The Importance of Colors of Underground Utility Lines
If you find underground utilities, you can easily determine what type of utility it is for. 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. 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. You dont want something disastrous to occur. If you hit any of the underground utility lines while digging then you can be fatally injured. 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. 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. 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. Below are some of the colors used for different utility lines.
White lines are for proposed excavation sites. Area that will be excavated in the future are marked.
Temporary survey markings use pink lines. Legal property boundaries are marked off by these pink lines.
Red lines are used to mark electric power lines, cable, conduit, and lighting cable. The color red is perfect for electric works because it is associated with fire and danger.
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.
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. If you see purple lines, that this is for reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry 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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