The global horizontal directional drilling market is expected to reach $14.95 billion by 2022, and underground construction projects as a whole continue to expand as well. While these projects have extraordinarily useful applications, it’s important to understand the facts about the process, especially those surrounding safety. Here are just a few myths about underground construction to kick to the curb today.
Utilities don’t need to be measured; they can be estimated.
This is not true at all — even if a team of contractors is very familiar with the area they’re working in, it’s essential to properly measure utilities. In the same realm, some contractors think that they can simply dig deeper in order to avoid drilling into utility lines, but this can’t be safely assumed, either. The only way to know for sure is to measure and survey the land before the project breaks ground.
“From manufacturers, dealers, contractors and operators, to utility companies, locating services, 811 groups and government and municipalities, everyone’s role is vital. Communication and cooperation are key…Locating, potholing and job site preparation are necessities for every job, every time, no matter the environment or type of project,” writes William Bernhard on Construction Business Owner.
Sewer lines cannot be relocated.
This is another myth that should never be assumed. Each project area is different, and in most cases, sewer lines certainly can be relocated with the proper knowledge and specialized equipment. Fortunately, recent advances in construction technology have made it easier than ever to safely and properly relocate sewer lines. If you have concerns, talk to your project supervisor.
It’s sufficient to expose only to the depth of the utility.
Finally, this is another myth that can cost extra time and money and impede safety during the completion of the project. The fact is, exposing only to the utility’s depth is rarely sufficient to carry out the project safely. Instead, experts say you must always expose to the depth of the intended bore path.
According to the 2017 Horizontal Directional Drilling Survey, high density polyethylene pipe is the most common type utilized in the directional drilling market. HDPE is used in approximately 49.7% of projects. And ultimately, directional drilling services are safe and efficient, as long as contractors providing these services are up to date on all of the best practices regarding safety procedures and protocols. For more information about directional drilling services and underground boring contractors, contact American Directional Boring.
