Page 12 - CCGA Best Practices Version English

records which will provide an overall sense of the congestion of utilities, but
is limited in terms of comprehensiveness and accuracy.
The four (4) Quality Levels are:
1. Quality Level D – information gathered solely from existing utility records
which will provide an overall sense of the congestion of utilities, but is
limited in terms of comprehensiveness and accuracy. Use of Quality Level
D information should be limited to project planning and route selection
activities;
2. Quality Level C – information gathered from surveying above ground
facilities such as manholes, valve boxes, and pedestals which is used to
augment the information gathered in Level D;
3. Quality Level B – involves ‘designating’ or the use of surface geophysical
techniques to determine the existence and horizontal position of facilities,
including those identified in Level C. Twodimensional mapping information
is obtained. The data obtained is usually sufficient for excavation
planning. The data obtained can facilitate decisions with respect to the
placement of new structures or facilities to avoid conflicts with existing
facilities; and
4. Quality Level A – involves ‘locating’ or the use of non-destructive
excavation devices at critical locations to determine the precise horizontal
and vertical position of existing facilities, as well as the type, size,
condition, material, and other characteristics. When surveyed and
mapped, precise plan and profile information is available for use in
making final design decisions. The SUE engineer guarantees the accuracy
of the Level A information.
References:
• CSA S250-11, Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure

1-6: Identifying Existing Facilities in Planning and
Design

Practice Statement: Designers should indicate existing utility facilities on
drawings during planning and design.
Practice Description: During the planning and preliminary design phase of
a project, existing facilities, such as hydro/electric, gas, telecommunications,
CATV, water mains and sewers should be shown on preliminary design
plans. The planning documents should include possible routes for the project
together with known underground facility information. The facility owners
should be given the opportunity to provide appropriate
comments.
During the detailed design phase of a project, utility facility information is
shown on the plans. The method used to gather information should be
noted on the plans by the project owner so that the designer and the

Canadian Common Ground Alliance
Best Practices Version 3.0 – October 2018
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