How I Became An Expert on

Undergoung Utilities and their Standard Colors

It is now easier to know what an underground utility line 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. Today, the risks have been lessened although not completely eliminated. 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. If you need to dig through a piece of land today, you are required by the OSHA to first identify or locate underground utilities. Otherwise it can be something disastrous. If you hit any of the underground utility lines while digging then you can be fatally injured. It can also interrupt services in your area where the line is located. Before digging their property, people should call 811 to call the utility companies so that these incidents are prevented. Calling the 811 number will enable utility companies to come out and mark their respective utility lines.

Marking lines may lessen the risks but there are time when accidents still happen. The reality is that there is an incident almost every 6 minutes where utility line are struck. Traffic lights, wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines, etc. are affected when lines are struck. Public heath and safety is affected when this happens.

With the use of GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar, companies can locate utility lines. With this machine, companies can easily locate utility lines. Calling 811 is enough for the property owner 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Hitting this line can truly derail any project for a long period of time.

You can learn more about the color coding of utility lines if you click here now! You can view here for more.