This is what you need to know about trial trenching

Trial trenching is a possible means of locating cables and pipes according to the CROW 500 guideline. Why dig trial trenches? Partly because the WIBON Act makes it mandatory that research has been conducted into the precise location of components of networks at the excavation site. One way you can use for this: trial trenching.

In this knowledge article you will discover more about digging trial trenches.

When to dig trial trenches?

After preparing the plan of measures according to the CROW500 and for the work instructions, you need to locate cables and pipes. One way to do this is to dig trial trenches.

Because in many cases the location of cables and pipes is not certain from the available drawings. It is also possible that the area information differs from the situation in practice. This is because the area information reflects the theoretical location.

Caution! You do not dig a trial trench instead of requesting a Klic request Therefore always submit a Klic report when digging by machine.

Seven steps for digging a trial trench

Seven steps for digging a trial trench:

1. Consult CROW500 or ask GOconnectIT for help atcrow500.nl
2. Next step is to locate and mark where to dig the trial trench
3. Have it clear which cable or pipe is being sought
4. Actually dig the test trench manually
5. Dig the trench to a maximum length of 1 meter on both sides of the theoretical location of the cable or pipe.
6. Is the cable or pipe found? No further digging is required
7. Record findings and documentation of work

Additional tip for digging test trenches. Because of the increasing density in the subsurface, it is increasingly likely that you are digging close to cables and pipes. Sometimes a cable or pipe is not located where it should be according to the information. Therefore, an additional tip is to also dig trial trenches, for example, to have someone cross ahead.

What are alternatives to trial trenching?

So, as mentioned earlier, test trenching is one of the techniques you can use for locating cables and pipes prior to work.

There are other means for locating cables and pipes, such as:

• Front stakes
• Test holes
• Poking stick and spray lance
• Scanning techniques including radio detection, GPR, pulse induction

Trial trenches and Klic reports

Please note that digging trial trenches is not a substitute for an excavation report.

Chapter 2 of the WIBON Act describes under prevention of excavation damage in articles 2 and 3 that:

• The excavator shall carry out excavation work in a careful manner.
• And in implementation of the above, the excavator shall at least ensure that:
  - prior to commencement of the excavation work, an excavation report has been issued
  - an investigation has been carried out into the precise location of network components at the excavation site, and
  - the excavation report is present at the excavation site.
  Ultimately, it is also important to issue a Klic report when digging trial trenches.

>>Request Klic report here<<