Understanding the Underground World to Maximize the Potential of Site Development with Subsurface Utility Exploration (SUE)
Allen Underground knows what lurks beneath the surface—and this knowledge can help save lives (and money)
Although Subsurface Utility Exploration (SUE) might seem futuristic, Allen Underground uses it all the time to see what’s underneath a construction site. This is especially handy when redeveloping a job site that requires locating and/or moving below-ground utilities. After all, you can’t plan how to accomplish this before knowing what’s down there.
At the same time, paying attention to the necessary compliance requirements is critical. Horror stories abound when the process is not undertaken properly. This can be especially costly when proper underground mapping hasn’t taken place before the bulldozers start rolling. One recent example from our home base of Florida involves a town being on the hook for utility relocation even though it was a state project. This resulted in the town ultimately deciding to sell its water rights to a private concern this spring. While it is impossible to imagine “what might have been” in this situation, it remains true that applying SUE technologies as early as possible can head off such potential pitfalls later.
Allen Underground continues to be an industry leader in applying SUE technology to magnify the possibilities of how site development proceeds. Being fully informed about the often-unseen underground world at a job site can help maintain cost and schedule during development. Even if no previous structure has ever existed at the site and no previous utilities installed, it is crucial to have a “clear” picture of what is there—which is where SUE comes into play.
While it is highly unlikely that an undeveloped piece of land may be hiding subsurface sewer, power, or other utility lines, SUE technology might uncover items of archeological interest. For example, many unmarked graves around the country have been spotted thanks to ground penetrating radar. And right here in the Sunshine State, the remains of members of Native tribes that once lived extensively throughout the Florida Peninsula have been discovered beneath public parks. Disturbing human remains is a complicated issue at the best of times; relocating them is fraught with additional legal and cultural complications, especially when it comes to Indigenous graves that existed long before there even was a United States. This is another important way in which SUE tech can be applied to get the full subterranean picture of the underground past before an above-ground structure can be erected.
But no matter how you plan to use ground penetrating radar and/or SUE technology, it is key to understand the appropriate laws and procedures—a major safety imperative for Allen Underground. Case in point, the FCC requires that utilizing such equipment stays within safe radiation limits and that it does not potentially disrupt other electronics or utilities that may already be under the ground. Each state may have additional restrictions as well, so it is important to familiarize yourself with any such limitations and work with a reputable company to ensure compliance.
The exciting future of SUE technology is still being written and Allen Underground. Its uses in construction and redevelopment help mitigate risks and keep projects on track to complete on time and on budget.
Contact us today to get a quote for any subsurface or underground utility identification needs and allow our experienced SUE team to deliver the information you need with advanced technologies like ground penetrating radar, RFID scanning, and specialized devices to help you stay safe and effective in your construction and development projects.
