It’s exciting when a general contractor places a trailer at a jobsite – because it means they are ready to commence project management and construction.
Mount Construction hired GPRS to perform a utility locate prior to placing a trailer at the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority. This trailer was their project management headquarters as they undertook construction to upgrade and repair New Jersey’s Linden Roselle Sewage Authority’s water, sewer, and stormwater systems.
Mount Construction prioritizes safety and efficiency on every project, and that’s why they called GPRS. Project Manager Michael Kovach scanned the site and delivered subsurface as-builts to Mount Construction via SiteMap®.
GPRS delivered Mount Construction accurate subsurface utility maps to place their trailer and begin construction planning and execution.
Conducting a utility locate prior to placing a trailer and commencing work is standard practice to ensure the safety of the site, mitigate accidents, and minimize risk. General contractors may not have up-to-date site records with subsurface utility information. A utility locate is typically conducted before placing a trailer (or any structure) to ensure that there are no underground utilities in the area where the trailer will be placed.
A utility locate also helps to prevent damage to underground utilities, which can pose safety hazards if accidentally struck during the placement of the trailer or during construction or excavation. Hitting underground utilities can stop construction work at the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority and disrupt services, such as electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications.
By identifying and avoiding underground utilities prior to beginning construction work, the risk of project delays and costly repairs is minimized.
By law, unless the underground facility was mismarked, the contractor will be held responsible for all costs resulting from the damage and its repair. Therefore, it is imperative that the utility locate is accurate.
99.8%+ Accurate Utility Maps: It Starts With the Locate
Kovach scanned a one-acre area at the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority to locate and mark all underground utilities and find a buried sewer line and it’s buried manhole cover.
Kovach utilized ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic locators to identify the utilities and sewer lines on site, including electric, communication, water, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and process waste subsurface obstructions.
“I have completed extensive Subsurface Investigation Methodology training and was able to utilize all my tools and methods to their fullest potential while on site,” said Kovach.
“All lines were found and marked on the surface and recorded on a digital map for the client,” he added. "Utility locate maps were quickly uploaded to SiteMap® for the client to access, view, and share."
The Latest Scanning Technology
Kovach used the following equipment to locate and mark the precise locations of utilities on site and create a CAD utility site plan that shows the accurate vertical and horizontal position of underground utility locations.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology identified all underground utilities at the site. This tool is mounted on a stroller frame that rolls over the surface and features an antenna that uses frequencies ranging from 250 MHz to 450 MHz. Subsurface data is displayed on the screen and marked on the surface in real time. The total effective scan depth of GPR can be as much as 8’ and will vary throughout a site depending on a variety of factors such as surface type, surface conditions, soil type, and moisture content. At this site, the maximum effective GPR depth was approximately two feet.
An electromagnetic (EM) locator detected the electromagnetic signals from pipes and cables at the site. EM locators were used to actively trace conductive pipes and tracer wires, and passively detect power and radio signals traveling along conductive pipes and utilities. An electromagnetic radio frequency transmitter sends out a signal in a specific frequency, which transmits through the conductive material in an underground pipe or other piece of infrastructure.
A high-end GPS unit provided accuracy down to 4 inches using the satellite environment at the time of collection. GPS locations can be collected as points, lines, or areas and then exported as a KML/KMZ or overlaid on a CAD drawing.
Kovach’s training provided 99.8% accurate field-verified utility maps, “We can deliver the GPS-enabled utility locate map via SiteMap®, PDF, and .KMZ files to this client.”
SiteMap® is GPRS’ new cloud-based software that quickly and securely delivers 99.8%+ accurate utility maps, images, and drawings of site infrastructure. The Map Viewer allows users to view their facility data on a GIS quickly. The digital plan room hosts every file and map for the site. This client can quickly access the locations of all site utilities, as well as sewer and manhole inspection data.
GPRS Project Managers are required to complete industry-leading Subsurface Investigation Methodology 101 Certification before performing field services on your job site. Every Project Manager completes 80 hours of classroom training and 320 hours of field mentoring to achieve SIM 101 certifications.
Mount Construction is a full-service construction, site improvement, and emergency response service provider in New Jersey. This general contractor offers a suite of vertically integrated services that allow clients to outsource all their water, sewer, and stormwater work to one source, from installations and repairs to emergency service and ongoing maintenance. They specialize in using wet taps and stops to complete new pipe installations, replacements, or system maintenance without shutting down a system. They also perform a range of pipe cleaning operations, specializing in mechanical cleaning and hydro jetting.
The Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority is a 1948-established wastewater treatment and interceptor facility in Linden, New Jersey who also treats and disposes of sewage generated by the municipalities. The Authority’s service area is 13 square miles, it services a residential population of 60,000 and a diverse industrial community, and administers a state approved Industrial Pre-Treatment Program.
Why GPRS? The GPRS Difference.
GPRS is in pursuit of 100% subsurface damage prevention. Our 99.8+% accuracy rate demonstrates that our equipment, training, and methodology consistently deliver high-quality results nationwide. All 500+ GPRS Project Managers utilize the industry-leading specification called Subsurface Investigation Methodology when conducting utility mapping, concrete scanning, sewer camera inspection, or 3D laser scanning.
Our commitment to quality and consistency extends to our world-class customer service center. Our team of expert project coordinators, estimators, and account managers strive to provide you with a frictionless experience when hiring GPRS for ground penetrating radar services, utility locating, concrete scanning and imaging, video pipe inspection, or 3D laser scanning. You can expect reliable and consistent service every time you contact GPRS.
What can we help you visualize?
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to utility markings can I dig?
Try to avoid digging on top of or within 18 to 24 inches on all sides of utility marks. Regulations vary by state and locality. In the United States, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) provides guidelines for safe digging practices, including the "tolerance zone" for different types of utilities. The tolerance zone (the distance you should stay away from utility lines) varies depending on the type of utility. For example, for gas lines, the tolerance zone is usually 18 to 24 inches on either side of the marked utility line. The depth of the utility line also affects how close you can dig. Deeper utility lines may have a wider tolerance zone to prevent accidental damage. The type of excavation equipment and method used can also impact the distance you should maintain from utility lines. Before digging, you should always contact GPRS to mark the location of underground utilities. This helps you avoid digging too close to them.
What is a private utility locate?
A private utility locate is similar to a public utility locate, but it involves identifying and marking private underground utilities on a property. Public utility locates typically involve utilities owned and maintained by public utility companies (such as water, gas, and electric lines). Private utilities, on the other hand, are typically owned and maintained by private individuals or organizations and may include things like private water lines, septic systems, and underground electrical lines that run from a house to a garage or other structure. When planning any digging or construction work on a property, it's important to locate both public and private utilities to avoid damaging them. Private utility locates are often arranged directly with the property owner or through a private utility locating service.