Project pathway
The quickest route to the right decision.
Explosive ordnance surveys for production sites
Before work at a production site, we investigate plant foundations, machinery locations and utility trenches separately by area and depth. FONTANA-EOD checks site documents and earlier results against planned interventions, existing utilities and local survey conditions. Send the works plan with plant areas, design depths, construction methods and operational windows so that required surveys, access and documentation can be coordinated before ground interventions.
Coordinate access and working windows.
Clarify utilities and interference.
Check depth and drilling points.
Project situation
When investigation needs within the works should be clarified
Before alterations at a production site, investigation needs for plant foundations, machinery locations, utility trenches and other ground interventions are clarified. Existing indications of a suspected hazard are checked against the positions, depths and construction methods of planned work. Utilities, metal installations and operational working times influence access and method selection. The documentation identifies investigated areas and remaining limitations so that site management and operations can coordinate further work accordingly.
Technical terms
Technical terms for production areas and plant areas
The plant area, operational window and survey feasibility describe different prerequisites for investigation within the works.
Plant areas include machinery locations, foundations, technical rooms, process utilities, safety zones and adjoining traffic areas. They must be precisely assigned on the site plan.
Clarify the plant area with specialistsOperational windows are times agreed with the operator for investigations or construction work. Available areas, necessary closures and contacts are defined.
Coordinate operational windowsInterference arises from steel, reinforcement, utilities, foundations, scrap metal, machinery, building structures or fill and can obscure survey data.
Have interference assessedUtility axes carry electricity, water, process utilities, data, compressed air, drainage or earthing. New and old utilities are central to safety and survey feasibility.
Assess utility axesSurvey feasibility describes whether an area can be meaningfully investigated with the intended method. The surface, access, existing structures and sources of interference are decisive.
Clarify survey feasibilityThe operator file records the investigation area, methods, results and limitations. For later interventions, the documented scope is checked for relevance.
Prepare the operator fileUse and area
Prepare investigation areas within the operating works
The investigation plan identifies the ground intervention and conditions within the affected operational zone: existing plant, utilities, access and available working times.
Ongoing operations
Production processes, shift windows, staff routes, deliveries, maintenance and safety zones determine practical execution. Access, exclusion areas and reporting procedures are coordinated with operational contacts before work begins.
Plant foundations
Machinery foundations, pumping chambers, utility ducts and technical plinths can extend deep into the ground. A general area assessment is insufficient for these points; positions, design depths and construction methods must be known in advance.
Dense utility networks
Production sites often contain old and new utilities, cable routes, earthing, process utilities, drainage and fire-fighting water supplies. This infrastructure influences safety, survey feasibility and selection of the survey method.
Demolition and alterations
During alterations to existing buildings and external works, ground slabs, chambers and foundation remnants may remain within the investigation area. These structures can create interference and must be considered in the technical assessment. Necessary investigations and protective measures are planned before ground interventions during demolition, breaking out, utility exposure or preparation of working areas.
HSE requirements
Access, instruction, explosive-atmosphere zones, traffic routes, working windows and procedures for indications of a suspected hazard must be included in project planning. Explosive ordnance survey work thus forms part of the operational safety organisation.
Assess each affected area separately
A production site consists of buildings, external works, storage areas, utility corridors, traffic routes and reserved extension areas. Each subarea may have its own investigation needs and limits of the conclusions.
Ground investigation and contamination boreholes
Drilling points for ground investigation, environmental or contamination work often involve ground intervention before construction itself. These points should be coordinated with specialists on explosive ordnance using positions, depths and drilling methods.
Documentation for later ground interventions
Investigation documents record areas, depths, methods, results and limitations for later maintenance, plant replacement and extensions. Existing documentation is checked against the new interventions.
Applications
Investigation situations at production sites
The specialist survey follows the actual interventions: plant foundations, utility axes, demolition, excavations, excavation work and documentation.
Plant foundations
New foundations, pits or utility connections may require localised, area-wide or linear ground interventions. Positions, design depths and construction methods are considered during investigation planning.
Clarify foundations and depth
Utilities and process pipelines
Electricity, water, compressed air, process utilities, fire-fighting water, data and drainage often run through existing areas. Routes and trenches need their own specialist assessment.
Select suitable methods for utilities and process pipelinesDemolition and alterations
Demolition boundaries, old ground slabs, foundation remnants and chambers influence survey feasibility and the construction sequence. Before ground intervention, the technical limits of the survey should be clear.
Coordinate investigation with demolition and survey limitationsGround investigation boreholes
Drilling points for structural design, environmental work or ground investigation involve early ground interventions. They are checked against the suspected hazard, depth and drilling method.
Request an assessment of borehole locations
Excavation during operations
For areas that cannot be adequately investigated in advance, the technical suitability of explosive ordnance detection during construction is assessed. Each working layer is technically surveyed and assessed before controlled removal in layers with supplementary visual inspection follows. These steps are repeated until the agreed excavation base is reached. Excavation layers, the stop signal, authority to give instructions, reporting procedures and documentation are coordinated with operations before work begins.
Plan excavation during operations
Documentation for operators
The documentation describes the investigation area, methods, limitations, findings and subsequent decision for HSE, site management, the operator file and later maintenance.
Prepare the operator fileDecision situations
Plan investigations for alterations and maintenance
For plant alterations, utility routes and demolition, it is defined which areas can be investigated when and which operational conditions apply.
01
Alterations to existing plant
New machinery, plinths, chambers or foundations affect existing production areas. The investigation area and construction phase should be clarified before work preparation.
Have plant alterations assessed02
Ground investigation and environmental boreholes
Before drilling, positions, depths, drilling methods, access and the suspected hazard are checked against each other. Investigation requirements can thus be prepared for the precise points.
Coordinate drilling points with specialists03
Utility trenches within the existing site
New routes meet existing utilities and interfering objects. Before excavation, the investigation method is defined using the suspected hazard, depth of intervention and survey conditions.
Select methods for utility trenches within the existing site04
Demolition before extension
Demolition areas may contain old foundations, steel components, chambers and fill. The preliminary assessment should be related to demolition and as-built plans.
Compare demolition areas with as-built documents05
Survey work with restricted access
Safety zones, production and logistics can limit access. Working windows and method must be coordinated accordingly.
Clarify working windows06
Findings within the production environment
If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work in the affected area immediately. Do not touch, move or further expose the object. Leave the immediate area and keep others away without putting yourself at risk. In Germany, notify the police immediately on 110; outside Germany, use the local emergency reporting procedure. The competent authorities determine the next steps. Inform site management and the client; internal reporting must not delay the emergency call. Survey anomalies are assessed by specialists using the survey data and assigned to a targeted follow-up investigation.
Document communication about findings within the production environmentProject decision
Which investigation is needed for plant alterations
The appropriate approach follows from the intervention, existing conditions, survey feasibility, operations and purpose of the documentation.
Plant alterations involving ground intervention
Machinery replacement, new plinths, pits or chambers may involve deeper interventions. The investigation must follow the positions and design depths in the plant design.
Coordinate plant interventionsSuspected hazard from site history
Previous use, aerial photograph data, historical plans, demolition and existing reports may concern individual subareas. They help clarify which areas require technical investigation.
Assess site historyInterfering objects within the production environment
Steel, utilities, reinforcement, machinery foundations, chambers and fill can obscure survey data. These sources of interference are considered during method selection and evaluation.
Select the methodology with specialistsDepth-related drilling points
Ground investigation boreholes, piles and chambers are stated with positions and design depths. A result for another area or a shallower depth cannot be transferred to them without assessment.
Clarify drilling points and design depthExcavation with HSE coordination
Before earthworks near production areas, working times, exclusion areas, instruction and reporting procedures are coordinated. Investigations still required are clarified before the respective intervention.
Coordinate reporting procedures and investigations before earthworksDocumentation for operations and the project file
The documents must make clear which areas were considered and which limitations continue to apply during later alterations or extensions.
Prepare documentation for operatorsQuality assurance
Coordinate the plan version, investigation scope and handovers
Investigated areas and depths are related to existing conditions, operations and the required documentation. The plan version, actual execution and subsequent handover are linked. If axes, depths, construction phases or utility routes change, the previous investigation is checked to establish whether it still covers the new intervention.
Document the affected volumes of ground separately
For production sites, the assessment should not be framed as a blanket review of the entire site. Building areas, drilling points, utility axes, excavation areas, access roads, demolition zones and subsequent connection areas may have different depths, interference and documentation needs. The records identify the volumes of ground investigated and the limits of the conclusions for each.
Relate the construction objective to investigation depth
Planned interventions and their design depths are recorded in the investigation plan. A ground slab, cable trench, pumping chamber, piled foundation and ground investigation borehole create different requirements. The construction objective, design depth and investigation method are therefore considered together before work begins.
Assess the influence of existing structures and services
Existing utilities, chambers, old foundations, reinforcement, steel remnants, aggregate, recycled material and earlier construction conditions can affect survey results. These factors influence both the technically viable method and the limitations stated in the report, as well as being construction constraints.
Include operational organisation
At industrial and commercial sites, access, shift windows, safety zones, works traffic, contractor coordination and HSE requirements also determine practical execution. A technical assessment must include these points while keeping the investigation area and limits of the conclusions clear.
Clarify the reporting procedure before work begins
Before excavation, drilling or demolition, it should be clear how suspected hazards are communicated, who is informed, which work is stopped and what information is documented. An unexpected suspicious object requires work to stop immediately and immediate reporting through the local emergency reporting procedure; in Germany, notify the police on 110.
Keep documentation usable for subsequent work
The subsequent project file must also be understandable to people who were not present during execution. Location references, plans, method, conditions, assessment of findings and recommendations should therefore be structured so that site management, HSE, the operator and subsequent specialist designers can use them for further work.
Record changes to the plan version
Industrial and commercial projects often change between design, procurement, work preparation and execution. If axes, drilling points, utility routes, construction limits, levels or construction phases change, the explosive ordnance assessment should also be updated so that the report, plan version and actual intervention align.
Maintain clear interfaces in project communication
Project management, site management, HSE, design and execution use the agreed plan version and the same working limits. This includes clear contacts, unambiguous location references, understandable working limits and documentation that remains traceable after personnel changes or in later construction phases.
Prepare handover to subsequent trades
After the technical assessment, civil engineering, drilling, demolition, utility installation and building construction teams must know which areas were considered and what conditions apply. Plans, results and limitations are handed over to subsequent trades for their work preparation.
Make documents usable for later decisions
Industrial sites are often adapted several times. An assessment carried out today may later be important for additional utilities, building alterations, machinery locations or external works. Documentation should therefore enable later project participants to understand the area, method, depth, conditions and limits of the conclusions without relying on verbal agreements.
Technical assessment points
Technical investigation points at production sites
Survey quality, occupational safety and the ability to document results depend on the specific construction work, existing conditions and access.
Plant foundations
Substantial foundations, steel components and reinforcement can affect survey signals. Position, depth and material should be known before method selection.
Production utilities
Existing utilities can affect safe execution and surveys. Utility plans are therefore reviewed before the investigation.
Access and exclusion areas
Safety zones, machinery locations, escape routes, works traffic and shift windows determine how survey work or excavation supervision can be carried out.
Ground structure
Fill, slag, aggregate, demolition remnants and heterogeneous layers can affect survey quality and the excavation sequence.
Drilling method
Drilling points must be described with design depth, diameter, drilling method, casing and location reference. These details guide the technical investigation.
Data handover
Plans, coordinates and the agreed documentation assign results and limitations to the respective operational zone. Investigations still required are explicitly identified.
Documentation
Documentation for production sites, site management and operators
The documentation identifies investigated areas and depths, methods, results and limitations for procurement, HSE, site management and the project file. Following actual exposure or clearance work, the corresponding findings and clearance records are included in the project file.
Source data
Documentation becomes usable only when the site plan, construction site boundaries, construction section, existing utilities, planned depths and existing documents are clearly brought together. For production sites, subareas and interventions should be clearly distinguished.
Historical documents
Aerial photographs, historical plans, previous uses, demolition records, contamination data and existing reports are not considered in isolation. The decisive question is whether they raise a project-specific investigation or follow-up question.
Technical investigation
The methods used must suit the surface, interfering objects, ground conditions, access, survey feasibility and depth of intervention. Plant foundations, machinery locations, utility trenches and deeper interventions in an active production environment may therefore require a combination of preliminary investigation, survey and monitoring during construction.
Findings assessment
Anomalies, interference and findings are described with location references, method, limitations and the subsequent decision. This makes it possible to trace whether an area is to undergo further work, deeper investigation or supervision during construction.
Report and project file
The documentation must be understandable to clients, site management, HSE, designers and later operators. It describes the result, investigation area, method, limitations and steps still required.
Handover to construction teams
Before ground intervention, site management and construction teams should know which areas were considered, what limitations apply, who is informed if a suspected hazard arises and which documents are needed during construction.
Supporting documentation
Documentation dossier for production sites
Documentation is reliable only when the area, depth, method, conditions and subsequent decision are clearly described.
Plan revision
The plan version, revision numbers, construction sections, coordinate reference and planned depths are recorded so that subsequent conclusions relate to the actual intervention.
Investigation area
The area considered is described spatially as well as in words. Subareas, drilling points, routes, excavations and unresolved adjoining areas must remain identifiable.
Methods
Historical assessment, surface survey, deep-ground investigation, borehole survey or excavation supervision are documented so that the method and limits of the conclusions are traceable.
Conditions
Sealed surfaces, reinforcement, existing utilities, scrap metal, fill, operational restrictions and access are identified as influencing factors, keeping conclusions within their valid limits.
Findings and assessment
Findings are assessed by specialists and related to their location, survey context and proposed follow-up. This enables project management to arrange further steps in an orderly way.
Filing and handover
The documents are prepared for the project file, procurement, site management and later ground interventions so that they serve as a reliable basis for decisions, rather than merely as an individual report.
Project process
Technical assessment sequence at production sites
The sequence follows the project circumstances: documents, suspected hazard, method, execution, assessment and documentation are brought together step by step.
Review documents
At the outset, the site plan, construction objective, subareas, previous use, utility data, ground information, existing reports and planned depths for the intended works are brought together.
Clarify the project question
It is established whether documentation is needed for procurement, site management, HSE, the operator, drilling points, excavation or a specific subsequent decision.
Assess suspected ordnance
Historical assessment and existing information are checked against the planned intervention. This establishes which areas should undergo more detailed technical consideration.
Determine the method
Surface investigation, deep-ground survey, borehole survey, excavation supervision or a combination are considered according to the surface, depth, interference and construction sequence.
Prepare the work
Access, exclusion areas, operational windows, equipment use, utilities, contacts and safety organisation are coordinated with project participants before work begins.
Carry out the investigation
The commissioned investigation is carried out with location references, survey data, recording of findings and communication during construction, as required by the project stage.
Assess findings
Survey data, indications of a suspected hazard, interfering objects and limitations are assessed by specialists. Where necessary, follow-up measures or further coordination are prepared.
Hand over records
The documentation describes the investigation area, method, conditions, result and next technical step for site management, procurement, HSE and the project file.
Technical detail
Technical conditions at production sites
Technical quality depends on the surface, depth, access, existing conditions, utilities and interfering objects. These conditions determine the limits of the conclusions.
To establish investigation needs, the planned ground intervention, existing indications of a suspected hazard and earlier investigations are considered together.
Mark building footprints, drilling points, utility trenches, excavations and traffic areas separately on the site plan. State the construction condition, depth of intervention and known interference. Reinforcement, utilities and fill can affect surveys on a sealed surface differently from those on an open extension area.
A deep borehole at a column axis raises different questions from topsoil removal or a utility connection. The report therefore identifies the method, conditions and results that can be used for the next construction section for each subarea investigated.
Surface
Surfaced areas, asphalt, concrete, aggregate, vegetation, demolition condition and temporary storage affect whether a technical preliminary assessment for production sites can be carried out reliably.
Depth
Piled foundations, chambers, utility trenches, retention facilities, machinery foundations and excavations may extend deeper than near-surface investigations. The design depth must be known in advance.
Interference
Reinforcement, steel remnants, scrap metal, old foundations, operational installations and utilities can obscure survey signals. These factors must be included in method selection and assessment.
Existing utilities
Earthing, electricity, water, gas, utilities, drainage and communication routes are both safety factors and influences on surveys. Utility plans should be checked before work begins.
Access
Operations, access roads, safety zones, storage areas, machinery locations and shift windows determine when and how investigation services can be carried out in practice.
Documentation
The report must show which subarea was considered, which method was used and which limitations remain for later construction phases.
Select an investigation
Select investigations for plant alterations and new ground interventions
Record machinery locations and utility routes as volumes of ground affected
New plant foundations, pits and utility sections are described by position, depth and construction method. Existing explosive ordnance documents are related to these specific areas. Even small alterations need a spatial comparison where they extend beyond the documented investigation scope.
Assign existing results to specific volumes of ground affectedCoordinate survey conditions with operational processes
Metal plant, foundations and utilities can limit the investigation. Access and available working times are clarified with operational contacts before method selection. Inadequately investigated areas remain assigned to their volume of ground affected and the technically required follow-up measure.
Coordinate method selection with operational conditionsMethod comparison
Select methods for plant areas and utility axes
Method selection depends on the suspected hazard, investigation objective, required depth and survey conditions. For each construction section, the assessment the investigation is intended to provide is defined.
Historical aerial photograph analysis
It assesses previous use, identifiable indications of a suspected hazard, existing structures and site history. It does not replace a technical investigation, but can define the investigation area much more precisely.
Surface survey
It is suitable for accessible areas with adequate survey conditions. Sealed surfaces, reinforcement, utilities and scrap metal can affect the conclusions and must be taken into account.
Magnetometry
Magnetometry detects ferromagnetic anomalies in accessible areas. Reinforcement, steel remnants, utilities, earthing networks and machinery foundations can obscure survey data in industrial surroundings. Areas that can be evaluated and survey limitations are documented separately.
TDEM
TDEM detects time-dependent electromagnetic responses from conductive objects. The target object, ground conductivity, required depth and electrical infrastructure determine suitability for the respective plant area or utility section.
Ground-penetrating radar / GPR
GPR records reflections at material and structural boundaries and can provide supplementary investigation of utilities or installations. Soil, moisture, surface coupling and reinforcement affect data depth. A reflection does not uniquely identify ordnance.
Deep-ground survey
For boreholes, piles, chambers and deeper foundations, it is assessed whether a surface survey adequately covers the required depth range or a deep-ground survey is necessary. Positions and design depths must be provided for this purpose.
Downhole survey
It may be relevant to defined drilling points or deep interventions. Position, diameter, drilling method, spacing, casing and purpose of the documentation are decisive.
Excavation supervision
Where explosive ordnance detection during construction is technically suitable, each working layer is surveyed and evaluated using technical methods. Controlled removal in layers and supplementary visual inspection then follow; these steps are repeated down to the agreed excavation base. Excavation layers, hold points, authority to issue instructions, reporting procedures and documentation are established before work starts.
Ordnance recovery
Survey anomalies undergo a targeted follow-up investigation or exposure. Recovery of confirmed explosive ordnance is coordinated with the permitted scope of activities and local responsibilities. An unexpected suspicious object must not be further exposed independently; stopping work, keeping a safe distance and immediate reporting take priority.
Project routes
Further services for construction within the works
Depending on the project stage, the next step may be a document review, technical survey, excavation supervision or coordination of documentation.
Review documents before procurement
The site plan, construction section, depth, existing conditions and existing reports are brought together before tendering. This allows the scope of services to be described more precisely in technical terms.
Have project documents assessedAssess the historical basis of the suspected hazard
Previous use, aerial photograph data and historical documents are related to the planned intervention rather than used solely for a general statement about the site.
Have previous use assessedCoordinate deep interventions
Drilling points, piles, chambers, foundations and routes need their own depth reference. The survey should be aligned with these before work begins.
Clarify the depth of intervention and investigation areaInclude excavation in the construction sequence
Where survey feasibility, existing conditions or interfering objects limit the preliminary investigation, specialist supervision of defined earthworks may be useful.
Plan excavation monitoringHand over results to site management and the operator
The documents relate results, limitations and unresolved investigations to the relevant construction sections.
Prepare evidenceOrdnance assessment for industry and commerce
Further information on explosive ordnance assessment for logistics projects, conversion sites and former sites can be found in the industry and commercial sector section.
Industry and commercial sitesWorking approach
Who coordinates access, investigation and construction
FONTANA-EOD hands over investigation results with their limitations. The operator and HSE coordinate access and operational permits to work; site management assigns the results to the planned intervention.
Project-specific assessment
The assessment starts with the site plan, use, construction objective, depth, interference environment and existing documents. Investigation areas and suitable methods are defined on this basis.
State method limitations clearly
The surface, existing utilities, reinforcement, fill, scrap metal, construction condition and access can affect the conclusions. These limitations are taken into account in assessment and documentation.
Clarify interfaces early
Site management, specialist designers, HSE, the operator and contractors receive a common basis for working limits, contacts and subsequent decisions.
Keep documentation usable
Reports, location references, findings and recommendations are structured to remain usable for procurement, site management, the project file and later ground interventions.
Consider the construction sequence
Survey work, excavation supervision, assessment of findings and documentation are adapted to time windows, access, exclusion areas and actual construction phases.
Respect the operational environment
At active industrial and commercial sites, access roads, production, safety zones, shift windows and HSE requirements are incorporated into sequence planning.
Coordination
Roles and interfaces at production sites
Industrial and commercial projects need clear responsibilities between the client, operator, designers, HSE, site management, specialist company and competent authorities.
Specialist contractor
FONTANA-EOD
FONTANA-EOD carries out the project-specific technical assessment, considers documents, survey feasibility, depth of intervention and construction sequence, and produces traceable documentation for the commissioned scope of services.
Client and operations
Client and operator
The client and operator provide site data, plans, the construction objective, time windows, contacts and existing documents, and make project decisions on that basis.
Design and coordination
Design and project management
Designers and project management relate construction phases, procurement, drilling points, civil engineering, the programme, existing utilities and documentation needs to the explosive ordnance assessment.
Construction execution
Construction and civil engineering contractors
Contractors need clear working limits, agreed reporting procedures, communication about findings and information on which areas were considered before each intervention.
Occupational safety
HSE and occupational safety
HSE personnel consider access, barriers, machinery use, procedures on finding a suspicious object, instruction and communication within the operational safety organisation.
Competent authorities
Competent authorities
In Germany, the ordnance disposal services of the federal states and the locally competent authorities carry out hazard-response and find-management duties. Their involvement is established for the project location; outside Germany, local responsibilities apply.
The local public order authority and, where applicable, building control are involved according to their project-specific responsibilities. Conditions, contacts and reporting procedures are assigned to the actual operational zones and construction sections.
Regulatory framework
Regulatory framework and documentation limits at production sites
Qualifications, occupational safety, reporting procedures and the required documentation are clarified before work begins.
In Germany, § 7 SprengG concerns the commercial authorisation for activities requiring authorisation; § 20 SprengG concerns the certificate of competence of responsible persons. Under § 1b SprengG, searching for found munitions also counts as handling them. The requirements applicable to the project depend on the activity actually commissioned and the allocation of responsibilities.
The First Ordinance to the Explosives Act (1. SprengV) includes requirements concerning specialist competence and state-recognised training courses. At production sites, the required qualifications are related to the specific investigation or clearance assignment and operational conditions.
DGUV Information 201-027 concerns protective measures during ordnance clearance work. DGUV Rule 113-003 concerns the dismantling or destruction of explosives or corresponding objects and also includes the disposal of found munitions. It applies according to this field of activity; it does not replace a risk assessment specific to the planned ground intervention.
Qualifications and responsibility
For work involving explosive ordnance, requirements concerning competence certification, permits, responsibility and safe execution must be observed. Before ground intervention, clients clarify the scope of services, contacts and documentation.
Occupational safety and site organisation
Risk assessment, instruction, exclusion areas, machinery use, reporting procedures and access must suit the actual construction sequence. This applies particularly to operational sites with simultaneous construction and production processes.
Specialist guidance
DGUV Information 201-027 supports risk assessment and protective measures for explosive ordnance clearance work. The Baufachlichen Richtlinien Kampfmittelräumung contain requirements for historical and technical investigation, clearance concepts, procurement and documentation within their defined scope of federal responsibilities. Their application to the specific plant alteration is clarified separately.
Competent authorities and reporting procedures
If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work in the affected area immediately. Do not touch, move or further expose the object. Leave the danger area and keep others away without putting yourself at risk. In Germany, notify the police immediately on 110; outside Germany, use the local emergency reporting procedure. Then inform site management and the client; internal reporting must not delay the emergency call. Do not return to the object for photographs or further information.
Specification
The investigation area, depth, method, survey feasibility, limitations and purpose of the documentation should be described so that the client, bidders and site management understand the same technical starting point.
Communication of findings
After work has stopped, those involved follow the instructions of the competent authorities. Site management and the operator are informed; permission to resume work is not inferred independently from a photograph or survey anomaly.
Documentation limits
Reports describe the commissioned area, method used, conditions and technical decision on subsequent steps. Areas not considered are not included in a blanket conclusion.
Coordinate plans and contacts
The developer, designers, HSE, site management, specialist company and competent authorities need the same location and project data. This coordination reduces misunderstandings during construction.
Regional context
Clarify the project location and responsible contacts
The project address, site plan and existing documents enable local contacts and the required information to be clarified.
Project location and site data
The address, land parcels, site plan, construction site boundaries and construction sections form the basis for regional assessment. Without an unambiguous location, documents, responsibilities and existing files cannot be reliably assigned.
Send the project location
Federal state and procedure
Procedures, contacts and administrative routes differ between federal states. FONTANA-EOD prepares the technical project data to suit the location, construction phase and communication channel.
Check the project regionMunicipal interfaces
Municipal interfaces may become relevant early in building applications, site servicing, demolition, traffic safety or public infrastructure. The explosive ordnance assessment should provide the required information in a structured form.
Prepare interfacesConstruction phases around the site
Access roads, neighbouring properties, existing use, working windows and site logistics influence practical execution. These points belong in the planning of survey work, excavation and documentation.
Coordinate the construction phaseExisting data from previous projects
Industrial and commercial sites often have older reports, utility data, ground information or previous assessments. These data should be checked in relation to the site before new measures are planned.
Trace existing data in relation to the siteDocumentation for project participants
The documents identify the location, construction section, investigation method, responsible contacts and steps still required.
Assign documentationProcurement and site management
Embed explosive ordnance surveys for production sites in procurement and site management
The earlier the investigation area, depth, method, conditions and purpose of the documentation are described, the better the explosive ordnance assessment can be integrated into work preparation and construction.
Tendering
The specification should clearly identify investigation areas, depths, methods, conditions and documentation. Unclear lump-sum items make subsequent execution more difficult.
Work preparation
Access roads, exclusion areas, drilling points, utilities, equipment access, contacts and operational windows are coordinated on site and using the project documents.
Scheduling
Survey work, assessment, earthworks and documentation must suit the sequence of demolition, civil engineering, building construction, utility connections and production operations.
Construction management
Site management needs clear limits, reporting procedures and documents. It must be able to identify which work can be carried out under which conditions.
HSE
HSE needs reliable information on working areas, procedures if a suspected hazard arises, barriers, instruction, machinery use and communication.
Project file
For the client and operator, what matters is a traceable file identifying the area, method, conditions, assessment of findings, limitations and subsequent decision.
Existing utilities
Existing utilities, chambers, earthing systems, cable routes and drainage must be included in planning as safety factors and influences on surveys.
Plan changes
If construction limits, depths, drilling points or routes change, the explosive ordnance assessment should also be updated. Otherwise, the report and execution no longer reliably align.
Specialist report data
Ground investigation, contamination, survey and demolition data can improve explosive ordnance assessment when shared early and checked against the planned interventions.
Bidder queries
Questions on investigation depth, documentation, interference, access, working windows and follow-up services should be capable of receiving a technical answer before work begins.
Risks of variations
Unclear investigation areas, missing depth information and unaccounted-for interference can lead to later discussions about construction time and scope of services.
Handover to construction teams
Plans, investigation areas, contacts, procedures for findings and documentation requirements should be available during work preparation before work begins.
Project context
Investigations and documentation for operations
Existing documents, surveys and results reports help clarify investigation needs within the affected operational zones.
Industrial and commercial site
Existing plant, planned ground interventions and survey conditions are recorded for the respective operational zone.
Assess the sector context
Historical assessment
Previous use, aerial photograph findings, historical plans and existing indications of a suspected hazard are brought together before the technical investigation.
Assess previous useDeep-ground survey
Drilling points, foundations, retaining structure axes and deep utility trenches require an investigation that takes account of the design depth and construction method.
Agree borehole positionsExcavation supervision
For remaining areas, it is assessed whether explosive ordnance detection during construction is suitable. Excavation layers are technically investigated before removal.
Plan excavationDocumentation
Reports, location references, findings and subsequent decisions are prepared for site management, HSE, the operator and procurement. Following actual exposure or clearance work, the corresponding findings and clearance records are included.
Prepare evidenceProject enquiry
The site plan, depths and construction phases enable the investigations and further documents required to be clarified.
Send project documents
Specialist areas
Specialist services for construction within the works
Before demolition, drilling and excavation, suitable investigations and the documentation needed for the respective volume of ground affected are defined. Further construction tasks can be found in the Sector overview.
Industry and commercial sites
Information on explosive ordnance assessment for other commercial construction projects and existing sites.
Assess your industrial projectServices
Overview of aerial photograph assessment, survey work, ordnance specialist supervision of excavation, explosive ordnance recovery and documentation.
Understand the serviceHistorical aerial photograph analysis
Basis for clarifying suspected hazards, assessing previous use and defining investigation areas in technical terms.
Assess the suspected hazardDeep-ground survey
Specialist page on borehole surveys, drilling points, deeper interventions and localised investigation areas.
Clarify intervention depthExcavation supervision
Specialist page on earthworks, interference, active construction sites and monitoring during construction.
Arrange excavation supervisionProcess and documentation
Process, documentation, project file and record keeping for clients, site management and operators.
Prepare the project fileTechnical information
Industry and commerce: brochure
Work on industrial and commercial sites combines existing installations, operational processes and new ground interventions. The brochure explains how ordnance assessment is coordinated with these conditions.
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Project questions
Frequently asked questions about explosive ordnance surveys at production sites
When should a production site undergo an explosive ordnance survey?
A survey is useful as soon as new plant foundations, drilling points, utility trenches, chambers, demolition areas, excavations or excavation work affect inadequately assessed subareas. The suspected hazard, depth, interference environment, operations and purpose of the documentation are decisive.
Which documents does FONTANA-EOD need for an initial assessment?
Useful documents include a site plan, land parcels, plant areas, as-built plans, utility plans, drilling points, design depths, demolition information, construction times, existing reports, aerial photograph assessments and information on operational or HSE windows. Authority information and conditions should be supplied with their dates, complete attachments and geographical scope.
What should be done if a suspicious object is found during earthworks?
If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work in the affected area immediately. Do not touch, move or further expose the object. Leave the immediate area and keep others away without putting yourself at risk. In Germany, notify the police immediately on 110; outside Germany, use the local emergency reporting procedure. The competent authorities determine the next steps. Inform site management and the client; internal reporting must not delay the emergency call.
Which methods may be considered for production sites?
Depending on the project, historical aerial photograph assessment, surface survey, magnetometry, TDEM, ground-penetrating radar, deep-ground survey, borehole survey, ordnance specialist supervision of excavation or explosive ordnance recovery may be relevant. Selection depends on the surface, interference, ground conditions, investigation depth and operational conditions. Where plant or metal installations obscure survey data, a production area may initially be assessable only to a limited extent. Unresolved zones and supplementary measures needed are documented for the respective construction section.
How are surveys planned during ongoing operations?
Investigation areas, exclusion areas, shift windows, access roads, utility axes, safety zones and contacts are coordinated before work begins. The operator and HSE identify the available working areas and operational requirements. The investigation is coordinated with these conditions and the intended ground intervention.
How are ground investigation boreholes and contamination investigations taken into account?
Drilling points are checked against their positions, design depths, drilling methods, suspected hazard and access. This may lead to a depth-related investigation or borehole survey for the specific intervention.
What documentation is relevant to the operator and HSE?
Relevant records include location references, the document version used, investigation area, method applied, assessment of findings, limitations, photographic records and recommendations for the next project step. Documentation should suit the operator file and construction sequence.
What determines the effort and cost of explosive ordnance surveys?
Decisive factors include site size, access, operational windows, sealed surfaces, interfering objects, existing utilities, ground conditions, depth of intervention, drilling points, available documents, required methods and extent of documentation.
Preparing an enquiry
Which information we need for your operational zone
Mark the affected plant and intended ground intervention on the works plan. Add depths, known utilities and available working times.
Site and area
Address, land parcels, site plan, construction site boundaries, subareas, existing areas and affected construction sections.
Ground disturbance and depth
Excavation, drilling points, piles, foundations, chambers, utility trenches, demolition and planned design depths.
Existing structures and utilities
Utility plans, utility axes, earthing, chambers, reinforcement, existing structures, exclusion areas and access roads.
Available documents
Aerial photograph assessment, historical plans, ground investigation data, contamination documents, demolition plans, previous reports and conditions.
Construction phase and dates
Design stage, tendering, procurement, work preparation, construction times, shift windows and simultaneous trades.
Documentation objective
Procurement, site management, project file, HSE, operator communication, subsequent decision or coordination with competent authorities.
Send project documents together
Send the existing documents with the location, construction site, planned work, depth and construction phase. Distinguish the building footprint, external works, utility trenches, drilling points, demolition zones and later connections. Where documents are incomplete, identify the gaps and the decision for which you need a result.
State whether operations, delivery traffic, shift changes, demolition, civil engineering or assembly will continue during the investigation. Access, exclusion areas, machinery use and coordination depend on this. FONTANA-EOD uses this information to assess which historical assessment, survey, deep-ground investigation or excavation supervision is suitable for the next step.
Identify the recipients of the results and outstanding questions about the method, timing, access or further services. Report subsequent changes to the plan version, construction limit and design depth. This enables the report and execution to be kept at the same stage.
+49 (0) 6843 - 999 499 7
info@fontana-eod.de
Site plan, depth, construction phase, suspicion indicators
Site management, designers, HSE or project management
Have your project assessed
Whether historical aerial photograph analysis, explosive ordnance surveying, surface surveying using GPR, magnetometry or TDEM, deep-ground surveys, downhole surveys, excavation supervision, area clearance or ordnance recovery is needed depends on the location, ground disturbance, depth, ground and existing documents. An early ordnance assessment provides clarity for tendering, programming, occupational safety and construction.
FONTANA-EOD combines its Section 7 SprengG licence, specialists holding Section 20 SprengG certificates of competence, suitable survey and clearance methods, and traceable documentation. Send the site plan, depth of ground disturbance, construction phase and existing documents for an initial technical assessment.
