Air Vacuum Excavation as a Preferred Non-Destructive Excavation

Construction work is very dangerous, especially if there is some sort of excavation involved. So the first time the construction crew should do is to locate and expose any underground assets which include telecommunication cable networks, electricity cables, water pipelines, oil pipelines and underground tunnels. However, utility location can get dangerous at times because of the use of tools and equipment like mechanical drills, sharp pickaxes and huge earthmovers. Should not they be using non-destructive excavation methods?

The use of mechanical drills, sharp hand-held tools and huge earthmoving equipment can many times do more harm and good, more damage than smooth work flow. Workers tend to use them carelessly and in violation to proper work procedures, one of which is parking vehicles too close to the edge of a trench or excavation. So instead of exposing and protecting the buried assets (which they are supposed to do), they damage them, thus causing work stoppage, injuries and disruption of vital utility services.

For civil work contractors who are wary about using the aforementioned tools, they can utilise a non-destructive excavation method which is air vacuum excavation. How does this method fare against conventional digging methods?

Air vacuum excavation is a non-destructive digging, trenching and earth removal method. Being non-destructive, it is safe and easy to use. One of the benefits of air vacuum excavation is that the method is applicable in areas not fit for heavy equipment to access. It only uses a high powered vacuuming equipment to generate high pressurised air to break the soil or surface and suction or suck up dirt, loose soil or any debris.

In terms of safety, the air vacuum/suction excavator works safely around networks of underground pipes and cables. Pressurised air will not damage such utilities and you can even adjust the pressure of the air, thus preventing any hazards associated with damages to underground utilities. The excavation crew can eliminate or minimise the risk of electrocution, explosion and flooding.

More on safety, the excavation crew can help ensure the structural integrity of surrounding structures and the trenches and excavations. With no excavator tearing cables and pipes, no crane loader swinging and other machinery vibrating near unsupported excavation, no one is going to get harmed.

With regards to public safety, air vacuum excavation generates less noise. With this, excavating near homes and establishments would not become a public disturbance.

In terms of convenience, you can operate the suction excavator in limited and tight spaces where huge equipment cannot easily access and where large scale damage is not allowed like your backyard and pristine environment. This is convenient with the fact that you don’t need a dump truck and crane loader to collect excavated spoils as the long vacuum hose of the equipment can collect them into the debris storage tank.

The use of non-destructive excavation in the form of air vacuum excavation can replace the tedious and back-aching manual digging which often requires manpower and hours for completion and eliminate the occupational hazards brought by huge machineries. This method can help ensure productivity is not lost on inaccurate work results and accidents, maximise work hours and reduce delay.

For your non-destructive excavation needs, please contact Yunz Contracting today. You can also visit our website.