grade.. Learn more here.

A concrete slab that is placed directly on the ground with light grey rocks around the edges of the concrete. — Ground penetrating radar’s ability to visualize what’s inside and under concrete slab-on-grade is one of its biggest advantages over X-Ray scanning technology.

Sondes are transmitters that are usually inserted or sent through a pipe, and send an electromagnetic signal that EM locating equipment can detect above ground. GPRS Project Managers utilize EM locators along with sondes to map non-metallic pipes as part of a full site utility scan or NASSCO VPI report. Learn more here.

The variety of sizes and lengths for sondes. — Sondes are built into robotic crawlers and push cameras and emit an electromagnetic field that is receivable by EM locators or a sonde locator.

Subsurface Damage is damage that occurs on underground pipes, lines, and utilities, and is often caused by excavation. GPRS is committed to the pursuit of 100% subsurface damage prevention – on every job, in every market, nationwide. Read more about this goal here.

An excavators on a dark dirt job site after scooping dirt into the bucket. — GPRS is committed to the pursuit of 100% subsurface damage prevention – on every job, in every market, nationwide.

S.U.E. is the acronym for Subsurface Utility Engineering. It is a branch of engineering that involves the accurate location and mapping of buried utilities that adheres to certain standards and processes. Learn more here.

A GPRS Project Manager looking at an iPad they are holding while wearing proper PPE including a red vest, protective glasses and a helmet. — GPRS does not perform S.U.E., but our utility locating and utility mapping services support S.U.E. at quality level B.

UST stands for Underground Storage Tanks. Underground tanks that store petroleum or other hazardous substances. GPRS Project Managers utilize industry-leading technology to assist with the detection of USTs. Learn more here.

Exposed underground storage tanks with dirt on top of them. They are enclosed beneath a site with concrete floors and walls. — GPRS Project Managers are experts in mapping utilities and USTs prior to environmental drilling, directional drilling, soil borings, and the installation of monitoring wells.

Utility Locating refers to the process of scanning the ground for utilities non-destructively, often using ground penetrating radar and EM locators to find and map the locations of water, sewer, gas, electrical, telecommunications, and other buried lines. Learn more here.

A GPRS Project Manager pushing ground penetrating radar across a grassy field with trees and cars in the background. — GPRS Project Managers follow SIM guidelines by utilizing complementary utility locating tools to deliver 99.8% accurate scans.

VPI is the acronym for Video Pipe Inspection, which is uses industry-leading remote video cameras to assess conditions and prevent problems in water, sanitary and storm sewer, and lateral pipelines. GPRS NASSCO-certified Project Managers scope sewers to locate clogs, identify cross bores, find structural defects & damages, and conduct lateral sewer line inspections. Learn more about GPRS’ VPI services here.

A GPRS Project Manager preparing to use a CCTV crawler to investigate underground pipes. — GPRS is the sewer inspection company clients can trust to provide comprehensive, interactive reporting that details every inch of our clients’ pipes to help them plan repairs, maintain system integrity, and mitigate risk.

GPRS Glossary

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