Complete Your First Locate: Start to Finish

Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
Applies to: TerraFlow Mobile - Utility Mapper
Required equipment: Mobile device with TerraFlow Mobile, paired locator, GPS unit (or device GPS)

This guide walks you through completing your first utility locate from receiving the job to submitting your completed work. Follow along step-by-step to learn the complete workflow.

What You'll Accomplish

By the end of this guide, you'll know how to:

  • Receive and open a locate job
  • Set up your equipment properly
  • Collect data for multiple utilities in the field
  • Add measurements and notes
  • Review your work for completeness
  • Submit your completed locate

Before You Begin

Check Your Equipment

  • [ ] Mobile device fully charged (minimum 80%)
  • [ ] Locator fully charged
  • [ ] GPS unit powered on (if using external GPS)
  • [ ] Bluetooth enabled on mobile device
  • [ ] TerraFlow Mobile app installed and logged in
  • [ ] Locator paired with mobile device

Verify Your Setup

  1. Open TerraFlow Mobile
  2. Check GPS signal strength (green indicator = good)
  3. Verify locator connection: Settings → Sensor Settings → Locator (should show your device name)

✅ You'll know you're ready when: GPS shows accuracy better than 5 meters, and your locator appears in Sensor Settings.

Step 1: Open Your Job Assignment

Receiving Your Locate Job

Your locate job may come to you in several ways:

  • Through TerraFlow Mobile job assignment
  • Via email with ticket number
  • From your dispatch system
  • Manual entry for walk-ups

Open the Job in TerraFlow

  1. If assigned through TerraFlow:

    • Open TerraFlow Mobile
    • Tap Jobs or Assignments tab
    • Locate your ticket number
    • Tap to open

  2. If manually entering:

    • Tap the + button (usually bottom right)
    • Select your workflow type (Standard Locate, Emergency, etc.)
    • Enter the ticket/job number
    • Fill in required fields:
      • Customer name
      • Site address
      • Excavation type (if required)
      • Due date

  3. Review the job details:

    • Excavation area boundaries
    • Special instructions
    • Required utilities
    • Site hazards or access issues

💡 Tip: Take a screenshot of the job details for reference while in the field.

Step 2: Arrive On-Site

Site Assessment (5 minutes)

Before starting your locate:

  1. Safety first:

    • Identify site hazards
    • Note traffic patterns
    • Check weather conditions
    • Verify you have safe access

  2. Understand the excavation area:

    • Walk the entire site boundary
    • Note landmarks (buildings, poles, hydrants)
    • Identify where utilities likely run
    • Look for existing utility markings

  3. Take site photos:

    • Tap the Camera icon in TerraFlow
    • Capture overview of site
    • Photograph any existing marks
    • Document access points

Enable Location Services

Make sure your GPS is working:

  • Verify GPS icon shows good signal (green)
  • Your current location should appear on the map
  • Accuracy should be 5 meters or better

⚠️ Warning: Poor GPS accuracy will affect your locate quality. If accuracy is above 5 meters, wait for better signal or move to an open area.

Step 3: Locate Your First Utility

Let's walk through locating a gas line. The process is the same for all utility types.

Activate Your Locator

  1. Turn on your locator
  2. Select the appropriate frequency for the utility you're seeking:
  3. Walk the area to identify the utility path

Prepare TerraFlow for Collection

  1. In TerraFlow, tap the Sensor tab (usually at top of screen)
  2. Select your utility type from the dropdown or buttons:
    • Gas
    • Power
    • Water
    • Sewer
    • Telecom/Communications
  3. Verify your locator is ready:
    • Check locator display for active signal
    • Ensure depth reading is showing

Capture Your First Point

  1. Position yourself over the utility

    • Stand directly over the strongest signal
    • Hold locator according to manufacturer instructions
    • Ensure locator is level

  2. Press the capture sequence on your locator:

    • Wait for the beep/confirmation

  3. Tilt your locator if required:

    • Some RTK models require tilting for position fix
    • Follow on-screen prompts

  4. Verify the data in TerraFlow:

    • Depth reading appears
    • Signal strength shows
    • GPS location captured
    • Point appears on map

✅ You'll know it worked when: You see a new point on your map with depth and signal information displayed.

Add Additional Information

For each point you can add:

  • Depth: Automatically captured from locator
  • Material: Select from dropdown (steel, copper, PVC, etc.)
  • Size: Pipe/cable diameter
  • Pressure/Voltage: For gas and hydro
  • Notes: Any special observations
  • Photos: Tap camera icon to attach photos

For Ontario compliance, ensure you capture required information:

  • Gas: Depth, material, pressure
  • Power: Depth, voltage
  • Water/Sewer: Depth, pipe size
  • Telecom: Depth, owner

Continue Mapping the Utility

  1. Walk along the utility path

  2. Capture points at:

    • Direction changes
    • Depth changes
    • Crossing points with other utilities
    • Valves, manholes, or other features
    • Property lines
    • Entry/exit points

  3. Recommended spacing:

    • Straight runs: Every 10-15 meters
    • Curves: Every 5 meters
    • Complex areas: As needed for accuracy

💡 Pro tip: More points = better accuracy, but too many slows you down. Find the balance for your site.

Step 4: Locate Additional Utilities

Repeat the process for each utility present on-site.

Switching Between Utilities

  1. Complete one utility before moving to the next
  2. Change utility type in TerraFlow:
    • Tap the utility dropdown
    • Select the new utility type
  3. Adjust your locator to the appropriate frequency/mode
  4. Begin capturing points for the new utility

Common Utility Order

Many locators follow this sequence:

  1. Gas (usually first for safety)
  2. Power
  3. Telecom/Communications
  4. Water
  5. Sewer

Handling Multiple Utilities in Same Area

When utilities cross or run parallel:

  • Mark each separately in TerraFlow (different utility types)
  • Take extra care with depth readings to identify which is which
  • Add notes describing the relationship: "crosses over water line"
  • Take photos of complex areas
  • Measure horizontal separation if utilities run parallel

Step 5: Add Measurements and Offsets

Taking Offset Measurements

For utilities not directly accessible or behind obstacles:

  1. Identify your reference point:

    • Building corner
    • Sidewalk edge
    • Property stake
    • Other fixed landmark

  2. Measure the distance:

    • Use measuring tape or laser measure
    • Measure perpendicular to utility
    • Note the reference point clearly

  3. Record in TerraFlow:

    • Tap the measurement icon
    • Enter distance
    • Select or describe reference point
    • Add directional note (north/south/east/west of reference)

Adding Disclaimers

Ontario requires specific disclaimers on locate reports:

  1. Tap the Notes or Disclaimers section
  2. Add required statements:
    • "Location accuracy ±[X] centimeters"
    • "Depths measured from grade at time of locate"
    • "Private utilities may not be shown"
    • "Underground conditions may vary"
    • Utility-specific disclaimers

💡 Tip: Set up disclaimer templates in your workflow to save time.

Step 6: Review Your Work

Before leaving the site, verify completeness:

Completeness Checklist

  • [ ] All requested utilities located (or marked as "not found")
  • [ ] Each utility has adequate point coverage
  • [ ] Depth information captured for all points
  • [ ] Required utility-specific data entered (size, material, etc.)
  • [ ] Site photos taken
  • [ ] Measurements and offsets recorded
  • [ ] Notes and disclaimers added
  • [ ] GPS accuracy was acceptable for all points

View Your Work on the Map

  1. Zoom out to see entire site

  2. Check that utility paths make sense:

    • Do they follow expected routes?
    • Are there any odd gaps or jumps?
    • Do crossings look accurate?

  3. Review each utility individually:

    • Toggle utility layers if available
    • Verify point count seems appropriate
    • Check for obvious errors

Make Corrections if Needed

If you spot issues:

  • Tap a point to edit its information
  • Delete incorrect points and re-capture
  • Add missing points by selecting utility type and capturing
  • Update notes or disclaimers

⚠️ Fix it now: It's much easier to correct issues on-site than from the office!

Step 7: Complete and Submit Your Locate

Final Steps Before Leaving

  1. Add your completion notes:

    • Site conditions
    • Any difficulties encountered
    • Recommendations for excavator
    • Areas of uncertainty

  2. Mark the ground (if required):

    • Follow your jurisdiction's color codes
    • Use proper marking paint or flags
    • Match your marks to your TerraFlow data

  3. Take final photos:

    • Overview showing marks
    • Close-ups of critical areas
    • Any special conditions

Save and Sync Your Data

  1. Save your work:

    • Tap Save or Complete
    • Verify success message appears

  2. Sync to Data Engine:

    • Tap Sync button (usually top right)
    • Or: Menu → Synchronize Data
    • Wait for confirmation

  3. Verify upload:

    • Check for sync success message
    • Ensure no error indicators
    • Note any files pending upload

✅ You'll know it's synced when: Green checkmark appears or "Last synced: [current time]" displays.

If Working Offline

If you don't have cellular/WiFi:

  • Data saves locally on your device
  • Sync will happen automatically when connection restored
  • Or manually sync when back in coverage area
  • Don't worry—your data is safe!

Step 8: Generate Your Report (Office Work)

Once back at the office or with good connectivity:

Access Data Engine

  1. Log in to Data Engine (web interface)
  2. Navigate to your completed job
  3. Review field data:
    • Check all utilities are present
    • Verify measurements are complete
    • Review photos

Create Per-Utility Maps (Ontario Requirement)

Important: Ontario requires a separate map for each utility type.

  1. Generate your complete Sketch

  2. Select Map Output

  3. Choose "Map Package" option

  4. System will create:

    • Gas report (separate map)
    • Hydro report (separate map)
    • Water report (separate map)
    • Sewer report (separate map)
    • Telecom report (separate map)

  5. Review each map:

    • Verify utility-specific data visible
    • Check disclaimers are present
    • Confirm measurements displayed
    • Validate scale and legend

Add Final Report Elements

For each utility report:

  • Title block with job info
  • Legend showing symbols
  • Scale bar
  • North arrow
  • Disclaimers (utility-specific)
  • Locator information (your name, license)
  • Date of locate

Export and Deliver

  1. Generate reports (one per utility)

  2. Name files appropriately:

    • [Ticket#]_Gas_Report.pdf
    • [Ticket#]_Hydro_Report.pdf
    • etc.

  3. Deliver per your process:

    • Email to requestor
    • Upload to portal
    • Print and mail
    • Submit through ticket system

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Poor GPS Accuracy

Problem: Collecting points with GPS accuracy worse than 5 meters
Solution: Wait for better signal, move to open area, or use external RTK GPS

2. Wrong Utility Type Selected

Problem: Marking gas line as hydro in the app
Solution: Always double-check utility type before capturing points

3. Insufficient Point Coverage

Problem: Long straight runs with only 2-3 points
Solution: Capture points every 10-15 meters minimum

4. Missing Required Information

Problem: Forgetting to capture depth or material type
Solution: Use checklist, review before leaving site

5. Not Syncing Data

Problem: Leaving site without syncing, losing data if device fails
Solution: Sync before leaving every job, verify success

6. Unclear Notes

Problem: Notes that don't help office staff or excavator
Solution: Be specific: "Gas crosses 2m north of hydro at 1.2m depth"

What Success Looks Like

You've successfully completed your first locate when:

✅ All utilities are mapped with adequate point coverage
✅ Required data is captured (depths, materials, sizes)
✅ Site is safely marked per regulations
✅ Data is synced to Data Engine
✅ Reports are generated (one per utility for Ontario)
✅ Deliverables are submitted on time
✅ Quality checks pass (accuracy, completeness)

Next Steps

Now that you've completed your first locate, you're ready to:

Build your skills:

  • Handling Complex Utility Crossings (coming soon)
  • Working in Congested Areas (coming soon)
  • Advanced GPS Techniques (coming soon)

Improve efficiency:

  • Creating Custom Workflows (coming soon)
  • Using Report Templates (coming soon)

Master compliance:

  • Ontario Locate Requirements Deep Dive (coming soon)
  • ORCGA Best Practices (coming soon)

 

Need Help?

Support Contact:
📧 Email: support@terraflow.ca
🌐 Help Center: www.terraflow.ca/resources/help

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Last updated: October 2025 | TerraFlow Mobile version 1.0+