The Importance of Colors of Underground Utility Lines
It is now easier to know what an underground utility line is for. 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. If there is a need to dig the ground, it is very important that the utility lines first be identified. The OSHA requires that utilities underground first be located before digging through a piece of land. Otherwise it can be something disastrous. 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.
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. This is then something that affects 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. Calling 811 is enough for the property owner to let companies located their lines.
It is easier to identify underground utility lines today because they now use different colors for each utility. Here are the colors used for different utilities.
White lines are for proposed excavation sites. Area that will be excavated in the future are marked.
Pink lines are temporary survey markings. These are used by surveyors 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. The color red is associated with fire and danger so it is just appropriate to use it for electrical works.
Yellow lines are used 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.
Communication, alarm, signal lines, cable, or conduit use orange lines. If you see blue lines then these are lines for potable water. Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines used purple lines. Sewer and drain lines use the color green. You can derail any project for a long time if you hit these lines.
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