Utility Surveys & PAS128
Underground Utility Survey | PAS128 Utility Mapping
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Utility Surveys

What is a Utility Survey?

Utility surveying employs the use of non-intrusive instruments. The use of these instruments largely prevents the need to dig underground in order to locate utilities.

During a utility survey, both radio detection & GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) are used to send signals into the ground. As well as a site survey to look for clues pointing to the location of where underground utilities may be.

Objects underneath the ground, such as pipes or cables will bounce the radio pulses or signals back to our equipment. In the case of GPR this information is then displayed digitally on screen for our experienced surveyors to interpret. Combined with electromagnetic location the location of the underground utility will then be GPS logged and given an accuracy rating as set out in PAS128 guidelines for both horizontal location and depth.

Utility surveys can be used prior to the commencement of a project or during to locate both underground pipelines, cables and other features, to ensure that none of these services are interfered with or damaged during any construction or excavation work. Findings from a utility survey are then mapped onto a topographical map (if available) or a basic site map can be drawn. Our experienced land survey team can provide the background topographical survey drawing if required.

Why should you carry out a Utility Survey?

Non-intrusive
As previously discussed, utility surveys do not require the ground to be dug up to locate pipes or cables, instead it uses non-intrusive measuring instruments that cause little disruption.

Cost and Time Savings
The biggest benefit of using a utility survey for your project is that it can have a significant reduction in terms of cost and time spent. The failure to identify the locations of buried services before a development takes place can result in increased project costs and delays, as well as serious health and safety implications. Construction companies are often liable for any damage caused to underground services due to the workings of their project.

Improved decision making at planning stage. 
Knowing exactly where underground utilities are located when planning a construction project can help inform the location of a new development, ensuring buildings and structures are placed the required distance away from underground services. Costs of diverting utilities can be factored into budgets from the outset.

Tracking a utility you weren’t expecting.
Already started excavation works and found a utility you weren’t expecting? At this point, knowing where the utility is going could help prevent a costly strike.

Improved Health and Safety
Having a utility survey conducted prior to a project starting minimizes the risk of a utilities strike which could pose serious risk to operatives carrying out the excavations/construction work.

Future Development Opportunities
Having a utility survey conducted on a location or property is beneficial, as this information can be helpful for future use on a project at the same site.


PAS128 Utility Mapping

What is PAS128 standard utilities survey?
PAS128 is a standard method sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors that provides a way to accurately map and locate underground utility networks, first introduced in 2014.

Who will carry out a PAS128 survey?
One of our experienced utility surveyors will handle the mapping of underground utilities from establishing of requirements of your project to delivery of utility drawings overlayed onto existing topographical drawings or one we have carried out for the project.

What is covered in a PAS128 survey?
The PAS128 framework specifies how a survey should be carried out from detection to verification and location of underground networks to include active, abandoned, redundant or unknown utilities as well as their associated features such as manhole covers and utility markers.

PAS128 applies no matter where the utilities are located from hospitals to streets to military bases.

The guidance also dictates a labeling structure and certainty scale for utilities that have been located or that were undetectable allowing better informed decisions during the planning and execution stages of your
project.

What are the main benefits of a PAS128 survey?
  • A PAS128 survey can lead to more effective planning and safer execution of street works, civil works, ground works and utility-based activities.

  • It provides clarity about the service provided and methods employed and a consistent approach to data capture.

  • It can be used to indicate the presence or absence of underground utilities before conducting further ground investigation prior to breaking ground.

  • It can be used to support the detection, location, and avoidance of buried services as part of a permit to break ground safe system of work.

  • It enables better informed decisions using more complete, up-to-date, and accurate data, helping ensure safety and progress on site.

  • It can help prevent or reduce conflicts, delays, unnecessary work, damage to third party assets, utility service disruptions, redesigns helping keep your project on schedule and on budget.

  • It can help improve asset modelling of a site.


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