AIM Engineering & Surveying, Inc.’s (AIM) Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) department offers you the ability to accurately map underground utilities at several levels:
Quality Level “A” – LOCATING
Precise horizontal and vertical location of utilities obtained by the actual exposure and subsequent measurement of subsurface utilities, at a specific point. Minimally intrusive excavation equipment is used to minimize the potential for utility damage. Precise horizontal and vertical positions, as well as other utility attributes, including but not limited to: size, type, condition & depth from existing ground surface. Accuracy is typically set at .05’ vertical, and to applicable horizontal survey standards.
Quality Level “B” – DESIGNATING
This information is obtained through the application of appropriate geophysical methods to identify the existence and approximate horizontal position of subsurface utilities. This quality level can be reproduced by surface geophysics at any point of their depiction. This information is surveyed to applicable tolerances and reduced and displayed on plan documents.
Quality Level “C” – SURFACE VISIBLE FEATURE SURVEY
Information obtained by surveying and plotting visible above ground utility features and by using professional judgment this information can be correlated to quality level “D” information.
Quality Level “D” – EXISTING RECORDS
After collecting the information needed in the field, our team will then prepare deliverables that are suitable to your needs. We can display data on roadway construction plans in AutoCAD, Microstation or Field Book format. This information will be prepared and delivered to meet your project schedule.
AIM’s history and involvement in many design and construction projects gives us the foresight to go above and beyond industry standards in mapping underground utilities. All levels mentioned above will include the acquisition and review of any and all existing utility as-built records and testimony. We have developed many valued relationships with various utility owners and contractors, which help us deliver quality, accurate products. Each excavated utility will be marked using GPS to not only relate to the specific project, but to be geographically referenced for GIS applications.
Our management and utility coordination staff have many years of experience in the engineering and design of various utility systems. Our field personnel have over 15 years of utility identification and location experience. AIM not only has the hands-on field experience, but the formal training and education to go along with it. Our field and office staffs are ACES Certified Damage Prevention Specialists and have advanced training from the Utility Training Academy (UTA) in “Advanced Utility Locator Training” and “Subsurface Utility Locating & Marking Best Practices.” AIM also follows the guidelines and practices set forth by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) a nationally recognized organization whose purpose is to prevent damage to underground infrastructure.
Our experience and staffing allows AIMs SUE team to available in the event of an emergency. We commit to our clients to be on-site, any time day or night to assist in these situations
Our vacuum excavation equipment can also assist our clients in several ways. We can provide the machinery and personnel to assist agencies and contractors with de-silting of drainage structures, cleaning of different types of service boxes (pull boxes, valves etc.) and other confined spaces.
