The Importance of Colors of Underground Utility Lines

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. If you need to dig through a piece of land today, you are required by the OSHA to first identify or locate underground utilities. You dont want something disastrous to occur. Fatal injuries can happen if underground utility lines are struck. 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. 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 utility lines are stuck it causes disturbances in traffic lights wastewater pipes, telecommunication lines and more. These incidents affect public health and safety.

Companies can locate utility lines through the use of GPR or Ground Penetrating Radar. With this machine, companies can easily locate utility lines. Companies can locate their utility lines if any property owner calls 811.

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.

Proposed excavation sites use white lines. You can mark areas with white lines that will soon be excavated.

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. Natural gas leaks can create potentially disastrous situations and this is why it is appropriate to use the bright yellow color.

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. 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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