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1.1 This practice specifically addresses the means and methods for the use of distributed optical fiber sensors for monitoring ground movements during tunnel and utility construction and its impact on existing utilities.

1.2 This practice applies to the process of selecting suitable materials, design, installation, data collection, data processing and reporting of results.

1.3 This practice applies to all utilities that transport water, sewage, oil, gas, chemicals, electric power, communications and mass media content.

1.4 This practice applies to all tunnels that transport and/or store water or sewage.

1.5 This practice also applies to tunnels that carry the utilities in (1.3), water for hydropower, traffic, rail, freight, capsule transport, and those used for storage.

1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

5.1 This practice is intended to assist engineers, contractors and owner/operators of underground utilities and tunnels with the successful implementation of distributed optical fiber sensing for monitoring ground movements prior to construction for site planning and during utility and tunnel construction and operation and the impact of such ground movements on existing utilities.

5.2 Before the installation of distributed optical fiber sensing begins, the contractor shall secure written explicit authorization from the owner/operator of the new tunnel/utility and the existing utilities allowing an evaluation to be conducted for the feasibility of distributed optical fiber sensing for monitoring ground movements for the intended purpose and to have access to certain locations of the structure and the surrounding ground. It may also be necessary for the installer to have written explicit authorization from applicable jurisdictional agencies such as the Department of Transportation, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Environmental Protection and other.

5.3 Engineers, contractors, and owners/operators shall also be cognizant of how the use of distributed optical fiber sensing for monitoring ground movements around utilities and tunnels might interfere with the use of certain equipment or tools near the installed optical fiber sensing cable in some special situations. For example, repair activities may have to temporarily remove, relocate, or avoid the optical fiber cable.

5.4 Engineers, contractors, and owners/operators should be cognizant of how installation techniques and optical fiber (OF) cable location and protection can affect the performance of DOFSS.