From gas pipelines to electric lines, underground infrastructure supports essential services, and any damage to these systems can lead to costly delays, safety hazards, and service interruptions. Utility engineers play a pivotal role in managing these projects and implementing strategies to safeguard infrastructure. UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System (DPS) is a comprehensive solution designed to ensure the safety and integrity of underground utilities before, during, and after excavation.
How UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System (DPS) Works
Damage Prevention Systems (DPS) ensures all underground utilities are located, marked, and thoroughly mapped before any excavation or construction begins. This system is designed to mitigate the risk of damaging existing infrastructure, including gas pipelines, water lines, and electric cables. Here’s a closer look at how UtiliSource’s DPS functions:
- Complete Utility Locating: Before construction starts, UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention Technicians ensure that all utility locates are complete. Every underground utility is properly marked, and technicians monitor and map their locations. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping technology is employed to create a comprehensive and accurate view of the job site, identifying potential or hidden obstructions such as manhole lids, sewer cleanouts, and valves that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- Planning and Best Practices: UtiliSource’s DPS also includes a thorough review of pothole planning, safe digging practices, and city ordinances. The crew is briefed on all relevant regulations to ensure compliance and safety during excavation. By employing industry-best locating practices, the DPS helps prevent costly and dangerous mistakes.
- 811 Process Integration: UtiliSource’s DPS is closely integrated with the 811 Call Before You Dig process. The Damage Prevention Technician is dispatched 4-5 working days before excavation begins to make sure that each utility owner has responded to the ticket and marked their utilities. Any “no response” or incomplete locate tickets are addressed promptly.
Protecting Communities and Preventing Excavation Damage
The Damage Prevention System offers tangible benefits to the communities affected by utility projects:
- Minimized Traffic Congestion: One of the major advantages of UtiliSource’s DPS is that it helps shorten construction times, which, in turn, reduces traffic congestion in residential areas. When utilities are properly marked and mapped before digging, projects can be completed more quickly and efficiently, with fewer disruptions to local residents.
- Eliminating Utility Strikes: Striking a gas pipeline or electric line can lead to severe consequences, including service outages, dangerous leaks, and environmental hazards. UtiliSource’s DPS focuses on preventing damage by ensuring that all utilities are accurately marked, minimizing the risk of excavation-related utility strikes.
- Documenting Compliance: Every step of the process is carefully documented to demonstrate compliance with local ordinances and regulations. This detailed record helps protect project teams from potential legal issues and ensures that the project proceeds in accordance with all relevant guidelines.
Addressing Workforce Challenges
The utility industry often faces workforce shortages and challenges in maintaining high productivity levels. UtiliSource’s DPS addresses these challenges by increasing efficiency and enabling projects to be completed with fewer workers:
- Increased Productivity: UtiliSource’s DPS can increase productivity by 20% or more. By ensuring that all utilities are marked and located accurately, crews can work more efficiently without the need for constant rework or delays.
- Fewer Crews Needed: The accuracy and thoroughness of UtiliSource’s mapping and locating practices allow projects to be completed with fewer crews. This is especially valuable in an industry where finding qualified workers can be challenging.
- Reduced Downtime: Fewer damages to utilities mean less downtime waiting for repairs. By preventing mistakes before they happen, UtiliSource’s DPS keeps projects on schedule, reducing the likelihood of costly delays.
Key Components of UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention Process
The DPS process involves several important stages to ensure that all underground utilities are protected during excavation:
- Pre-Construction Site Survey: The DPS process begins with a pre-construction site survey, during which the Damage Prevention Technician conducts a walkthrough with the foreman to document the site. This includes collecting GPS coordinates of all marked utilities and taking photographs of the area.
- Ongoing Audits and Monitoring: As part of the process, UtiliSource conducts ongoing audits and monitoring of the site. This includes pass-at-the-pothole auditing and the involvement of independent 3rd-party safety monitors to ensure that all safety measures are being followed.
- Incident Investigation and Facility Mapping: In the event of an incident, UtiliSource’s DPS includes a thorough investigation to identify the cause of the damage and prevent future occurrences. Detailed mapping of facility locations ensures that all underground infrastructure is accurately recorded and preserved.
Mitigating Mistakes and Reducing Damage
UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System is designed to drastically reduce the risk of damage to underground facilities. With a 90% reduction in at-fault damages and a 60% reduction in overall damages, UtiliSource has a proven track record of preventing costly and dangerous mistakes. This success is due to the system’s rigorous approach to locating, mapping, and monitoring utilities before and during excavation.
Conclusion
Utility engineers play a critical role in safeguarding underground infrastructure by implementing damage prevention systems that ensure the safety and integrity of utility projects. UtiliSource’s Damage Prevention System combines industry-best locating practices, GIS mapping, and thorough compliance checks to prevent damages to gas pipelines, electric lines, and other vital infrastructure. By integrating advanced technologies and proactive planning, UtiliSource not only protects communities but also increases productivity and reduces project delays.
Whether you’re managing a small residential project or a large-scale infrastructure development, UtiliSource’s DPS provides the damage prevention solutions you need to complete your project safely and efficiently.
Reach out to UtiliSource to learn more about how their system can benefit your next utility project.
