Which sectors rely on vacuum & suction excavation?

Workforce health and safety, cost consciousness and various other benefits means that sectors across the board are increasingly looking for the safest and most efficient way of carrying out excavation works throughout the UK. Although vacuum & suction technology has existed for several decades, more recent refinements have opened it up to wider applications throughout construction.

Every sector or niche has unique requirements and needs that mean no two excavation projects are the same, from navigating known or unknown services to access and ground conditions or strict regulatory compliance. Vacuum & suction excavation operated hire is becoming the preferred excavation method of choice due to its benefits when considering safety, time and cost efficiency, environmental impact and predictable outcomes.

Here’s the most common sectors we find rely on vacuum & suction excavation:

Airport Industry Excavation

Vacuum excavation is the preferred excavation technique for the Airport industry both inside and outside the boundary. There are many reasons for this but the most obvious being the consequence of a utility strike at an active airport, resulting in an immediate closure and disrupting air traffic control systems resulting in losses exceeding millions of pounds per hour. In such a high risk environment, aviation companies value the predictability and reliability that vacuum excavation offers.

John Mee Vac-Ex Hire have extensive experience of working within airside and landside locations. With an in-house department to advise you on all airport security pass requirements and 24/7 day and night shift availability to speed up airport infrastructure projects, we are the obvious vac-ex hire choice for airports throughout the UK.

Highways Industry Excavation

Vacuum excavation units are well suited to highway excavation and can help minimise traffic disruption and speed up road excavation projects. They are typically used when installing new infrastructure or for planned or emergency repairs in the presence of unknown or existing utilities. Another big advantage of vacuum excavation for highways is that the excavated spoil can be recycled on-site reducing the need for additional plant machinery . The spoil can then be tipped off at an agreed designated area where it can later be used as backfill, reducing the projects overall carbon footprint and logistical costs.

By utilising John Mee Vac-Ex Hire’s powerful Vac-EX verge tipping units, the efficiency and safety of trenching, ducting installations, litter picking, emergency repair works and much more is increased. We offer nationwide support across the UK road networks and all our operators are CPCS-qualified and Highways Passport certified, ensuring safe, skilled work within the highways industry.

Rail Industry Excavation

Rail is another great example of a high risk environment where vacuum excavation is the preferred method for safe excavation projects. Not only is it quicker and non-invasive, protecting surrounding infrastructure and utilities, it’s also great where there is limited access and tough ground conditions.

Offering specialist rail excavation solutions all across the UK, John Mee Vac-Ex Hire’ can excavate at level crossings, catchment pits, trial holes, drainage and offer reliable removal of litter and debris at stations and in tunnels.

Nuclear Industry Excavation

Nuclear sites are highly sensitive and complex areas that require great care when excavating on and around. The consequences of damaging critical systems or containment structures is unimaginable so it’s crucial for this industry to choose an excavating solution and experienced elite operators who understand the complexity of working within the Nuclear environment.

John Mee Vac-Ex Hire offers Vacuum Excavation for the nuclear sector with its specialist Vacuum Excavation units that are capable of safely and efficiently conducting nuclear excavation work of any project size. Our in-house department can advise on all Nuclear pass requirements and our Vac-Ex plant operators are CPCS accredited with Safety Critical Medicals and have the required Security Clearance to work in the Nuclear sector.

Water Industry Excavation

We don’t need to explain just how important water is, so it’s vital that whilst contractors replace ageing pipes, often deep within public roads and footpaths, the most safe excavation method must be used. Vacuum excavation minimises disruption, reduces reinstatement and achieves a safer performance over other methods for pipe replacements, upgrades and emergency repair works. The ultimate benefit to water companies is that there is less disruption to the general public and all repairs and pipe replacements are achieved faster.

John Mee Vac-Ex Hire has extensive experience working within the AMP water frameworks with our elite, EUSR Water accredited operators. Working alongside all the National water companies within the UK water network, we are available 24/7 to support emergency repair and maintenance excavations.

Oil and Gas Industry Excavation

Excavating around buried underground gas pipes in the UK can be extremely dangerous which is why Vacuum Excavation is the preferred technique in the oil & gas industry. Compared to traditional excavation methods, Vac-Ex units can:

– Safely uncovers gas lines, minimising the risk of punctures or leaks
– Reduce the risk of explosions or gas leaks during excavation.
– Allow for accurate digging around sensitive gas infrastructure.
– Lower the risk of costly repairs or shutdowns due to accidental line damage.
– Limit soil disruption and contamination during gas line maintenance or installation.

With complying EUSR SHEA Gas accredited operators, John Mee Vac-Ex Hire have worked on the major UK oil and gas infrastructure since the introduction of Vacuum Excavation. Our knowledge and expertise in this sector is unmatched.

Power Industry Excavation

The risk from striking underground power cables during excavation in the Power sector is incredibly high due to the sheer amount and complexity of the infrastructure in place. Vacuum / suction excavation allows operators to accurately dig around electrical infrastructure without disturbing surrounding areas safely and efficiently, minimising the risk of electrical shocks or fires. The avoidance of accidental outages and costly repairs by protecting critical power lines is also invaluable to the industry.

John Mee Vac-Ex Hire safely exposes underground buried utilities in the power sector and has vast experience working in substation environments. Our elite operators are fully accredited/ticketed and available to get to work immediately on your next excavation project.

Telecoms Industry Excavation

The telecommunications sector plays a significant role in the UK economy and it relies upon robust uptime. Vacuum Excavation is the preferred excavation technique in the telecoms industry because it minimises the chance of accidental outages, keeping communication networks operational. This method safely exposes delicate telecom cables and allows for accurate excavation around telecom lines, avoiding unnecessary disruption to surrounding areas. It also lowers the likelihood of expensive repairs or replacements due to damaged cables and limits soil and landscape disturbance, preserving the area during telecom installations or maintenance.

John Mee Vac-Ex Hire have been providing vacuum excavation units for hire to the telecoms sector and other industries for several years and our customers have the widest choice of vacuum excavation equipment available.

Construction Industry Excavation

The construction industry is often fast paced with many moving parts involved in a project. Vacuum excavation is increasingly becoming the excavation method of choice in this sector due to its predictability, efficiency and safety, excavating around chartered or non-chartered buried utilities. The need for less trucks and people on site is also a huge advantage as well as keeping construction sites cleaner and safer by efficiently excavating material and transporting it to a designated on or off site location.

John Mee Vac-Ex Hire offers nationwide coverage and support for all of your Vacuum Excavation requirements in the construction industry. Our elite operators are highly adaptable to make quick decisions and solve problems on-site whilst our responsive customer service team have the knowledge and experience to cope with shifting project needs.

Choose John Mee Vac-Ex Hire for your sectors next excavation project

If you operate in any of these sectors and are looking for a company with an unrivalled track record look no further. Providing you with the right advice, elite and accredited operators and specialist vacuum excavation to tackle your most complex jobs. We’ve delivered over 1 million working hours with zero strikes.

Do you need a company that works in sensitive areas and sectors requiring specialist passes? We have a proven track record of working in Nuclear, Airports, Sub-Stations, Power Stations, Petrochemical, MOD and other specialist areas.

Speak to an expert today on: 01302 636 532 or request a brochure.

formed Editor at Vac-Ex

We have been in the business for more than 30 years and service customers across Lincolnshire and beyond.