Standard Colors for Your Underground Utilities
Underground utilities can easily be identified today. Before, it was difficult to do so and people were at risk if they try to make a dig without being able to identify all the lines underneath the land. There is reduced risks today because of new methods of identifying utility lines although not a complete reduction. It is thus important that we know how to identify these underground utilities if there is a need to dig the ground so that you can prevent harm. The OSHA requires that utilities underground first be located before digging through a piece of land. Otherwise it can be something disastrous. Fatal injuries can happen if underground utility lines are struck. The location of the areas where the lines were struck can experience service interruption. To prevent these types of incidents, it is important for property owners to call 811 so utility companies can identify their undergoing lines. Utility companies can then mark out their respective lines when you call them out.
But, despite the marks, there will sill be accidents. It is said that every 6 minutes, there is a utility line that is struck. When utility lines are stuck it causes disturbances in traffic lights wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines and more. Public heath and safety is affected when this happens.
With the use of GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar, companies can locate utility lines. This has made it easier to locate utility lies underground and other important things. However, for the ordinary homeowner, it is enough to simply call 811 to be able to let companies located their lines.
Today, utility lines are marked with different colors for easy identification. The colors below indicate the kind of utility uses it.
White lines are for proposed excavation sites. You can mark areas with white lines that will soon be excavated.
Temporary survey markings use pink lines. Surveyors use pink lines to mark off legal property boundaries.
If you see red lines, then you can be sure that these are electric power lines, cable, conduit, and lighting cables. This color is appropriate for electrical works since it is associated with fire and danger.
Yellow lines are used for gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials. Bright yellow is an appropriate warning color since it is very disastrous to have a natural gas leak.
Orange lines are used for communication, alarm, signal lines, cable or conduit. Lines for potable water use blue lines. Purple lines are used for reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines. Green lines are used for sewer and drain lines. A project can be derailed for a long time when these utility lines are hit.
You can learn more about the color coding of utility lines if you click here now! View here for more.
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