Subsurface Utility Engineering

4Sight is an industry leader in the provision of high-quality SUE services.  We have decades of experience and a well-established team that helped to develop the ASCE 38-22 Standard.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is a branch of engineering that deals with the accurate mapping, location, and characterization of underground utilities. The practice is guided by the ASCE 38 Standard.    

The ASCE 38 Standard outlines 4 quality levels.

Quality Level D – Information derived from existing records or verbal recollections

Quality Level C – Information obtained by surveying and plotting visible above ground utility features and by using professional judgement in correlating this information to the Quality Level D information.

Quality Level B – Information obtained through the application of appropriate surface geophysical methods to determine the existence and approximate horizontal position of the utilities.

Quality Level A – Precise horizontal and vertical location of utilities obtained by the actual exposure and subsequent measurement of subsurface utilities.

TIPS FOR SCOPING A SUE INVESTIGATION 

1. What is your project all about? What are you doing?
   It is important for us to understand the nature of your project so that we can tailor the SUE investigation to ensure that we get the correct information needed to manage your project risks.
2. Do I understand the true project limits?
   Be sure to make sure that you have the utilities shown within the key limits.  For most project we may also need to go outside the limits to gather invert information on sewers running within the limits and to connect to pedestals, hydrants or other features needed to bring signal into the investigation area.
3. What Quality do you need/want the data?
   All projects are different, however generally speaking the rule of thumb is to gather QL-B data for all utilities within the investigation area except for sewers.  Sewers can usually be gathered at QL-C.  For those utilities that could not be identified, they are shown on the drawing at QL-D.  QL-A is then limited to precise locations where understanding the depth and size and other features are required.
4. What do I need to find.  U/G, Aerial, Services?
   This will depend on your project.  Understanding what your project needs are and what potential conflicts may exist will help to determine if things like aerial utilities and services are needed.
5. What techniques do you want to use?
   We will work with you to understand what techniques will work best to gather the information needed for the project.  Click here to see some typical methods that can be used.
6. What survey coordinates do you need.
   It is important to ensure that the SUE data is collected in the same coordinates and tied into the same survey control as the TOPO survey being used.  Providing this data to us will allow us to collect data using the proper control.
7. What are you using as a base file?
   Like survey, it is important to ensure that the SUE data is collected “fits” in with the base drawing.  It is important that the base drawing is up to date and reflects the current conditions on site.
8. Do we need permits?
   It is important to understand any permits and permissions that will be required to complete fieldwork, so that schedules can be developed.
9. Do we need traffic protection?
   A lot of SUE investigations take place in and around the travel portions of roads and highways.  For the safety of the SUE Technicians and the public it is critical to ensure that proper traffic protection methods are used during the investigation.
10. What do I need for a deliverable?  Microstation / AutoCAD?  Report format?
    Typically, the deliverables for the SUE investigation will match the CAD program that is being used for the overall design.  If design is being done in 3D it should be considered to provide the SUE deliverable also in 3D.
11. What is my Schedule?
    The data from the SUE investigation is typically critical to the design of the project and therefore is most valuable early in the design process.  It is critical to allow for time to collect record information from the 3^rd party Utility Companies, gather a permit as well as complete field work and deliverables.  Even the simplest investigations can take well over a month to complete, therefore it is important to discuss schedule early in the scoping process.
12. How do I need to see the pricing?
    There is a wide variety of options that can be used for pricing.  Typical methods include a combination of Lump Sum, Unit Rates, and Hourly Rates.  We can be flexible and advise the best options to get the most value out of the dollars spent.
13. What client standards need to be followed (i.e. CAD)?
    If clients of specific requirements such as CAD standards, it is important to share that information so that it can be incorporated into the overall investigation.

DELIVERABLES

SUE deliverables are delivered per the ASCE 38 standards, they are reviewed and signed by a Professional Engineer. Each utility alignment on the drawings is assigned a Quality Level, notes are present on the drawing providing information at chamber structures, highlighting key field investigation findings and conflicting utility record information. A project report is prepared which summarizes the equipment used, scope of work for the project, key investigation findings and any recommendations for the project.