Donald Rumsfeld and the PUMA

Donald Rumsfeld once spoke of ‘known knowns’, ‘known unknowns’ and ‘unknown unknowns’. These terms aptly describe the challenges faced in utility mapping.
The ‘known knowns’ are the utilities we are aware of and their precise
locations.

The ‘known unknowns’ are utilities we might know exist but we don’t know their exact positions. The most challenging are the ‘unknown unknowns’ – utilities we aren’t even aware of, posing risks of unexpected discovery during excavation.

Utility asset records supplied by asset owners are usually the first port of call, but these can be unreliable and incomplete and do not show many underground hazards, especially on sites within the private realm.

To overcome these challenges, a utility mapping survey methodology evolved to identify and accurately locate underground utility assets using geophysical methods, visual inspection, and geospatial survey techniques.

The traditional methods of utility detection, such as electromagnetic detection and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), have developed technologically in the last few decades and have made strides in enabling the identification of these hidden utilities.

Electromagnetic detection uses fields to detect conductive materials, while GPR sends radar waves into the ground to identify material contrasts and this method can locate both conductive and non-conductive objects – if ground conditions allow.

GPR is one survey technique for utility detection.

However, these methods have limitations and the application of these methods varies widely. In the early years of development, the delivery of such services was largely unregulated.

If you as an end-user are looking at a utility survey drawing, how can you be sure the appropriate methods were used to generate the results? How do you know the utility surveyor has located a buried cable at the right position and depth? How can you be confident that the surveyors had the competence to interpret the anomalies in GPR data accurately? These questions highlight just a few of the uncertainties that still plague the profession.

The need for standards

Land surveying and its constituent sectors such as utility mapping, has long been challenged by a lack of standardisation, leading to confusion and a lack of confidence among clients. In 2011, the British Standards Institution (BSI) was approached to develop a standard similar to the US’s ASCE 38-02 for subsurface utility engineering. This led to the creation of PAS128, a detailed specification covering the detection, verification and location of buried utilities.

Land surveying and its constituent sectors such as utility mapping, has long been challenged by a lack of standardisation, leading to confusion and a lack of confidence among clients.

PAS128 provides a framework for planning and delivering utility mapping services, focusing on collaboration and clear communication throughout the process. PAS128 aimed to introduce accountability, consistency and clarity to utility mapping services, thereby increasing market confidence and professionalising the industry.

Despite the widespread adoption of PAS128 from 2014 onwards, variability in its application persisted. A new revision of PAS128 was completed and published in 2022, introducing new requirements but also additional variability. There was a clear need for a mechanism to demonstrate compliance and ensure consistent application of the standard. The development of the PAS128 specification was only ever intended to be one part of the solution to address the perceived shortcomings of utility surveying services being offered in the early 2010s.

There were also requirements for proving the competence of individual practitioners and survey companies. Individual competency assessment has been addressed by the development of the ProQual QCF qualifications in utility mapping and the definition of a buried services competency framework that can be used as an avenue to gain professional membership of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES).

The QCF qualifications now span from Level 2 to Level 6 – the equivalent of a degree level qualification, allowing for a defined career progression from trainee to principal surveyor.

The final part of the picture is how to assess the competence of survey companies and their capacity to deliver utility surveys in accordance with the PAS128 specification. Enter the PAS128 utility mapping accreditation (PUMA) scheme. 

The PUMA scheme

The introduction of the company accreditation scheme known as PUMA is the culmination of a decade-long process of research and development into how best to maintain and uphold standards in utility mapping.

PUMA sets a national standard for utility surveys, ensuring that utility mapping practitioners comply fully with PAS128. Developed by The Survey Association (TSA) in partnership with Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) and supported by professional institutions like the CICES, PUMA offers a credible, independent audit process, operated by LRQA at arm’s length from TSA, but with ongoing monitoring by a governance committee comprising members from across the industry.

Accreditation under TSA PUMA scheme provides an assurance of the:

• Execution of a methodology that supports the efficient production of an accurate fully compliant deliverable, which meets clients’ expectations.
• Implementation of a comprehensive risk management process. 
• Competence of the participating specialists involved in the risk management process.
• Robustness of the systems to identify and mitigate hazards ensuring the safety of operational personnel and the public is protected.
• Consistent standards that are achieved and maintained across all participating TSA members throughout the accreditation validity.
• Interaction with the client throughout the project/contract stages and the ongoing dissemination of reliable and accurate information. 
• Benchmarking of standards, which promotes and raises the professional reputation of participating TSA members and their staff.

A PUMA site audit in progress.

An essential feature of the accreditation process is the assurance that procedures and practices, against which accreditation is awarded, are consistently applied and maintained by the TSA member. This is ensured throughout the approval period by the implementation of a surveillance visit programme. For companies, PUMA provides a tangible means of demonstrating continuous improvement. Utility contractors and developers reference LRQA accreditation schemes daily when assigning contracts. By adhering to PUMA, TSA utility mapping practitioners can differentiate themselves, gaining a marketing edge and proving their adherence to high standards.

For clients, PUMA delivers confidence in the level of service and quality of data provided. By using PUMA-accredited companies that have been audited to ensure their outputs and working practices comply with PAS128, clients can save time and money – utility mapping data collected according to the PAS128 specification can reduce costly delays and errors. PUMA offers surety that the utility mapping data you receive from your supplier is PAS128 compliant, with accountability for accuracy and reliability.

An assured future for utility mapping

The journey from the initial development of PAS128 to the implementation of the PUMA scheme marks a significant milestone in the field of utility mapping. Adoption of these standards and accreditation schemes reflects a commitment to professionalism, accuracy, and reliability.

In conclusion, the development and adoption of PAS128 and the PUMA scheme address the industry’s core challenges of navigating uncertainty, standardising practices and ensuring reliable data. These initiatives represent a major step towards conquering the unknowns in underground utility mapping, providing confidence and clarity to all stakeholders involved.

Next time you consider engaging a utility mapping practitioner, ask whether that company holds PUMA accreditation to carry out PAS128 surveys – and if it does not – whether it is working towards gaining PUMA accreditation and on what timeline. By embracing standards like PAS128 and accreditation schemes like PUMA, clients and practitioners can collaborate to achieve greater reliability, safety and efficiency. 

Sam Roberts FCInstCES FGS, Director, Met Consultancy Group, and Technical Committee Chair, The Survey Association

Sam.Roberts@metgeo.com

www.metgeo.comwww.tsa-uk.org.uk/puma