Utility Clearance Surveys

Protect your project from costly mistakes and potential hazards with Lucion’s comprehensive utility clearance and borehole surveys.

When planning a construction project or ground investigation, understanding the location and nature of subsurface utilities is essential for safety, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. Failure to properly identify and clear these utilities can lead to costly mistakes, delays, and potentially dangerous situations.

Thorough utility clearance and borehole surveys, known as PAS 128 Survey Category Type A, is essential to mitigating these risks. Our experienced team of underground utility surveyors employs a multi-layered approach to provide you with the accurate, reliable data you need to proceed with confidence:

Collaborative planning: We work closely with you to agree on a suitable testing strategy, considering your project’s unique requirements and any existing site knowledge or plans.
Advanced detection technology: Our surveyors use state-of-the-art radiodetection locators and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to accurately map utilities such as gas pipes, electric cables, communication lines, and drainage systems.
Comprehensive reporting: Upon completion of the survey, we provide you with accurate coordinates and levels for each intrusive location, enabling you to safely clear utilities before drilling or excavation begins.
Health and safety focus: By identifying potential hazards and ensuring proper utility clearance, our surveys promote health and safety best practises at your site, protecting your workers and assets.
Cost and time savings: Our thorough approach helps you avoid costly construction mistakes, delays, and utility strikes, ultimately saving you time and money.

Our multi-layered approach and advanced technology ensure safe, efficient drilling by accurately mapping subsurface utilities. We are committed to facilitating you with the information you need to make informed decisions and proceed safely.

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Trusted Utility Avoidance Services

Ground Probing Radar Licence

It is a legal requirement in the UK for Ground Penetrating Radar users to hold an Ofcom licence, the licence needs to be renewed every three years.

Lucion Surveys are licence holders 0996045/1

The Survey Association Membership

Lucion Surveying is a full member of The Survey Association

Learn more

European GRP Association

Lucion Surveys is a European GPR Association Member.

Utility Clearance FAQs

The duration of a utility clearance survey depends on several factors, including the size and complexity of the site, the number of utilities present, and the level of detail required. However, our experienced team works efficiently to minimise disruption to your project timeline. We understand the importance of timely results and strive to deliver accurate data as quickly as possible without compromising on quality.

Upon completion of a utility clearance survey, we provide you with a comprehensive report that includes:

Accurate coordinates and levels for each intrusive location
Detailed maps or plans showing the location, type, and depth of identified utilities
Information on any potential hazards or conflicts
Recommendations for safe drilling or excavation practises This information is presented in a clear, easy-to-understand format, allowing you to make informed decisions and share the data with your team.

Our utility clearance surveys can detect a wide range of underground utilities, including:

Gas pipes
Electric cables
Communication cables and fibre optics
Water pipes
Drainage systems
Sewers
Fuel and vent pipes

At Lucion, our utility clearance surveys employ a combination of advanced technologies and techniques, including:

Radiodetection locators: These devices detect electromagnetic signals emitted by conductive utilities, helping to pinpoint their location.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): GPR uses electromagnetic waves to create detailed images of subsurface features, including non-conductive utilities like plastic pipes and fibre optics.
Signal-induced rodding: This technique involves inserting a flexible rod into a pipe or conduit and using a signal generator to induce a current, making the utility detectable by radio detection locators.

Utility clearance surveys are essential for several reasons:

Safety: They help prevent accidents and injuries caused by striking underground utilities during drilling or excavation.
Compliance: Many projects require utility clearance surveys to meet legal and insurance requirements.
Cost savings: By identifying utilities before work begins, these surveys can help avoid costly damages, repairs, and delays.
Informed planning: The data provided by utility clearance surveys enables project managers to make informed decisions and adjust plans as needed.

A utility clearance survey is a process of identifying and mapping underground utilities, such as pipelines, cables, and drainage systems, before beginning construction or ground investigation work. This survey is often a legal requirement and is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers and preventing damage to subsurface infrastructure.