utility location quality level A, B, C, D? I didn't - thought you might find this article informative. My first reaction upon starting to read it was that the author was slamming surveyors (and engineers). But the more I read I became convinced that wasn't the purpose.
http://utilitycontractoronline.com/featurestory/2012/11-12-featurestory2.html
Pretty much can't work in an urban area without knowing about it.
I used to do Level D & C in house and subcontract Level B & A when needed; but now I work for a firm with a Subsurface Utility Engineering division.
I was educated about this earlier this year due to my position as record keeper of u/g utilities throughout several Port Authority facilities.
Getting accurate u/g records is rare and getting their quality is even rarer.
Due to previous undocumented utilities, excavations here can be a nighmare.
In those cases any plans are useful regardless of quality of data.
We do it all of the time, utility work that is. In fact, it is a state law in Florida that before you excavate you must call the 800 service which will notify the utility holders so that they can mark their locations. Problem is, the utility companies can not be bothered to come out an mark their lines for survey companies.
So we mark the call, wait the specified 3 business day waiting period then have at it. If we cut a line because it was not marked, oh well, we did what the law requires.
I do a lot of utility surveying and they all get treated the same way, this right here:
"This is an above ground suvrey. The underground utilites, if shown, are based on observed evidence of paint markings provided by 811 and ABC locating, there may be additional underground utilites not shown on this drawing. If more precise utility locations are needed excavation is required."
1) I don't build anything
2) I do not excavate
3) I cannot see underground
4) YOU are responsible for YOUR excavation
Here in Washington, there recently was a revision to the "Safe Digging Law"
If you look through the web page, you will find that the fines can be quite large. The definition for excavation includes breaking the surface with a shovel.
It is my understanding; if you are digging for monuments, and you haven't painted the excavation limits in white, or called 2 days in advance, you are breaking the law.
In Virginia ...
technically you are required to call to push a 6" spike in the ground to use as a traverse station. Surveyors would drive Miss Utility nuts if we called for every job we do.
In Virginia ...
> technically you are required to call to push a 6" spike in the ground to use as a traverse station. Surveyors would drive Miss Utility nuts if we called for every job we do.
A couple of months ago, someone from 811 spoke at our chapter meeting and said the same thing. He also said that Washington was one of the top 10 worst states for underground utility accidents. Which prompted the new law. He also said the Feds were involved.
In Virginia ...
In Texas, as I understand, we can dig or drive up to 18" on our on, anything below 18" it is call 811.
In Virginia ...
> In Texas, as I understand, we can dig or drive up to 18" on our on, anything below 18" it is call 811.
Do you know the penalty for infractions?
On page 4 of this PDF, it says $1000 for the first and $5000 for subsequent volations...
I think what needs to be clarified here, to the author, is what was included in the scope of the survey. If all that was required by the scope was to insert into the survey the record location of underground utilities, then the notes on the survey should reflect that. If the contractor doesn't like it then that's his problem. Unfortunately one of the most important aspects of any utility design survey is the underground utility locations, with that said, a lot of the clients do not want to pay to have this done and rely on records or an on call designating ticket.
As you are aware, in VA, we have the Miss Utility Design Ticket. Sometimes they mark the utilities and sometimes they don't. The appropriate disclaimer should be used here as well. Again, if the contractor doesn't like it, tough.
As part of our services to our engineering clients, we offer all four levels of SUE. We do the research, designating and utility test holes that are required. We are trained and have our own equipment and do the work in house.
> Problem is, the utility companies can not be bothered to come out an mark their lines for survey companies.
>
We had that problem in Minnesota, but succeeded in getting the law changed to require locators to mark for surveyors as well as for excavators. The law could still use a few tweaks, but the locators do come out.
In Virginia ...
So you guys in Washington and Virginia have to have a utility locate before you can set a property corner?
They've tried that here, nut our Association was able to fend them off for now. You should still use common sense though.
Had a Forensic case a couple years ago ...
... in Atlanta. The utility company came out and marked the underground power lines on an asphalt driveway. A construction company then came by and stripped off the asphalt & found concrete. Foreman told the jackhammer operator "drill here" and it just happened to be exactly where the underground power lines were. The operator lived, but was badly burned.
I got involved because someone had taken a picture of the painted lines on the asphalt. Once the photogrammetry was done, it never got to the trial. Case settled and the injured operator was taken care of.
The utility companies have much to strong of lobby for that change to be made here. Perhaps if our state society or board actually did anything other than collect fees...
