In little more than five years, C3 Communication & Construction Corporation (C3) has grown from a contractor specializing in underground cable television system construction to a telecommunications contractor with the capability to complete a wide range of turnkey projects.

Located in Hampton, Virginia, C3 today offers full turnkey services for outside plant construction of aerial and underground communications networks, and indoor voice/data cabling services.

In addition, C3 offers utility locating services—finding and marking existing underground utilities before construction begins. This is the important first step in preventing costly and potentially deadly accidents at construction sites.

Typically, utility locates are initiated through the nation’s One-Call system. Local One-Call agencies notify member utility owners who are responsible for marking locations of their pipe or cable on construction sites.

Many utilities contract this task to locating specialists such as C3. There also are many areas not under jurisdiction of One-Call: private property sites, educational institutions, business parks, government complexes, and military installations, for example. C3 has crews comprised of about 65 locating specialists providing locating services to clients such as these on the east coast of Virginia and in northeast North Carolina.

“The recognition of the importance of accurately locating and marking buried utilities is definitely on the rise,” says Tim Vest, C3 president. “Every year, accidental utility hits interrupt services, cause property damage, and people are injured and killed because locates were not requested or markings made were inaccurate. And every year, we see initiatives to improve accuracies of locates and better document them.”

Vest says the biggest challenges for making accurate locates are crowded easements, improper installation and bonding of utility lines, excessive depth of some utility lines, and the challenging working environments that locating personnel face on many construction sites.

“As is the case with most locate companies, we utilize a wide range of locating tools depending on the situation at hand,” Vest says. “Primarily, we use electromagnetic utility locators; however the use of GPR (ground penetrating radar), metal detection, sonic locators, GPS, and other technologies are necessary for any locate company to be successful.”

However, the basic locating tool remains electromagnetic equipment, and the technology is the same as introduced several years ago except for product enhancements that have improved accuracy, ease of use, and durability.

An electromagnetic locating system consists of a compact transmitter unit and lightweight, handheld receiver. The receiver locates underground lines by detecting magnetic fields created by electrical current passing through the buried lines. Receivers use different frequencies and modes to help identify different types of utilities.

A receiver alone can detect live power cables. To find telephone cable and metallic pipe, the transmitter is connected to cable or pipe and sends current through the line to create a signal that is detected by the receiver. For PVC pipe with tracer wire, the wire is energized by the transmitter to provide a signal that the receiver can pick up.

The receiver processes the information and displays an estimate of depth and other data on an easy-to-read display.

“We are currently using Ditch Witch^® 910 series locators,” says Vest. “This model was selected due to the rich features that it provides and the great customer service that we receive from our local Ditch Witch representative.”

In active mode, the 910T transmits via direct-line connection, induction clamp or induced broadcast signals. Standard models have up to three frequencies of the customer's choosing, with the option of adding frequencies, which are set at the factory when the transmitter is ordered. Each transmitter includes direct-connect leads, a ground stake, and operates on eight standard D-cell batteries.

The 910R receiver comes standard with up to four frequencies, with additional frequencies available. Simplified controls help facilitate ease of use. It operates on six standard C-cell batteries.

A more sophisticated yet easy-to-use locating system is the Ditch Witch 2150GR ground penetrating radar, which can detect metallic and non-metallic utilities to depths of 19 feet, depending on soil conditions and antenna selection. Its 5.6 mph survey speed and digitally controlled radar provide fast, clear images. Multiple frequencies permit programming to job conditions.

A relatively new but increasingly common locating technique is the use of vacuum excavator equipment’s “soft” excavation capabilities to excavate a small, precise hole to visibly confirm the exact location of buried pipe and cable, a process known as “potholing.” Soft excavation, which utilizes a stream of either high-pressure water or air, greatly reduces the risk of damaging the utilities being uncovered.

C3 has several Ditch Witch vacuum excavators that the company uses for potholing. But Vest knows there is something more important than having plenty of quality equipment: proper training of locating personnel is essential.

“It is impossible for someone to come in off the street, pick up locating equipment and just go to work,” explains Vest. “In order to be successful in this business, a potential locate technician needs to be taught the local laws and practices of the state they are in, locating theory, electrical current properties, print reading, and troubleshooting techniques.”

Vest says utility operators continue to improve facility records, and the availability of accurate records allows locating technicians to be more effective and efficient at their job.

“I also believe,” Vest continues, “that if more states held the locate industry accountable for what they do—as the state of Virginia does—this would cause many contract locate companies to change their operating procedures.”

In addition to contract locating, C3 offers a complete range of aerial and telecommunications underground construction. C3 underground construction equipment includes Ditch Witch trenchers, vibratory plows, and horizontal directional drilling models. C3 personnel also prewire and post-wire voice/data/video cabling in structures of all sizes.

“Our company prides itself on providing superb customer service,” Vest says. “We have found that doing the right thing, keeping our customers happy by going that extra mile, allows us to hold on to contracts on a long-term basis.”

No matter the location anywhere in the United States, simply calling “811” reaches the nearest One-Call center.

“The 811 One-Call number and associated national campaign has simplified One-Call systems nationwide, especially for contractors working in more than one state,” says Vest. “Now instead of hunting down the phone number for the right One-Call center, all that is necessary is to dial 811 and be directed to the One-Call center serving the area where the call originates.”