Manhole and electrical chamber surveys
Overview
More than 80 strategically placed concrete-encased chambers are used to access underground electrical cable infrastructure on campus. They are required by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) and facilitate both the pulling of new cable during construction and the inspection (or repair) of existing cables. Each chamber measures approximately 2m x 2m x 2m.
Regular scheduled inspection of these chambers is vital to ensuring safe working environments for the technicians who access them. Inspection is also required to verify that the cables and cable supports are in acceptable condition (as they are exposed to the elements) and that any high-voltage splices are free of defects.
Survey types
Annual surveys
During annual inspections, F&S trades crews assess the underground chambers to ensure that any support infrastructure is in good working order. They also inspect for any buildup of water, which will be drained if found. The manhole covers are also cleaned to ensure that access points are safe to use and free of debris.
Five-to-ten-year inspection
Less regular—and more intensive—inspections are conducted on behalf of U of T by a third-party contractor. These surveys involve full inspections of the manhole/chamber’s structural and electrical cable integrity as well as the updating of its electrical records.
How will buildings be impacted?
There will be no impact to building on campus.