5. Deliverables

Deliverables provide the client with an understanding of the survey accuracy and confidence levels, methodologies used, together with any cautionary advice notes and limitations. When requesting deliverables, the client could include the following text in the specification document:

Survey data shall be presented as file formats for use in CAD/GIS/BIM [delete as appropriate] and/or in other project or client specified deliverables.*

A report shall accompany any survey output. This shall contain the following as a minimum:

01. Written description of the survey project requirements and defined survey area.

02. List of the detection methodologies used during the survey.

03. Survey outcomes including:

a) planimetric information

b) metadata

c) a description of how successful each detection methodology was and a plan showing any areas where the detection methodologies were not successful

d) a list of any utilities expected to be present based on the desktop utility records search that were not detectable using the detection methodologies. These should be referenced to the plan in (c) above

e) a list of buried features and obstructions other than utilities detected during the execution of the survey

f) plans showing all areas of conflict between record information, site information and detected utilities

g) photographs as specified or where taken to support understanding

h) recommendations for any further survey work provided during the execution of the works i) information on how GPR was calibrated and how many calibrations have been conducted around the site

j) what post-processing software has been used to post-process the GPR results

k) the variations in depth of the GPR penetration achieved around the site

l) the conditions on site at the time of the survey and any issues that might generically affect the survey outputs, for example rain.

04. A post-survey debrief in person (at an office or location of the client’s choosing) or virtual via video sharing software. This meeting shall be noted and the outcome recorded in writing for both client and practitioner.**

*The client should be clear as to the type of deliverable required. The term ‘data’ can include everything from historic paper records, plans, maps and photographs to digital geospatial and geophysical data, such as CAD drawings, EML and GPR data, point clouds and models for use in augmented reality applications.

** A post survey debrief can be requested by the client and is valuable in aiding familiarity with the data collected. Clients are strongly recommended to specify a post-survey debrief on major projects.

This guidance has been prepared by the Utilities and Subsurface Mapping Panel of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

Lead authors: John Robinson FCInstCES, Janos Dobsi FCInstCES MBA and Abigail Tomkins CICES

Thanks to members of the Utilities and Subsurface Mapping Panel.