Utility Locate Before Power Line Drilling
understand what's underneath trademark trinity subsurface
Louis Mercado

Here in downtown Tampa, FL, Trinity was called to perform a full Utility Designation using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and a variety of Electromagnetic Locating Devices for a Utility drilling services company. The crew on site gave Trinity a call due to a Site lighting needing new power installed underground within a high rise building property. The crew was attempting to drill power lines going underneath the road across the street from a street light in the parking lot onto the property on the south east corner of the building. Trinity came to safely and accurately mark out all utility lines within the scope of work. There were many lines within the scope that the Utility drilling crew had not expected originally, those lines included a communications line, power line, as well as a sewer line running diagonally within the scope. The Utility drilling crew was satisfied with the timely locate and accuracy provided by Trinity. Ensuring the safety and quality for directional drilling to begin. The Electromagnetic Locating consisted of direct connection, clamping, and induction using both the Radio Detection Transmitter and the Receiver. Grid patterns were also performed in Passive Modes with the EM Receiver, specifically to detect subsurface metallic conduit, copper wiring, and live electrical lines (60 Hz). GPR Scans were performed in a similar grid pattern, purely detecting changes in density and discovering anomalies that are nonconductive to EML. The purpose of this Utility Scan was to detect Electric lines, Communications lines (Phone, Cable, FOC), Water lines, Gas lines, Sewer lines, and Force Mains. All findings including the direct power line that was hit, was marked with spray paint and flagged according to the UWPA. Uniform color code with periodic, approximate depths. Performed a walk through with Project Manager on site before location designation began as well as upon completion. Excavation crews on site were satisfied with the timing and communication displayed by Trinity. We thoroughly enjoyed providing our services here in South Florida to ensure the safety and efficiency of all parties involved with this project, and we look forward to many more to come! At Trinity Subsurface, we are able to make sure any obstructions within the soils are found when performing an underground utility locate. Whether your project is to locate prior to directional boring, digging, potholing or trenching, we will be able to locate all obstructions within all types of soils. These obstructions include water, gas, sewer and drain lines, irrigation and unknown pipes and also electric lines, fiber optic lines and any other obstructions within the soil. We are also able to locate utilities that run directly below the concrete or asphalt. Using our state-of-the-art utility locating equipment, we can see up to 3 - 10 feet depending on the makeup of the soil and the moisture within it. We will use several different types of equipment including radio detection, ground penetrating radar, sondes, split box and several others depending on the project and what is needed to help you understand what is underneath.  We can then provide a detailed written report for your project or just mark it out on the surface of the ground with paint, stakes, or pin flags.

Our training program for underground utility locates is very thorough and one of the best in the industry. When our technicians are on site, you can rest easy knowing that they have the best training and equipment for your utility locating project. Maintaining the safety of your people and the subcontractors working on your project is the number one priority of Trinity Subsurface.

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