Digging without knowing what’s below? You could strike water, gas, or cables and end up with disaster. Let’s show you how Laser Surveys detects underground utilities with precision and safety.

At Laser Surveys, our Underground Utility Detection Surveys use a mix of techniques to generate accurate 2D or 3D maps of buried services. These techniques are:

Electromagnetic Location (EML)
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Manhole (Drainage) Tracing Using Sonde/Inspection Camera

First up, active EML helps us trace metallic utilities like power, metallic cables and pipes such as telecommunication cables, and water & gas pipes by inducing a signal through the fabric of the service itself.

Secondly passive EML can be used which is reliant on the electromagnetic field on buried inaccessible cables, usually electrical by performing a site-wide sweep, in an untargeted but regular grid pattern.

Drainage can be traced by using a Sonde – a transmitting device attached to a semi-flexible reel that is pushed along each drainage pipe.

Read more: What is Ground Penetrating Radar?

Using the aforementioned methods, our surveyors mark any discovered utilities on-site using spray paint, chalk, or other suitable media, depending on site sensitivities and specification. Then we record these locations & incorporate onto a supplied topographical base or produce our own precise 2D/3D utility maps. This shareable data enables all involved parties to be aware of potential services location before digging, design or planning procedures are entered into.

All surveys are PAS128-compliant, meeting Britain’s industry standard for utility detection.

Read More: What Is A GPR Survey?

Why go to these lengths? Because accidental strikes can cause delays, costly repairs, and serious safety hazards.

By combining EML and GPR, and working to PAS128 standards, we give you a clear subsurface picture, potentially helping to avoid delays from cable or pipe strikes and keeping your project on time and budget.

An industry-standard specification, put together by the British Standards Institution and sponsored by the institute of civil engineers to standardise methods and deliverables of Underground Utilities Surveys. First initiated in 2014 it’s now in it’s second iteration. It gives guidelines on how different site types should be approached and stipulates what measures should be adopted before, during, and on delivery of surveys and results.

Read More: How Accurate Are Underground Utility Surveys?

If you choose an Underground Utility Survey, you’ll receive:

• • CAD or PDF utility plans showing depths, materials (where possible), and routes of discovered services.
  • 3D data where needed, perfect for BIM workflows
  • If requested, Site mark-ups can be included, so everyone knows exactly what has been located with EML as it is discovered.
  • Provision of Utilities Records (if required)

All backed by our in-house surveyors, quality checked to the highest standards.