Type C Site Reconnaissance and Documentation

Capture visible evidence of underground utilities to reduce risk

What is a Type C Site Reconnaissance Survey?

A PAS 128 Type C survey involves a site reconnaissance to identify visible utility features such as inspection covers, valve boxes, marker posts and service entry points. These features help surveyors interpret underground utility networks.

Visible features such as chambers, marker posts and cabinets often provide early warning of buried utility corridors. On constrained sites, missing this evidence at the outset can increase the chance of a service strike later in design or construction.

Type C site reconnaissance studies work well with Type D desktop searches and ultimately support Type B Ground Penetrating Radar and Electromagnetic Location (EML) surveys.

Applications

Identifies surface evidence of buried utilities
Supports the interpretation of underground networks
Build site-specific context before detection (works well with a desktop search and then a GPR/EML underground services detection survey).
Improves the quality of PAS 128 Type B surveys

Put Simply:

Type D = what the records say
Type C = what the site shows
Type B = what the ground likely contains
Type A = what’s been exposed and confirmed

Benefits

Improves interpretation of underground networks,
Confirms visible infrastructure and
Supports more accurate utility mapping.

Deliverables

Site reconnaissance report,
Photographic record,
Mapped surface features and
Supporting CAD drawings where requested

What are the constraints of PAS 128 Type C Site Reconnaissance?

Relies on ground level indicators only
Not always clear which direction the services are going in.
No subsurface verifications
Highly dependent on site conditions
Limited interpretation of complex networks

Why Choose Powers?

We manage records searches and interpret returned data to help project teams understand potential underground constraints before detailed surveys begin.

Our Services

Topographic Land Surveys

Measured Building Surveys

Underground Utility Detection Surveys

Site Engineering

Boundary Surveys

Geospatial Consulting & Support

Underground Utility Detection Surveys in Action

Our underground utility detection surveys support confident decisions across a wide range of projects. Explore how Powers’ data has helped clients move from uncertainty to clarity.