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Solutions for Utility Locating and Mapping

 

The modern metropolis is a web of streets and pathways, buildings and obstacles.These complexities of the cities on the surface are nothing compared to the confusion created by the underground scenario as power, telephone and fiber optic cables vie for room with water, gas, wastewater, and sewer pipelines. Not to mention the additional complications created by the layers of both modern and outdated utilities that likewise exist thereat.

 

Among the very significant services for underground mapping performed nowadays is utility mapping. It is a crucial job that has to be performed ahead of any digging work in both residential and public areas. It is often used to locate cables for electricity, telecoms and fiber optics, pipes that are metal or plastic, and drainage systems. When everybody is aware of the utility services below, they can guarantee they are not going to accidentally fracture main water pipes or drill all the way through electricity cables, which can upset nearby residents or result to accidents. Since utility mapping is not evasive, it can be done speedily and without causing a lot of disruption, particularly if the mapping service is happening in some active high-street or adjacent to a school, for instance. 

 

For contractors doing excavation, any encounter with buried utilities during the process can turn into costly setbacks and financial or other fines where such services are interrupted; at worst, this situation comes with the threat of workers getting injured or even dying.  For more info about utility locating, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_location.

 

It is thus vital that contractors make all efforts to detect and track down any buried utility/utilities possibly to be involved in a planned excavation and/or construction activity, before commencing the site excavation. In the former situation, you will most probably have to contact some "before-you-dig" service provider. These contractors collate information obtained from utility organizations concerning the location of their buried utilities, which they pass on (with a bill) to the excavating contractor.

 

Whereas these locate & map services maybe essential preliminary filters for a contractor, these are not perfect: maps may not be accurate or complete, utilities have probably been added, taken away, or relocated without such information being revealed. It is therefore advisable for excavating companies to contract someone who has the right qualifications, experience, and equipment to perform the utility locating and utility mapping services.

 

With the use of modern technology and methods like electromagnetic detectors, GPRS, and radio-detection, it's possible to locate exactly many types of utilities buried underground including metallic as well as non-metallic cables and pipes. Then, mapping out these utilities can be done using the usual survey techniques alongside GPS and geographical information system or GIS software. Click here if you have questions.

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