SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING LLC
Veteran owned business on the island of Oahu, Hawaii established in 2020. Since our inception we have provided quality engineering services to our clients in multiple industries. As a collective group we offer global consulting to assist our clients in planning, development, design, construction, operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure.
Subsurface Utility Engineers (SUEs) play a critical role in identifying and managing underground infrastructure during construction and excavation projects. Their expertise is vital in ensuring safety, efficiency, and accuracy when dealing with subsurface utilities, which include water lines, gas pipelines, electrical conduits, telecommunications cables, and sewage systems.
Key Responsibilities:
Utility Mapping and Detection: SUEs use advanced technologies to locate and map underground utilities. This helps in preventing accidental damage during excavation and construction work.
Risk Management: By accurately identifying utility locations, SUEs help mitigate risks of damaging underground infrastructure, which could lead to accidents, delays, or costly repairs.
Data Analysis: They gather and interpret data from various sources such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), utility records, and field surveys, ensuring the accuracy of underground utility maps.
Coordination with Stakeholders: SUEs work closely with project managers, civil engineers, contractors, and utility owners to ensure that all parties are aware of the subsurface utility conditions. This minimizes potential conflicts during construction.
Damage Prevention and Compliance: They ensure that construction activities comply with safety regulations and utility damage prevention standards. This includes complying with guidelines set by organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
SUE Process Levels:
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) categorizes SUE services into four levels based on the accuracy and methods used to identify subsurface utilities:
Quality Level D (QL-D): Information is gathered from existing utility records. This is the least accurate method but gives a general understanding.
Quality Level C (QL-C): Combines utility records with visual surface features like manholes, valve covers, and hydrants to create a more reliable map.
Quality Level B (QL-B): Uses geophysical methods like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) or electromagnetic locators to detect utilities without digging. This provides a high level of accuracy.
Quality Level A (QL-A): The most precise method, which involves physically exposing utilities through vacuum excavation or other methods to confirm their exact location, depth, and condition.
Technology and Equipment
Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Uses radar pulses to image subsurface utilities.
Electromagnetic Locators: These locate utilities that emit an electromagnetic signal.
Vacuum Excavation: This non-destructive digging technique exposes buried utilities safely.
GPS and GIS Integration: GPS technology is used to accurately map and record utility locations, which are then integrated into GIS systems for future reference.
www.SUEHawaii.com
Tel 808-284-2538
Admin@SUEHawaii.com