{"id":13389,"date":"2022-10-18T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/2022\/10\/18\/underground-utility-detection-standard-changes\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T08:45:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T13:45:54","slug":"underground-utility-detection-standard-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plowmancraven.com\/us\/2022\/10\/18\/underground-utility-detection-standard-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Underground Utility Detection Standard Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The standard relating to underground utility detection, verification and location was updated. Called PAS 128: 2022, this British Standards Institution (BSI) moves the 2014 standard forward and changes the way underground utilities should be mapped. With an emphasis on enhanced accuracy, anyone involved in the planning and design of construction and infrastructure projects needs to be aware of the update and what is now required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PAS 128 is the UK standard for surveying existing utilities and their surface features as well as planning for new infrastructure. It applies across the country, whether that is urban or rural areas, in public places or on private sites.

Clients, architects and contractors have duties under the Health and Safety Executive \u2018Avoiding danger from underground services\u2019 guidance known as HSG 47. Clients must make reasonable enquiries about underground services and pass relevant information to the designer and contractor. This is usually based on a PAS 128:2022
QL-D utility record search (desktop search) and potentially a QL-C site reconnaissance survey (visual inspection).
Designers in turn have a duty to reduce or \u2018design out\u2019 the risks arising from damage to underground services. Then, contractors must identify potential hazards, assess risk and put safe systems and clear
communication in place for their employees, which also safeguards against damage to essential services. This will be based on the findings of the QL-D and QL-C as well as a PAS 128: 2022 QL-B or QL-A
surveys for the benefit of safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Key updates \u2013 2022
The survey process remains very much the same, but with more comprehensive desktop utility record searches leading to on-site visual inspections to geophysical techniques to detect underground utilities through observation, excavation or exposure. In short, data accuracy has become more prominent and there is more
consistency with less room for interpretation.


So, what are the changes? In undertaking the surveys, more detail is now specified on the search method and methodology:<\/p>\n\n\n\n