What is the proper term for etching or digging of wall to hide conduit of cables

Question

I am creating a scope of work and I can't seem to find the right term to say...

(including context)

Contractor should provide in wall conduit. If no in wall conduit is available, contractor should arrange "wall digging/wall etching" at their own expense.

Thanks

Answer 1

It's called chasing. It took three goes to find this use in a dictionary to support this assertion.

1. a : to ornament (metal) by indenting with a hammer and tools without a cutting edge

   b : to make by such indentation

   c : to set with gems

2. a : groove, indent [q.v.]

   b : to cut (a thread) with a chaser

— Merriam-Webster

Etymology from French enchâsser - to set (precious stone). It appears unconnected with chase meaning "to hunt etc", which is from the old French chacier later chascier by 11th century chaser. (OED) However a Northern French variant is written cacher, which is of course modern French for "to hide". One suspects there may be a connected root here. As we have noted before we are not authoritative on French etymologies.

Answer 2

In the UK it is called chasing:

When running cables or pipes up (or along) a masonry wall, the neatest method is to bury (or, in builders terms, chase) them in the wall surface.

(From a DIY site)

Although this meaning doesn't appear in dictionaries I have checked, it probably derives from:

chase2: Engrave (metal, or a design on metal)

Edit: Just noticed that Merriam-Webster has this definition, which is closer:

2a : GROOVE, INDENT

b : to cut (a thread) with a chaser

Oxford Dictionary

I have also heard "channelled" used in this context.

Answer 3

This is a contract term, and this isn't law.se so the suitability of a term would depend on local jurisdiction and local industry practices and accepted jargon, which can be highly regional.

In common law systems if both you and the contractor understand each other, (meeting of the minds) then any word would suffice that is mutually intelligible, but this is not a universal concept. In that case I would simply ask the contractor what wording they would expect.

"Chasing" is accurate enough that if questioned can be looked up in the dictionary, but I agree with others that it is not a common industry jargon in the US, for this type of work, but may well be where you are.

In a scope of work, a type of contract, I would err on more explicit and verbose description of the work and not try to find a term unless one immediately comes to mind. The appropriate jargon will vary from one culture to another.

For example.

Arrange to perform any necessary work, at contractors expense, to route appropriate channels for new conduit, if an existing suitable conduit or channel is not available

I would consult a lawyer/paralegal or someone local who you trust that is familiar with what a typical Scope Of Work or if the contractor is above board and willing - ask them for help in the wording

Answer 4

Chasing is the correct word. However also be aware of the use of the word "channel" which can also be used to describe the cut-out section that a wire, pipe or conduit goes into.