Learn the Facts

It’s important to know the facts of Subsurface Utility Engineering so you can understand how it works, and more importantly, how it benefits your project. Here are some frequently asked questions, but if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

What is SUE?

• Subsurface Utility Engineering is the process of collecting and managing underground utility information that frequently helps public and private clients alike control the risks associated with underground facilities.
  
  

How does Mid-Atlantic collect SUE information?

• Contracting: Proposals, fee negotiations, scope of services
• Field Work: Utility designation, utility locating, utility as-builts
• Compilations and Quality Assurance: Performs checks of mapping, calculations, and quality assurance checks
• Final Deliverables: CADD files, delivery of completed test hole forms/calculations
  
  

How would I benefit from SUE?

• By using SUE, significant benefits are derived for the DOT, utility companies, SUE consultants, contractors, and the general public, i.e. reduction in project delays, reduction in costs, quality improvement, increased efficiency.
  
  

What is the accuracy of Mid-Atlantic’s utility locating?

• Mid-Atlantic prefers to use Quality Level A, as set forth by the American Society of Civil Engineers, which means a utility designation will have an accuracy of less than 15mm horizontally and vertically with proper control.
  
  

What are the four Quality Level Classifications?

• Quality Levels A, B, C, and D, ranging from the most basic to the most advanced levels of accuracy. Click here for more information.
  
  

How does SUE manage risk and cost savings?

• SUE provides the designers with information when they need it the most and the SUE professionals with various types of electronic equipment. A study by the Virginia DOT indicated a cost savings of $7 for every $1 spent on SUE.
  

Still have questions? Check out these pages for additional information. Mission: Trenching Four Quality Levels of SUE Electronic Utility Markers: A Locating Solution for Problematic Utilities Maximizing the Use of Miss Utility Mid-Atlantic Can Work Along Side of Miss Utility Safe practices for Utility Excavation Air Vacuum Excavation Locating and Mapping Non-Metallic and Non-Conductive Utilities Using SUE to Cut Engineering and Construction Costs Locating Plastic and Concrete Waterlines when GPR is ineffective

If you’d still like more information on SUE and how it can benefit your project, contact us to sign up for a “Lunch ‘n Learn.” We’ll provide lunch for your office, go over some SUE basics, and answer any other questions you may have.