Project pathway
The quickest route to the right decision.
Ordnance supervision of excavations
Where previous investigations do not sufficiently cover the planned excavation, the suitability of ordnance surveying during excavation is assessed. FONTANA-EOD agrees the survey work before each stage of material removal, controlled excavation layers, supplementary visual checks, procedures for findings and documentation with site management and the construction team. Send the excavation plan, formation levels, excavation sequence and existing results so that arrangements can be agreed before the next ground works.
Define the sections and depths.
Agree reporting arrangements in advance.
Document the completed sections.
Project situation
When do excavations need ordnance supervision?
Where prior investigation is limited, the suitability of ordnance surveying during excavation is assessed for sites with retaining works, services, adjacent existing structures and restricted access.
Each working layer is surveyed and evaluated before material is removed in controlled stages with supplementary visual checks. This sequence is repeated down to the agreed formation level. The excavation plan, formation levels, excavation sequence, retaining works, machine access and services determine the working sections. FONTANA-EOD agrees work areas, interruptions, reporting arrangements and investigation records with site management and the teams involved.
Housing and site development
Excavation areas across different housing projects
For your excavation, the focus is on working layers, formation levels and suitable investigation before each stage of material removal. The following pages distinguish building plots, new developments, apartment buildings, underground car parks and infrastructure works by their ground works, responsibilities and required records.
Building plot and permitted building area
The permitted building area, construction limits, proposed use, external works and actual ground disturbance are considered separately. This establishes whether the assessment is needed before purchase, a planning application, tendering or excavation.
Have the building plot assessedNew developments and infrastructure
Where several plots, road alignments, utility trenches, shafts and construction phases come together, ordnance surveying must be organised by area and timing. One result does not automatically cover sections developed later.
Prepare the infrastructure worksApartment buildings and excavations
Apartment buildings bring together basements, underground car parks, retaining works, geotechnical boreholes, foundations, utilities and confined site logistics. The assessment for the project depends on excavation depth and survey conditions.
Prepare the building worksNeighbourhood development
Neighbourhood developments combine demolition, existing structures, several new construction areas, infrastructure, underground parking, green spaces and construction phases. The assessment must keep the records for different sections separate. Necessary investigations and protective measures are planned before ground disturbance during demolition, vegetation clearance, breaking up surfaces or establishing temporary roads and working areas. Areas that become accessible later receive their own investigations before the subsequent ground works.
Coordinate construction phases across the development
Excavation and earth removal
Where prior investigation is limited, the suitability of ordnance surveying during excavation is assessed. Each working layer is surveyed and evaluated before controlled removal in stages, supported by visual checks. This sequence is repeated down to the agreed formation level. Before work begins, site management and specialist personnel agree the excavation layers, stop signal, authority to give instructions, reporting arrangements and documentation.
Assess the surveying needed during excavationUnderground car parks and basements
Deep excavations, formation levels, shafts, retaining wall alignments and underground structures need a different assessment from shallow external works. The investigation depth must match the planned construction work.
Coordinate deep interventionsAccess roads
Road alignments, drains, utility routes, shafts and service connections follow defined routes. Ordnance surveying must address their alignment, depth and construction phase as well as their area.
Define the assessment for infrastructure roads
Documentation and handover
From development and design through infrastructure works to building construction, the teams need clear investigation records. These must identify the investigation area, method, conditions and next decision.
Prepare evidenceDecision
From excavation planning to coordinated ordnance supervision
For each excavation section, the working layer, planned depth, machine operation, investigation method, communication of findings and required records are agreed before work starts.
Before the next stage of excavation
Before the next material is removed, the working layer, planned depth, accessible investigation volume and existing results are reviewed together. Surveying, controlled excavation layers, supplementary visual checks and procedures for findings are agreed with site management for that section.
Agree ordnance surveying during excavationBefore geotechnical investigation
Boreholes, trial pits, window sampling and geotechnical investigations disturb specific points in the ground. Where the evidence of suspected ordnance is unresolved, the location, depth and access should be assessed in advance.
Agree drilling points and target depthBefore tendering and procurement
Service boundaries, investigation areas, construction phases and documentation requirements should be specified before procurement. This supports comparable offers and clear handovers to site management or the civil engineering contractor.
Prepare evidence for procurementBefore excavation and foundation work
Excavations, foundation trenches, utility trenches, shafts and retaining wall alignments must be assessed against the evidence of suspected ordnance, survey conditions and construction sequence. That assessment determines the appropriate next technical step.
Select suitable specialist services before excavation and foundation workWhere requirements apply or records are incomplete
Existing requirements, older reports, aerial photograph analyses and incomplete site records should be considered together with the current design and actual ground works.
Check existing records against the current designFor site management and the project file
Site management, the client and designers need clear information on the investigation area, method, conditions, result and next decision. These requirements should be agreed before work starts.
Prepare the project fileDesign and construction
Prepare the design decisions before ground works
Clear descriptions of the plan revision, construction work and available records help integrate ordnance assessment into housing and infrastructure projects.
Planning documents and early design
At an early design stage, a detailed technical assessment of an excavation generally requires clear location information. The project location, approximate construction limits, intended use, expected depths and existing records are needed to assess the evidence of suspected ordnance.
Ground investigation and geotechnics
Geotechnical borehole locations, probing, trial pits and laboratory programmes should be coordinated with the ordnance assessment where they involve areas with unresolved evidence of suspected ordnance. This reduces pressure to resolve arrangements just before drilling starts.
Excavation design
Slopes, retaining works, formation levels, excavation sections and access routes determine how an excavation can be assessed. A general statement about the plot is insufficient where the actual depths vary significantly.
Service connections and drainage
Utility routes and drainage are often underestimated in housing projects. They disturb different areas from the building itself and therefore need their own location and depth references in the project assessment.
External works and later construction phases
Access routes, parking spaces, play areas, retention facilities, green spaces and later extensions may involve new earthworks. Early documentation should distinguish between areas already addressed, outstanding areas and areas to be investigated later.
Tendering and variations
Where ordnance assessment, surveying or excavation supervision is included in a schedule of works, the area, depth, method, construction phase and documentation must be specified. Unclear service boundaries often lead to questions during construction.
Site safety
Site management and the construction team need clear work areas, routes for queries and response procedures. Suspected objects call for orderly communication with the relevant authorities, rather than an impromptu assessment on site.
Design changes during construction
Changes to foundations, utility routes, excavations or external works can also change the relevance of the ordnance assessment. The project file should show which findings relate to which plan revision.
Handover to buyers or operators
Housing project records often pass from the developer to site management, and later to owners, property managers or operators. Clear documentation helps avoid starting from scratch when further ground works are planned.
Regional project context
Regional rules, responsibilities and available records may affect the process. The project location should therefore be identified as clearly as possible, including the federal state, municipality, address, land parcel and existing information.
Handover to site management
Before earthworks start, agree which excavation records site management will receive. They should identify locations, depths, completed sections and adjoining areas that remain outstanding. Establish the contact persons and how technical queries during excavation, utility installation or ground investigation will be handled.
From the initial conditions to a decision
Link the initial conditions, investigation and records
A reliable ordnance assessment considers the evidence of suspected ordnance, planned construction work, technical limitations and required documentation together.
Define the project phase
First establish whether the excavation assessment is needed before purchase, design, ground investigation, tendering, excavation or during construction. The project phase determines the level of detail and form of documentation.
Agree the project phaseDefine investigation boundaries
An address alone is insufficient for an excavation assessment. The construction area, excavation, utility trench, borehole location, access route, external works or construction phase are defined separately by location and linked to the planned depth.
Select the method for the working space and depthBring together the evidence of suspected ordnance
Historical records, aerial photograph analysis, old plans, previous use, requirements and existing reports are checked against the current ground works. This establishes which areas need further assessment.
Evaluate the recordsSelect the method for the planned work
Near-surface investigations, investigation at depth, downhole surveying and excavation supervision address different questions. The method depends on the surface, depth, surrounding interference and required records.
Agree the specialist servicePlan the next construction steps
Surveying or supervision must suit the access, programme, exclusion areas, utilities, machinery and subsequent trades if the investigation is to support construction effectively.
Include results and handovers in the construction sequenceEstablish the required documentation
The documentation describes the commissioned area, method, conditions, evaluation of results and next technical decision. It should remain clear to the client, designers and site management.
Prepare the documentation requirementsProject structure
Bring together the construction areas, depths and plan revisions
The plots, construction work and depths are described in the current plan revision. Existing findings and outstanding investigations are assigned to their respective construction phases.
Assess the ground works, not just the address
For an excavation, the address is only the starting point. The assessment needs to establish what work is actually planned: drilling, foundations, excavation, utility trenching, shafts, retaining works, external works or infrastructure routes. This determines which area, depth and method need to be considered.
Distinguish subareas clearly
A housing project often contains several sections with different levels of information. Existing records may describe one area, while another needs a different investigation because of deeper ground works, new services or poor access. The documentation should make those differences clear.
Link the plan revision to the construction phase
Designs often change between the outline proposal, planning application, detailed design and procurement. The ordnance assessment should identify both the current plan revision and the construction phase for which the records are needed. This helps prevent an early finding being used later outside its scope.
Coordinate ground investigation and ordnance assessment
Ground investigations provide important information on the ground profile, made ground, water, strata and planned borehole locations. Drilling itself also disturbs the ground. Coordinating the two activities early helps align borehole locations, survey depths, access and site safety arrangements.
Include services and utility routes
Service connections, drainage, electricity, water, telecommunications and later external works often involve more ground disturbance than the building alone. These routes need consideration before civil engineering starts because they have their own depths, sources of interference and documentation requirements.
Consider existing structures and neighbouring sites
Neighbouring buildings, boundaries, existing services and surfaces, demolition, existing structures and site establishment can affect whether investigation is possible in advance. These conditions help determine whether surveying, downhole investigation or support during excavation is appropriate.
Prepare the excavation sequence early
Where excavation is a significant part of the project, the excavation sections, formation levels, slopes, retaining works, machine access, temporary storage, working areas and reporting arrangements should be described in advance. Specialist support can then be included in the construction sequence before earthworks start.
Evidence for changing project parties
Housing projects pass between development, design, specialist assessment, infrastructure works, building construction, civil engineering and site management. Ordnance documentation must be technically correct, clear to the different teams and useful for the decision required at each stage.
Identify outstanding areas clearly
Not every area can be commissioned, accessed or investigated at every stage. Completed areas, areas not assessed, later design changes and possible follow-up questions must therefore remain distinct. This clarity avoids misunderstandings in procurement and site management.
Construction and handover
Coordinate construction, site communication and handover
The client, design team and site management receive the results, investigation limitations and outstanding tasks with the location and depth references for the corresponding construction phase.
Site access
Before specialist work begins, actual access to the area must be confirmed. Vegetation, fixtures, vehicles, fences, storage areas, excavation support and neighbouring land may affect the work. These conditions should be identified before the team arrives on site.
Information revision and handover
A technical assessment needs clearly defined data. If site plans, borehole lists, excavation plans or utility plans change afterwards, the records should show which revision was assessed and which subsequent decisions remain outstanding.
Communication on site
Work areas, contact persons, queries, reporting arrangements and handover documents are agreed before work starts. Site management and contractors use the same location and depth references.
Procedures for findings on the project
Survey anomalies are evaluated and assigned for follow-up investigation. Do not touch, move or continue uncovering an unexpected suspicious object. Stop work immediately in the affected area, leave the immediate vicinity and keep others away without putting yourself at risk. In Germany, notify the police immediately on 110; elsewhere, use the local emergency reporting route. The relevant authorities decide what happens next. Internal project communication must not delay the report.
Coordination with subsequent trades
Civil engineering, structural construction, utility installation, external works and ground investigation teams often use different plans. A useful ordnance assessment relates its findings to the corresponding trade so that subsequent work does not rely on statements outside their scope.
Documentation as construction progresses
Where construction proceeds in separate phases, the documentation should reflect that progress. It should identify investigated areas, inaccessible areas, adjoining areas to be addressed later and changes to the depth of work.
Explain investigation limitations clearly
Technical limitations are described clearly. The surface, interfering objects, services, reinforcement, made ground, survey conditions and depth all affect what an investigation can establish.
Prepare the next decision
The outcome should identify the appropriate next project step: obtain further records, carry out a survey, investigate borehole locations, support excavation, resolve a finding or hand over documentation to site management.
Documentation
Investigation records for design, procurement and site management
The documentation must reflect the commissioned area and actual construction work. General statements do not provide a useful basis for the construction sequence.
Source data
The site plan, land parcel, construction boundaries, construction phase, intended use and depth of work provide the basis. For excavations, these details must match the actual plan revision.
Historical data basis
Aerial photographs, historical plans, previous use, demolition records, contaminated land data, earlier reports and known requirements are reviewed alongside the planned ground works.
Technical investigation
The methods used are documented so that the method, location reference, investigation area, sources of interference and limitations remain clear.
Findings assessment
Anomalies, interference, findings and limitations are evaluated. Their location, depth and survey context must be considered together with the subsequent construction work.
Report and handover
The report should be clear to the client, designers, site management and contractors. It describes what was investigated and the next step arising from the results.
Project file
A useful project file distinguishes investigated areas, outstanding areas, later design changes and additional construction phases. This keeps the records clear when they are handed over. Where objects have actually been exposed or clearance work carried out, the corresponding investigation and clearance records are included.
Evidence dossier
Project records with locations, methods and the next decision
The investigation file assigns records, investigations and findings to their respective construction phases. It contains the current plan revision, investigated areas and depths, results, limitations and further steps needed.
Plan revision and coordinates
The plan revision, revision number, coordinate reference, construction limits and commissioned sections are recorded so that findings are not applied to other versions of the plans.
Investigation area and depth
For excavations, the construction area, excavation, utility trench, borehole location or route section is linked to the planned depth. The area and depth must be considered together.
Methods and conditions
Historical analysis, surveying, downhole investigation or excavation supervision is described with the surface conditions, access, services, interfering objects and construction phase.
Findings and follow-up
Findings and anomalies are linked to their locations, technical evaluation and possible next project decision, rather than listed in isolation.
Project communication
The client, designers, site management, civil engineering contractor, consultants and the people responsible for coordination need the same information base. The file identifies which information is relevant to each party.
Records for later ground works
Housing sites are often altered, developed more intensively or excavated again. Clear records help with subsequent utility works, external works and extensions.
Project process
From the enquiry to a documented decision
The process follows the project stage. Records, suspected ordnance, methods, execution, evaluation and documentation are brought together step by step.
Review documents
The site plan, land parcel, construction objective, ongoing excavation, excavation depth, findings, site management, work areas, documentation, utility data, existing reports and planned depths are brought together.
Clarify the project question
The purpose of the decision is established: purchase, design, ground investigation, tendering, excavation, site management or documentation.
Assess suspected ordnance conditions
Historical analysis and existing information are checked against the planned ground works. Outstanding areas are identified separately.
Determine the method
Surveying, downhole investigation, investigation at depth, excavation supervision or a combination are assessed according to the surface, depth, access and surrounding interference.
Prepare the work
Access, exclusion areas, services, contact persons, construction dates, machinery, site logistics and communication arrangements are agreed before work starts.
Carry out the investigation
The commissioned service is carried out with location references, survey data, records of findings and coordination during construction, as required for the project stage.
Assess findings
Survey data, evidence of suspected ordnance, interfering objects, limitations and findings are evaluated. Their implications for the construction sequence and documentation are prepared.
Hand over records
The documentation describes the investigation area, method, conditions, result and next technical step for the client, designers and site management.
Technical detail
Specify the investigation area, depth and surrounding interference
The investigation area, depth, method and construction sequence are linked to the actual ground works. Demolition areas, new construction areas and infrastructure routes receive separate investigation boundaries.
Formation levels, retaining works, slopes, excavation ramps, utility trenches, shafts, lift cores and deeper foundation areas are shown with their planned depths. The surface, interfering objects, existing services, backfill and confined site logistics may limit prior investigation. For the remaining areas, the suitability of ordnance surveying during excavation is assessed. Each working layer is surveyed and evaluated before controlled material removal; supplementary visual checks, further survey layers and documentation follow the agreed working instructions. Work areas, machine operations, exclusion and reporting arrangements, contact persons and the form of documentation are established in advance. The excavation plan, excavation strategy, records of suspected ordnance and construction programme are agreed with site management, HSE and the civil engineering contractor and included in the project file.
Survey grid and individual sections
Investigation areas are defined to suit excavations, formation levels, retaining wall alignments, slopes, excavation sections, utilities, temporary storage, machine access and procedures for findings. The survey grid or technical sequence must reflect the actual ground works.
Borehole locations and deep ground works
Boreholes, piles, shafts, retaining wall alignments and deep foundations need clearly defined locations and depths. Without a specified depth, the findings remain limited.
Surrounding utilities
Gas, water, electricity, drainage, telecommunications, earthing and old services present both safety considerations and sources of interference. Utility records form part of the preliminary coordination.
Surface conditions and existing structures
Asphalt, concrete, ballast, vegetation, old foundations, reinforcement and made ground affect whether useful measurements can be taken and how findings are evaluated.
Construction sequence and access
Site establishment, access routes, machine positions, neighbouring structures, exclusion areas and working windows determine when an investigation can fit into the programme.
Scope of the documentation
The technical findings must identify the area assessed, the conditions applying and the subsequent construction decision.
Select an investigation
Agree prior investigation and supervision for each excavation section
Compare the investigated ground with the excavation
The excavation plan, formation level, slopes or retaining works and additional deeper areas are checked against existing results. Outstanding areas and depths remain clearly marked. This establishes which prior investigations are still possible and which specific area needs support during excavation.
Check the investigated ground against the excavation
Schedule the investigation for the ground that can be accessed
Existing services, technical interference and the excavation sequence affect access. The appropriate specialist work is agreed with site management and the contractor before each section begins. Excavation supervision does not automatically replace prior investigation that is feasible and necessary.
Select methods according to ground volume and accessMethod comparison
Which service suits the current construction stage?
The available records, survey conditions, required depth and construction sequence determine the method. The investigation must cover the intended volume of ground sufficiently, with limitations documented for each construction phase.
Historical aerial photograph analysis
It evaluates previous use, aerial photograph features, bomb craters, evidence of suspected ordnance and existing records. It does not replace physical investigation, but can help prepare it precisely.
Near-surface surveying
Near-surface methods may be suitable in open areas or where conditions otherwise permit. The surface, interfering objects, reinforcement, scrap, services and ground profile limit the findings.
Magnetometry
Magnetometry detects ferromagnetic anomalies in accessible areas. Utilities, reinforcement, foundation remains, fences and site equipment may mask the data. Interpretable areas and measurement limits are documented separately for each section.
TDEM
TDEM detects time-dependent electromagnetic responses from conductive objects. The target object, soil conductivity, required depth and technical installations determine suitability for the excavation or development alignment.
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 deep foundations, shafts, excavations or borehole locations, the first step is to assess whether a suitable surface method adequately covers the required ground. Where coverage is insufficient, additional investigation at depth is planned for the actual location and required depth.
Downhole survey
Surveying from investigation boreholes may be considered where the investigation objective is suitable and other methods provide insufficient coverage. The location, grid, casing, drilling depth and documentation are agreed for the planned ground works and local survey conditions.
Excavation supervision
Where prior investigation is limited, the suitability of ordnance surveying during excavation is assessed for the specific working space. Each layer is surveyed and evaluated before controlled material removal. A tightly constrained programme alone does not determine the method; the working sequence, reporting arrangements and documentation are agreed in advance.
Ordnance recovery
Measurement anomalies receive targeted follow-up investigation or exposure. Recovery of confirmed ordnance is coordinated with the permitted activities, local responsibilities and documentation. If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stopping work, keeping distance and immediate reporting take priority.
Working approach
Document the completed excavation sections for site management
For the commissioned excavation section, FONTANA-EOD records which investigations were completed and which questions remain outstanding. Site management receives the corresponding reports with area and depth references.
Project-specific investigation
The investigation commission identifies the excavation area, planned depths and existing findings. Results apply within the documented investigation scope.
State method limits
Interfering objects, services, sealed surfaces, reinforcement, made ground and restricted access are considered in both the choice of method and the report.
Documentation for the project team
Reports are prepared so that the client, designers, site management, civil engineering contractor and consultants can work from the same information.
Involve the relevant authorities
Where coordination with building control or the public ordnance disposal service is required, the responsible authorities and necessary documents are identified.
Safe procedures for findings
If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work in the affected area immediately. Do not touch, move or uncover the object further. 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 what happens next. Inform site management and the client; internal reporting must not delay the emergency call.
Traceable handover
The handover distinguishes investigated areas, outstanding follow-up questions, later design changes and subsequent trades. This reduces misunderstandings during construction.
Prepare the next construction section
Follow up new access and changed excavation depths
A change in the construction stage makes an area accessible
The newly accessible ground is checked against the records of suspected ordnance and previous results. The appropriate investigation is agreed before the next ground works begin. The commission includes the section boundary and required depth.
The excavation becomes deeper or extends sideways
The revised geometry is marked on the plan. Before work continues, the existing investigation and supervision are checked to establish whether they cover that ground. Additional work, contact persons and documentation are assigned to the revised section.
Responsibilities
Clear responsibilities in housing projects
A reliable ordnance assessment requires coordination between the client, designers, site management, consultants, contractors, specialist firm and relevant project contacts.
Client and project management
define the construction objective, programme, required records, procurement requirements and contact persons. They decide which documents are needed for design and site management.
Architects and specialist designers
provide the site plan, excavation, foundations, utilities, drainage, borehole locations, construction phases and plan revisions. These details determine the scope of the technical findings.
Geotechnical and environmental reports
provide borehole locations, trial pits, ground profiles, made ground information, contaminated land context and details of intrusive work. Ordnance assessment and ground investigation should be coordinated.
Building and civil-engineering contractors
need clear work areas, reporting arrangements, exclusion areas, documentation and handovers so that earthworks, utility installation and excavation can proceed in an orderly sequence.
FONTANA-EOD
supports the project as a private specialist firm by reviewing records, surveying, supervising excavation, evaluating findings, recovering ordnance within the commissioned scope and providing traceable documentation.
Relevant authorities and public ordnance disposal services
In Germany, the federal states' ordnance disposal services and responsible local authorities carry out hazard response and deal with ordnance finds. Their involvement is clarified for the project location; outside Germany, the corresponding local responsibilities apply. The commissioned work is coordinated with the necessary reporting and consultation arrangements.
The local public order authority and, where relevant, building control authority are involved according to their project responsibilities. Requirements, contact persons and reporting arrangements are assigned to the affected construction areas and phases.
Regulatory framework
Agree responsible personnel and reporting arrangements before work
The commission, responsible personnel and reporting arrangements are agreed for each work area. Necessary protective measures are prepared with site management and contractors.
Project-specific assessment
Legal and organisational arrangements are considered for the project area, ground works, responsibilities, construction sequence and documentation. For excavations, ground investigation, excavation, utility installation and foundation work must be considered together. Historical analysis, an ordnance survey, excavation supervision and evaluation of findings each have their own conditions and limitations. The service specification, construction phase, information revision and reporting arrangements should therefore be agreed before work starts.
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 for specialist knowledge and state-recognised training courses. For excavations, the required qualifications are determined by the specific investigation or clearance commission and intended working spaces.
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.
Explosives-law framework
The permits, qualifications and responsible personnel needed for work involving ordnance must be considered when planning the deployment.
Occupational safety and the construction site
Risk assessment, safety instruction, access, exclusion areas and machine use are coordinated with the investigation sequence. Everyone involved must know the reporting procedure for a suspicious object.
Specialist guidance
The Baufachliche Richtlinien Kampfmittelräumung, the German federal construction guidelines for ordnance clearance, set requirements for historical and physical investigation, clearance planning, procurement and documentation within their defined federal remit. Their application to the particular excavation project is assessed separately. DGUV requirements are considered according to the activity involved.
Reporting and coordination arrangements
Evidence of suspected ordnance, findings, requirements and hazard response matters are discussed with the relevant authorities where the project requires it.
Scope of the findings
The findings relate to the commissioned area, method, conditions and time of investigation. Design changes, deeper ground works or additional areas may require a further assessment.
Documentation during construction
Site management needs a clear description of the investigation area, method, limitations, evaluation of results and next decision.
Reporting of finds
If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work in the affected area immediately. Do not touch, move or uncover the object further. 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 what happens next. Inform site management and the client; internal reporting must not delay the emergency call.
Tendering and scope of services
The specification and commission should identify the area, depth, construction phase, method, documentation and interfaces so that the work can be checked afterwards.
Project context
Investigation and construction on housing sites
Prior investigations, necessary surveys and reports are coordinated with the planned excavation sections.
Housing site and construction area
The excavation plan and existing reports identify which excavation areas have already been investigated. Additional trenches or deeper formation levels are checked separately.
Send the excavation documents
Records and suspected ordnance
Site plans, existing assessments and historical records are brought together before new surveys, ground investigations or tendering.
Have your documents reviewed
Surveying and depth references
The methods needed to investigate borehole locations or excavations are selected according to the evidence of suspected ordnance, ground conditions, interference and planned depth of work.
Coordinate survey workExcavation and site management
Where prior investigation is limited, the suitability of ordnance surveying during excavation is assessed. Visual observation of excavation alone does not replace a necessary ordnance survey.
Assess the surveying needed during excavation
Further pages
Agree the investigations and records before excavation
Before new ground works, existing records are evaluated, suitable investigations are selected and their scope is agreed with site management. Results and survey limitations are assigned to the corresponding construction phases.
Housing and site development
The overview explains the assessment tasks for building plots, buildings, excavations and infrastructure roads.
View the housing overviewHistorical aerial photograph analysis
Before surveying or excavation, historical analysis can help assess the evidence of suspected ordnance and identify the records needed.
Assess the suspicion indicatorsDeep-ground and downhole surveys
Deep ground works, geotechnical boreholes, shafts and foundations need precise location and depth references.
Agree drilling points and target depthExcavation supervision
Whether ordnance surveying during excavation is necessary and suitable is assessed for the specific ground works. A tightly constrained construction programme alone does not determine the method.
Agree the surveying needed during excavationProcess and documentation
The records should clearly identify the investigation area, method, conditions and next decision for the project file and site management.
Prepare investigation records for site management
Regional context
The region and relevant project contacts can affect the available records, sequence and coordination. The regional project context should be identified early. Agreed information reduces queries and makes it easier to assign records later.
Check the project regionIdentify the project location
Identify the excavation section and responsible contacts
Identify the site and applicable requirements
The project location, land parcel, section name and current excavation geometry link the work area to its records. The designated contacts and reporting routes are kept available during construction. Existing official requirements are assigned to the affected section.
Use results correctly
Identify the supervised excavation areas in the records
Read the investigated location and depth together
A daily or section report describes the work actually supervised. Its findings are used within the documented volume of ground and corresponding conditions. They do not automatically cover a depth that has not yet been reached.
Check evidence against the interventionUnderstand findings, interruptions and resumption of work
The handover documents the find or suspected area, measures taken and subsequent decision. Site management needs the current information before further work proceeds in the same area.
Explore the technical principlesTechnical information
Housing and site development: brochure
From development works to excavation: the brochure shows how to consider ordnance risks early and prepare investigations suited to the planned earthworks.
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Project questions
Frequently asked questions about ordnance supervision of excavations
Is it enough for a specialist to watch the excavator?
No. DGUV states that visual observation of excavation alone does not meet the current state of the art. Necessary surveys and a suitable approach during construction must be planned by specialists.
When is specialist work during excavation considered?
Specialist work during excavation is considered where the necessary investigation cannot be completed before earthworks or planned methods have limited application at the site. The evidence of suspected ordnance, specific excavation, existing findings and possible prior investigations determine the suitable approach. Later supervision does not automatically replace prior investigations that are feasible and necessary; it addresses the identified task.
What determines the work and cost of investigation during excavation?
The main factors are the excavation geometry, sections and depths, ground conditions, interference, existing services, access, previous results, necessary investigations, construction sequence and documentation. Pricing relates to the commissioned volume of ground and agreed working sequence.
What excavation information does the specialist contractor need?
Important information includes the excavation plan, levels and depths, retaining works, excavation sequence, existing investigation results, utility records and construction team contacts.
What if the excavation becomes deeper or larger than planned?
The revised ground works must be checked against the agreed investigation scope. Findings for the original section do not automatically cover an extension.
What should happen if something suspicious is found?
If an unexpected suspicious object is found, stop work in the affected area immediately. Do not touch, move or uncover the object further. 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 what happens next. Inform site management and the client; internal reporting must not delay the emergency call.
What does the final report establish?
It documents the work actually completed, its location and limitations. A record of attendance alone does not replace a traceable account of the work and results.
Which responsibilities remain with site management?
Site coordination and the responsibilities of the individual participants remain in place. Interfaces with the specialist contractor are agreed; commissioning that contractor does not automatically transfer all construction responsibilities.
Preparing an enquiry
Information needed for a reliable project enquiry
Send the current excavation plan with sections, planned depths and existing investigation reports. Identify the next ground works and the records needed for them.
Site and area
Address, land parcel, site plan, construction boundaries, phase, individual sections and adjoining areas.
Ground disturbance and depth
Excavation, borehole locations, foundations, utility trenches, shafts, retaining works, excavation depth and construction phase.
Available documents
Aerial photograph analysis, historical plans, utility plans, ground investigation data, earlier reports, requirements and known findings.
Documentation objective
Procurement, the project file, site management, ground investigation, civil engineering coordination, interface coordination or a subsequent decision.
Send project documents together
Send the site and excavation plans with formation levels, excavation sequence, retaining works, borehole locations and utility plans. Include site logistics, construction dates, investigation status and the records needed by site management or HSE.
Mark the first section to be completed, later construction phases and handovers. State the dates and revision numbers of the plans. Areas shown for information only must be identified as such.
Include complete geotechnical, contaminated land and ordnance reports and aerial photograph analyses with their appendices. State the date, author and investigated area. Include official information and requirements.
Describe made ground, existing structures, foundation remains, sealed surfaces, vegetation, groundwater, services and neighbouring buildings. Mark access routes, confined working spaces, site establishment and possible exclusion areas. State whether operations will continue during the work.
Also show ancillary areas where earthworks are planned: temporary roads, crane positions, temporary services, service connections, drainage, parking spaces, gardens and paths. Distinguish immediate, later and separately commissioned ground works.
State your project role, technical contacts, report recipients and dates for individual construction phases. Explain why you need the records, for example land acquisition, design, tendering or construction. The required scope depends on the specific ground works.
Missing information is clarified before the method is selected. The results must relate to the work area of the corresponding trade and show which volume of ground was investigated and which later works need their own investigation.
+49 (0) 6843 - 999 499 7
info@fontana-eod.de
Site plan, depth, construction phase, suspicion indicators
Site management, design, project management or the client
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.
