Standard Colors for Your Underground Utilities
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. In order to prevent harm, it is important to know or identify these utility lines if your need to dig the ground. The OSHA requires that utilities underground first be located before digging through a piece of land. It is to prevent disaster. The worst thing that can happen if lines are not identified is that fatal injuries can happen. The location of the areas where the lines were struck can experience service 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. 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. These incidents affect public health and safety.
With the use of GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar, companies can locate utility lines. With this machine, companies can easily locate utility lines. However, for the ordinary homeowner, it is enough to simply call 811 to be able to let companies located their lines.
There are certain colors that mark different utility lines for easy identification. Below are some of the colors used for different utility lines.
White lines are for proposed excavation sites. It locates areas that will be excavated in the near future.
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. The color red is associated with fire and danger so it is just appropriate to use it for electrical works.
If you see yellow lines, then they are lines for gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials. The bright color yellow is used to be a warning sign since a natural gas leak can create a potentially disastrous situation.
If you see orange lines, then you should associate this with 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. If you see the color green, then it indicates sewer and drain lines. You can derail any project for a long time if you hit these lines.
You can learn more about the color coding of utility lines if you click here now! You can view here for more.