Ground Penetrating Radar Systems (GPRS) was recently called out to a project by a construction company to locate private and public utilities for a project on the north end of an active high school. The scope of the project was to locate any and all underground utilities in a 3,500 square foot area prior to trenching for new poles to be placed for overhead lines, and a new electrical line that is being installed underground. By using GPR and Radio Detection, GPRS was able to mark the entire area of all obstructions or impediments in the ground that could become dangerous while trenching. If the contractor had decided against calling GPRS, they potentially would have hit a fiber optic line up to 3 times, and existing electrical twice while trenching to install one new line. GPRS marked all utilities on site with spray paint and pin flags and included specific depths of each line found underground as well. GPR and Radio Detection is an accurate and effective way of locating underground utilities, vaults, tunnels, and other obstructions prior to any ground excavation. This project was a vital first step for the contractor to ensure the safety of all employees, and also helped establish a clearer timeline that avoids stoppages due to utility strike incidents. The scheduling of the project went extremely smooth for all sides, and was performed by one technician for best communication practice.

Why would you risk digging underground without knowing where any existing utilities are in your designated area when GPRS has the ability to locate and mark all utilities with depth indications for you and your employee’s safety!

The images to the right and below show some of the processes that lead to utilities being located on site, as well as some of the equipment used.

For more information on how GPRS, Inc. can help you on your next project, please contact Colin Broughton at 216-379-4660 or by email at colin.broughton@gprsinc.com. We also have the capabilities of locating conduits, rebar, and post tension cables in a concrete slab.

GPRS does not provide geophysical, geological, land surveying or engineering services. If you need such services, please contact an appropriate professional.