Surveys and Monitoring

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Topographical Surveying

Understanding a sites dimensions can add essential cost and time savings during the early stages of a project, from assisting in the planning of development schemes to budgeting for materials.

Topographical Surveys are used to accurately establish and describe features across a site, such as the site levels and contours, buildings/structures, trees, roads, manholes etc.
All our surveys are undertaken by experienced, professional surveying teams who will work quickly and efficiently, both on-site and when back in the office, to produce plans and drawings of exceptionally high quality.

Permanent set up stations are created at the start of a project, which are discrete and reliable for future use, safe from redevelopment and used as a control point that can be referred to by future contractors.

Chelmer have undertaken a wide variety of surveys, from small road and pathway sections, to large complex development sites.

Movement Monitoring

Movement monitoring can be utilised when small changes in a features position are required to be detected. This can range from a wide variety of applications, such as during demolition works or basement excavations of either the subject building or adjacent buildings sharing party walls. Monitoring can last over several days, to months or even years, to gain a long term understanding of any movement. We can identify small changes in vertical, level and horizontal movement or full 3D XYZ coordinate differences.

Chelmer’s expertise in installing and completing monitoring will help the client and their structural engineers or architects to achieve accurate and reliable data to help meet their requirements.

Utility Tracing

Identifying underground utility services is an essential requirement for Chelmer, which can;

  • significantly reduce the health and safety risk during intrusive site investigation works,
  • help reduce the risk of damage to such services, thus potentially saving the client vast amounts of money which may have resulted from downtime and costly repairs, and
  • allow accurate future planning for any development works.

Obtaining statutory records is a key starting point for identifying known utility services, however these plans/drawings can often be outdated, inaccurate or of poor quality.
A simple non-intrusive utility tracing survey can be undertaken on-site, using specialist equipment such as Cable Avoidance Tools (CAT) & Genny and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), to provide clear and accurate details of utility locations.

During the site survey, all key features, such as manholes, valves, utility markers, street furniture and historic excavation scars can be identified and surveyed using topographical survey equipment, which can be overlaid onto an existing topographical plan.

Upon identification of below surface services, visual inspection and confirmation can be undertaken, if required, via opening up/excavation works.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

We are able to arrange for both Preliminary and Detailed UXO Risk Assessments to be undertaken at any site as well as UXO Surveys.

Preliminary UXO Risk Assessment

A document providing an initial screening report with a probability assessment of UXO risk.

Detailed UXO Risk Assessment

A report providing a fully quantifiable risk assessment which considers both the probability of the UXO threat and the potential consequences.

UXO Surveys

These are often required on sites prior to any site investigation works and/or ground works are undertaken. These are used to pin point any potential UXOs.

Ecological Surveys

Our Consultancy also provides clients with expert advice on ecological issues. Local Authorities are required under Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9) to base decisions on up to date information on the environmental characteristics of a site, including the presence of and the potential for, protected species of wildlife or their habitats, including newts, badgers, birds and reptiles. Ecological Surveys can identify if protected species are present on site and can recommend actions to be taken to protect these species and enable construction to continue. Our expertise enables us to provide expert services to development and conservation clients.

Gas and Water Monitoring

Groundwater monitoring is carried out in order to obtain samples for testing or to monitor the water levels. The groundwater samples are recovered using either a dedicated disposable hand held bailer or a mechanical down-hole submersible pump.

Gas monitoring is undertaken to determine the levels of methane, carbon dioxide, oxygen and other gases which can be generated by made ground or backfilled materials. The gas flow within the borehole is dependent on the atmospheric pressure at the time the readings are taken. We are also able to monitor Volatile Organic carbons (VOCs) using a PID or undertake continuous monitoring of both gas and water simultaneously on site using a GasClam.

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    Mission Statement

    At Chelmer we aim “to ensure the longevity of our company through repeat and referral business achieved by customer satisfaction in all areas including timeliness, attention to detail and service-minded attitudes.”