Utility Detection & Mapping Works

In general, it is common that public or private utilities are buried underground. Since overhead utilities can look unattractive, most utilities are buried underground to maintain aesthetic value.

When a lot of utilities are buried underground, it presents a hazard during excavation works by a contractor. Power cables can be accidentally damaged which causes electricity disruption, water pipes burst causes major water disruption and even worse, a gas pipeline can cause explosion ignited by the friction from the bucket of an excavator.

How would you detect this underground utilities

This can be achieved through the process called Underground utility detection and mapping or UMAP. It is used to identify the horizontal position (X, Y) and depth (Z) of underground utilities. This information is later presented in a drawing which can be easily read together with the existing infrastructure.

The utilities that can be detected include power cables (low voltage, medium voltage and high voltage), telecommunication cables (copper cable and fiber optic cables*), water pipes, sewerage pipes and gas pipelines. The most common equipment being used includes Electromagnetic Locator (EML) together with the accessories such as flexitrace, sonde and many more.

Throughout the years, UMAP has become an essential part of development. Piling works cannot start before carrying out UMAP. An excavation permit cannot be issued if UMAP data is not available. An insurance company would not cover damages due to negligence for not carrying out UMAP. If you have similar situation and need our expertise, do contact use here.

The Equipment for Locating

We use electromagnetic locators to locate live conductive utilities such as power cables, telecommunication cables, steel water pipes and gas pipes. These locators can be use together with flexitrace or sonde to detect non-metallic utilities such as telecommunication cable ducting and sewerage clay pipes.

*fiber optic cables could not be detected due to the material which is made of glass (non metallic). In view of this, the detection method is by using flexitrace to obtain the ducting alignment and therefore the cable alignment.

Advantages of Utility Mapping

Eliminate accidental damages to underground utilities during excavation which cause massive downtime at plants and public utilities
Avoid worker fatalities and injuries when they accidentally hit gas pipeline or high voltage power cables
Avoid unnecessary public complaints due to service interruption
Avoid unnecessary repair of damaged utilities
Avoid direct and indirect cost caused by accidental utility damages
Avoid unnecessary penalty or, even worse, legal action from the service owner or general public
Better planning for utility relocation for infrastructure development such as highways, LRT, MRT, bridges, etc.
Better planning for new utility installation
Lower the construction cost with less disruption to public utilities
One of the essential items to have for an insurance claim
Knowing what’s underneath will always provide peace of mind especially when developing a brownfield area
An essential requirement in permit application by local council / city hall

Contact us to discuss your requirements so that we can provide the service or quotation you need.

Leader in preventing damaged underground utilies by using latest technology with more than 15 years of experience in locating in various industries and projects all over Malaysia.