Undergoung Utilities and their Standard Colors

It is now easier to know what an underground utility line is for. The risk was high before when people could not easily identify the type of utility lines underneath whenever they dig. Although not completely eliminated, risks today have been reduced. If there is a need to dig the ground, it is very important that the utility lines first be identified. Before digging through a certain piece of land, the OSHA requires that the underground utilities be located. You dont want something disastrous to occur. The worst thing that can happen if lines are not identified is that fatal injuries can happen. Services in the area where the lines are located can experience interruption. People can call 811 to prevent these incidents, before they proceed with digging their property. Calling the 811 number will enable utility companies to come out and mark their respective utility lines.

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 utility lines are stuck it causes disturbances in traffic lights wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines and more. These incidents affect public health and safety.

With the use of GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar, companies can locate utility lines. When locating utility lines underground, this machine makes it easy to do so. Companies can locate their utility lines if any property owner calls 811.

It is easier to identify underground utility lines today because they now use different colors for each utility. The colors below indicate the kind of utility uses it.

If you see white lines, then these are proposed excavation sites. You can mark areas with white lines that will soon be excavated.

Pink lines are temporary survey markings. Legal property boundaries are marked off by these pink lines.

Electric power lines, cable, conduit, and lighting cable use red lines. 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.

If you see orange lines, then you should associate this with communication., alarm, signal lines, cable or conduit. If you see blue lines then these are lines for potable water. Purple lines are used for reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines. Sewer and drain lines use the color green. 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! Click here for more.