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Utility survey template (PAS 128)
A site record of an underground utility survey to PAS 128. Tick the survey types carried out, from the desktop records search to verification, and record the area, the records obtained, visible evidence on site, the detection methods and equipment, with photos. Add each utility found with its location, depth, quality level (QL-D to QL-A, with QL-B1 to B4), size and whether it was marked, then record the limitations and the drawing reference. The form counts verified and unknown utilities. Every question is listed below, and you can fill the live form in on this page.
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What are the PAS 128 survey types?
PAS 128 has four survey types, each giving a quality level. Type D is a desktop search of existing utility records (QL-D). Type C adds site reconnaissance to look for visible evidence such as covers and trench scars (QL-C). Type B detects utilities, mainly with electromagnetic location and ground penetrating radar (QL-B, split into B1 to B4 by confidence). Type A verifies them by seeing them in a chamber or exposing them (QL-A).
Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 17 October 2026 against BSI: PAS 128:2022, underground utility detection, verification and location, The Survey Association: client guide to PAS 128:2022 and HSE HSG47: avoiding danger from underground services.
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Every question in the utility survey template
An underground utility survey record to PAS 128: survey type and quality level, records searched, site reconnaissance, detection methods, each utility found with depth, confidence and verification, and limitations. 4 sections and 42 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.
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This is a starting point, not a fixed form. Once it is in your SiteSurvey account you can reword any question, add or remove questions, sections and answer options, and add your own logo, so it fits the way your team works and the jobs you do.
Details you only enter once
Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.
- Project: the project name
- Client: the project's customer
- Site: the site, when the form is opened for a space or a product
- Site address: the site address, from the space or the project
Survey
- ProjectShort answerFills in from the project name
- ClientShort answerFills in from the project's customer
- Site*Short answerFills in from the site, when the form is opened for a space or a product
- Site addressShort answerFills in from the site address, from the space or the project
- Survey date*Date
- TimeTime
- Surveyor*Short answer
- CompanyShort answer
- Survey types carried out*Tick all that apply
- Type D: desktop utility records search
- Type C: site reconnaissance
- Type B: detection
- Type A: verification
- GuidancePAS 128:2022 (underground utility detection, verification and location) survey types and quality levels: D is a desktop search of existing records; C adds a site visit to look for visible evidence such as covers and trench scars; B detects utilities, mainly with electromagnetic location (EML) and ground penetrating radar (GPR); A verifies them by seeing them in a chamber or exposing them. QL-D gives the lowest confidence and QL-A the highest.
- CheckTSA client guide to PAS 128: a Type D records search is mandatory for a Type A survey.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- Survey area and extent*Short answer
- Walk Cam: Type C site reconnaissanceWalk Cam video with voice-to-text
Optional. Film the reconnaissance walk on the SiteSurvey app.
- Weather captureAnswer
Record estimated current conditions and add what you observe on site.
Records and reconnaissance
- Utility records obtainedTick all that apply
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Telecoms
- Foul or surface water drainage
- Street lighting
- Fibre
- None obtained
- Visible evidence foundTick all that apply
- Manhole or chamber covers
- Valve or stop tap covers
- Street lighting columns
- Telecoms cabinets
- Meters
- Reinstatement scars
- Marker posts
- Detection methodsTick all that apply
- EML (cable locator and signal generator)
- GPR
- Sonde
- Chamber inspection
- Trial holes or vacuum excavation
- Equipment and calibrationShort answer
- Site photos and marked-out servicesPhotos
Utilities found
- UtilitiesRepeat for each utility. Each one asks:
- Utility*Choose one
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Telecoms
- Foul or surface water drainage
- Street lighting
- Fibre
- Unknown
- Location or line referenceShort answer
- Line positions (GPS)Short answer
Walk the marked line and Mark current location at each end and at changes of direction. Phone GPS is good to a few metres: the marks on the ground and the survey drawing are the record to dig by.
- Length traced (m)Number
- Depth to top (m)Number
From the surface to the top of the service. In a trial hole, photograph it square on with a staff or rod standing on the service and use a marked length as the reference. A locator or GPR depth is an estimate: say how it was found.
- Depth found byChoose one
- Trial hole or chamber (seen)
- Locator estimate
- GPR estimate
- Records only
- Not found
- Quality level*Choose one
- QL-D
- QL-C
- QL-B4
- QL-B3
- QL-B2
- QL-B1
- QL-A
- Size and material, if knownShort answer
- Marked on site?Yes or No
- PhotosPhotos
- Utilities recordedWorked out by the form
- Length traced (m)Worked out by the form
- Utilities verified (QL-A)Worked out by the form
- Detected (QL-B1 to B4)Worked out by the form
- From site evidence (QL-C)Worked out by the form
- From records only (QL-D)Worked out by the form
- Unknown utilitiesWorked out by the form
- Without a depthWorked out by the form
- Not marked on siteWorked out by the form
- CheckUnknown, unmarked or depthless utilities are recorded. Pass them on to whoever plans the dig, and treat them as live until proved otherwise.Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
- GuidanceSince PAS 128:2022, QL-B is split into B1 to B4 by how well the position and depth were found. For example, a utility located but whose depth could not be found is QL-B3; one located with a well-defined position and depth is QL-B1. A P suffix shows GPR data was post-processed.
- Limitations (areas not surveyed, poor ground conditions, congested services)Notes
- Survey drawing or deliverable referenceShort answer
- CheckNo survey method can guarantee to find every buried utility. HSE HSG47: plans alone are not enough to locate services; use locators often during the work, dig trial holes by hand or by vacuum excavation to confirm detected services, and if in doubt treat services as live.
Sign-off
- Client nameShort answer
- Client signatureSignature
- Completed by*Short answer
- SignatureSignature
See it filled in
A completed utility survey report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.
Utility survey FAQs
Which survey type do I need?
It depends on the project stage and the risk. A records search may be enough at feasibility, while design and digging near services need detection and verification. Different survey types can be used for different areas of one site.
Does a survey make digging safe?
No survey method can guarantee to find every buried utility. HSE's HSG47 says plans alone are not enough: use locators often during the work and dig trial holes by hand or vacuum excavation to confirm detected services.
What about unknown utilities?
Record anything detected but not identified as unknown. HSG47 advises treating services as live if in doubt. The form counts unknown utilities.
What do QL-B1 to QL-B4 mean?
They show how well a detected utility was located. A utility located but whose depth could not be found is QL-B3; one located with a well-defined position and depth is QL-B1. A P suffix shows GPR data was post-processed.
Is the 2022 edition current?
PAS 128:2022 replaced the 2014 edition and added guidance on the accuracy of detection methods and on practitioner training. Check which edition your contract specifies.
Who uses this?
Utility surveyors, civil engineering and groundworks contractors, designers and principal contractors.
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