My grinder ate a gas pipe!

[Pat Ferrett]

Something I always do is look for the services out on the pavement and from the house to try and see the line they follow after a close shave once

 

I recon Im just having a run of Lofthouse luck

[33bk]

I've never gone through the gas but water and Virgin! ! I alway thought there was a minimum for services below ground !

 

Last time virgin came out he said it was cheaper to repair than dig it down every time ,

 

Please let us know the out come

[likeitorlumpit]

touch wood i have never gone through a gas pipe or electric cable

 

fiber optic cables (for cable tv ect in the green ducting) water pipes & drains are the things i destroy on a regular basis with the mini digger!!!!! i repair the water pipes & drains myself but for the fiber optic i get virgin out to repair them!! i have never been charged for this as there cables are only just under the surface & they seem to rather just get them repaired & keep there customer happy!

 

if i am doing ground works for people i have them sign that they are responsible for any underground cables & pipes & it is up to them to locate & mark where they are! and even then if i dig through them i will not be held liable!!

 

You are sensible

CAT scanners will not pick up electric unless there is a flow.

They will not pick up anything plastic.

Metal will possible need a genny

It's not definate and any utility will argue that the cable should be 600 but the builder has changed the soil level

Pot ends cannot be detected and maps are not available on private land

What hope do we have

Look for access manholes/get a feel/ learn how to dowse/hope!/pray?

Oh- and hand dig- what fun

anyone?

fingers crossed!

[LGP Eddie]

The biggest myth ever in striking services is 'Minimum Depth'?

 

I put Don Burr HGV trailer factory off just before Xmas about 10 years ago to the tune of 47k!! (Luckily just Operating a Rubber Duck on hire)

The HV cable was only 6" below the surface and completely unmarked, but their first argument is always the ground has been reduced after their installation?

 

Since the advent of moles it really is a lottery regarding both the depth and line of any service installed this way.

 

I've not seen a plastic pipe yet traced with a CAT, but it can be done with a piece of equipment that introduces a sound wave into the pipe that is traced with specialist equipment.

 

I strongly suggest anyone undertaking even a modest size project look into having something like a 'Sumo Survey' done.

These are brilliant and will use whatever means possible including ground penetrating radar to trace all cables/pipes etc on a site plus clearly mark them in differing markers etc.

 

This may cost a little, but when the worst happens the Insurance company will want to know what measures you took to avoid services and this will be proof that you took reasonable precautions in the first instance.

Underground, Utility Mapping, Ground Penetrating Radar, Detection

 

As for anyone deciding to play around near Oil/Gas pipelines, don't be surprised when the Helicopter touches down in the field and promptly ceases all operations.

You wouldn't even want the bill for putting a scratch on the outer wrap of one of these!

[likeitorlumpit]

The biggest myth ever in striking services is 'Minimum Depth'?

 

I put Don Burr HGV trailer factory off just before Xmas about 10 years ago to the tune of 47k!! (Luckily just Operating a Rubber Duck on hire)

The HV cable was only 6" below the surface and completely unmarked, but their first argument is always the ground has been reduced after their installation?

 

Since the advent of moles it really is a lottery regarding both the depth and line of any service installed this way.

 

I've not seen a plastic pipe yet traced with a CAT, but it can be done with a piece of equipment that introduces a sound wave into the pipe that is traced with specialist equipment.

 

I strongly suggest anyone undertaking even a modest size project look into having something like a 'Sumo Survey' done.

These are brilliant and will use whatever means possible including ground penetrating radar to trace all cables/pipes etc on a site plus clearly mark them in differing markers etc.

 

This may cost a little, but when the worst happens the Insurance company will want to know what measures you took to avoid services and this will be proof that you took reasonable precautions in the first instance.

Underground, Utility Mapping, Ground Penetrating Radar, Detection

 

As for anyone deciding to play around near Oil/Gas pipelines, don't be surprised when the Helicopter touches down in the field and promptly ceases all operations.

You wouldn't even want the bill for putting a scratch on the outer wrap of one of these!

 

the ground has been reduced= fair enough but where was the warning tape= not their responsibility as the contractor should check for services= don't rely on warning tape.

Does the customer realise your risk when you dig= no

would they pay for a full survey= probably not for most domestic jobs.

[LGP Eddie]

the ground has been reduced= fair enough but where was the warning tape= not their responsibility as the contractor should check for services= don't rely on warning tape.

Does the customer realise your risk when you dig= no

would they pay for a full survey= probably not for most domestic jobs.

 

I fully agree, if you're on domestic work then try to stick to being 'on hire' leaving responsibility with them but get your terms/conditions signed before you start.

Nothing at all wrong with this and people leave themselves wide open taking the complete job on a price.

 

The Sumo survey is obviously for slightly larger projects that would be undertaken on a price and the point at which it could be argued worth doing is something that only the individual responsible for the work could decide.

However a little at the start of a reasonable size project could save plenty of heartache later.

[skyhuck]

I can't see customers signing a form making them responsible, I certainly would not sign such a form if I were having work done.

[Dan Curtis]

I can't see customers signing a form making them responsible, I certainly would not sign such a form if I were having work done.

 

I know a company who have that in their quote acceptance forms, to my knowledge they've never had a problem with people signing it

[Graham]

We 'removed' a high pressure gas main years ago of about 12" diameter.

 

No markings, below minimum depth and way off line from the plan. Had to take full responsibility as even installation drawing is no guarantee of accuracy.

[twistedhicap]

Here you go all you wanted to know about the BIG pipes you really dont want to hit dammage get a hellicopter landing next to you etc lol ! there more places than you think !

 

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