What’s Hiding Underground?
Uncover the Truth About Utility Quality Levels Over Lunch!
Join Visionary Subsurface Solutions for a free Lunch and Learn presentation titled “Subsurface Utility Engineering: ASCE 38-22 Quality Levels Explained.” This engaging session is designed for engineers, land surveyors, project managers, and construction professionals who want to better understand the process of underground utility locating, the cutting-edge equipment used, and the real-world limitations that impact utility quality level designations.
You’ll walk away with practical insights into ASCE 38-22 standards and how to interpret quality levels to reduce risk and improve design accuracy. Enjoy a complimentary lunch while learning how to make smarter, safer decisions before you dig!
Can't do lunch? No worries, we like breakfast too..
Prefer breakfast over lunch? No problem—we also offer our “Subsurface Utility Engineering: ASCE 38-22 Quality Levels Explained” presentation as a Breakfast and Learn session! Whether you’re an early riser or just looking to kickstart your day with valuable insights, we’ve got you covered.
Even better, the presentation can be customized to fit your team’s specific needs and interests—whether you want to focus more on utility locating technologies, risk mitigation strategies, or interpreting ASCE 38-22 standards in real-world projects. Let us bring the knowledge (and the coffee) to you!
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This section explains the latest standard published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) through its Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) and Construction Institute (CI): ASCE 38-22. It defines the standard guidelines for collecting, interpreting, and classifying information about existing underground utilities.
This section highlights how ASCE 38-22 improves upon the previous 38-02 version by offering a more structured approach to utility investigations, enhancing communication, and reducing risk during design and construction.
This section provides an overview of how Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) emerged as a critical discipline in response to costly and dangerous utility strikes. It traces the evolution of utility locating from outdated as-built drawings and guesswork to the development of formal practices in the 1980s and 1990s.
The section highlights key milestones, including the introduction of ASCE 38-02, which established a standardized approach to mapping underground infrastructure, and how the field has continued to advance with new technologies and updated standards like ASCE 38-22.
This section highlights how incorporating SUE into design and construction projects leads to safer, more efficient, and cost-effective outcomes. By accurately identifying and mapping underground utilities before digging begins, SUE helps reduce unexpected utility conflicts, costly redesigns, and project delays.
The presentation emphasizes how applying SUE early in the project lifecycle improves coordination, enhances public and worker safety, and supports better decision-making—ultimately protecting budgets, timelines, and reputations.
This section breaks down the four Quality Levels defined in ASCE 38-22, which are used to classify the reliability of underground utility data. It explains how each level—QL-D, QL-C, QL-B, and QL-A—represents a progressively higher degree of accuracy, from basic records research to precise horizontal and vertical data obtained through physical exposure.
The presentation helps attendees understand when and why each quality level is used, how they impact project decisions, and the importance of selecting the appropriate level of investigation to manage risk and ensure successful project outcomes.
This section explores the essential tools and technologies used in Subsurface Utility Engineering, including electromagnetic locators, ground penetrating radar (GPR), vacuum excavation, and GPS/GIS mapping systems. It explains how each tool contributes to identifying and mapping underground utilities with varying levels of accuracy.
The presentation also addresses key limitations—such as signal interference, soil conditions, and non-conductive materials—that can affect data reliability. By understanding the strengths and challenges of each method, attendees gain a realistic view of what’s possible in the field and how to interpret SUE findings with confidence.
This section clarifies the distinct roles of Call 811, private utility locating companies, and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE). It explains that Call 811 is a free public service that marks only public utilities, typically up to the meter, and may not include all underground infrastructure. Private locating companies go a step further by identifying privately owned utilities not covered by 811, such as lines on commercial or industrial properties. SUE, however, provides the most comprehensive and engineering/survey-grade approach—combining advanced tools, professional interpretation, and ASCE 38-22 standards to deliver highly accurate utility maps with documented quality levels.
This section helps the audience understand when to use each service and why SUE is essential for design and risk mitigation.