Seeka Utility Surveys
Seeka Utility Surveys is a specialist division within Kemp that can help designers, developers and contractors pinpoint the location of buried services.
We use the latest in detection technology to find the exact location of underground utilities, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), radio detection and CCTV surveys.
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Seeka surveyors bring experience and training to often complex areas and utility networks, greatly reducing the potential safety and financial risks associated with development of brownfield sites. All Seeka personnel are directly employed, accredited under the street works programme and confined space trained.
Due to the notorious inaccuracy of Statutory Undertakers records and the difficulties posed in tracing plastic pipes using traditional avoidance tools, we use CCTV and metal detection to locate all types of buried services.
As with the other services offered by Kemp, this can be undertaken at any location in Cornwall and throughout the South West region, as well as other parts of the UK.
Utility Survey
A full utility survey starts in the office by compiling all statutory undertakers’ records. Surveys are carried out at the design stage, design stage, typically alongside or following a topographic survey, using a combination of ground penetrating radar and radio detection. Seeka also use CCTV and metal detection where required.
Detected services are discreetly marked on the ground prior to being surveyed with either GPS or total station. The completed surveys are downloaded, processed and presented in a variety of formats including AutoCAD and paper. When existing topographic survey information is not available then OS 1:2500 mapping is employed as a back cloth to the utility survey with permanent control left on site. The download section of the website provides a fact sheet on the achievable accuracies of the available technologies as well as example surveys.
Site Mark Up
On site mark up of utilities should be carried out prior to any excavation or drilling, as a rule rather than the exception. This provides reassurance that when excavation commences, it is only the ground that is broken and not the mains below.
We use a combination of ground penetrating radar coupled with electromagnetic induction and radio detection as the primary tools to detect buried services. These are then marked on the ground in colour coded biodegradable paint by utility type. We also provide our clients with a site sketch which also highlights any limitations of the survey.
Desk Top Study
It is recommended by the Health and Safety Executive that a search of statutory plans is conducted prior to undertaking any below surface excavation works.
Whilst it is recognised that statutory undertaker’s records are notoriously inaccurate, Seeka has direct access to most of these records and will use them as the basis of identifying areas requiring further investigation.
Studying these records enables us to very quickly compile all known data onto a single drawing, usually based upon the Ordnance Survey 1:2500 mapping. This single drawing can then be produced for clients in AutoCAD, PDF or on paper.
