Scan Before You Dig: A Guide to Detection Equipment Hire in Norfolk

 

Before the first spade breaks ground on any project, the most critical question must be answered: “What lies beneath?” Striking a buried utility is not just an inconvenience; it’s a potentially lethal and incredibly expensive mistake. Hitting a power cable, gas main, water pipe, or fibre optic cable can cause serious injury, major disruption, and crippling repair bills. In the UK, following Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines (HSG47) for avoiding underground services is not optional; it’s a requirement for safe excavation.

At Breckland Plant Hire, we put safety first. We provide contractors, utilities workers, and individuals across Norfolk with the professional detection equipment needed to work safely and confidently. Hiring the right detection tools is the most important investment you can make in any excavation project.

 

Our Detection Equipment Fleet: The Tools for Safe Excavation

 

Understanding the roles of different detection tools is key to performing a thorough and accurate survey of your site.

 

Cable Avoidance Tools (C.A.T)

 

The C.A.T is the primary tool for any initial site scan. It is a handheld receiver designed to detect electromagnetic signals radiating from buried metallic services. It operates in several modes:

• Power Mode: Detects the 50Hz signal generated by live electric cables. This is your first line of defence against the most dangerous buried hazard.
• Radio Mode: Detects very low-frequency radio signals that are passing through the air, which get re-radiated by long metallic services like pipes and cables. This is excellent for finding services that don’t emit their own signal.

A C.A.T is an essential first-pass tool, but for a comprehensive search, it must be used with a Signal Generator.

 

Signal Generators (Genny)

 

A Genny works in partnership with a C.A.T to find services that are otherwise undetectable. It is a transmitter that applies a specific signal onto a metallic pipe or cable, which the C.A.T can then pick up clearly.

• Direct Connection: You can connect the Genny directly to a known service, like a stopcock or valve, to trace its exact path.
• Induction Mode: When no direct connection point is available, the Genny can be placed on the ground to induce a signal into a wide area. The C.A.T can then detect any buried utilities that pick up this induced signal.

Using a C.A.T and Genny together is the industry best practice and provides the most reliable method for locating buried services.

 

Other Detection Tools

 

• Metal Detectors: For finding lost or buried metallic objects near the surface, such as manhole covers, stopcock valves, or rebar in concrete.
• Drain Inspection Cameras: A camera on a long, flexible rod used to inspect the internal condition of drains, identify blockages, or locate collapses without the need for immediate excavation.

 

A Basic Workflow for Safe Scanning

 

While not a substitute for formal training, following this simple process will help you work safely:

1. Plan: Start with any service plans or records for the area.
2. Initial C.A.T Sweep: Walk the area in a grid pattern using Power mode to locate live cables. Mark any findings on the ground with spray paint.
3. Second C.A.T Sweep: Repeat the grid walk-through using Radio mode to find other metallic services. Mark these findings.
4. Genny Induction Sweep: Place the Genny on the ground and perform another grid walk-through with the C.A.T in Genny mode. This will help locate services missed in the first two passes.
5. Trace Specific Services: If you know of a specific service (e.g., a water pipe), use the Genny in Direct Connection mode to trace its precise route and estimate its depth.
6. Dig with Caution: Once markings are complete, initial digging should be done with care, ideally by digging trial holes by hand to visually confirm the location and depth of the marked services.

 

Why Hire Your Detection Gear from Breckland Plant Hire?

 

• Commitment to Safety: We understand the risks of excavation. Our primary goal is to provide you with the tools to work safely and avoid danger.
• Calibrated and Tested Equipment: For detection equipment to be accurate, it must be regularly and professionally calibrated. Our tools are maintained to the highest standards, so you can trust the results they give.
• Expert Advice: Whether you’re a seasoned groundwork professional in Thetford or undertaking your first major landscaping project in Dereham, our team can advise on the correct use of the equipment.
• Complete Project Support: We can supply all the equipment you need for your project, from the initial scan with a C.A.T & Genny to the excavation with a mini digger and removal of waste with a dumper.
• Reliable Service: We offer prompt delivery across Breckland and the wider Norfolk area to keep your project on schedule.

Don’t risk it. The ground beneath your feet can hold expensive and dangerous surprises.

Contact Breckland Plant Hire today to hire your calibrated C.A.T & Genny. Scan before you dig – it’s the only way to work.