When you are involved in any sort of contract that requires excavation work, even if it is only digging down a couple of feet, there is the ever-present danger of coming into contact with underground services. Virtually all of our utilities, with the exception of some telephone services, run underground, and the fact is that they can be just about anywhere.
The problem is that there can be a lot of uncertainty about where they run. Some of them have been in place for many years, and although plans are available, they can be very misleading.
Just to begin with, there is no standard method of keeping records, so the ways in which different utilities in different areas keep plans can vary considerably. Furthermore, over the years they may have been transferred from paper plans to microfiche to computer records, and errors can have crept in along the way. Even if plans are accurate, there is often no way of knowing how deep a cable or pipe may be. So, you can only ever use plans (STATS) as a guide: you must never rely on them for cable avoidance.
This is why it is vital to carry out a thorough site survey before commencing any sort of digging, using specialist tools for the job. There are a number of different tools which can be used for underground service location, and they can perform different functions. Some can only locate metal pipes and cables. Others can be used to locate plastic pipes as well.
But whichever tools you need to use, it is essential to fully understand how they operate in all of their different modes, and critically, their limitations. They can and do have certain limitations. For instance, some are limited to the depth at which they can locate a service. If that service is below their reach, they can show that there is nothing where you need to dig. although in fact, there is. In this example, the contractors would need to dig down a foot or so very carefully, and then take another reading. This time one might get a positive result.
All of these things are taught in the trainings that we run at Sygma Solutions. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience in the use of tools for cable avoidance such as the Metrotech VScan for the location of underground services.
In fact, VScan training is included in some of the courses that we run. The VScan can locate most types of underground utility services such as electrical and telecoms cables, metal water and gas pipes, and more. Our VScan training shows operatives the features and functions of the system and shows how to check that the tool is in correct functioning order before putting it to use.
Operatives learn how to operate the VScan in active mode, passive mode, and metal location mode, and are shown how to calibrate the transmitter and receiver units. This training will give operatives the confidence they need when using the system on the ground – literally!
If the course you are looking for has no dates or you would like a course built for your company please contact
enquiries@sygma-solutions.com for current availability and booking form
Open Days
Please contact us about open days
PAS128 Utility Mapping Training Modules mapped to CICES competencies
– 2 days
Module 1 – Pas 128 Level D &C training to include level 3 assessment – CICES GEUS01 A-D
– 3 Days
Module 2 – PAS128 Level B Training – can include Level 4 assessment – CICES GUES01 E-I
Please contact enquires@sygma-solutions.com for future dates and a booking form
2 Day Advanced EM Course (RD8100/8200 & VIVAX)
In depth course covering electromagnetic locators, theory and intensive practical on our real world training site.
Cost: £295 per person
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
5th – 6th September 2024
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Mala GPR Module 1 – Theory & Practical
Cost: Contact us for price (2 spaces F.O.C. with Mala GPR Purchase)
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Mala GPR Module 2 – Post processing
Cost: Contact us for price (2 spaces F.O.C. with Mala GPR Purchase)
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
2 Day GPR – All Manufacturers
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
5 Day TSA & ICES Approved 5 Day Utility Mapping Course
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates: Contact Us
Location: Worcester
Dates: Contact Us
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
1 Day Public Genny & CAT Course
Cost: £175 plus VAT
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
Dates:
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
Level 3 Utility Mapping Qualification – All Online
Cost: £275 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Online
Dates: To suit
Level 5 Diploma Utility Mapping Qualification – Online Workbooks – followed by assessment
Cost £1100 PLUS REG FEE
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre or your site
Dates: To suit
Open level 5 assessment dates at Sygma Solutions, Wigan
Level 5 Diploma Utility Mapping Qualification – in 5 days
Cost – contact us
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
2nd – 6th September 2024
Sygma PAS 128 Utility Surveyor Training Including Proqual Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
12th – 16th August 2024 Limited Availability
14th – 18th October 2024
25th – 29th November 2024
16th – 20th December 2024
Level 3 Utility Mapping and Surveying Public Course
12th – 13th August Limited Availability
14th – 15th October 2024
25th – 26th November 2024
16th – 17th December 2024
Location: Sygma Solutions training centre, Wigan
GPS Course & Total Station Introduction
This is a 2 day dedicated GPS course with an introduction to Total Station
Please contact us for future dates and a booking form
Please contact enquires@sygma-solutions.com for future dates and a booking form
Please contact:
enquiries@sygma-solutions.com for current availability and booking form