All four survey disciplines under a single contract and a unified set of reports for expert review.
A brief introduction to building surveys and a guide to the right service.
Describe your site and objective — we will advise which documents you need.
All four survey disciplines under a single contract and a unified set of reports for expert review.
A brief introduction to building surveys and a guide to the right service.
Describe your site and objective — we will advise which documents you need.
We assess topsoil and subsoil contamination, water quality, noise levels and radiation conditions, including radon. We identify environmental constraints on site use. We prepare a technical report for developing environmental protection measures and passing expert review.
Not a single negative expert review conclusion in 13 years
Environmental surveys — is an assessment of the natural environment on a site prior to design. We check whether topsoils and subsoils are contaminated, measure background radiation and soil radon flux, record site noise and electromagnetic field levels, and identify constraints — protection and sanitary zones, protected natural areas and cultural heritage sites.
Interesting factEnvironmental studies
According to FAO, forming just 2–3 centimetres of soil can take up to a thousand years, depending on natural conditions. The fertile layer removed during construction may represent a very long period of soil formation.
Source: FAO
A teaspoon of topsoil can contain around a billion microscopic cells. Soil microorganisms help decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients and store carbon.
Radon forms through the natural radioactive decay of elements in rocks and soils. It has no colour or smell and is detected using instruments. Its presence is not necessarily linked to industrial pollution.
Source: US EPA
If two independent noise sources each produce 60 dB at the measurement point, their combined level is about 63 dB. Sound energy is added and converted back to a logarithmic level; ordinary addition of decibels does not apply.
Source: OSHA
See a real example — surveys for Kratovo 220 kV substation in Ramensky District: 29 topsoil and soil samples, 4.8 ha gamma survey, radon, noise, and official enquiries to authorities.
Expert review checks not only samples, but also site restrictions. Therefore, our first step is to send official enquiries: whether there are specially protected natural areas, cultural heritage sites, cattle burial grounds, or water intake sanitary protection zones nearby, and what the background air pollution level is.
Responses from government agencies can take weeks, so enquiries are sent out on day one — while fieldwork and laboratory testing are underway.
Stage outcome: official responses on site restrictions — a mandatory part of the report for expert review.
An environmental engineer walks the site and surrounding area, looking for dumps, oil product stains, disturbed soils, signs of waterlogging, and rare plant species. Using satellite imagery from different years, we check what was on the plot previously — for example, a fuel and lubricants depot or a landfill.
Stage outcome: it is clear where to take samples and what to focus on.
| Imagery interpretation | 4.8 ha |
| Site reconnaissance | 1.2 km |
| Soil and ground samples | 29 |
| Microbiology and parasitology | 6 + 6 |
| Gamma radiation dose rate | 48 points |
| Radionuclides in soils | 29 samples |
| Radon flux density | 10 points |
| Noise and EMF | 3 + 1 point |
| Groundwater | 1 sample |
We take samples from the surface and from the geologists' boreholes down to the proposed excavation depth. The laboratory tests for heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and benzo(a)pyrene, as well as microbiological and parasitological indicators, to confirm whether the ground poses any risk to human health.
If there is water nearby, we sample surface water and bottom sediments from the water body, and groundwater from boreholes.
Stage outcome: samples for an accredited laboratory and georeferencing of every sampling point on the map.
We walk the site with a survey radiometer along profiles, measuring the gamma radiation dose rate at control points and the radon flux density from the soil within the footprint of future buildings. We also collect samples for radionuclide content.
If radon levels are high, the design must include radon protection — this is expensive, so accurate measurements are essential.
Stage outcome: site radiation profile and a conclusion on whether radon protection is required.
| Dose rate, mean | 0.09 µSv/h |
| Dose rate, maximum | 0.12 µSv/h |
| Standard for development sites | 0.3 µSv/h |
| Radon flux density | less than 3–10 mBq/(m²·s) |
| Acceptable for industrial buildings | 250 mBq/(m²·s) |
| Effective activity of radionuclides | 34–104 Bq/kg |
All readings are within normal limits — no radon protection is required for the building.
We measure daytime and night-time noise levels as well as electromagnetic field strength. This establishes the baseline background: the designer will use it in the environmental protection section to demonstrate that the new facility will not worsen conditions for neighbours.
Stage outcome: background levels of physical factors for the environmental protection section.
Samples are tested by an accredited laboratory. Based on the results, the ground is assigned a contamination category ranging from 'clean' and 'permissible' to 'extremely hazardous'. This category determines whether excavated spoil can be reused on site or must be hauled to a licensed landfill — a direct construction cost.
Stage outcome: laboratory test reports and soil contamination category.
| Category | Use |
|---|---|
| Clean and permissible | no restrictions |
| Moderately hazardous | backfilling of excavations, landscaping with imported clean topsoil |
| High hazard | backfilling of excavations and trenches beneath at least 0.5 m of clean soil |
| Extremely hazardous | removal and disposal |
We compile everything into a single report: assessment of the current environmental state, environmental conditions map, map of zones with special conditions for use of territories (ZOUIT), forecast of construction impacts, and design recommendations to protect both the environment and human health.
Stage outcome: site condition assessment, constraint maps and recommendations for the Environmental Protection (OOS) design section.
Browse our report for the Kratovo 220 kV substation. It includes:
Survey deliverables: technical report in electronic format for design and expert review.
223 sheets of this report. Client details, signatures and stamps have been redacted.
If the expert reviewer requests additional data or an official agency response, we will obtain it and revise the report ourselves.
Contract prices for environmental surveys on completed projects. Projects with photos feature a detailed breakdown of the work on a dedicated page.
Ramensky District, Khripan
29 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 7 m, gamma survey 4.8 ha, radon, noise and EMF
More about the project →
Khakassia, 1.5 km west of Zarechnaya
16 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 3 m
More about the project →
Podolsk, M-2 Crimea Highway, km 31
12 topsoil and subsoil samples, microbiology and parasitology
More about the project →
Moscow, 2 Bibirevskaya Street, Bldg. 4
1.2 ha gamma survey, topsoils, radon
More about the project →
Kartmazovo, Moscow
6 soil samples, radiation survey
More about the project →
Podolsk, 31 Pravdy Street
6 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 2 m
More about the project →
Noginsk, 5 Soedinitelnaya Street
10 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 4 m
More about the project →
Gorki Leninskiye, Innovatsionny Proyezd
6 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 2 m
More about the project →
Istra, Oktyabrskoy Fabriki, 17
6 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 2 m
More about the project →
Moscow, 7V/1 Novoorlovskaya Street
9 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 2 m
More about the project →
Moskovsky, Solnechnaya Street area
soils and gamma survey of 0.1 ha
More about the project →
Moscow, Vernadskogo Prospekt
6 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 2 m
More about the project →
Odintsovo District, Busharino Estate
8 topsoil and subsoil samples, brook water and bed sediments
More about the project →
Moscow, 72 Rublyovskoye Highway
10 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 5 m
More about the project →
Sokolniki Park, Moscow
10 topsoil and subsoil samples along the route down to 1 m
More about the project →
Moscow, Kolomenskoye, Kashirskoye Highway
10 topsoil and subsoil samples along the route down to 2 m
More about the project →
Desenovskoye, Kaluzhskoye Highway
12 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 5 m
More about the project →
Beshpeltir, Tsentralnaya Street
soil sample, reconnaissance gamma survey
More about the project →
Bugrino, Kolguyev Island
11 soil and ground samples at each of two sites down to 5 m
More about the project →
Moscow, 21 Narvskaya Street, Building 11
0.88 ha gamma survey, indoor radon
More about the project →
Moscow, 2nd Yuzhnoportovy Proyezd, 26A
6 topsoil and subsoil samples down to 2 m
More about the project →These are just some of our projects — we carry out work on 40–50 sites every year.
Enter the site area and building footprint — the calculator will show an indicative the cost according to our rates. We will confirm the final price in our quotation once we have reviewed the site and technical brief.
For capital construction projects subject to expert review: industrial and warehouse buildings, boiler houses, substations, public buildings and utilities. This is a requirement under Article 47 of the Russian Urban Planning Code.
In accordance with SP 47.13330 "Engineering surveys for construction" and SP 502.1325800 "Environmental surveys for construction". The scope of works is defined in the survey programme — tailored to the project, site and expert review requirements.
We determine the number and location of topsoil and soil sampling points in the environmental survey programme in accordance with SP 502.1325800. We take into account the site area and land use, excavation depth, soil cover heterogeneity, and contamination sources. For example, for the Kratovo substation on 4.8 ha we collected 29 samples down to a depth of 7 m, and for a warehouse in Gorki — 6 samples down to 2 m.
The report will state the contamination category and recommendations: some soil can be reused in landscaping beneath a clean layer, while heavily contaminated soil must be removed to a licensed landfill. The designer will factor this into the cost estimate in advance, avoiding surprises on site.
The statutory response time for enquiries is up to 30 days. We submit enquiries on day one, so replies are usually already in hand by the time laboratory testing is completed.
Under SP 47.13330.2016 (Cl. 8.1.7, Table 8.1), each type of data has its own validity period from the completion of surveys to the start of design; it is shorter for built-up areas than for undeveloped land (shown in brackets). Geobotany and wildlife — 2 years; air, surface water, groundwater and sediment contamination, radiation conditions, medico-biological data and anthropogenic load — 2 years (3); soil conditions — 2 years (5); soil contamination and pollution sources — 3 years (5); hazardous natural processes — 5 years (10). If a specific dataset has expired or site conditions have changed, only those studies need updating. Send us your old report — we will tell you what needs to be repeated.
If you do not have a technical brief, describe the project: site location, planned construction, and whether a design exists. We will reply with a scope of work and cost.
