Underground Locator Services – Private and Public Locators
Underground Locator Services
Underground locator services: This is a must-have for a wise construction project manager. Sub-surface utilities detection can solve key aspects of a building projects or a home improvement jobs. Therefore, home improvement contractors, building managers, and property owners need to consider the service if there is any digging planned. Here are a few points to note: –
- Safety – to know and locate underground utilities before any trench digging is a wise move that can save workers from injuries resulting from contact with live lines
- Cost – In the event of damage to underground lines during digging, cost to repair may also result in other cost overruns
- Delays and disruptions of to project
- Better designs with the aid of underground utilities maps.
For private property, property owners have the responsibility to request private underground utility locator services before any digging can take place. Likewise, public sector should ensure a public utilities locator service has been done before any digging takes place. Similar to other trades that has short names, the term locator is common for people who perform such work.
Alternatively, names like underground utilities detective can be used to describe a utilities surveyor.
Another common additional term is pipe locator.
Underground Locating On an Existing Site: Managing Risks and Avoiding Disruptions by Hiring Locators to Mark Out and Guide Digging on Site
Purpose of Utilities Locator Services
First, to identify and classify type of utility
Then to locate the utility precisely
Additionally, to document findings for purpose of designs, for purpose of guidance in construction work, and for future referencing.
Typical Areas that Require Utilities Detection for Successful and Pain Free Project Execution
Key structures
Home improvement projects that need digging to take place
Housing estates and apartments
Places of learning, such as schools, colleges, and universities
Health facilities like hospitals and schools
Business and industrial areas
Other public and government facilities.
Key Resources
Water lines
Gas lines
Sewer lines
Electrical lines
Storm water lines
How Underground Locator Services Work
The Underground Detective finds and maps utilities using high level machinery to make the digging and excavation easy, cost effective, and free of injury. The machinery includes ground penetrating radars, CCTV cameras, thermal scanning, and electromagnetic induction.
After taking measurements and scanning the area, the underground utilities surveyor produces reports, which can take on several different types. However, the client usually specifies the data format he/she wants as a final product.
