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Installing InfraMarker Tags

InfraMarker is easy to install and manage. With lightweight and durable RFID tags, a RFID reader and a mobile phone, you have the power to track and locate any asset - either above or below ground.

Placement and writing of the InfraMarker tags

Process for installing, reading and Geo-mapping InfraMarker tags

Tag Install Preparation

 

Before you start, make sure you have access to the InfraMarker app on your mobile phone. Your employer will be able to give you access. Then, gather the InfraMarker tags needed for the project along with an approved RFID reader/writer.

Tag Placement 

Visually confirm the asset point to be marked (a valve, stub, weld point, elbow, intersection, catch basin or other key feature). 

For underground assets

Take a photo or video of the asset point while it is exposed in the hole. Please the tag above the point to be marked but below disturbance level. The tag is then covered with sand (recommended) or standard backfill.  

Note: Tags in moist soil, clay or near other tags or metal should be placed as close to disturbance level as possible to maximize read performance. Optional Berntsen fiberglass posts are available to provide extra stability to the tag and to provide more precise direction from the tag to the underground asset.       

For above ground assets

The technician takes a photo or video of the asset and attaches it to the asset record.

Tag Writing 

Position the reader slightly above the tag (or the ground over the tag) and select the ‘write tag’ option on the app to begin the tag writing process.     

Then, select the template type (above ground or in-ground) on the app. A series of choices will drop-down.

For example, the in-ground template displays the following fields:

  • Asset owner (e.g. utility company)

  • Asset type (e.g. gas, water, steam, fiber, cable, electric)

  • Asset material (e.g. In: PVC, steel; concrete, conduit)

  • Asset feature (e.g. weld, elbow, stub, intersection)

  • Depth from surface to asset (e.g. 4 ft surface to pipe)

Next, select whether the tag represents 

  • an “InfraMarked” asset (located visually and marked with an InfraMarker tag),

  • an asset marked with an InfraMarker-enabled tag but not visually confirmed (usually with an InfraMarker-enabled above ground marker)

  • or an asset that is point identified but not marked or visually located.

Review the latitude and longitude coordinates of the tag location as displayed on satellite view of the map. 

  • If the displayed lat-long pin corresponds to the tag location, confirm that the lat-long coordinates should be written to the tag.

  • If the coordinates are not available or incorrect, move the pin on the displayed map to the correct location and confirm the lat-long coordinates can be written to the tag.

  • If you know the precise lat-long coordinates based on prior survey, enter those coordinates on the map.

After data entry and GPS recording is complete, the full tag record is displayed you are prompted to ‘write data to tag? (Y/N)’. 

Either confirm the data is correct or reenter tag data. 

Write the data to the tag. The reader executes a ‘read’ operation and sends a confirmation message display of ‘write successful’ or ‘write unsuccessful.’    

After placement and data entry, the field technician takes a short (up to 15 seconds) video of the surrounding terrain to provide a visual reference for the location of the tag and asset  (e.g. “tag is in a right of way 60 feet to the eastern boundary of subdivision”; “tag now buried under paved road”). Once completed, the installer can attach the photo of the asset in the hole and a video to the data record.

Data uploading

Once the record is confirmed, all tag information including location video and comments, photo, date/time, user ID, mobile device ID, and tag EPC are stored as a data record and uploaded to the your GIS or the InfraMarker cloud as soon as an Internet connection is established.  

Data access

An InfraMarker licensee can view the map of InfraMarker tags through the InfraMarker website or a mobile device. The level of data available for updating, viewing and download depends on the access level.

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INSTALLATION PREPARATION

InfraMarker uses a 3-level approach for geo-data management. Data added to the tag stores information related to the asset, including the tag position relative to the asset.

Field data collection verifies the tag’s position relative to other above-ground assets (such as a photo of asset [or the asset revealed by excavation], or videos of the surrounding terrain to assist in relocating the asset) and can include comments related to the installation or reading of that tag.

Equipment and preparation needed to install, locate, and map InfraMarker®

InfraMarker uses a 3-level approach for geo-data management. Data added to the tag stores information related to the asset, including the tag position relative to the asset. 

Field data collection verifies the tag’s position relative to other above-ground assets (such as a photo of asset [or the asset revealed by excavation], or videos of the surrounding terrain to assist in relocating the asset) and can include comments related to the installation or reading of that tag. 

Data added by the administrator is appended to the record and may include customer specific information, historical records or other documents related to that asset. 

INFRAMARKER TAGS

InfraMarker tags are standard Class 1, Gen 2 RFID tags that have been tested and approved by InfraMarker for use in infrastructure management applications. The InfraMarker tags are provided to the customer with a standard data schema that works with InfraMarker software.  

The standard data schema is set up as follows:

  • Asset Owner

  • Asset Type

  • Asset Function

  • Asset Material

  • Asset Feature

  • Latitude

  • Longitude

  • Tag Install Date/Time stamp

  • Depth from Surface to Asset

  • Offset Direction & Distance

TWO TYPES OF INFRAMARKER TAGS ARE AVAILABLE

  1. InfraMarker-enabled underground markers that include an RFID tag, magnet, and steel backing. These tags are the IM483B, IM362B, IM221B , and IMDEEP 1.

  2. InfraMarker-enabled above ground marking products including customizeable label for catch basin, curb marking or other applications where a label is required. In addition, the fire hydrant marker is available and can be used on metal hydrants or utility poles.

APP DATA RECORD

The InfraMarker record is contained in the app and uploaded to your GIS or the InfraMarker Cloud in the following format:

  • Tag information

  • Handheld data information

    • Mobile Device ID

    • User ID from Mobile Device

    • Date/Time Stamp of read

    • Comments [recommended to communicate information about the tag position relative to other landmarks or important information related to above ground location].

CLOUD RECORD

Every app record from every InfraMarker tag is uploaded to your GIS system or the InfraMarker cloud. This record can be appended by the customer with information specific their asset management needs.     

INFRAMARKER WEBSITE 

The InfraMarker website collects registration information, controls user access for download and display, links to InfraMarker training and support material, and offers the customer the ability to purchase InfraMarker related marking products and support.   

RFID SCANNER

InfraMarker’s lightweight Bluetooth® UHF RFID readers are capable of reading and writing to tags directly from a Bluetooth-enabled mobile device. Equipped with a powerful Impinj R2000 core and range of interchangeable high-performance antennas, it delivers reliable reads even in difficult or deep placements. 

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