Underground cables and pipes are one of the things that enables telecommunication, power transmission, as well as an undisrupted flow of clean water supplies to every household and commercial building.
In an urban and densely populated location like Singapore, these underground cables and pipes has its advantages due to land scarcity. We can easily access power and water supply, by simply switching on a light or turning on the water tap.
We often take these underground assets for granted but in fact, during earthworks or excavation, they are hidden from plain sight and at risk of getting damaged. Not only does the damage bring inconvenience to the public, it can result in compromised workforce, repair costs and work delays. Thus it is necessary to safeguard each stakeholders' interest.
To reduce the likelihood of cable and pipe damage, UCD PTE LTD emphasise on two important approach, prevention and precaution.
Prevention: To comply with Authorities and Services Provider (SP PowerGrid, PowerGas, Telecommunication etc) regulations and standards to conduct Cable Detection by Licensed Cable Detection Worker (LCDW) and Licensed Telecommunication Cable Detection Worker (TCDW) prior to any Earthworks.
Cable Detection is conducted by a Licensed Cable Detection Worker (LCDW) with a set of instrument or locator to detect the presence and approximate location of an underground cable or pipe. This serves as an indicator that the cable or pipe is located nearby on site, and to proceed with care and caution.
Precaution: Prior to Earthworks, we provide Designers and Contractors with useful existing utilities information of the site, such as the Cable Detection Reports to assist Designers and Earthwork Contractors to help them make informed choices.
We assist our clients to understand the existing underground utilities location and prevent cables and pipes damages - a risk that is costly and time consuming.
Image courtesy of SPgroup.
What are the steps in Cable Detection?
There are generally 5 steps.
Here’s the general procedure:
1. Gather all authorities plans
2. Submit notification to authority
3. Preliminary site study
4. LCDW and TCDW to Conduct Cable Detection on site
5. Submit Cable Detection Plan/Report
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