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PQS Survey site technician installing a vibration monitor on a construction site next to formwork panels.

Capturing Ground Vibrations Accurately: A Chat with PQS Product Champion John Hutchinson

When heavy piling, demolition, or tunnelling happens close to existing structures, managing ground vibration is vital to prevent structural damage and keep local communities on side. To keep sites compliant and data transparent, reliable monitoring is essential. At PQS Survey, advanced environmental and vibration solutions are a core part of our hire fleet. I caught up with John Hutchinson, our internal product champion for environmental monitoring, to talk about the Sigicom INFRA C22 Wireless Triaxial Vibration Monitor and why it has become an indispensable asset for many PQS customers.

Zero Wires, Maximum Freedom

 

Simon Lunt (PQS): John, traditional vibration monitors can be cumbersome with long cable runs across active sites. How does the Sigicom INFRA C22 change things for site teams?

John Hutchinson (PQS): “It is completely wireless. The C22 packs a triaxial geophone, data logger, and a 4G cellular modem into a single, compact unit small enough to fit in your hand. Because there are no messy cables to run, our hire customers can mount it on site hoardings or structures and be up and running in minutes.”

Long-Term Battery Performance on Remote Sites

Simon: Site managers hate units that constantly need power attention or battery swaps. How does the C22 hold up over extended project timelines?

John Hutchinson: “Battery longevity is a massive win here. It delivers up to four months of continuous, uninterrupted monitoring on a single charge. That means fewer site visits, lower maintenance overhead, and total peace of mind for medium to long-term civil engineering projects.”

Meeting UK Legislation and Protecting Local Residents

 

Simon: Why do our hire customers rely so heavily on these monitors on-site? Is it purely for compliance, or is it about wider community management?

John Hutchinson: “It is a mix of both. Contractors use them to strictly respect UK legislation requirements and prove their vibration levels remain fully compliant with standards like BS 7385. But just as importantly, it ensures that local works do not unnecessarily disturb local residents. Having indisputable data protects you from complaints and keeps community relations smooth.”

Instant Remote Alerts via INFRA Net

 

Simon: How does the system handle vibration alerts?

John Hutchinson: “It streams data directly to the INFRA Net cloud platform. If vibration thresholds are breached, the system automatically triggers instant SMS or email alerts to key project personnel. You can check live graphs, adjust settings remotely, and download compliance reports without ever stepping foot back on site.”

Sigicom INFRA C22: At a Glance

 

Extended Battery Life: Provides up to four months of continuous monitoring before needing a recharge.

Cloud Connectivity: Fully compatible with INFRA Net for remote project management, automated reporting, and live data visualisation.

Rugged & Compact Field Durability: IP67-rated, compact weather-proof aluminium enclosure built to withstand harsh site environments.

Standard Compliance: Automatically processes signals against major international and British standards like BS 7385

MCERTS Certified Performance: Fully meets rigorous environmental monitoring standards for trusted, regulatory-grade compliance data.

John’s Top Tip: Mount Firmly and Early

 

John Hutchinson: “Always mount the unit securely to a rigid surface or dedicated pier close to the asset you are protecting before heavy breaking or piling begins. Getting your baseline readings established early ensures your compliance record is bulletproof from day one.”

Why Hire Your Vibration Monitors from PQS Survey?

 

At PQS Survey, we make vibration compliance straightforward by supplying fully tested, site-ready monitoring technology backed by real expertise.

  • Complete Hire Solutions: Fully calibrated Sigicom C22 units supplied ready for rapid deployment on your project.
  • Installation Option: We can take care of the installation and setup for you if preferred.
  • Seamless Integration: Backed by our technical team to help you configure cloud alert thresholds and standard compliance filters.
  • Our National Hire Fleet: Whether you need short-term monitoring for a heavy demolition phase or long-term infrastructure tracking, our flexible hire terms ensure you get elite monitoring tech without capital expenditure.  We offer not only vibration monitors but also noise, dust, crack and tilt monitors too.

 

Simon Lunt – Sales and Marketing Manager, PQS Survey