The ability to see what lies buried in concrete might seem like something only Superman would be able to do.

Interstate Scanning Technologies, West Bend, Wis., accomplishes this feat without the use of super powers, however.

Instead, the company, which opened for business in February, uses ground penetrating radar to find electric lines, water mains, PVC, and other materials buried in concrete.

Interstate Scanning Technologies daily operations are managed by Jared Spang, company vice president and the primary equipment operator.

Spang is certified by Geophysical Survey Systems, manufacturer of the radar equipment used by Interstate Scanning.

The equipment uses electromagnetic impulses to locate buried objects.

"A reflection is sent off by the objects, whether it's a metal object such as rebar, wire mesh, or whether it's electric conduit, or PVC," said Spang.

In scanning, a signal bounces off buried objects and is picked up by an antenna on the radar equipment. Objects buried as deep as 18 inches to 30 inches can be detected, depending on the type of antenna used.

Radar equipment shows the depth and range of buried objects to create a two-dimensional image. However, with software available from the manufacturer data can be viewed in 3-D.

"We're able to turn it, twist it and look at it from different angles so we can get a real good idea what is going on in the concrete," Spang said. "We can create slices a 1/4-inch thick, and that really eliminates any mystery."

Metal, such as rebar, mesh, and air-filled and water-filled pvc are the primary search targets, but the radar equipment can also detect cables in post-tensioned concrete, along with voids in concrete.

"Most of the contractors that we've worked with are looking for plumbing and electric lines," said Spang.

The service can be used by contractors, plumbers, engineers, architects, property owners, or anytime holes are drilled or cuts made in concrete.

Scanning can determine concrete thickness, along with base and subbase thickness. The service can also be used to determine the condition of bridge decks. Sediment preview improves construction and engineering design decisions.

"The list of applications is limited only by the imagination," said Spang. "Any time a company is looking to cut and they're not sure what is in the concrete, we can be of help."

Interstate Scanning does structure scanning, which include floors and walls. The company has also scanned ceilings, Spang said.

When Spang searches concrete for buried objects, he draws a grid on the surface, then scans the grid.

Each spot in the grid is saved as a computer file, then compiled to determine exactly where buried objects are located in the grid.

"I like working in a 10-foot by 10-foot area," said Spang.

At a job where there were 12-inch-diameter tiles, he used the grout between tiles to establish the grid.

"I try to use the environment to my advantage," said Spang.

When buried objects are discovered, the surface is marked with paint, tape, crayon, or markers to show where the materials are located and how far down they are in concrete.

Scanning helps make concrete sawing and drilling safer by eliminating the use of incorrect information on the location of electric lines.

At one job, Spang found four different power sources adjacent to standard electrical conduit.

"The area where they originally wanted to drill had some conduit, so they had to change their plans a little bit. In the end, they were able to make it work," Spang said.

Radiation from the equipment is about 1 percent of a cell phone, so scanning can be done in businesses during regular hours of operation.

"We don't have to clear the lobby, the office or whatever area is being scanned. This isn't an x-ray that requires that everyone leave the room while it is being done," said Spang.

Cutting of concrete can generally be done the day after the concrete is scanned, which gives Spang a chance to analyze the data generated by scanning.

With concrete containing wire mesh, for instance, the shadow cast by the mesh requires some analysis by Spang to establish exactly where other materials are located in the concrete.

"Typically with wire mesh, there's even spacing. When you see something a little bigger, that's a red flag. If it doesn't fit the pattern, it gets marked," said Spang.

If concrete is clear of buried objects, however, sawing can begin almost immediately after scanning is completed.

Scanning technology is expected to advance to the point that the operator can more easily tell the difference between rebar and electrical conduit buried in concrete.

"There are times when you're at the job site when rebar and conduit are next to each other. We're not able to distinguish the difference between rebar and conduit at this point, but we'll see improvements," Spang said.

Improvements have already been made in the services offered by Interstate Scanning.

Spang went to school in April for training for utility scanning to detect sewer lines, gas lines, water lines, sewer laterals, and other underground utilities.

"We're now able to do municipal work," said Spang.