How do you make sure the underground air is safe?

1. How can we protect existing underground services?
2. What is the most accurate way to identify the exact position of an underground service?
3. What is the most effective way to protect air quality?
4. How do I identify an underground service?
5. How do you check underground cables?
6. Which digging equipment is recommended near underground services?
7. How do I check my pipes before digging?
8. How do you trace underground electrical wires?
9. How can we improve outdoor air quality?
10. What should you do if air quality is hazardous?

How can we protect existing underground services?

Mark on the ground any suspected services detected (do not use anything which could penetrate a service). Wherever possible plan the excavation route to avoid services. Carefully excavate sufficient small trial pits, using a safe digging technique to find the actual location and suggested extent of services.

What is the most accurate way to identify the exact position of an underground service?

Trial holes

Trial holes using hand tools should be dug to confirm the location of buried services. A series of trial holes will confirm the exact position and depth of underground pipes and cables.

What is the most effective way to protect air quality?

Source Control. Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions.

How do I identify an underground service?

Before work commences, the position of the buried service should be marked on the ground using paint, or similar. Where there is uncertainty about a pipe's position, particularly plastic pipes, hand-dig trial holes to confirm the location of the service, the type of service, and the condition of the pipe or cable.

How do you check underground cables?

Using a cable locator (Leica Digicat 550i), a surveyor can detect the buried cables' position by searching for the electromagnetic field. Locating electrical cables using a cable locator on its own will only allow the operator to detect utilities with a live current, like a street light cable during the night.

Which digging equipment is recommended near underground services?

avoid the use a hand-held power tool or mechanical excavator within 0.5 m of a known cable or other utility. use a mechanical excavator or a power tool only to break the top surface of the footpath or carriageway. hand dig, using a round edged spade or shovel.

How do I check my pipes before digging?

811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center's website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don't unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.

How do you trace underground electrical wires?

Connect the transmitter unit of a wire locator to the exposed wire end, according to the locator model's manual. This transmitter sends a signal down the wire the receiver handle can then pick up, allowing you to follow the path of the wire. Some locators will tell you the depth of the wire as well.

How can we improve outdoor air quality?

Reduce the number of trips you take in your car. Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use. Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials. Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

What should you do if air quality is hazardous?

If the air quality is in the very unhealthy or hazardous range, chances are an emergency alert will be issued by media outlets, weather apps and more. If this is the case, everyone should avoid going outside and being exposed to the air as much as possible.