The Importance of Utility Mapping

Knowing what lies beneath is not an easy task. In addition, knowing what type of utility is buried underground is a time-consuming activity. It will take a lot of effort and time to determine if a specific underground infrastructure is a gas pipe, sewer, or water cable.

Since we now live in the modern world surrounded by innovative technology, there’s no point in extreme drilling or digging to find items lying underground. Luckily, with the modern machines, we have right now, establishments don’t need to manually check what’s under their construction site. Instead of manual digging, contractors can use utility mapping to examine everything under the subsurface.

Underground works are common among large establishments. Establishments need to perform utility mapping to ensure efficient and safe underground activity. If you don’t know yet, utility mapping helps you determine the location of anything lying beneath your construction site.

You may be asking why utility mapping is essential. This is because even though utilities buried underground are not noticeable, it could significantly affect the process and safety of the workers who will perform the work. Knowing where these underground infrastructures are can help you start the construction process smoothly and hassle-free.

What is Utility Mapping?

Most of you, especially those who are new in utility mapping, may be asking why it matters. Take note that before you add any infrastructure on land, you need to assess whether the land’s subsurface contains major gas or water pipes. Neglecting to check what’s underneath before starting the work could damage major pipelines. Beyond that, it could also cause risks and hazards to your workforce.

Utility mapping is a process of identifying the exact position of cables and pipes buried underground. It includes finding the location of several things, such as water mains, sewers, telecom cables, electric wires, and more.

In most cases, utility mapping is done with a topographical survey. Using the two processes will help you to determine every single thing buried underground that is connected to other over-the-ground features.

Why is Utility Mapping Essential?

There are several reasons why companies and large establishments are recommended to perform utility mapping. Most construction companies do not include performing a utility survey to their project plans. This often leads to a negative outcome that compromises the safety of the workers and the public. Preventing accidents and damaging major underground utilities are the two main reasons why companies should perform utility mapping.

This process prevents any type of utility damage that could adversely affect the production of your workforce and public safety. Aside from that, since you already have an idea where specific utilities are buried, you can avoid digging that position to prevent any significant damage.

Why Should Establishments Use Utility Mapping?

Does your company need to perform some underground activities? If yes, utility mapping is the first thing you should do to avoid any accidents that involve the public. The following are the two reasons why utility mapping is an important health and safety rule every establishment should perform:

Utility mapping is a requirement that establishments need to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act and CDM Regulations. The main purpose of this process is to keep the general public and workforce safe from any accidents.

Since utility mapping provides company owners with a report consisting of the exact locations of underground utilities, they can prevent rerouting of underground cables. In line with that, establishments can save money by preventing any additional project costs.

Reasons Establishments Should Perform Utility Mapping Before Any Underground Works

You always want your project to go smoothly. Working in an area where you don’t have any idea what lies beneath could lead to accidents. Utility mapping helps you to achieve successful and fast completion of underground projects.

The following are the reasons why utility mapping must be taken into consideration by all establishments worldwide.

Limits Any Additional Construction Costs – During the construction planning stage, you will set an approximate amount that will be used from the start to the finish of the project. Neglecting to perform utility mapping could cause you to spend more money than expected. This is because infrastructure buried underneath may change the whole construction plan or require you to reroute that utility leading to a costlier construction project.

Avoid Delays – When planning a construction project, you need to set an exact time to start and finish the construction. In line with that, the schedule should be followed strictly. Not performing utility mapping could injure your workers. Injured workers can cause havoc to the productivity of other employees, which will delay the project construction. It is ideal to always perform utility mapping before planning any underground construction project to avoid this scenario.

Prevent Accidents – Construction projects are one of the most dangerous parts of a business. Things you neglect to consider during the construction planning could put risks to the lives and safety of your workers. For the past two decades, Canada and the United States recorded more than 2,000 injuries and 400 fatalities related to hitting underground utilities while working.

Conclusion

To sum up, utility mapping is an essential part that should be noted when planning an underground construction activity. The process involves mapping out the location and identifying what kind of utility item is buried in a certain part of the land.

Through this, you will know what underground infrastructure should be removed or improved before you begin your underground work. In most cases, utility mapping and topographical surveys are used at the same time.

Combining these two innovative procedures will help you have a comprehensive idea of what to find under your construction site. So, if your company needs to add underground construction works, the most important thing to do is utility mapping.

We hope that you will consider utility mapping before starting any construction project. Doing so could give you tons of benefits. Aside from limiting unexpected project costs, having a utility survey can minimize the risks of damaging major pipelines while keeping your workers safe during the entire construction process.