Underground Utility Mapping
Mapping the unseen
Underground Utility Mapping Surveys
Underground Utility Mapping Surveys aim to detect and map the underground services below our streets and roads including; cables, ducts, culverts that are used to provide utilities such as drainage, electricity, gas, telecoms, and water and any unrecorded utilities that we all rely on every day. Thus allowing clients to make safe informed decisions and choices with their design and construction teams
Our underground utility surveys are carried out to the industry recognised PAS128 specification which provides our clients with confidence that their projects will be planned, executed and delivered to a quality, known, accountable, industry standard
OmniSurveys have always conducted our utility surveys by multiple detection methods. Primarily this is done by EML (Electromagnetic Location) and GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) subsurface utilities are located traced and mapped to provide a suite of reports and drawings that are tailored to meet our clients specific requirements delivered to an industry standard
Specifying the survey
OmniSurveys utility surveys are designed around PAS 128 specification. Key to a successful utility survey is engaging early with our clients to identify their needs and develop a bespoke utility mapping project selecting appropriate methodologies and surveying technologies best suited to deliver the project ensuring best quality and value.
What is PAS128...
PAS128:2022 is the British Standard for "Underground utility detection, verification and location". It is a very useful tool for clients and ourselves that helps to establish the most suitable survey required along with survey methodologies and expected quality levels.
To help explain PAS128 and different survey types we have created a separate page to help clients select the most suitable type of survey , click here or below to find out more
Detection & Mapping Technologies
There are two main techniques used in utility detection these are;
Electromagnetic Location - EML
The is non-intrusive method used to locate metallic services such as cables and metal pipes. Where access is available to empty ducts or pipes the these can be traced by means of Sonde location or tracing rods
Ground Penetrating Radar - GPR
GPR is commonly mistaken as an Underground Utility Survey, it is however a non-intrusive survey method used predominately for detecting and locating non-metallic utilities such as plastic pipes, ducts and fibreoptics.
GPR is also used to detect various other underground features including buried such as tanks, foundations, voids, objects rebar, concrete thickness
To help clients understand these technologies and their limitations we have created a separate page, click here or below to find out more
Deliverables
The data from underground utility surveys can be presented and delivered in a multitude of formats to meet clients' specifications and in line with PAS128 CAD layer and line styles
These include the following
- 2D plan drawings both in digital and hard copy
- Manhole & Utility Chamber inspection records
- CCTV drainage network reports
- 3D Models in AutoCADCivil3D
- Intelligent Building Information Modes (BIM) in REVIT
- 3D Visualisation
- 3D Animation/Fly-Through Video
- Georeferenced aerial imaging
- Cross sections
- As Built verification surveys
Added Value
Underground utility surveys give clients' an understanding of what’s under the ground on a project but this is only on component of the wider project solution.
A common addition is a Topographical survey, as a base layout or topographic survey is require to overlay the underground utility survey onto.
Combine these with a full Drainage CCTV condition survey and report and full and complete picture of the subsurface of your project be captured.
Augment this even further with UAV Aerial Survey can further enhance the Underground Utility Survey adding context to the project and provide a complete and accurate picture of above and below ground. All presented in a single 3D model environment or as 3D visualisations and fly throughs.
Our collaborative, multi-disciplinary, single supplier approach to geospatial surveying solutions brings confidence and repeatability to our clients ensuring they have one point of contact and source for their project with a unified process and workflows, ensuring repeatable and reliable quality assurances by utilising the latest technologies combined with experienced people to delivery high quality reliable deliverables for clients and their complete projects
Underground Utility Surveys
- Desktop Utility Surveys
- PAS:128 Underground Utility Mapping - Type D-A
- Ground Penetrating Radar surveys
- Mobile & Array GPR surveys
- Drainage CCTV surveys
- Manhole inspections
- Utility chamber inspections & records
- On site "mark-up" surveys
- Geotechnical Investigation clearances
- Route & Pipeline clearance/analyse surveys
Sectors
- Defence
- Education
- Energy
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Heritage, Leisure & Toursim
- Minerals & Construction
- Property
- Transport & Infrastructure
Like to know more - CPD Events
We appreciate that all the different technologies and terminology is second nature us but to you our clients it may very well be confusing and daunting.
OmniSurveys offer educational "Lunch & Learn" one hour Continuing Professional Development (CPD) educational events to our clients
Our aim with these events to educate and keep our clients staff updated not only on specification changes but with the rapid developments within the geospatial world both in surveying technologies, data capture methods, workflows but how these can enhance quality of deliverables, time and costs.
At these events we explore the Geospatial surveying solutions we offer to give our clients and their staff a better understanding of the different types surveys we offer along with the technologies we use.
This can include:
- Topographical Surveys
- PAS128 - Underground Utility Mapping
- Measured Building Surveys
- Engineering Surveys
- Laser Scanning
- 3D Modelling & BIM Surveys
- UAV Drone Surveys
Having carried out many of these events over the years we have found our clients and their teams have taken a lot away from them and thus resulted in better collaboration providing clients with more tailored surveys with better value through better knowledge.
Tailored events can be arranged on specific topics of interest such as PAS128 Utility Mapping, UAV Surveys, Laser Scanning & Modelling
To book an event please contact us to discuss your requirements
Interested in our services? We’re here to help!
We want to know your needs exactly so that we can provide the perfect solution. Let us know what you want and we’ll do our best to help.