UTILITY LOCATION & MAPPING

ElectroMagnetic Induction (EM) is achieved using two methods. Terrain conductivity survey units (EM-31) and Metal detection survey units (EM-61). The EM-31 has much higher sensitivity than the EM-61, the higher resolution can be useful in identifying discrete utilities. However the EM-61 data can be compiled into a conductivity plot and evaluated for suspect utilities. Both methods are helpful for locating and resolving utility location issues for metallic utilities in multiple target areas and highly urban utility survey areas.

 

Radio Frequency (RF)

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Radio Frequency (RF) pipe and cable locators are a useful tool in locating utility lines. The operator uses the transmitter component to impress a signal on a selected utility line. This can be accomplished though a variety of methods; direct connection, a clamp around the utility, or by induction. The receiver is "looking" for the signal impressed on the utility. Conductive lines are easily located through this method. Some conductive lines are telephone, electric, and water main utility lines. The RF unit is also capable of inducing signal on a tracer wire (such as those that accompany gas lines) or any other continuous metallic line.

 

Magnetics

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The Magnetic method involves the measurement of anomalies in the earth's magnetic field. Anomalies are caused by induced or remnant magnetism. Induced magnetic anomalies are the result of secondary magnetization induced in a ferrous body by the earth's magnetic field. The shape and amplitude of these anomalies are a function of the orientation, geometry, size, depth, and magnetic susceptibility of the object as well as the intensity and inclination of the earth's magnetic field in the area. The magnetic method is an effective way to search for small metallic objects, such as buried ordinances, drums, or utilities, because magnetic anomalies have spatial dimensions larger than those of the object themselves. One surveyor can carry both the transmitter and receiver together, making it ideal for "blindly" searching for metallic utility lines or bulk metals such as UST's.

 

Examples

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City of Camden – Utility Locating for Sewer Replacement Project

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Enviroprobe Services performed a utility locating project over three phases for WRc/D&B, LLC. WRc/D&B was the engineer for the City of Camden. The project included a utility investigation of approximately 25,602 linear feet of street and public ROW. The suspect utilities were marked on-site and added to client provided CAD plans for the subject areas. Geophysical investigation tools included EM-61, GPR and RF pipe and cable locators. The three phases of work were performed between July of ’03 through August of ’04.

 

Bureau Veritas – Utility Investigation/Boring Clearing

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Enviroprobe Services performed utility locating and boring clearing at various sites in the New York City, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania areas.

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Environ International – Utility Investigation/Boring Clearing

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Enviroprobe Services performed utility locating and boring clearing at various sites throughout New York State, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.

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New Jersey Transit – Buried Debris Investigation

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Enviroprobe Services performed a buried debris investigation in a harbor area in Secaucus, NJ. An EM-31 was coupled to a DGPS and utilized to identify suspect debris areas in a harbor. The data was compiled in both In-phase and Quadrature plots for the identification of suspect buried debris.

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CMX Engineering – Various Utility & UST Investigations

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Enviroprobe Service, Inc. has performed various Geophysical projects including UST investigations and utility investigations. The projects performed including a utility investigation at the former Burlington City Water Works facility. The former Water Works facility was surveyed utilizing EM-61, GPR and RF pipe and Cable Locators. The EM-61 data was compiled into a conductivity plot and evaluated for suspect utilities.

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Southeastern Transit Authority (SEPTA) – Conduit Locating

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Enviroprobe Service, Inc. performed a concrete inspection project utilizing high-frequency radar to identify conduit in a concrete slab. The survey area was comprised of approximately 60,000 sq. ft. of concrete.

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The RETEC Group – Utility Investigation/Boring Clearing

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Enviroprobe Services performed utility locating and boring clearing at various sites in the New York City area. The New York City area projects were performed for . The RETEC Group acted as the prime contractor ConEdison. Enviroprobe is included on ConEdison’s list of private utility mark-out contractors.