Page 11 - Arkansas 811 Magazine 2021 Issue 2

unnecessary costs and revisions and reviewing the SUE plan prior to
starting the investigation is the first step. Since each project is different, there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to implementing SUE.
“There are some projects where you need it all. You need every bit of utility information you can get throughout the entire project,” SBJ Group said. “But once again, there are some where you can alleviate some of those costs. The conversation needs to be initiated by one or the other—the owner or the SUE engineer—if not both.”
The SUE quality levels involve different steps to ensure precise location information where it’s critical and cost savings where more general information about utility locations is sufficient.
Quality Level A is commonly known as “daylighting” or “potholing,” and usually involves exposing the underground facility with safer digging techniques like vacuum excavation. The locator gets a precise visual location of the utility including type, size, depth, material, as well as the lateral location. But potholing can be costly and time
consuming, as the utility must be exposed every so many feet in order to maintain accuracy.
While that standard is critical for a project that requires digging in a crowded right of way, it might be overkill for a project where the
excavation will take place hundreds of feet away from known utilities. That’s where selective SUE comes in handy.
In contrast, the second lowest standard is Level C, where surveying above
ground facilities in the field, like manhole covers or fire hydrants, in conjunction with existing utility records, provides general information about
the location of utilities—but where the precise depth and horizontal location are not necessary.
There are times when all four levels play an important part in providing the most accurate information at the lowest cost.
When the final project maps are assembled, each utility shown has a note, indicating which level of accuracy was used to identify its location.
So, regardless of what quality level was used in the planning stage, excavators are aware of how accurate the utility information is.
Most importantly, even though an excavator is presented with very detailed plans, every job requires a ticket to be submitted to the 811 call center at least 48 hours prior to digging. There’s no telling what may have changed between the design phase and excavation. It’s not just a good idea, it’s the law.
Dig safe with
free training.
Calling 811 is the first step, but what else should your crews know to avoid hitting utility lines?
Visit blackhillsenergy.com/digsafe to request a free onsite training from our damage prevention coordinator. We’re ready to help your team stay safe and avoid fines.
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2021, Issue 2 Arkansas 811 Magazine • 9