The ASCE 38 Standard is in the process of being updated to reflect the advancement in practice and is nearing release for public comment. T2ue professionals have been on the Standards Committee for years and are able to share highlights that are very likely to be part of the final publication. The Standard contains several new terms that those of us providing SUE deliverables are going to begin using. "Utility Report" is one of them.
A Utility Report may be defined as a professionally sealed deliverable that:
- Contains information about the utilities investigation that might otherwise not be conveyed;
- Complete scope of work of the utilities to be investigated;
- Assists the end user in understanding the subsurface utility landscape and risks;
- Provides recommendations to address resulting data deficiencies; and
Complements the utility mapping graphical deliverables.
Sometimes there can be sufficient information conveyed on a Notes page of a Utility Drawing to replace a separate Utility Report. Some of the important information that should be conveyed as a Deliverable include:
- Project description (e.g., project limits, type of work, existing utilities)
- Contract requirements relative to utilities
- Metadata
- Methods used to collect and depict subsurface utility information
- List of utility owners or other entities that have information on utilities within the project limits that were contacted and results of the contact
- Description of the types and thoroughness of research applied to obtain information from the utility owners and other entities
- Types of equipment selected and used to collect information
- Types of software used to depict information
- Areas swept, areas not swept, and suspect areas
- Utilities found and documented (type, attributes, etc.)
- Linear feet designated, number of test holes excavated, and other pertinent results
- Structure diagrams and field reports on individual structures (Sewer, Storm Drain, Irrigation, and Telecommunication)
- Problems encountered and unresolved issues (such as, unidentified utilities, inconclusive information, or conflicting information)
- Detailed efforts and actions taken to identify ownership and type of designated unknown utilities
- Conflict analysis set-up (e.g., utility conflict matrix, potential conflicts, resolved conflicts, or remaining conflicts to be addressed during design) if part of the scope of work
- Recommended additional or future work
- Pictures, images, and LiDAR data that may convey information more accurately than graphical deliverables
Having this information will give the design engineer, project owner, and constructor important details to accomplish their work in a safe efficient manner regarding the existing utilities on the project.
If you’re interested in hearing more about what’s coming, click on this link to register for the webinar on 4/21 that John Campbell, current UESI President and T2ue Manager, will be leading. You can also follow T2 Utility Engineers on LinkedIn to get webinar updates and other info.