Beneath our feet lies a labyrinth of essential infrastructure, a network of buried utilities that powers our modern world.
From electrical cables to water pipes, these lifelines remain unseen, hidden from view, yet vital for our daily lives. However, when it comes to construction or excavation projects, ignorance of these underground assets can lead to costly damages, service disruptions, or even dangerous accidents.
The solution? A meticulous process of utility locating, employing advanced technologies and professional expertise to unveil the secrets hidden beneath the earth's surface.
Federal law requires that before you dig you must call your state’s 811 one-call service to provide you with the approximate location of all buried public utilities on your job site.
But it’s important to remember that 811 contractors do not locate private utilities, which make up 60% of all buried infrastructure in the U.S. This means that to ensure you won’t hit anything when you break ground, you need to hire a private utility locating company in addition to contacting 811.
Understanding the Need for Utility Locating
Before delving into the intricacies of utility locating, it's crucial to grasp why it's indispensable.
Picture a construction crew breaking ground for a new building or a homeowner digging to plant trees in their backyard. Without prior knowledge of buried utilities, they run the risk of inadvertently severing power lines, puncturing water mains, or damaging telecommunication cables. Beyond the inconvenience and expense, such mishaps can pose serious safety hazards and lead to service outages.
The Role of Professional Utility Locating Services
Enter the professionals: utility locating specialists equipped with the tools and expertise to mitigate these risks. A professional utility locating company offers a comprehensive array of services tailored to identify and map the underground infrastructure accurately. These services are not limited to public utilities but also extend to private facilities, such as underground storage tanks, septic systems, and irrigation lines.
Tools of the Trade: Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Locating
At the heart of utility locating are two primary technologies: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) locating. GPR works by emitting high-frequency radio waves into the ground and analyzing the reflected signals to detect subsurface anomalies. This non-destructive method is particularly effective for locating non-metallic utilities like plastic pipes and concrete structures.
A ground penetrating radar scanner provides real-time data, allowing technicians to visualize the underground environment accurately.
On the other hand, Electromagnetic locating relies on electromagnetic fields to identify buried metallic objects. By transmitting signals through a transmitter coil and detecting them with a receiver coil, technicians can pinpoint the location and depth of metallic utilities such as power lines and metallic pipes. While electromagnetic locating is proficient in detecting metallic objects, it may encounter challenges with non-conductive materials.
Integration of GPS for Precision Mapping
In conjunction with GPR and electromagnetic locating, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology plays a pivotal role in utility locating. GPS enables technicians to geo-reference the detected utilities accurately, creating detailed maps of underground assets. These maps serve as invaluable resources for construction planning, excavation projects, and infrastructure maintenance, enhancing efficiency and minimizing risks.
The Utility Locate Process: Methodical and Precise
The utility locate process follows a systematic approach, combining advanced technologies with meticulous fieldwork. It typically begins with thorough research, including reviewing existing utility records, as-built drawings, and historical documentation. This preliminary phase provides valuable insights into the location and type of buried utilities present in the area.
With a comprehensive understanding of the site's underground landscape, technicians deploy a combination of GPR and electromagnetic locating equipment to conduct on-site surveys. They traverse the area methodically, scanning the ground surface and marking the detected utilities with paint or flags. Throughout this process, GPS technology ensures the accurate recording of each utility's location and attributes.
Challenges and Limitations
While utility locating technologies have advanced significantly in recent years, challenges and limitations persist. Factors such as soil composition, depth of burial, and interference from nearby structures can impact the accuracy of detection. Additionally, non-metallic utilities pose a unique challenge, as they may not produce strong electromagnetic signals and can be more challenging to detect with GPR alone. Consequently, a multi-faceted approach that combines various technologies and field expertise is often necessary to overcome these obstacles.
Through the integration of advanced technologies such as GPR, EM locating, and GPS, coupled with the expertise of our SIM-certified Project Managers, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep you on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize? Click below to schedule a service or request a quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GPRS offer same-day private utility locating?
Yes, our professional Project Managers can respond rapidly to emergency same-day private utility locating service calls on your job site.
Will I need to mark out the utilities GPRS locates?
No, GPRS will locate and mark all utilities for you. We have a variety of tools and markers we can use to highlight the locations of utilities, underground storage tanks and whatever else may be hiding.
Can GPR be used to verify known measurements?
We can use GPR to cross-check the measured depth and location of a located utility with existing as-built plans to verify the accuracy of plans.