Facility Locating and Marking – Trainer Guide

Program Overview

This module requires trainees to demonstrate proper facility locating and marking activities.

First, the trainee is presented with a locate ticket with the scope of work, then they have to compare this to the underground facility map. Then they perform the locate using either the conductive or inductive method. Some facilities may be incorrectly mapped; or be installed on angle through a yard or across a street. During this entire process, trainees are exposed to unsafe situations, access restrictions, and different Abnormal Operating Conditions (AOC’s).

To see a video of the module, click this link: FLAM Sizzle Reel

Core Learning Objectives

Locating — Finding the underground gas pipeline
Marking — Use of provided tools to mark the location of the pipe
AOCs and Hazards — Effectively dealing with AOCs and Hazards
Reporting / Documentation — Step Taken / Resolution / Documentation

Functionality

Wrist Menu

Use the Wrist Menu for additional help within the module:

Reference Material — references Service Map and Work Order
Locate Complete — ends scenario and takes you to the Review Room
Tool Box — access various tools that will assist you in completing the scenario
- Tip: See the next section for instructions on using each tool.
Communication — contact various personnel to communicate status
- Tip: Press the "Confirm" button to finish making a selection.

Tools

Laser Pointer — to interact with menus and objects in this experience, aim your laser pointer at the item you wish to interact with and pull the trigger on your controller to select it.
Dynatel Pipe Locating Tool — to locate facilities, hold the receiver perpendicular to ground and sweep the area. Continue to sweep the area until the signal stops. Detailed Steps:
- Using the Locate Tool in Conductive Mode
  1. Turn transmitter power on
  2. Set mode switch to Conductive
  3. Turn receiver power on
  4. Connect red lead to facility by connecting to known direct connection location
  5. Extend black ground lead from transmitter, perpendicular to the pipe
  6. Insert ground rod into ground, connect black cable to grounding rod
  7. Hold receiver perpendicular to ground, then sweep area
  8. Compare Locates from both scans. If both locates agree, the locate is accurate.
    - If not, perform the scan using a different conductor, or using the inductive locate method instead.
  9. Verify confidence by performing a depth measurement
- Using the Locate Tool in Inductive Mode
  1. Turn transmitter power on, then set mode switch to Inductive
  2. Place transmitter on the ground over the assumed location of the line
  3. Move away from transmitter to avoid “Air-Lock”, then begin scanning area
    1. To scan, walk towards the facility, holding the receiver vertical and perpendicular to the ground. The signal will increase as the receiver nears the line, so they should continue until the signal stops.
    2. Once signal stops, move back towards the line and sweep receiver using smooth movements
  4. Make temporary mark at location with the loudest tone, then scan again
  5. Verify confidence by performing a depth measurement
Flag Shooter — to mark facilities, aim the flag shooter and press the controller trigger to drop a flag.
Voltage Pen — to inspect a meter for electric current, place the pen tip near the meter to detect if it is electrified. If present, the tip will light up red and beep.
Distance Measuring — to measure distance, aim and pull the controller trigger. After pulling the trigger, floating distance markers will appear.

Instructor Mode

Trainers can use the "Add Scenario" screen in the lobby to build a specific scenario:

Select Add Scenario Screen
Select Map #1 Basic or Map #2 Basic
Select Hazard (Dog Sign, Vicious Dog, Locked Gate or None)
Select Household
Select AOCs (Buried Meter, Exposed Gas Lines, Wrong Map, Unable to Locate, Tilted Meter, Damaged Meter or Corroded Meter)

How to Get 100%

Open, Read Work Order.
Review Facility Map to confirm location and head to the Customer's address (select "Show Facility Location").
- Note: The facility location might not match the map. If this happens, report the mismatch to Dispatch through your Wrist Menu.
Identify Hazards or AOCs.
- Hazard Examples:
  - Vicious dog in the yard with meter / Dog sign
  - Locked gate
- AOC Examples:
  - Buried gas meter
  - Unable to locate main or service lines
  - Incorrect map
  - Exposed gas lines
  - Missing / Stolen meter
  - Tilted / Broken meter
If a Hazard or AOC is found, report to appropriate personnel for the situation through Wrist Menu > Communication Menu. Correct Reports:
- Hazard Examples: (report to Dispatch and Customer, Immediately)
  - Vicious dog in the yard with meter / Dog sign
  - Locked gate
- AOC Examples:
  - Buried gas meter — report to Supervisor and Dispatch, Immediately
  - Unable to locate main or service lines — report to Supervisor, End of day
  - Incorrect map — report to Supervisor, End of day
  - Exposed gas lines — report to Supervisor and Dispatch, Immediately
  - Missing / Stolen meter — report to Supervisor and Dispatch, Immediately
  - Tilted / Broken meter — report to Dispatch, Immediately
Locate Facilities using Dynatel Pipe Locating Tool (Wrist Menu > Tool Box).
- Tip: Drop the tool on the ground to activate it.
Using the Locate Tool in Conductive Mode:
1. Turn transmitter power on
2. Set mode switch to Conductive
3. Turn receiver power on
4. Connect red lead to facility by connecting to known direct connection location
5. Extend black ground lead from transmitter, perpendicular to the pipe
6. Insert ground rod into ground, connect black cable to grounding rod
7. Hold receiver perpendicular to ground, then sweep area
8. Compare Locates from both scans. If both locates agree, the locate is accurate.
  - If not, perform the scan using a different conductor, or using the inductive locate method instead.
9. Verify confidence by performing a depth measurement
Using the Locate Tool in Inductive Mode:
1. Turn transmitter power on, then set mode switch to Inductive
2. Place transmitter on the ground over the assumed location of the line
3. Move away from transmitter to avoid “Air-Lock”, then begin scanning area
  1. To scan, walk towards the facility, holding the receiver vertical and perpendicular to the ground. The signal will increase as the receiver nears the line, so they should continue until the signal stops.
  2. Once signal stops, move back towards the line and sweep receiver using smooth movements
4. Make temporary mark at location with the loudest tone, then scan again
5. Verify confidence by performing a depth measurement
To mark Facilities, use Flag Shooter (Wrist Menu > Tool Box).
Once Facilities have been located and marked, confirm that the Facility Map matches the site (Wrist Menu > Reference Material > Service map).
- Match — Report to Dispatch (Wrist Menu > Communication Menu)
- No Match — Document and Report to Dispatch, Immediately
1. Submit completed ticket by selecting “Confirm”
End scenario through Wrist Menu > Locate Complete.

For a more detailed walkthrough of the module, see the Facility Locating and Marking User Guide.