UNDERGROUND UTILITY SURVEYS

PAS 128 Utility Mapping | Nationwide Coverage

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✅  Constructionline Gold ✅  SSIP Accredited ✅  Achilles Registered ✅  Trimble & Leica Equipment

✅  All Engineers PAYE — No Agency Workers ✅  £5m Public Liability & £5m Professional Indemnity

PAS 128 Underground Utility Surveys | UK Wide

Accurate Underground Utility Surveys for Safer Excavation

Before you break ground, know exactly what lies beneath.
AKN Engineering provides PAS 128-compliant Underground Utility Surveys using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Location (EML) to identify buried pipes, cables, ducts, and drainage networks with precision.

We help contractors, developers, and local authorities reduce excavation risk, prevent costly service strikes, and comply with CDM Regulations 2015 (HSE.gov.uk).

Our utility mapping surveys are trusted across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and surrounding counties, supporting highways, civils, and construction projects of all scales.

Want to discuss a project? Call us on 01279  927033

AKN Engineering site engineer in Hertfordshire using a Spectra GNSS GPS receiver to accurately survey and map underground utilities through an open manhole. High-precision underground utility survey for mapping and geolocation data collection.

WHAT IS A UTILITY SURVEY?

A utility survey identifies and maps underground services, including:

  • Gas pipes

  • Water mains

  • Electricity cables

  • Telecoms

  • Drainage systems

  • Fibre optics

Using non-invasive technology such as GPR scanning and cable locators, we provide detailed utility detection drawings that support planning, design, and safe excavation.

OUR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES SURVEY METHODS

We tailor each survey to your site conditions, soil type, and project requirements using the most appropriate technology:

✅ Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

  • Detects non-metallic services such as plastic water pipes and concrete ducts

  • Provides depth estimates and subsurface imagery

  • Ideal for complex or congested utility areas

  • Recommended for PAS 128 Type B surveys and brownfield sites

Learn more about our GPR Surveys and how radar imaging complements electromagnetic detection for full underground clarity.

✅ Electromagnetic Location (EML)

  • Traces metallic and conductive utilities such as live power cables and metallic water mains

  • Uses industry-standard CAT & Genny equipment

  • Provides accurate horizontal positioning and route tracing

  • Ideal for PAS 128 Type B1–B4 investigations

✅ Manhole & Valve Inspections

  • Lifting accessible covers to record invert levels and connections

  • Supporting accurate drainage network mapping and verification

✅ Utility Records Integration

We can overlay statutory record plans directly into your deliverables, providing a complete picture of known and detected services in one map.

All surveys are carried out in accordance with PAS 128:2022 specifications, ensuring data transparency and measurable survey confidence (QL-B1 to QL-B4).

WHY UNDERTAKE A PAS 128 UTILITY SURVEY?

A PAS 128 Utility Mapping Survey helps you:

  • Comply with CDM 2015 and HSG47 (HSE.gov.uk)

  • Avoid costly service strikes (average repair cost £30,000–£50,000)

  • Improve design accuracy and feasibility during early planning

  • Reduce project delays and rework caused by unforeseen utilities

  • Support planning applications and ground investigation risk assessments

Our deliverables integrate seamlessly with your Topographical Survey or Engineering Layouts, ensuring everything aligns in CAD or GIS formats.

Want to discuss a project? Call us on 01279  927033

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

✅ Detailed CAD drawings (DWG, DXF, PDF, Shapefile)

✅ Colour-coded service types by utility (gas, water, power, telecom, drainage, etc.)

✅ Depth data and confidence levels for each utility

✅ Annotated manhole and valve records

✅ Digital record integration from statutory searches

✅ Comprehensive utility report summarising methods, findings, and recommendations

All deliverables are formatted to your specification and coordinate system (OSGB36 National Grid, local grid, or project datum).

A printed document titled 'Desktop Utility Search' with the AK Engineering logo at the top, containing project details, addresses, grid and client references, and a search date, partially curled with some faint technical diagrams visible underneath.

Find out more about how we work… Call us on 01279  927033

WHEN TO REQUEST A UTILITY SURVEY

You should commission an Underground Utility Survey:

✅ Before any excavation, piling, or borehole works

✅ Prior to drainage design or service diversion

✅ During pre-construction design and feasibility studies

✅ As part of risk management or permit-to-dig procedures

✅ When verifying desktop search results before on-site works

For early-stage design or pre-planning, start with our Utilities Desktop Search.

For full field verification, combine GPR and EML methods with our Utility Mapping Surveys.

TRUSTED BY
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LOCATIONS WE COVER

HERTFORDSHIRE

BEDFORDSHIRE

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

LONDON

ESSEX

KENT

OXFORDSHIRE

BERKSHIRE

NORFOLK

SUFFOLK

LINCOLNSHIRE

RUTLAND

AKN Engineering is based in Bishop's Stortford, CM23, and covers the above regions as standard. Projects outside these areas considered — please call to discuss.

 FAQs

  • We can detect most metallic and some non-metallic utilities, including electricity, water, gas, telecoms, and drainage. GPR can also help locate buried ducts and voids, identifying where they run rather than inspecting their condition.

  •  EML detects conductive utilities by tracing signals through metallic cables or pipes. GPR uses radar waves to identify buried features—including non-metallic services and obstructions.

  • Yes—especially in urban or brownfield sites. A utility survey helps avoid accidental strikes, protects personnel, and ensures legal compliance with CDM Regulations.

  •  Yes. We can carry out surveys to PAS 128 specification, providing clarity on detection methods, quality levels, and survey confidence.

  • We can usually attend within a few working days following a PAS 128 Type D Survey (Desktop Utility Records Survey).

  • Absolutely. We offer combined surveys to save you time and cost—giving you surface and subsurface data in a single, integrated package.

WHY CHOOSE AKN ENGINEERING FOR YOUR UTILITY SURVEY?

✔️ PAS 128:2022-compliant survey standards

✔️ Experienced GPR and EML operators

✔️ Accurate, layered CAD deliverables

✔️ Rapid response times and flexible scheduling

✔️ Integrated data from desktop to site detection

✔️ Transparent reporting with confidence-level notation

Our team combines engineering insight with practical on-site experience, ensuring your utility survey data is not just compliant — but actionable.

BOOK A CALL TO FIND OUT MORE

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Need clarity below the surface? Get in touch with our team for a free quote or to discuss the best survey method for your site. Click the button below and share your information and we’ll get back to you the same day

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01279  927033

OUR SERVICES

SETTING OUT SURVEYS

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MEASURED BUILDING SURVEYS

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AS-BUILT SURVEYS

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TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEYS

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SITE ENGINEERING

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PILING SETTING OUT

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DESKTOP UTILITY SEARCH

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VOLUME ANALYSIS

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UNDERGROUND UTILITY SURVEYS

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3D LASER SCANNING SURVEY

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GPR SURVEYS

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DRONE SURVEYS

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TRUSTED BY
Logo for Associated Asphalt Contracting with a stylized road and green text.
Black background with the white letters 'BKBS' and the text 'B+K BUILDING SERVICES' beneath it, separated by a maroon line.
Logo of London Biggin Hill Airport with an airplane silhouette at the top.
Octavius logo with a circular design above the company name
Logo for BFG Builders, Sisk Contractors, established 1859, in red and white.
Milestone Infrastructure logo with teal background and white text, MGroup logo with red text

  • Andy Page - SRC Group

    “AKN Engineering have provided an excellent level of support to our Elmstead project over the past year. The quality of engineering resource supplied has been great, with their engineers consistently going above and beyond what would normally be expected. Their support with QA documentation, testing records, as-built information and overall project coordination has been greatly appreciated. SRC Group look forward to working with AKN Engineering again in the future.”

  • Adam Chen - Quantity Surveyors - Isaac Liberty Chartered Surveyors

    “AKN engineering are brilliant. Very competitive prices and they have a real desire to meet your deadlines. I would highly recommend using them for PAS 128 Utility surveys. Thank you to the AKN team, especially Pavlina!"

  • Simon Downing - Associated Asphalt

    Their proactive approach to mitigating risks and ensuring a safe working environment has been exemplary.

  • Samual - Project Manager - John Sisk & Sons

    '“At Sisk, we have used AKN Engineering on multiple projects. They are reliable, professional, and easy to work with. All survey data is received on time, easily understandable, and always accurate,which is what matters most on site. I would use AKN again and happy to recommend them to anyone.”

  • "AKN Engineering services have been of good help and context with clear communications".

    Dylan Budge - Octavius Infrastructure

  • "Ash and the AKN Engineering team are a true asset to any project. Their collaborative approach, combined with their technical expertise, helped us overcome significant engineering challenges."


    Daniel Smith - SB Engineering Ltd

  • "All of AKN Engineerings help and communication has been great."

    Dylan Budge - Octavius Infrastructure

  • "AKN provided expert knowledge that not only improved efficiency but also reduced costs. Their professionalism and commitment have made them our go-to partner for all our engineering requirements."

    Daniel Smith - SB Engineering Ltd

  • "I would highly recommend AKN Engineering to any construction project in need of a reliable, knowledgeable, and professional engineering partner."

    Manu Nair - Sisk

  • Mani Nair - Sisk

    AKN Engineerings expertise and dedication were instrumental in the success of our project, the team were highly accommodating of the client requests and collaboratively worked with us to reduce the overall costs of the Project. I look forward to collaborating with them again in the future.

  • Simon Downing - Associated Asphalt

    Under the leadership of Asish and his team, AKN Engineering has consistently demonstrated an impressive wealth of engineering expertise. Their thorough understanding of complex engineering concepts and their ability to apply them effectively have greatly contributed to the success of our projects.

  • Simon Downing - Associated Asphalt

    Their thorough understanding of complex engineering concepts and their ability to apply them effectively have greatly contributed to the success of our projects

RELIABLE UTILITY DETECTION AND MAPPING

AKN Engineering delivers PAS 128 underground utility surveys across Hertfordshire, Essex, London, the South East and East Anglia. Combining electromagnetic location, GPR and existing utility records, we identify the route, depth and type of buried services to support safe, informed construction planning and reduce the risk of strikes on site.
Constructionline Gold · SSIP Accredited · Achilles · Fully insured · All engineers PAYE


Also see: Desktop Utility Searches · GPR Surveys · Setting Out