What is base-can excavation?
Opening the hole a light base can will sit in — marked from the survey, services located first, cut clean to the design size and depth — without hurting what is already in the ground or leaving debris on the airfield.
Base-can excavation is opening the hole in the pavement or ground in which a light base can will be set. It is marked out from the survey, cut cleanly and dug to the design size and depth, and left stable and ready for the base to be prepared.
Before anything is cut, locate existing services from the as-builts and with detection equipment, mark them, and hand-dig close to them as your site rules require. A blind dig can cut a live cable or put a whole circuit out, so treat any cable as live until the circuit has been isolated, locked out and proved dead. Contain spoil and slurry and clear the area before handing it back, because loose debris on an airfield is a hazard to aircraft. Work to the airport’s permit-to-work.
- Set out. Mark the centre and outline from the design and survey.
- Locate services. Check as-builts, scan, and mark everything found nearby.
- Cut the outline. Core or saw the pavement as the design specifies.
- Excavate. Remove material to the design size and depth, hand-digging close to services.
- Keep it stable. Support the sides where needed and keep the hole clear of water and loose material.
- Check and clear. Check size and depth, remove spoil and debris, and hand the hole on for base preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is base-can excavation in airfield ground lighting?
Base-can excavation is opening the hole in the pavement or ground in which a light base can will be set. It is marked out from the survey, cut and dug to the design size and depth, and left clean, stable and ready for the base to be prepared.
Q2Why must existing services be located before digging?
AGL, power, communications, drainage and fuel services can all run close to a light position. Striking one can put a circuit or a whole system out and may be dangerous. Check the as-builts, scan with detection equipment, mark what is found and hand-dig near it as your site rules require.
Q3How is the pavement opened for a base can?
As the design specifies, normally by core drilling or sawing a clean outline so the pavement edge is not broken or cracked, then removing the material inside. A clean edge gives the grout a sound face to bond to and keeps the surrounding pavement intact.
Q4How big and how deep should the hole be?
Large enough for the can plus the grout or backfill all round, and deep enough for the flange to finish flush with the surface. The exact size and depth come from the design and the can manufacturer’s data, so work from the drawings rather than a rule of thumb.
Q5Why does debris control matter on an airfield?
Loose spoil, cut pieces and slurry become foreign object debris (FOD) that can damage aircraft. Keep the work area contained, remove spoil and sweep before the area is handed back to operations.
Q6What approvals are needed to excavate on an airfield?
Excavation near operational areas normally needs the airport’s permit-to-work, an agreed work area or closure, and the circuit isolated where cable is nearby. Follow your site’s procedures and the airport’s safety plan for construction.
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