Can I have a GPR Survey?
NO, YOU CANNOT. YOU CAN HAVE A UTILITY SURVEY INSTEAD!
A GPR equipment should be used as a last tool in the box. What we ought to be doing first is using electronic means of tracing traceable unitises before applying other techniques like GPR to confirm those non-metallic.
There seems to be a misperception that GPR will find everything. All GPR does is differentiate between different densities of the ground and the rest is for the operator to understand what the scan produces.
Another fundamental problem is that we engage GPR unit the size of a lawn mower to scan a 3 lane motorway with incredibly high cost of closures and traffic management where a mobile unit would do the job in one night and it would cover 100% of the pavement.
We simply never verify the capability of a subcontractor and what type of tools they have at their disposal. Why? – Because we often have no understanding of what and how…?
If you start in the wrong way you will end up in trouble.
Turning the table around – a Single Template
So how do we rectify it? The first thing is to have the knowledge in how the RD & GPR technology should be applied. Then once you know what and how to approach each individual survey – only then you have the capacity to discuss it with any utility survey company.
But this is not enough. We have dozens of firms in the UK of different standard, different capacity and some even claiming that their equipment can differentiate LV service form HV.
And often on larger projects you may be receiving several different surveys and CAD models – each with different level of information and different set of strings. This must end if you want your business to tackle the problem.
The first thing is to develop your business CAD template and equally important the procurement template.
How many times have we seen quantity surveyors just making the choice based on the price without even questioning what are deliverables.
Each utility survey company will deliver different product.
What we have to do is rather than them telling US what WE NEED IT SHOULD BE US TELLING THEM WHAT WE WANT AND HOW WE WANT IT! THIS IS THE ONE OF THE KEY POINTS OF THIS WEB SITE.
And this is why your business should have a preselected subcontractors working to your standard. And they should be delivering surveys to your bespoke system.
THE TABLE NEEDS TO TURN ROUND 180 DEGREE.
How do we do it? It is very simple.
More in the next point – Procurement.
Procurement
We have analysed in the previous chapter what broadly occurs in construction. In short – we have commercial managers with often zero knowledge on utilities looking at often quotes presenting three different products. There is simply no way you can compare fruit with fruit let alone apples with apples. This has to end. The price almost always prevails. And you almost always get what you pay for.
Rather than having a brand new scenario every single time when we ask for a GPR Survey (sorry – utility survey) we have to develop a template which release QSs from this burden.
A template which will clearly define a model which would have to be adopted by those quoting the utility survey. And as oppose to what they suggest you should be getting – it would be us telling them what we want and how we want it. And this would have to become a procurement template across your entire business no matter how complex it is.
Further – once the template is developed all potential subcontractors would be delivering identical product and identical set of strings and QA documentation.
And going further – once you have one template all of your staff no matter where and who – they would have absolutely no struggle to understand what they see on deliverables.
Expertise – are utility survey companies competent?
Lets be very straight at this point first – we do not claim to be competent in everything! And we do admit it. And we would not attempt to give you answers for questions we do not know answers to.
However – there is an abundance of businesses and individuals who will be trying to sell you anything. Including that RD can differentiate between low and high voltage. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
There are companies who will do everything in order to secure a contract. And they will use a minimum effort to get from A to Z. And often things stop at T or W.
So by having a procurement template defining what your product is you offset that risk.
But do you stop here – we strongly advise you move your butt out there and watch your subcontractor swinging the RD. That will all tell you who you have engaged.
It is very easy to summarise that you will be lucky to sieve through the entire field and be left with two, maximum three outfits that you will be able to trust.
And trust is what is needed in this business. And trust is only developed when you work with the same team of people over a long period of time. People who advise as oppose to argue or tell you what you should be getting. You will quickly discover the reality – and this is because you almost certainly have no knowledge on how to challenge those experts.
How to apply PAS128 with your Utility Survey and PTD
The key starting point in a successful process of safe and cost effective approach is to apply elements of PAS128 in your utility survey.
Please take time to analyse it. Simply download one of CAD models to see how utility survey data should be presented to enable everybody in the process to use one single language.
Yes – PAS128 is a language and if we all start using it we will have no misunderstandings.
And rather than over complicating the data we suggest this simple „corrections”:
- Use Class B for everything electronically traced.
- Use Class B for GPR where non traceable services are identified with large confidence.
- Retain lines unidentified as Class D.
- Use number in front of A and B marks with a meaning „times 100mm to the top of the utility”. E.g. 5B – 5 * 100mm = 500mm to the top of the pipe of duct.
- Use Class A on all visually confirmed, till holes and as-builts as you go along.
Additional suggestions:
6. Use Class / Label P for all Proposed / Provisional Lines
7. Use Class / Label R for all lines you make Redundant. The reason is simple – you may not want to trace those particular lines every single time you have to undertake excavation in the vicinity of such a line.
8. Additional Letters should be used in our view – like Class / Label F – where no information is provided and the utility is probably long way out of what is assumed. This should be additional alerting system for digging around deep, untraceable, unidentified lines. We would like to keep it simple – „F” would stand for „f888 knows where it is”. And 3 meters exclusion zone is insufficient to be applied when excavations in such an area. Greater distance may have to be considered – e.g. 20m or more.
Utility Drawing mark ups
For those who will try to critique that this proposal is not in line with PAS128 standard – all you have to do is provide certain disclaimers on your set of documentation / drawings. See the chapter below. If your provide such disclaimers then your PAS128PTD System is in line with the Standard. And it is much bettered.
You have to additionally imagine that we work with individuals and teams of people with various intelligence, medical conditions, family problems, addictions. And therefore you have to remember you have to make this process easy and clear to understand by everyday.
Data Presentation
The data presentation is the key to communication. We have defined a few lines above how to accommodate our CAD model to go in line with PAS128 Specification.
And if you think that procuring and producing the data in the way we propose would be expensive you need to review your previous survey to see the sea of electronic depths and comments that are not essential or comments that can be simplified.
Making up the surface in the field with 5B, 7A, C and Ds is very easy and simple. And it does not take a lot of time. Quite the opposite. Then surveying these legend is as simple as developing a library with strings and attributes which then can be used by a surveyor in the field.
Then upon completion of a survey you can then reduce your data and in the process all of the cross marks and attributes with the PAS128 legend would be interpolated in CAD. Some cosmetic changes may be required but the process described above is a lot more efficient in the global way than having a draftsman to rearrange ”0.5md” which are a lot longer and cluster the view.
Simply download some of the files with previously completed PAS128 legend to better understand how neat and efficient this model is. And if we start using these language amongst all parties involved in utilities we can then prevent almost all of disasters – whether service strikes or design clashes.
Working with trusted Subcontractors
It is paramount to develop relationships with only 3 maximum 4 subcontractors in the country. Your business have to engage with utility survey companies who will deliver what you ask them to deliver. Do not engage with those who would want to tell you how and what you should be getting.
Remember – it is you who will be setting the specification. All those who want to work with you will mend their systems to comply with your procurement template.
Additionally – you have to go out and inspect what your subcontractors does in the field. You need to have trust in what they do and to have trust you need to see how competent they are and efficient. Competence means using every possible tool to provide the highest possible level in PAS128 hierarchy.
And the final key to trust is not only competence but having adequate tools to undertake the survey. And having a road GPR unit is a must for almost every larger survey. Those subcontractors who apply for contracts where such a unit is required and they do not have it at their disposal should not be engaged in those instances. The ideal scenario is that every subcontractor you engage is equipped with such a unit.
One set of strings and systems within the company – reinventing the wheel
We need to stop reinventing the wheel every single day of the year.
By having a procurement template you dictate to subcontractors what and how you want it. every subcontractor should be asking you – „How would you like it?”
You have to develop a company standard where one template is used across the board. And as oppose to having to adjust your mind every single time you see a new product you can develop your own set of stings which your subcontractor would have to comply with.
To digitise a string in CAD you need less than a minute. And to create a company set of strings you would need less than a day. Everything can be done with not too much effort but only if you know how to. We are here to advise and to help you to understand how simple things can be.
TRAINING
Make sure your staff is trained – is it enough?
Training means nothing. The problem with most training is it only shows you how to use equipment. It trains you how to turn it on and how to operate. Rarely more than that.
It was our nightmare for nearly two decades to watch and to be asked to locate services without being taught how to do it. With no adequate training being in place we came up with some simple ideas – a table with guidance on which method should be used and when. Unless you are a utility surveyor and do your permits at ad hoc basis you forget all you may know if you do not use it frequently.
Additionally we put a list of questions you should be asking yourself on Page 2 to remind you what other things need to be considered. The very same questions are part of our Permit to Dig template. And rather than scratching your head when filling in your permit – you are provided with advise in the field. Simply download it to see how two page guidance would reduce number of service strikes in your organisation.
Have one of these tables laminated with every set of CAT & GENNY or other locating equipment. This is one of the key elements required to be implemented to bring required change.
Our other recommendation is to have dedicated and properly trained staff to deal with utilities. We are happy to make recommendations as whom to speak to. You can also craft a company designed training programme where those depending on a level of involvement can receive adequate training. Our approach to the training would be a 5 day course with the following structure:
Day 1 – Theory on all methods / DBYD / Setting up your Site Systems / PAS128
Day 2 – Day of electronic locating only – use of the above table and questions
Day 3 – CAD is a must / Survey and Processing Data / Running your CAD model / Review of your DBYD agains site survey
Day 4 – GPR and other methods of locating – use of industrial size GPR
Day 5 – Field Review / Exam
This training should come certified with CSCS card. Unfortunate CSCS certification is structured in a different way. Again – it may not be adequate the way it is for currently designed for the industry.
However – if you provide this bespoke training to your staff with additional tools and measure in case if you have to face a judge you will be able to prove you have done well above what is currently assumed to be adequate.
Competency checks and approval process
Competency checks are as important as training your staff. There are some companies in the industry who introduced this system. Any checks are better than not having them.
As described above – all we do is put people on the training but not actually checking what they learnt or if they remember how to operate the equipment.
So the best way to provide prove to a judge that you have fulfilled your duties as an employer is to have the table provided above as a competency assessment.
You can additionally expand on it but remember – do not overcomplicate it like current PAS128 has been.
Locating guide – see the Matrix
As described above – download the matrix and have a laminated copy of it with every CAT & GENNY unit. Remember – this is just a guide. More methods can be applied than those described in the Matrix but they may not be accessible to an average site.
They may be expensive – e.g. CCTV survey. When doing a CCTV survey we would advise to have a sonde attached to a vehicle and take the reading with your receiver. Use of a SONDE is probably the most accurate method of locating especially with death exceeding 2m.
Design your own Training Programme
Remember – because someone is certified to train it does not mean they know best or know everything.
Attend several different trainings and make your own assessment.
Ideally – you can design your own training. You can craft your needs to what you specify in. You can focus not only on training how to use equipment but more importantly on how to locate utilities.
Locating is an art you learn over a long period of time. Hitting services is probably one of those undesired outcomes.
Having our PAS128PTD System incorporated within your training will give you a different dimension to the training. Combine what there is out there with your template protocol and only then you will have created a perfect symbiosis required to succeed.
We are happy to help to advise you what to incorporate in your bespoke training depending on your business needs.
Have a dedicated and appointed staff
Doing permits and dealing with services but random staff is not what you want. Most os those involved in the process hate it and they are asked to undertake possibly the most risky activity with no adequate training, no adequate tools and systems in place.
Training is expensive so do speak to your staff about it. Do not force anybody to do it. And reward those who are willing to have sleepless nights with financial incentive.
By rewarding you are incorporating those individuals to gain knowledge, skills and train other to raise the bar. By having your own staff go well above average you will then benefit by them having to do our job in the future.