Services

First Call offers a comprehensive selection of services to meet the needs of a variety of clients.  Our services include location, identification and survey-grade mapping of underground infrastructure. We are able to serve as
consultants for our clients from the project feasibility phase through final construction. Specifically, First Call offers the following:

ELECTRONIC LOCATING AND MARKING

Electronic location of utilities is a critical part of what we do.  We utilize state of the art equipment and techniques to quickly yet accurately determine exactly which utilities are underground, what their location is and the depth at which they exist.  In order to allow reference of those utilities at a later time, we mark the ground using paint (color-coded for specific utilities).  Our services are often requested by engineers and surveyors, and our markings are placed on their plans in an effort to give the customer precise information on what exists in the ground.  This information is invaluable during construction once excavation begins, since digging errors are less likely when accurate information is at hand.

SONDE LOCATING

Should a job require the location of non-metallic pipes and ducts, First Call can utilize sonde locating.  With this process, we slowly move a small, egg-shaped transmitter attached to a fiberglass rod, through
the pipe.  As we do so, we mark its precise location and depth.  Sonde locating enables us to locate lengths of 300 feet.  Another use for this type of location is to find the plugged portion of pipes and ducts.  By using sonde locating for this purpose, we do not have to dig up more than necessary, thus saving you time
and money.

GROUND PENETRATING RADAR

There are many non-metallic subsurface utilities that must also be located in excavation.  For this type of work, we utilize the very versatile underground locating tool known as “GPR,” or ground penetrating radar  This method of location utilizes high-frequency radar waves to create a detailed image of what lies underneath the earth.  Utilities such as plastic, concrete and clay pipes sometimes cannot be located using conventional electronic locating equipment.  This is when GPR becomes necessary, and First Call has the capability to provide our clients with accurate, detailed reporting of our data captured by the process.

The SG system we utilize features a 500 MHz antenna and a 250 MHz antenna. With this powerful combination, it is possible to locate nearly any buried utility up to 30′ deep. Use the 500 MHz for standard and higher resolution scanning needs, or use the 250 MHz antenna when there are deeper targets. This configuration is perfect when encountering a wide variety of site conditions.

Some typical applications: