Services (SUE) to both private, and public companies throughout Northern California.
We are committed to providing quality services that exceed our client's needs and expectations using the most advanced technology available.
We utilize State-of-the Art Electromagnetic and acoustic pipe locators as well as the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems to designate underground Utilities.
We are devoted to excellence and reliability in locating and marking underground utilities. Our utility locating services is performed by trained and experienced professional technicians. Our goal is to provide not just a service but to establish a strong relationship with our clients.
We take the underground utility location very seriously and we will use to the full extent all industry available technology to deliver a comprehensive and completed job.
We will not leave you with a wonder.
We will provide you with solutions to your underground utility locating needs.
We specialize on "hard to find" facilities and blind searches. We have learned, long time ago, that a combination of Electromagnetic, acoustic, and the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies is the best approach to solve the most challenging underground Utility designating job. In addition we use the Vacuum Excavation (potholing) to "positively" locate and determine the actual depth of underground utilities.
Why do we need Private Utility Designation Services
Underground utility companies that are members of the Underground Service Alert (USA) will designate and mark only the utilities that they own. Private utilities (non-members) and utilities located on private properties are out side the USA scope of services. For instance many industrial buildings, shopping centers, apartment complex, universities, airports and others have underground utility lines after the main meter and between buildings. Geovac will designate and mark these facilities to ensure that, in the event of an excavation need, the utilities are protected and the excavation crew is kept safe.
Typical applications
Private utility designation services benefits designers, contractors, architects, surveyors, boring companies, drilling companies, property owners, etc. Typical applications include designating: Gas, water, fiber optics, telephone, sewer, electrical, TV, and storm lines.
Electromagnetic Pipe Locators (EM)
Electromagnetic line locators operate by locating either a background signal or by locating a signal introduced into the utility line using a transmitter.
There are three (3) sources of background signals which can be produced.
A utility line acts like a radio antenna, producing electrons which can be picked up with a receiver (Radio frequency).
Current carrying conductors have a 60HZ signal associated with them.
This signal occurs in all active current power lines regardless of voltage.
Utilities in close proximity to power lines or used as grounds may also have a 60HZ signal which can be picked up with a receiver (Electromagnetic).
Sondes are used to locate nonmetal sewer pipes, storm drains and conduits. Sondes also are used to locate cast iron drain pipe. A sonde is a small radio transmitter inserted into a pipe. Once inside, a conventional pipe locator is used to locate the sonde. The pipe's position is then marked on the ground. The sonde is pushed further into the pipe, the receiver relocates the sonde and the pipe's position is again marked. This process is repeated until the desired section of pipe is traced. Another option is to have a plumber snake the pipe. We can attach a transmitter to the snake and trace the line from the signal the snake emits.
Acoustic Pipe Locators
An acoustic locator is used to identify and trace nonmetal water lines. The locator consists of a transonde and a receiver. The transonde is attached to the water line either at a fire hydrant, faucet or tap. The transonde sends a sound wave through the water in the pipe. We use the receiver to listen for the sound emitted from the pipe. Once located, the pipe's position can be marked on the ground surface.
The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
The ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the latest technique utilized in the location of metallic and non-metallic objects buried into the ground.
Designation of underground facilities such as tanks, drums, utilities, graves, tunnels, rocks and voids can be readily accomplished by the use of this technique.
GPR operates by indicating the location of Subsurface Anomalies. A radar signal is sent into the ground via a transmitter. Some portion of the signal will be reflected from the subsurface material which is recorded with a receiver. In general, an object which is harder than the surrounding soil will reflect a stronger signal. Utilities, tunnels, UST's, and footings will reflect a stronger signal than the surrounding soil.
We have conducted several underground utility projects ranging from the designation of deep horizontal bored facilities crossing major freeways for public agencies, airports remodeling projects, surveys of graves, blind search of facilities with no as-build information to simple utility location for residential customers. Exposure and involvement with several projects have forged on us a clear understanding of the advantages and limitations of GPR in the underground world.
About Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)
Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is a relatively new branch of engineering practice that has grown exponentially in the past few decades. SUE provides accurate mapping of existing underground utilities during the project design process to avoid costly utility conflicts or construction delays caused by inaccurately plotted utilities.
Engineers and designers have recognized the inaccuracies of most utility records, making cost estimating for relocation difficult or nearly impossible. The practice of SUE relies mainly on locating and mapping underground utilities and structures. When conducted early in the design process, SUE provides critical, reliable data on the exact location of existing utilities in the project area. SUE involves the following activities:
- Search Records and Site assessment
During this stage our engineers conduct a detailed investigation of all existing drawings of the site to be surveyed. After the all historical records available have been reviewed our engineers are ready to asses the visible markings and conditions of the survey site.
- Underground Utility Designating
Utility designating is the horizontal determination of underground utilities using electronic devices.
- Underground Utility Locating
During this stage GEOVAC uses Non-Destructive Air-vacuum Excavation (potholing) to expose the utilities being survey to determine their exact depth and location. Precisely locating underground utilities help the designers to plan their construction project to eliminate potential damage and un-necessary relocations.
- Data reporting
After completing the potholing phase of the project, the collected data is then transferred into a spread sheet or a computer generated AutoCADD as needed. These maps are the vital blueprints used by our customers to plan safe their construction and excavation projects.
The American Society of Civil Engineers produced accepted guidelines for the collection and depiction of existing subsurface utility data (ASCE 38-02). In this report, the ASCE set forth four levels of quality pertaining to the methods, interpretation and precision of subsurface utility data collected. These Quality Levels serve as a guide for engineers to determine the level of detail they require to reap the most benefit from subsurface utility engineering services. Geovac can provide our customer with custom Quality Levels depending on your project needs, budget and schedule.
