Course Title: Survey subsurface utility information
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2025
Course Code: GEOM5175C
Course Title: Survey subsurface utility information
School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5416 - Diploma of Surveying
Course Contact: Matthew Sweeney
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4105
Course Contact Email: matthew.sweeney@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Thierry Demathieu | Trainer and Assessor - Building, Surveying and Land Management
College of Vocational Education
RMIT University
+61 39925 8359
thierry.demathieu@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 60
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to survey subsurface utility information (SUI) in surveying practice. This includes analysing utility plans from asset owners and using specialised locating equipment. The course also includes applying surveying and computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting skills to define the corresponding surface location of subsurface utilities.
This course is suitable for skilled surveying technicians who use a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply methods and technologies to analyse information and provide solutions to sometimes complex surveying/spatial information problems.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CPPSSI5061 Survey subsurface utility information |
Element: |
1. Plan for locating and surveying processes |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Confirm project objectives, geographical location and timeframes with client. 1.2 Prepare information to submit a Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) enquiry to obtain utility plans from asset owners. 1.3 Review asset plans and gather site information to plan work and to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the activity according to WHS legislative and regulatory requirements. 1.4 Develop a safety plan to control hazards and risks following relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, Australian Standards and workplace policies and procedures. 1.5 Schedule work to meet asset owner and organisational requirements. 1.6 Select and check calibration of surveying equipment required for work activity according to manufacturer specifications. |
Element: |
2. Carry out locating and surveying tasks |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Apply relevant WHS legislation and regulations, and industry codes when locating and working near existing underground utilities. 2.2 Identify utility access points and use appropriate instruments and equipment to locate underground utilities. 2.3 Measure and mark required components according to relevant Australian Standards and project specifications. 2.4 Use surveying equipment to survey the identified positions of underground utilities and connect to spatial reference systems. 2.5 Perform surveying calculations and reduce measured spatial data to project reference system. 2.6 Validate and record measurements according to relevant Australian Standards, project specifications and organisational requirements. |
Element: |
3. Document results of locating and surveying field work |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Output and analyse data using surveying/computer-aided design (CAD) software to verify quality and accuracy to meet project and organisational requirements. 3.2 Prepare report and notify appropriate persons of results according to organisational requirements. 3.3 Complete documentation and archive spatial data according to organisational requirements. |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.
Details of Learning Activities
You will learn to locate underground Drainage and Sewerage assets, locate underground Water and Gas assets and conduct Feature surveys to collect spatial information of subsurface assets.
The total number of scheduled hours of teaching, learning and assessment involved in this course includes all planned activities (face to face classes, lectures, workshops and seminars; workplace visits, online learning and other forms of structured teaching and learning). It also covers the amount of effort necessary to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, observation of work performance, discussions with supervisors and others providing third party evidence and one on one and group assessment sessions with students.
Teaching Schedule
Syllabus | ||
Session: |
Brief: |
Assessment Details |
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Date: 10-16 February
Session: 1
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Lesson Title: Introduction to course content and assessment
Description: In this session, you will discuss what we will be learning throughout the course during the semester.
You will also be given a demonstration on the equipment used throughout the course.
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Activity: Demonstration on the equipment used throughout the course. |
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Date: 17-23 February
Session: 2
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Lesson Title: Feature Survey of site
Description: In this session, you will conduct a feature survey of the East side of the Bundoora Campus, picking up all features including trees, buildings, pathways and natural surface levels.
You will also download the recorded features and display them in a computer-aided design (CAD) software.
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Activity: conduct a feature survey of the East side of the Bundoora Campus. |
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Date: 24-2 March
Session: 3 |
Lesson Title: Dial Before You Dig Description: In this session, you will be introduced to the Dial Before you Dig Service that provides information on underground services around Victoria. You will also obtain plans relating to underground services for a specified address.
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Activity: Use Dial Before You Dig to obtain plans relating to underground services for a specified address. |
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Date: 3-9 March
Session: 4 |
Lesson Title: Locating Drainage Description: In this session, you will learn how to locate underground drainage pipes using subsurface equipment. You will also mark their position on the ground surface using flagging.
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Activity: Locate underground drainage pipe. |
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Date: 10-16 March
Session: 5 |
Lesson Title: Locating Sewerage Description: In this session, you will learn how to locate underground sewerage pipes using subsurface equipment. You will also mark their position on the ground surface using flagging.
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Activity: Locate underground sewerage pipe. |
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Date: 17-23 March
Session: 6 |
Lesson Title: Assessment 1 - Preparation and Planning Description: In this session, you will discuss all the elements required to complete Assessment 1 You will also complete Part 1 – Plan for locating surveying processes |
Activity: compiling information and documentations required to complete assignment 1 and developing a plan for the fieldwork. |
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Date: 24-30 March
Session: 7 |
Lesson Title: Assessment 1 - Conducting Fieldwork Description: Completing the fieldwork for assessment 1. You will also download the recorded information and process them in a software.
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Activity: completing the fieldwork for assignment. |
31 March 2025 |
The Census Date is the last day you can withdraw from this course without financial penalty. If you need to withdraw from this course, you must do so before this date to avoid additional student fees.
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Date: 31-6 April
Session: 8 |
Lesson Title: Assessment 1 - Finalising Fieldnotes and Writing Report to Client Description: In this session, you will spend ensure that field notes from the fieldwork from assessment 1 are neat and contain all the required information. You will also conduct the writing of a report to the client detailing the survey results.
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Activity: finalise field notes and writing report to client for assignment. |
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Date: 7-13 April
Session: 9
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Lesson Title: Locating Water Description: In this session, you will learn how to locate underground water pipes using subsurface equipment. You will also mark their position on the ground surface using flagging.
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Assignment 1 Due: Sunday 13 April 2025.
Activity: Locate underground water pipes. |
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Date: 14-20 April
Session: 10 |
Lesson Title: Locating Gas Description: In this session, you will learn how to locate underground gas pipes using subsurface equipment. You will also mark their position on the ground surface using flagging.
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Activity: Locate underground gas pipes. |
Date: 18-25 April |
The Mid-semester break is a scheduled break in the semester. No teaching or assessment will occur during this time. Also, your Trainer/Assessor won't be available during this time. If you need to contact them, please email them via your student email account, and they will respond once they return from the break.
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Date: 28-4 May
Session: 11 |
Lesson Title: Feature Survey of Utilities Located - Drainage & Sewerage
Description: In this session, you will conduct a feature survey of the drainage and sewerage services that have been located during a subsurface survey.
You will also download the recorded features and display them in a computer-aided design (CAD) software.
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Activity: Conduct a feature survey of the drainage and sewerage services that have been located during a subsurface survey.
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Date: 5-11 May
Session: 12 |
Lesson Title: Pit Dimensions and Pipe Invert Depths
Description: In this session, you will learn how to measure the dimension of service pits and the inverts of pipes that are connected into them.
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Activity: measure the dimension of service pits and the inverts of pipes that are connected into them.
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Date: 12-18 May
Session: 13
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Lesson Title: Assignment 2 - Preparation and Planning
Description: In this session, you will discuss all the elements required to complete Assignment 2. You will also complete Part 1 – Plan for locating surveying processes.
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Activity: compiling information and documentations required to complete assessment 2 and developing a plan for the fieldwork.
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Date: 19-25 May
Session: 14
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Lesson Title: Assessment 2 - Conducting Fieldwork Description: Completing the fieldwork for assessment 2. You will also download the recorded information and process them in a software.
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Activity: completing the fieldwork for assignment. |
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Date: 26 May-1 June
Session: 15 |
Lesson Title: Assessment 2 - Finalising Fieldnotes and Writing Report to Client Description: In this session, you will spend ensure that field notes from the fieldwork from assessment 2 are neat and contain all the required information. You will also conduct the writing of a report to the client detailing the survey results.
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Activity: finalise field notes and writing report to client for assignment. |
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Date: 2-8 June
Session: 16 |
Lesson Title: Feature Survey of Utilities Located - Water & Gas
Description: In this session, we will conduct a feature survey of the water and gas services that have been located during a subsurface survey.
You will also download the recorded features and display them in a computer-aided design (CAD) software.
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Assessment 2 Due: Sunday 8 June 2025. Activity: Conduct a feature survey of the water and gas services that have been located during a subsurface survey.
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Date: 9-15 June
Session: 17
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Lesson Title: Consultation
Description: This session will be dedicated to students who have not yet met the assessment requirements for assessment 2.
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Date: 16-22 June
Session: 18 |
Lesson Title: Consultation
Description: This session will be dedicated to students who have not yet met the assessment requirements for assessment 2.
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Official Results Release Date
3 July |
Important: It is your responsibility to check your results on this date.
Your official results for this course will be released on this date. Your teacher will not inform you of your final result. It will only be available via My Student Record on RMIT's website.
It is not your Trainer/Assessors responsibility to let you know your final result.
Your teacher will not be available to comment on your assessment or final results from 23 June -2 July 2025. After this date, you can contact them to talk about your final result if you need it.
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Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.
Students will be able to access course information and learning materials through the Learning Hub and may be provided with additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference books, resources in the library and accessible Internet sites will be provided where possible. You will also use equipment and software packages in the laboratory for the project work. During the course, you will be directed to websites to enhance your knowledge and understanding of difficult concepts
Check the Library Subject Guides: http://rmit.libguides.com/geospatial
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.
Assessment Tasks
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Assessment Name |
Description |
Release Date |
Due Date |
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Sewer and Drainage Subsurface |
In this assessment you will take on the role of a surveyor. You will be responsible for conducting a subsurface survey of a section of the RMIT Bundoora Campus to identify the position of sewer and drainage underground assets. This will involve locating the underground assets and then measuring them using the best fit for purpose surveying equipment. |
10th of February 2025 |
Sunday 13th of April 2025 |
Water and Gas Subsurface |
In this assessment you will take on the role of a surveyor. You will be responsible for conducting a subsurface survey of a section of the RMIT Bundoora Campus to identify the position of water and gas underground assets. This will involve locating the underground assets and then measuring them using the best fit for purpose surveying equipment. |
10th of February 2025 |
Sunday 8 June 2025 |
Assessment Matrix
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Performance Evidence | ||
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AT1: Sewer & Drainage Survey |
AT2: Water and Gas Survey |
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To demonstrate competency a candidate must meet the elements and performance criteria of this unit by locating and surveying at least two subsurface utilities for each of two different projects. For each project, the candidate must use: | ||
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one of the following pieces of locating equipment: |
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electromagnetic locating equipment |
A3 |
A3 |
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ground penetrating radar (GPR) |
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one of the following pieces of surveying equipment: | ||
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global navigation satellite system (GNSS) |
A4 |
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total station. |
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A4 |
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Knowledge Evidence | ||
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AT1: Sewer & Drainage Survey |
AT2: Water and Gas Survey |
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To be competent in this unit a candidate must demonstrate knowledge of: | ||
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types of underground assets/utilities |
KQ1 |
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the format, layout and content of service plans obtained from Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) |
KQ2 |
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methods used for locating underground utilities |
KQ3 |
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purpose and operation of equipment used for locating underground utilities |
KQ4 |
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relevant sections of AS 5488 Classification of subsurface utility information |
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KQ1 |
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accuracy and precision requirements for locating underground services |
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KQ2 |
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key features of reference systems for surveying data |
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KQ3
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industry-accepted standards for the presentation of the surveyed results on plan and in reports. |
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KQ4 |
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Assessment conditions |
Describe how assessments meet the assessment conditions |
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Assessors must meet the requirements for assessors contained in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations. |
All assessors have completed a certificate IV in Training and Assessment |
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Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting where these skills and knowledge would be performed. |
All assessments will be conducted in a environment that simulates how projects would be completed in industry |
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Candidates must have access to: | |
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surveying and locating equipment |
Students will be provided with all equipment required to complete the subsurface survey |
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personal protective equipment (PPE) |
Students will be provided with all PPE required to complete the subsurface survey |
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survey specifications, including relevant plans and drawings. |
Students will be provided with all documentation required to complete the subsurface survey |
Other Information
Attendance Requirement - 85% for all students.
Resubmission Policy: To pass this course, students must achieve a Satisfactory (S) result for all their Assessments (and parts of those assessments).
Students who do not achieve a Satisfactory (S) result for their entire original submission for an Assessment will be provided with 1 (one) more submission opportunity (e.g. the resubmission) with a specific due date by their assessor. Students must achieve a Satisfactory (S) result on their resubmission for that Assessment, by the due date given to them by their Assessor.
Students who fail to submit their assessment by the due date will be issued a DNS (Did Not Submit) result which will not be overturned by teaching or managing staff. A DNS result will be overturned based on an approved Extension of Time or approved Special Consideration.
To be deemed Competency Achieved, students must achieve a satisfactory result in all assessment tasks. Students who fail to receive a Satisfactory result on all assessment tasks and have exhausted their resubmissions, extension of time applications, special consideration applications or Equitable Learning Plan provisions will be deemed as Not Yet Competent.
Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience that is:
Relevant
Current
Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course
Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit to find more information about credit transfer and RPL.
Study and learning Support:
Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to you.
Services offered by SLC to support your numeracy and literacy skills are:
- Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
- Maths and science developmental support and advice
- English language development
Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/study andlearningcentre to find more information about Study and learning Support
Equitable Learning Services (ELS):
If you are suffering from long-term medical condition or disability, you should contact Equitable Learning Services (ELS) to seek advice and support to complete your studies. Please refer to https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services to find more information about services offered by Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
Late submission:
If you require an Extension of Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) and have valid reasons, you must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager.
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. You will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted.
If you seek an Extension of Submittable Work for more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.
Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked.
Special consideration:
Please Refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration to find more information about special consideration
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University.
Please Refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism.
Other Information:
All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview