Guide for Contractors - When do I need to locate underground cable or pipe?

There are some common misunderstanding on what are the activities that require or do not require detection of cable or pipe within the project site. Let us take a look!

In general, any form of earthworks (essentially, excavation or soil digging) would require detection of cable or pipe to warn and notify site personnel of the existing underground cable and pipe in the earthwork vicinity.

Interpretation in Singapore's Electricity Act states that:

“earthworks” means—

(a) any act of excavating earth, rock or other material (by whatever means);

(b) any act done on, in or under the ground in connection with—

(i) any work for or relating to the construction, reconstruction, extension, renovation, alteration, demolition or repair of any building, road, railway, bridge, viaduct, flyover, sewer or sewerage works;

(ii) any work for or relating to the laying, inspecting, repairing or renewing of any main, pipe, cable, fitting or other apparatus;

(iii) any soil investigation work; or

(iv) such other works as are usually undertaken by a person carrying on business as a contractor in the construction industry or as a professional civil or structural engineer

(c) any act of boring, dredging, jacking, levelling, piling or tunnelling on or under any premises or street by any mechanical means; or

(d) the driving or sinking of any bar, rod, pole, picket, casing or tube into the ground;

Some common earthworks/activities that we observe in Singapore are:

1. Construction, or Addition and Alteration works

2. Soil Investigation works

3. Cable or pipe laying works

4. Foundation works

5. Drainage works

6. Permanent signage installation works

7. Demolition works

8. Earth cutting or filling works

9. Earth rod sinking works

10. Tree root cutting/removal works

11. Hardscape works such as water features, pools

12. Basement works

13. etc.

Some non-earthwork activities that we observe in Singapore that do not require underground cable detection are:

1. Aboveground Addition & Alteration works

2. Hanging of festive lights

3. Interior design works

4. Temporary tentage

5. Temporary kerb installation

6. Grass cutting

7. Road hump installation

8. Footpath tactile installation

9. etc.

Prior to any earthworks, it is always important to conduct site survey to collate as much information on the existing site condition and its environment before setting out and mobilizing your team.

We understand the struggle to locate, or identify underground cable and pipe within your working vicinity as it is not present in plain sight.

But fret not! With our calibrated state-of-the-art equipment and

a strong technical team lead by our experienced licensed workers,

You can now sleep in peace as you can trust that we can survey all available site information to you to conquer the maze of underground utilities.

(*ahem* low key a W (win) if you protect both the existing underground assets and your team from the hazard of an accident involving damaged cable or pipes.)

Let us know what you think of this article, and if it has answered your question!

If not hor, please chat with us on our website, or drop us a message :D *Attennnnntion! there are other phases such as during feasibility studies, or design phase that might require Underground Cable Detection (including cables, pipes, utilities), which are NOT covered in this article.