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The Importance of Colors of Underground Utility Lines

Underground utilities can easily be identified today. 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. 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. Otherwise it can be something disastrous. 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. To prevent these types of incidents, it is important for property owners to call 811 so utility companies can identify their undergoing lines. Utility companies can then mark out their respective lines when you call them out.

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 this happens, it affects traffic lights, wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines and more. Public heath and safety is affected when this happens.

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.

It is easier to identify underground utility lines today because they now use different colors for each utility. 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.

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 associated with fire and danger so it is just appropriate to use it for electrical works.

Lines for gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and gaseous materials use the color yellow. Bright yellow is an appropriate warning color since it is very disastrous to have a natural gas leak.

Communication, alarm, signal lines, cable, or conduit use orange lines. Lines for potable water use blue lines. Purple lines are used 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.

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