SONDESCAN STANDARD · SSC
The SondeScan Standard
Version 1.0.2 · published 2026-09-02 · catalogue 1.0.1
The SondeScan Standard is the in-house condition-coding system of the SondeScan software: defect codes for pipe runs, manholes and leak tests, each with a plain-language definition and a default grade on the SondeScan scale SST 1 to 5. It is written for operators who do not have to deliver strictly norm-conformant coding. This page is the complete, versioned publication; it matches exactly what the software applies.
SondeScan Standard, a house-own systematic. For norm-conformant delivery under EN 13508-2 / DWA-M 149-3 / VSA-KEK select the respective official standard. Not a certification, not an official norm.
For norm-conformant delivery, SondeScan also codes to EN 13508-2. EN 13508-2 is a European standard published by CEN and available for purchase from the national standards bodies (for example DIN, BSI, SNV); it is not free to read and it is not reproduced here. The SondeScan Standard is not derived from it and maps to no licensed code set.
The SondeScan grades (SST)
SST runs ASCENDING in severity: SST 1 is the best condition, SST 5 the worst and means act immediately. Info codes carry no grade and never affect the object condition.
| Grade | Name | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| SST 1 | In order | No defect visible. The next routine inspection is sufficient. |
| SST 2 | Observe | Minor defect without operational consequence. Check specifically at the next inspection. |
| SST 3 | Plan | Clear defect, function still given. Add to the measure planning. |
| SST 4 | Act short-term | Function impaired or substance at risk. Take the measure within the season. |
| SST 5 | Act immediately | Acute danger for operation, environment or traffic safety. Secure and repair without delay. |
Code format
Every code reads PREFIX-xNN: SSK for the pipe run, SSS for the manhole, SSD for the leak test. x is a mnemonic group letter, NN a two-digit running number. SSK groups follow the operator's question, SSS groups the manhole component, SSD groups the test sequence.
SSK · Pipe run
SSK-S · Substance (pipe fabric)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK-S01 | Hairline crack, fine and superficial | Very fine crack without visible opening. The pipe wall shows a surface crack but still carries fully. | SST 2 | mm | yes |
| SSK-S02 | Crack along the pipe | Crack running in the pipe direction. Points to load from above or a bedding problem. | SST 3 | mm | yes |
| SSK-S03 | Crack across the pipe | Crack running around the circumference. Points to settlement, shear forces or a point load. | SST 3 | mm | yes |
| SSK-S04 | Multiple crossing or mesh cracks | Several cracks in different directions up to a mesh pattern. The wall is weakened over a larger area. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-S05 | Fragments: wall pieces broken, still in place | The pipe wall is broken into pieces which still sit in position. Precursor of a break. | SST 4 | yes | |
| SSK-S06 | Break: wall pieces missing or displaced | Parts of the pipe wall are missing or displaced. Soil can enter, the load capacity is at risk. | SST 4 | yes | |
| SSK-S07 | Collapse: cross-section partly or fully destroyed | The pipe has collapsed, the cross-section is partly or fully blocked. Immediate action required. | SST 5 | % | |
| SSK-S08 | Hole or missing spot in the wall | Wall material is missing locally. Open connection to the surrounding soil. | SST 4 | mm | yes |
| SSK-S09 | Surface worn off (corrosion or wear) | The inner surface is worn off by abrasion or chemical attack. Aggregate or reinforcement may be visible. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-S10 | Spalling or local surface damage | Locally spalled or damaged surface without weakening the wall throughout. | SST 2 | yes | |
| SSK-S11 | Inner lining (liner) defective | An installed lining is wrinkled, detached, open or damaged. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-S12 | Soil or void visible | Soil or a void behind the wall is visible through an opening. Danger of surface collapse. | SST 5 | yes |
SSK-F · Flow (drainage capacity impaired)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK-F01 | Deposits on the invert (sand, gravel, sludge) | Loose deposits in the invert reduce the free cross-section. | SST 2 | % | |
| SSK-F02 | Attached deposits on the wall (grease, films) | Adhering layers such as grease or dirt films on wall or crown. | SST 2 | % | yes |
| SSK-F03 | Hard crust (scaling, incrustation) | Hardened deposits that a normal flush does not remove. | SST 3 | % | yes |
| SSK-F04 | Roots, single ingrown | Single roots have entered through joints or connections. | SST 3 | % | yes |
| SSK-F05 | Root ball or massive ingrowth | Dense root ingrowth clearly narrowing the cross-section. | SST 4 | % | yes |
| SSK-F06 | Obstacle or foreign object in the cross-section | An object lies or protrudes into the cross-section (rubble, stones, tools, protruding parts). | SST 3 | % | yes |
| SSK-F07 | Blockage, partial | The flow is clearly impaired, part of the cross-section is closed. | SST 4 | % | |
| SSK-F08 | Blockage, complete | No flow possible any more. Backwater is imminent or already present. | SST 5 | ||
| SSK-F09 | High water level, backwater visible | Unusually high or standing water points to a flow obstacle or a back-fall. | SST 3 | % | |
| SSK-F10 | Vermin sighted | Rats or other vermin were sighted during the survey. | SST 2 | ||
| SSK-F11 | Biological film or ochre deposits | Biological growth or iron-rich deposits (ochre) on the wall. | SST 2 | yes |
SSK-V · Joints and connections
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK-V01 | Joint displaced lengthwise | Two pipes are pulled apart lengthwise at the joint. | SST 2 | mm | |
| SSK-V02 | Joint offset radially (edge offset) | The pipes are offset sideways or in height against each other at the joint. | SST 3 | mm | yes |
| SSK-V03 | Seal visible or torn out | The sealing element of a joint protrudes visibly into the pipe or is missing. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-V04 | Connection protrudes into the cross-section | A connected pipe protrudes into the main cross-section, impairing flow and cleaning. | SST 2 | % | yes |
| SSK-V05 | Connection damaged or leaking | The connection joint is broken, open or leaking. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-V06 | Connection abandoned, not properly sealed | A connection no longer in use is open instead of properly sealed. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-V07 | Connection proper (inventory note) | A connection exists and is properly integrated. Pure inventory note. | SST 1 | yes |
SSK-W · Water (ingress and egress)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK-W01 | Wall damp (ingress without visible run) | Damp spot or sweating wall. Water enters but does not visibly run. | SST 2 | yes | |
| SSK-W02 | Water visibly running in | Extraneous water visibly runs into the pipe, for example through a joint or a crack. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSK-W03 | Water entering spraying or under pressure | Water enters under pressure. Points to high groundwater and a larger leak. | SST 4 | yes | |
| SSK-W04 | Suspected water egress (exfiltration) | Signs that wastewater leaves the pipe into the soil (for example wash-outs). | SST 3 | yes |
SSK-G · Geometry (position and shape)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK-G01 | Pipe deformed (cross-section changed) | The cross-section is deformed against the target shape. State the deformation in percent. | SST 3 | % | |
| SSK-G02 | Sag holding standing water | The pipe sags locally, water remains standing. | SST 2 | m | |
| SSK-G03 | Back-fall | The pipe falls against the flow direction over a stretch. | SST 2 | m | |
| SSK-G04 | Direction deviation, unplanned bend | The pipe visibly deviates from the planned axis. | SST 2 |
SSK-I · Info (survey and orientation points)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK-I01 | Start of survey | Start of the survey at the start point. Not a defect, orientation only. | Info | ||
| SSK-I02 | End of survey | End of the survey at the end station. Not a defect, orientation only. | Info | ||
| SSK-I03 | Info point (general remark) | General observation without defect character, for example material change or photo. | Info | ||
| SSK-I04 | Survey aborted (state reason) | The survey was aborted before the target. State the reason in the remark. | Info | ||
| SSK-I05 | Camera under water or view obstructed | The view was temporarily or permanently obstructed. Statements in this range are limited. | Info | ||
| SSK-I06 | Cleaning performed | The section was cleaned. Reference to the cleaning report. | Info |
SSS · Manhole
SSS-D · Cover and frame
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSS-D01 | Cover damaged or broken | The manhole cover is cracked, broken or incomplete. | SST 4 | ||
| SSS-D02 | Cover missing | The cover is missing entirely. Acute danger for people and traffic. | SST 5 | ||
| SSS-D03 | Frame loose or cover rattling | Frame or cover do not sit firmly. Noise and progressing damage are imminent. | SST 3 | ||
| SSS-D04 | Cover not level (trip edge) | The cover sits higher or lower than the surrounding surface. | SST 3 | mm |
SSS-H · Neck and cone
SSS-W · Wall and rings
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSS-W01 | Manhole ring cracked or broken | A wall ring of the chamber is cracked or broken. | SST 3 | mm | yes |
| SSS-W02 | Joints open or rings offset | Joints between rings are open or the rings are offset against each other. | SST 2 | mm | yes |
| SSS-W03 | Wall surface worn (corrosion) | The wall surface is worn by chemical attack or abrasion. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSS-W04 | Water entering through wall or joint | Extraneous water visibly enters through the manhole wall or a joint. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSS-W05 | Mortar missing or masonry open | In masonry manholes joint mortar is missing or bricks lie exposed. | SST 3 | yes |
SSS-B · Benching and channel
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSS-B01 | Benching damaged | The walkable benching next to the channel is damaged or broken out. | SST 2 | ||
| SSS-B02 | Channel damaged or broken out | The open flow channel in the manhole base is damaged. | SST 3 | ||
| SSS-B03 | Flow obstructed or backwater in the manhole | Water backs up in the manhole or drains visibly impaired. | SST 3 |
SSS-S · Invert
SSS-Z · Access (step irons)
SSS-A · Connections (inlet and outlet)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSS-A01 | Inlet or outlet damaged | The connection of an inlet or the outlet is broken, open or leaking. | SST 3 | yes | |
| SSS-A02 | Connection protrudes into the manhole | A connected pipe protrudes disturbingly into the chamber. | SST 2 | yes | |
| SSS-A03 | Roots in the manhole | Roots have grown into the manhole through joints or connections. | SST 3 | yes |
SSS-I · Info (survey points)
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSS-I01 | Start of manhole survey | Start of the manhole survey at the cover. Not a defect, orientation only. | Info | ||
| SSS-I02 | End of manhole survey | End of the manhole survey at the invert. Not a defect, orientation only. | Info | ||
| SSS-I03 | Manhole info point (general remark) | General observation without defect character during the manhole survey. | Info |
SSD · Leak test
SSD-V · Preparation and plugging
SSD-E · Result
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSD-E01 | Test passed (pressure held within limit) | The section holds the test pressure within the permissible drop. Document the result with readings. | SST 1 | mbar | |
| SSD-E02 | Test failed (pressure drop above limit) | The pressure drop exceeds the permissible value. The section is not tight. | SST 4 | mbar | |
| SSD-E03 | Borderline, retest recommended | The result is close to the limit. Retest under controlled conditions recommended. | SST 2 | mbar |
SSD-U · Leak location
| Code | Designation | Definition | Default | Measure | Clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSD-U01 | Leak located at a pipe joint | The leak was attributed to a pipe joint. State the location with the station. | SST 3 | m | yes |
| SSD-U02 | Leak located at a connection | The leak was attributed to a connection. | SST 3 | m | yes |
| SSD-U03 | Leak located at the structure (manhole) | The leak lies at the manhole or structure itself. | SST 4 |
SSD-X · Abort and disturbance
How to cite
dunedive LLC Limited Liability Company: SondeScan Standard, version 1.0.2, 2026. https://dunedive.com/standard - a single code: https://dunedive.com/standard#ssk-s01
Download
The versioned full text as PDF, no sign-up:
Previous versions, kept for citation: 1.0.1 (2026-08-27): PDF English · PDF German · 1.0 (2026-08-21): PDF English · PDF German
Version history
- 1.0.2 (2026-09-02): English wording of the publication corrected (in-house instead of house-own, mnemonic group letter instead of speaking group letter, the operator's question). Wording only: no code, definition, grade or unit changed. Identical to catalogue version 1.0.1 applied in the SondeScan software.
- 1.0.1 (2026-08-27): German catalogue texts corrected to proper umlauts (ä, ö, ü) in 85 fields. Orthography only: no code, definition, grade or unit changed. Identical to catalogue version 1.0.1 applied in the SondeScan software.
- 1.0 (2026-08-21): first public release. Identical to catalogue version 1.0 applied in the SondeScan software.