Site analysis involves the examination of different conditions of a site to propose a building that fits into the existing situation seamlessly. One of the common activities in this stage is a utility survey. What is it?
A good query! In this post, we are going to be looking at utility surveys to understand why they are so important for the future of buildings. This can help you determine whether your construction site is safe before building a home or extension. Let’s dive in:
What Is A Utility Survey?
You’ve probably come across the phrase, or probably not; it may be new to you. Whatever the case, it is as simple as it sounds. It is an underground examination of the ground you’d like to build to establish the location of utilities like telecommunications, gas, sewage, drainage pipes, fiber optics, water, and others.
Why is it important? A utility survey makes sure that construction does not interfere with any of the aforementioned services. It ensures that they are preserved, not interfered with or damaged, issues that can ultimately lead to project delays, property damage to third-party assets, and worker and public safety risks. Overall, we offer this crucial service because it lowers risks for builders, developers, engineers, and utility owners.
Our utility surveyors at Precision Utility Mapping Ireland have a fantastic proven track record of reducing financial risk and H&S risk. That’s because they are professionally qualified (and RICS-accredited). They have also successfully completed utility surveys for numerous construction, transportation, and utility projects in both the private and public sectors.
Why Is It Crucial To Do Proper Underground Utility Surveys?
The construction space, especially in the urban realm, is becoming more and more scarce. That has increased the pressure on developers to create efficient designs. With a comprehensive survey, clients can maximize the amount of land they are developing without causing any harm to or interfering with the assets of any third parties.
Our experience equips us with the necessary skill to generate precise and updated utility site plans that map both natural and man-made elements to provide detailed below-ground images. To ensure that we are giving you the best results, we are always adapting to trends, using the latest technologies and location tools.
We generate GIS Outputs, photographs, section views, 3D wireframe and model drawings, 2D plan outputs, and more deliverables after our utility surveys. We also give this in DWG and PDF formats.
Top benefits include:
- You get a comprehensive record for future development
- Non-intrusive investigation
- Accurate confirmation of current as-built records
- Lower chances of utility and asset damage
- Reduced project delays
- Saving time and money by working with a complete understanding of below-ground utilities
- Lowered risk to workers and the public’s safety
- Better planning utility diversions
What Tools Do You Require?
Each utility survey is different because the kind of soil and its frequency determine how far the radio waves can penetrate before losing detail. This implies that the requirements for each survey vary depending on the site conditions. However, there are three crucial pieces of gear worth mentioning while doing a utility survey:
A Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
It sends radio signals into the ground to create images of the features below the surface. An operator typically moves a transducer or antenna across the ground, and GPR uses it to broadcast radio pulses. When the signals meet any underground objects in the ground, such as wires or pipelines, they reflect the pulses or signals, which are then stored in the GPR’s control unit.
These signals ultimately appear as several bands, and they enable our surveyors to evaluate the complete image below the surface. Since no drilling or digging is required, this way of seeing what’s underground is both affordable and hassle-free.
Signal Generator (Genny) and Radio Frequency Cable Avoidance (CAT) Equipment
These are the other two essential utility surveying tools. These are used to find subterranean cable services, preventing damage to buried cables and other utility lines. The CAT has three modes of operation:
- Power: Locating and avoiding underground electrical wires by following power signals emitted by laden cables.
- Radio: Tracing spontaneously radiated radio waves from metallic conductors.
- Genny: Tracking a tone produced by the Genny to steer clear of sources connected to it, including water or gas valves as well as plug sockets.
Talk To Us
Need utility surveys conducted on your property? Talk to us for exceptional detail, timely work, and impeccable professionalism. We promise to exceed your expectations!
