Standard Colors for Your Underground Utilities
Underground utilities can easily be identified today. However, a long time ago, it was difficult to identify these utility lines and so when people try to dig there were many risks involved. Although not completely eliminated, risks today have been reduced. 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. It is to prevent disaster. If you hit any of the underground utility lines while digging then you can be fatally injured. 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.
Sometimes, even if the lines are marked accidents still happen. The reality is that there is an incident almost every 6 minutes where utility line are struck. When this happens, it affects traffic lights, wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines and more. This is then something that affects public health and safety.
Companies can locate utility lines through the use of GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar. With this machine, companies can easily locate utility lines. Calling 811 is enough for the property owner 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.
If you see pink lines, they are temporary survey markings. These are used by surveyors to mark off legal property boundaries.
Red lines are used to mark electric power lines, cable, conduit, and lighting cable. This color is appropriate for electrical works since it is associated with fire and danger.
Lines for gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials use the color yellow. Natural gas leaks can create potentially disastrous situations and this is why it is appropriate to use the bright yellow color.
Orange lines are used for communication, alarm, signal lines, cable or conduit. Blue lines are used for potable water. If you see purple lines, that this is for reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines. If you see the color green, then it indicates sewer and drain lines. Hitting this line can truly derail any project for a long period of time.
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