.svg)
GPRS Project Manager Alec Bacon was tasked with investigating old drain lines for a client in Texas. The drain lines were essentially underground tunnels because of their size. The client needed to determine if their tunnels would accommodate another drain line being tied into the system.
%20(2).jpg)
Despite the tunnels being large enough for a person to investigate, the client wanted to take extra safety precautions and avoid putting their team at risk in a confined space.
“They didn't want to deal with the confined space and all that because it's a tunnel, basically,” Bacon explained. “It was, I want to say, more than 36 inches in height.”
As Bacon surveyed the area, he realized this was going to be one of the more unique VPI jobs he has ever done because of the location of the tunnels.
“So, it was under the plant basically,” Bacon explained. “We were in like a sub-basement to get to it on the other side and then there was the basement, then the building on top of it. It was just a really unique set up for what they had for access and where the pipe was.”
With nearly seven years of experience as a GPRS Project Manager, Bacon could acknowledge the uniqueness of this job and was up for the challenge.
“It wasn't one of those jobs where you drive up to the manhole, lower the camera, and there you go,” Bacon said. “It was one where we got to be real creative.”
To assess conditions safely, Bacon used CCTV camera-equipped, remote-controlled crawlers to investigate the tunnels. The crawlers captured detailed photo and video evidence of the tunnels’ conditions.
“We ran it from both directions from the outside and then from that sub-basement, which got really interesting,” Bacon explained. “We took all the VPI equipment, went out of the back of the van, got it into that basement, and then ran an extension cord with us so we could run the crawler in that pipe.”
Once the inspection was completed, a detailed, NASSCO-compliant Video Pipe Inspection Report, detailing all tunnel conditions and defects including still photos and video via WinCan Web, was delivered to the customer digitally via SiteMap®. The client was happy with the information gathered and, because of SiteMap®, the client can access the findings 24/7 and have them readily available for reference during every stage of their renovation process.
Lastly, Bacon wanted to acknowledge and thank GPRS Business Development Manager Brian Barlow for his help.
“Brian Barlow and myself kind of worked together,” Bacon explained. “It was just a good example of sales and field coming together and being able to provide the best for the client.”
GPRS Video Pipe Inspection Services
GPRS is a trusted sewer inspection company that provides comprehensive, interactive reporting that details every inch of underground pipes to help clients plan repairs, maintain system integrity, and mitigate risk.
With tools like mainline crawlers, electromagnetic (EM) locators, and push cameras, GPRS Project Managers can inspect the hundreds of thousands of miles of water and sewer lines across the United States.
Some VPI services that GPRS offers include:
- Cross bore mitigation
- Mainline inspections
- Manhole inspections
- Sewer lateral inspections
- Water & sewer system mapping
- Dye tracing
- NASSCO reporting
- Inclination reporting
- Utility locating
All GPRS VPI Project Managers are NASSCO-certified in PACP, LACP, and MACP, along with our required Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM) certification. NASSCO, or the National Association of Sewer Service Companies, sets industry standards for assessing, maintaining, and rehabilitating underground water and sewer infrastructure. GPRS Project Managers provide NASSCO Video Pipe Inspection Reports that provide the clients with interactive and comprehensive details and visuals of the inspection. All of this paired with GPRS’ 99.8% accurate utility scans will then be compiled and delivered digitally via SiteMap® for use or reference 24/7 and can be accessed on mobile devices with the SiteMap® mobile app.
GPRS also offers and strongly recommends annual sewer system inspections. Subsurface infrastructure is a world that you can’t see with the naked eye and requires the proper tools and training to properly assess. Sewer system inspections are important so you can update your existing conditions documentation, find new breaks, cross bores, and defects, plan repairs, and protect your system, facility, and community.
Another inspection program GPRS offers is Pre and Post-Cross Bore inspections. This program assesses pipe locations and conditions prior to the deployment of trenchless technology, and immediately following the installation of any new utilities via trenchless technology to mitigate the risk cross bores pose. Without a proper understanding of cross bores in your facility or campus, potential damages could cost thousands and possibly cost someone their life.
From sewer lines to skyscrapers, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes the Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe. What can we help you visualize?
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pipes can GPRS inspect?
Our NASSCO-certified Project Managers can inspect pipes upwards of 2” in diameter.
What deliverables does GPRS offer when conducting CCTV drain surveys and other sewer pipe inspection services?
GPRS is proud to offer WinCan reporting to our Video Pipe Inspection clients. Maintaining sewers starts with understanding sewer condition, and WinCan allows GPRS Project Managers to collect detailed, NASSCO-compliant inspection data. GPRS Project Managers not only inspect the interior condition of sewer pipes, laterals, and manholes – they can also provide a map of their location. The GPRS Mapping & Modeling Department can provide detailed GPS overlays and CAD files. Our detailed WinCan/NASSCO reports contain screenshots of the interior condition of the pipe segments that we inspect, as well as a video file for further evaluation, documentation, and/or reference.
