When subsurface utilities are discovered during the construction phase, the costs of conflict resolution and the potential for catastrophic damages are at their highest. That is why the collection and systematic depiction of reliable data for existing subsurface utilities is critical if engineers are to make informed decisions and support risk management protocols regarding a project's impact on these utilities. ASCE Standard 38-02 presents a credible system for classifying the quality of utility location information that is placed in design plans. The Standard addresses issues such as: how utility information can be obtained; what technologies are available to obtain that information; how that information can be conveyed to the information users; who should be responsible for typical collection and depiction tasks; what factors determine which utility quality level attribute to assign to data; and what the relative costs and benefits of the various quality levels are. Used as a reference or as part of a specification, the Standard will assist engineers, project and utility owners, and constructors in developing strategies to reduce risk by improving the reliability of information on existing subsurface utilities in a defined manner.
Quality Levels - There are four industry-recognized quality levels associated with Subsurface Utility Engineering work:
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Quality Level A - Exposing utilities with the use of vacuum excavation.
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Quality Level B - Designating underground utilities via geophysical prospecting.
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Quality Level C - Correlating record information with mapped surface features (Not provided unless otherwise authorized by utility owner).
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Quality Level D - Utility records research and inventory (Not Provided, see Note below).
Note: Quality Levels C and D are not provided by us due to ownership of records and authorization. It is up to the utility owner to make any decisions regarding these methods.
Benefits of Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE):
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Reduce project delays and costs associated with unforeseen utility conflicts, damages, change orders and relocations.
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Accurate location, description of buried utilities is known and correctly shown on design or construction plans.
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Improve productivity and quality.
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Minimize risks of utility damages – reducing insurance liabilities.
