While placing utilities underground facilitated safety and longevity, it also created new challenges for construction projects. For example, hitting a power line can cause injuries or fatalities.
Striking a water line can also lead to a neighborhood or citywide service outage. This makes utility location an important step before digging on any construction site.
Safety
As with any construction project, a certain amount of risk is involved in installing underground utilities Chester Springs, PA. The work can be highly invasive and alter the landscape of a project site. It can expose workers to confined spaces, engulfment, electrocution, and unstable trenches.
Fortunately, the proper tools and precautions can safely complete underground utility installation. One important step is locating all existing utilities before starting a project. This prevents damage to existing infrastructure and avoids costly project delays and cost overruns.
Various tools are available to detect underground utilities, including ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic location, frequency locators, acoustic pipe location, and vacuum and hydro vac excavation. It is recommended to use a professional who specializes in locating underground utilities. All locations should be accompanied by plans and marked by a competent person.
Efficiency
Underground utility construction is a complex, invasive process that can dramatically alter the landscape of a project. It is a highly specialized area of work requiring the attention of skilled contractors. Whether it is water lines, natural gas, or sanitary sewers, there are many things to consider to perform the job properly.
Professionals use various methods, including concrete scanning, ground penetrating radar, and electromagnetic detection, to locate existing underground utilities. This information is then used to create an underground map for the construction project. This map is an essential tool for contractors as it helps them avoid costly damage to existing utilities.
Underground utilities are marked with a uniform color code according to the APWA (American Public Works Association) standard. This makes it easy for contractors and excavators to identify the different types of utilities they work with. This ensures they avoid accidentally cutting a line and causing a service outage.
Cost
A key issue with any construction project is the impact on costs. Using underground utility installation reduces overall construction costs by avoiding unnecessary utility relocations. Additionally, buried utility lines are less expensive to maintain than overhead cables.
Overhead electric cables are prone to damage from wind and other factors, which drives repair and maintenance costs. On the other hand, burying utilities lowers costs as it is a safer and more effective way of transporting power.
Lastly, an accurate model of existing underground utilities helps to reduce project delays and contractor change orders. This results in savings for the entire construction project.
Before digging, contractors need to use utility locating services to identify the location of buried infrastructure. This can prevent accidents and life-threatening injuries on site. For example, hitting an electric line can electrocute workers or cause a fire. Similarly, a natural gas line rupture can lead to environmental pollution and property damage. Moreover, calling ahead can help contractors to avoid the cost of hiring an emergency crew for repairs.
Environmental Impact
Many public services infrastructures, such as electric cables, telecommunication lines, and water or gas pipelines, are installed underground for safety and convenience. However, if these lines are not properly installed or maintained, they can cause serious damage to the surrounding environment.
The first step in ensuring proper utility installation is to contact a professional utility locating service before any digging project. This will ensure that any existing buried lines are marked with a standard color code and can be easily located during excavation. This saves contractors from unnecessary costs caused by damaging buried utilities.
Digging is a dangerous job that requires careful measurements and precautions. Striking a line without noticing can lead to a power outage, gas leaks, or a boil-water advisory. A thorough site inspection by a professional can help prevent these costly and inconvenient disruptions. This is why working with a utility locating contractor Colorado contractors trust is so important. They can provide accurate models of the location of all underground utilities and their conditions.
