Hundreds of thousands of underground utilities are accidentally struck each year in North America. As a result, construction companies are faced with project delays and huge bills. With the aid of S.U.E. services, the amount of accidents could be drastically reduced to nearly zero.
Subsurface Utility Engineering (S.U.E.) is geared towards obtaining accurate subsurface utility data at the design stage of projects. To do this, Gonzalez Construction, LLC uses state-of-the-art equipment, including Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Equipment, along with effective techniques, in order to provide the most accurate horizontal and vertical location of underground utilities.
The location of these utilities, along with their depths, are then mapped using high performance survey equipment in order to generate a quality level B utility plan drawing as per ASCE 38-02-SUE GUIDELINES (See Figure 1). Furthermore, a quality level A utility plan drawing can be produced by day-lighting the located utilities in order to obtain the most accurate information achievable regarding the size, material, horizontal and vertical location of all underground utilities located on a site. See below for more details regarding the various quality levels associated with Subsurface Utility Engineering.
Subsurface Utility Engineering (S.U.E.) Quality Levels
Utility quality level
A professional opinion of the quality and reliability of utility information. Such reliability is determined by the means and methods of the professional. Each of the four existing utility data quality levels is established by different methods of data collection and interpretation.
Utility quality level A
Precise horizontal and vertical location of utilities obtained by the actual exposure (or verification of previously exposed and surveyed utilities) and subsequent measurement of subsurface utilities, usually at a specific point. Minimally intrusive excavation equipment is typically used to minimize the potential for utility damage. A precise horizontal and vertical location, as well as other utility attributes, is shown on plan documents. Accuracy is typically set to 15-mm vertical and to applicable horizontal survey and mapping accuracy as defined or expected by the project owner
Utility quality level B
Information obtained through the application of appropriate surface geophysical methods to determine the existence and approximate horizontal position of subsurface utilities. Quality level B data should be reproducible by surface geophysics at any point of their depiction. This information is surveyed to applicable tolerances defined by the project and reduced onto plan documents.
Utility quality level C
Information obtained by surveying and plotting visible above- ground utility features and by using professional judgment in correlating this information to quality level D information.
Utility quality level D
Information derived from existing records or oral recollections.
Utility relocation policy
A policy (typically of the project owner or utility owner) for the relocation of utility facilities required by the project. This policy includes, but is not limited to, establishing provisions for compensating utility owners; for removing and reinstalling utility facilities; for acquiring or permitting necessary rights-of- way at the new location; for moving, rearranging, or changing the type of existing facilities; and for taking necessary protective measures.
Utility search
The search for a specific or unknown utility or utilities using a level of effort in accordance with the specified quality level, within a defined area.
Utility trace
The process of using surface geophysical methods to image and track a particular utility.