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Utilities Business Review | Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Identifying underground utilities and services before digging is crucial to public safety.
Digging underground can damage subterranean cables or utility services, so it is important to avoid damaging them. Failure can result in costly damage to utilities, the risk of injured workers, and even property damage. Finding underground utilities, such as buried mains, pipes, and cables, can help avoid causing damage to services and lower the risk of being held responsible for injuries or financial losses. Several steps must be followed to locate all underground services accurately.
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There are several ways to locate underground utilities, as digging around underground services presents many inevitable challenges. Below are the most common methods of locating underground services:
Electromagnetic (EM) induction: The electromagnetic utility locating method can locate metal and conductive utilities like telephone, cable, and gas lines. If we can pulse our signal down the metallic service line, we can locate these services with EM Induction. Electromagnetic locating has some limitations, including the inability to locate plastic pipes, cables, or substations with interfering electrical fields or utilities buried deep underground, returning a weak signal back to the surface. The underground utilities in highly congested areas are often CBDs, footpaths, substations with interfering electrical fields, or utilities buried very deep underground.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR): An advanced service locating technique, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) uses radio waves pulsed into the ground and reflected off subsurface objects like underground services. For GPR to be detectable, it does not need an active connection to the service, which makes it quick to set up. GPR is used in various underground utility investigations and is easily set up. GP Radars work well and are commonly used to locate and detect underground metallic and non-metallic pipes and cables, thus overcoming the limitations of electromagnetic locating methods.
Unlike manual or mechanical excavation methods
Direct connection method: Several methods are available for locating metallic service lines, but the most common method is a direct connection. In a direct connection, the transmitter is connected directly to the utility line and then traced with a connection led by a service locator. For most service locators, the direct connection method is the most accurate for locating underground metallic services, as it gives technicians the most options when locating buried utility lines. This method provides the technician with an accurate, fast, and easy way of tracing utility lines because it allows him to detect the specific frequencies of the traced lines.
Induction ring clamp: Ring clamp induction induces a signal onto metallic cables or conduits when a direct connection is impossible. The clamp lead is plugged in and connected to the transmitter before being clamped around the target pipe or cable. Signals are transmitted to the target line without metal-to-metal contact by this method. Ring clamp inductive locating is a good tool for locating underground services, but we always prefer direct connections when it is safe.
The vacuum or hydro excavation: An excavated area can be removed or moved non-destructively with vacuum or hydro-excavating using pressurized water instead of mechanical tools. A dirt concoction is created with pressurized water instead of mechanical tools. The soil or debris is moved to a debris tank Using an air conveyance or vacuum. Unlike manual or mechanical excavation methods, non-destructive excavation is becoming more popular because of its precision, cost efficiency, and safety.
Locating underground utilities and services before digging is important since it ensures public safety during excavation by preventing unintentional strikes and damage to underground assets. Contractors can avoid delays, critical service interruptions, costly repairs and damage, and other setbacks, such as compensation claims or unwanted fines, while protecting the project, the public, and people from damages.
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