Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Locating and marking underground facilities is the way operators show the approximate horizontal location of their facilities in advance of ...
Typology: Summaries
1 / 24
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Table of Contents
Underground Utility Marking Best Practices 1 State Corporation Commission’s General Marking Requirements 10 Positive Response Codes 13 White Lining Best Practices 19
Prepared by Virginia State Corporation Commission Division of Utility and Railroad Safety
May 2019
Damage to underground facilities can cause far-reaching consequences, from serious injury and environmental damage to the loss of vital services we depend upon everyday Preventing damage to these facilities is a responsibility shared by all stakeholders and is accomplished through various damage prevention measures
At the heart of any damage prevention program is the exchange of accurate and consistent information between excavators and operators of underground facilities Locating and marking underground facilities is the way operators show the approximate horizontal location of their facilities in advance of an excavation This information helps the excavators to safely excavate around underground facilities
In an effort to enhance the current marking practices and encourage the use of uniform marking symbols across Virginia, stakeholder representatives have agreed on a set of marking best practices that are found in this document All participants in this effort are to be complimented on their dedication and contributions in devising these best practices Operators and their locators are strongly encouraged to follow these best practices to mark their facilities
This document also includes a reproduction of the State Corporation Commission’s General Marking Requirements (Rule 20VAC5-309-110) which must be followed when marking underground utilities in Virginia This reproduction is provided solely as a convenience for the person or persons reading this document and is not a legal reference Persons seeking a legal reference should utilize 20VAC5-309- of the Virginia Administrative Code itself
Nothing contained in the description of the best practices herein is intended to supersede the existing state law or Commission regulations. The State Corporation Commission does not assume any responsibility for the acts or conduct of any reader of this document.
Positive Response Code 94 changed effective May 1, 2019 (See page 17 )
Owner of Facility
4 Arrows shall be used to indicate that the utility line continues outside the ticket area but shall not be relied upon as to the direction of the utility line
5 The owner of a utility line shall be indicated by a letter or letters, designated by the State Corporation Commission, utilizing the APWA color codes These letters shall be legible and placed at the beginning and end of the locate and at sufficient intervals throughout the locate
6 When permitted by the operator’s records, all utility lines of the same type in the same trench owned by the same operator shall be marked individually or by a single mark If a single mark is used, the number of the utility lines shall be indicated at every other mark (Commission Rule 20VAC5-309- L See page 12)
7 When known, the size and material type of the underground pipelines whose nominal outside dimensions are 2-inches or greater but less than 12-inches shall be indicated at every other mark
8 Pipelines of 12-inches and larger in nominal outside dimension shall be marked as follows:
9 To mark a conduit structure or duct bank, the following symbol shall be used (Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 O See page 12):
10 In situations where multiple conduits/ducts which are owned and/or operated by different operators are placed together in a bundle fashion, a conduit structure or duct bank marking symbol shall be used by the first operator marking the facility Other operators owning facilities within the bundle shall verify the marks and add their operator letter designation
Owner of Facility
Material
Size of Pipe
Owner of Facility
Material
Size of Pipe
Owner of Facility Outer dimension of structure/bank
14 Changes in direction and lateral connection to the underground utility lines shall be clearly indicated On changes in direction, marks shall be placed closer together to show accurately the changes in direction On lateral connections, marks shall show where the connection exists and the direction of the lateral
Change in direction
Change in direction
Cross Connection
Lateral Connection
15 In areas where marks may be destroyed (high traffic areas, gravel areas, dirt areas, etc ), or where surface conditions are such that the placement of marks directly over the utility line is not possible, offset markings shall be used (Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 P See page 12) The offset marks should be placed on a permanent surface, which is not likely to be destroyed When possible, offset marks shall be used in conjunction with marks placed in accordance with (1) above Offset marks shall include an arrow, pointing in the direction of the utility line, with the distance in feet (measured with an appropriate instrument) to the location of the utility line shown on the right side of the arrow, and size, material type and other information on the left side of the arrow
16 Valve box covers that are at grade and visible shall be marked with the appropriate color in accordance with the Act (Commission Rule 20VAC5- 309-110 F See page 11) Manhole perimeter, if known, shall be marked Manhole covers and other surface indicators (test station covers, etc ) shall be marked with the appropriate color, if necessary
17 Marking errors shall be corrected by the locator/operator and communicated to the excavator as soon as possible after the discovery of such errors Appropriate methods shall be used to remove or cover up the erroneous markings (Example: black paint may be used to cover up erroneous markings on paved areas) In the event of a utility line damage, marking errors shall be preserved in the vicinity of the damaged area of the utility line, if possible, until such marks are documented
Manhole cover marking
Manhole perimeter marking
Valve box cover marking
20 When marking according to § 56-265 19:1 B 1:
A green arrow shall be used to indicate the location of where the sewer system lateral or private sewer lateral meets the edge of the public right-of- way or public sewer easement This arrow is used to indicate that the utility line continues outside the public right-of-way or public sewer easement, but shall not be relied upon as to the direction of the utility line (§ 56-265 19:1 B 1 a)
A green “T” symbol shall be used to indicate the location of where the sewer system lateral or private sewer lateral connects to the sewer system main (§ 56-265 19:1 B 1 b)
21 When utility lines are constructed using horizontal directional drill (“HDD”) technologies, the operator of such utility lines shall denote the letters “HDD” on the installation record for that utility line When permitted by the operator’s records, locators shall indicate at every other mark, in conjunction with owner, size and material designators the letters “HDD” for facilities installed by horizontal directional drill technologies
22 The locator shall completely and accurately document markings of utility lines Documentation shall include, at a minimum:
a Date manifest was prepared g Size of utility line (if known) b Ticket number h Utility line material type (if known) c Address where markings were i Marking types (flags, paint, stakes, placed etc ) d Time locate was completed j Marking symbols used e A clear sketch of markings k Locator’s signature with measurements to permanent reference points f Facility type marked
23 Underground utility lines shall be marked by the operator or the operator’s designee at the time of installation to indicate the approximate horizontal location on the ground to within two feet of either side of the underground utility line by means of stakes, paint, flags, or a combination thereof consistent with the American Public Works Association color code, the State Corporation Commission’s Rule 20VAC5-309-110, and the Virginia Underground Utility Marking Standards
Persons seeking information or verification of newly installed underground utility line markings shall contact the operator of the utility line
24 Designer ticket marking symbols shall be the same as excavation ticket marking symbols (Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 R See page 12)
C Markings of underground utility lines shall be by means of stakes, paint,
flags, or combination thereof The terrain, site conditions, and the type and extent of the proposed excavation shall be considered to determine the most suitable means to mark underground utility lines
D Paint marks shall be approximately 8 to 10 inches in length and one to two
inches in width except when “spot” marking is necessary
E A minimum of three separate marks shall be made for each underground
utility line marking
F Valve box covers that are at grade and visible shall be marked with the
appropriate color in accordance with the Act
G If in the process of marking an underground utility line, a customer-owned
underground utility line of the same type is discovered, the operator or its contract locator shall make a reasonable effort to contact the excavator or the customer to advise of the presence of the line
H Where the proposed excavation crosses an underground utility line,
markings shall be at intervals that clearly define the route of the underground line
I All markings shall extend if practical, a reasonable distance beyond the
boundaries of the specific location of the proposed work as detailed on the ticket
J If the use of line marking is considered damaging to property (driveways,
landscaping, historic locations to the extent boundaries are known), “spot” marking or other suitable marking methods shall be used
K Markings shall be valid for an excavation site for 15 working days beginning
at 7 a m on the next working day following notice to the notification center by the excavator or until one of the following events occurs:
1 The markings become faded, illegible or destroyed; or
2 If the markings were placed in response to an emergency and the emergency condition has ceased to exist
L Where permitted by the operator’s records, all utility lines of the same type
in the same trench owned by the same operator shall be marked individually or by a single mark If a single mark is used, the number of the utility lines shall be indicated at every other mark
M Operators or their contract locators shall use all information necessary to
mark their facilities accurately
N Markings of an underground pipeline greater than 12 inches in nominal
outside dimension shall include the size in inches at every other mark
O Duct structures and conduit systems shall be marked with line markings
indicating the approximate outer dimensions of the duct structure or conduit system and a solid closed circle over the approximate center of the duct structure or conduit system
P In areas where marks would be destroyed, such as high traffic areas, gravel
areas, dirt areas, or where surface conditions are such that the placement of marks directly over the utility line is not possible, offset markings shall be used The offset marks shall be placed on a permanent surface, which is not likely to be destroyed Offset marks shall include a line marking placed parallel to the underground utility line and an arrow, pointing in the direction of the utility line, with the distance in feet and inches to the location of the utility line shown on the right side of the arrow and size, material type, and the operator’s letter designation information on the left side of the arrow When possible, offset marks shall be used in conjunction with locate marks placed in accordance with the Act
Q The assigned letter designations for each operator to be used in conjunction
with markings of underground utility lines shall be the same as those assigned by the notification center certified for a geographic area, subject to the review of the same and approval of such designations in writing by the advisory committee Such approved designations by the advisory committee shall be deemed final unless appealed to the commission within 30 days of the advisory committee’s written evidence of approval Operators wishing to appeal the letter designations assigned in accordance with this section may file an appropriate formal pleading with the commission seeking review of the assigned letter designation within 30 days of the issuance of the written approval of the advisory committee
R The symbols for marking of underground utility lines in compliance with §
56-265 19 F (ii) of the Act shall be the same as those placed in response to a notice of proposed excavation or demolition
32 No conflict; privately owned utility on property. Contact private utility owner for locate.
Code 32 shall be used when the operator/locator has determined that no utility lines are in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of private utility lines in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket When the operator/locator has marked facilities that are outside of the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket, in compliance with State Corporation Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 I, the operator/locator shall respond to the excavator – operator information exchange system with Code 32
33 No conflict; privately owned utility on property. Contact private utility
owner for locate. Abandoned utility lines may be in area.
Code 33 shall be used when the operator/locator has determined that no utility lines are in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket and the operator/locator is aware of the presence of both private utility lines and abandoned utility lines in the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket When the operator/locator has marked facilities that are outside of the area of proposed excavation as delineated on the ticket, in compliance with State Corporation Commission Rule 20VAC5-309-110 I, the operator/locator shall respond to the excavator – operator information exchange system with Code 33
40 Agreed to a meeting as proposed by excavator.
Code 40 shall be used in response to a meeting notice when the operator/locator agrees to a meeting at the specific time and location proposed by the excavator The meeting must take place by 7:00 a m on the third working day following the meeting notice
41 Mutually agreed to alternative meeting time and location.
Code 41 shall be used when an operator/locator is unable to attend a meeting as proposed by the excavator The operator/locator shall set up a mutually agreeable time and location to meet no later than 7:00 a m on the third working day following the meeting notice Both excavator and operator/locator are encouraged to document the arrangements
50 Installation records, maps or other documents have been provided.
Code 50 shall be used in response to a designer ticket when the designer does not request field markings to be placed The information provided by the operator/ locator may include, but is not limited to, maps, surveys, installation records, as-built records, or other means
51 Records or information regarding private sewer laterals have been provided.
Code 51 shall be used for any of the following conditions:
52 Records regarding private sewer laterals have been provided on an
accessible electronic system.
Code 52 shall be used when the sewer system operator has provided the best reasonably available records regarding the location of private sewer laterals on the Internet or another readily accessible electronic system If the system’s location is unknown to the excavator, the excavator shall contact the operator to determine the system’s location and how to retrieve the records
53 Agreed to an on-site meeting to provide additional information
regarding private sewer laterals.
Code 53 shall be used when a sewer system operator has agreed to meet the excavator on-site because the sewer system operator has no records regarding the location of private sewer laterals, but the sewer system operator has additional information to convey to the excavator
60 Locator and excavator agreed and documented marking schedule.
Code 60 shall be used when an operator/locator has contacted the excavator and the excavator has agreed to an alternate marking schedule Operator/ locator must document agreement in writing (electronic or paper) to include, at a minimum, full name of excavator representative agreeing to the schedule, the excavator’s phone number, excavator’s signature if possible, reasons for the marking schedule, and date and time of the agreement The operator/locator must provide the name of the excavator’s representative agreeing to the alternate marking schedule to VA811’s Positive Response System with the use of Code 60
70 Critical facility marked. In case of dredging, the approximate horizontal location of the utility line has been identified. Operator must be present during dredging or other forms of excavation or demolition operations.
Code 70 shall only be used when such operations are performed in such proximity to a critical facility that it may be destroyed, damaged, dislocated, or disturbed If only part of the work area defined on the VA811 Ticket requires the operator’s presence, it shall be the operator’s responsibility to notify the excavator, clearly delineate when the operator’s presence will be required and document in writing (electronic or paper), the notification to include, at a minimum, full name of excavator representative, the excavator’s phone number, excavator’s signature if possible, and the date and time of the notification When the operator has indicated its presence is required, it shall be the excavator’s responsibility to notify the operator in advance of excavation in that part of the work area, and document in writing (electronic or paper), the notification to include, at a minimum, full name of operator representative, the operator’s phone number, operator’s signature if possible, and date and time of the notification to the operator In the case of dredging, an acceptable means of identifying and or marking the approximate horizontal location of the underground utility line must be determined and that information must be provided to the person intending to dredge For other forms of excavation or demolition, the underground utility line(s) shall be marked When an operator/locator responds to a ticket with a Code 70, it shall be the operator/ locator’s responsibility to provide the excavator/dredger with the appropriate name and preferred contact information, i e telephone number, facsimile (“Fax”) number, email address and or mailing address, for the excavator/dredger to use to inform the operator of the date and time when the dredging or other forms of excavation operations will commence
91 Incorrect address information; please call VA811 and provide correct information.
Code 91 shall be used when the excavator has provided incorrect address information to the notification center The operator/locator shall make a reasonable attempt to contact the excavator to verify the address information before the placement of this code It shall be the excavator’s responsibility to verify the address information and call the notification center to request a new ticket with the correct information
93 Scope of work is too large; please call VA811 to reschedule.
Code 93 shall be used when the area of proposed excavation exceeds the limits of a work area as defined in § 56-265 17 F It shall be the excavator’s responsibility to call the notification center and request a new ticket or tickets that complies with § 56-265 17 F
94 Failed to provide specific location of proposed excavation, please call VA811 and provide the specific location on a new ticket.
Code 94 shall be used when the excavator has failed to provide the specific location of the proposed excavation It shall be the excavator’s responsibility to call the notification center and request a new ticket with a specific location of proposed excavation, as required by 20VAC5-309-190 Code 94 shall not be used when the specific location given is a single address and no additional excavation area has been specified (adjacent property, road and both sides of the road, 100 feet in all directions of an intersection, etc )
96 No response required from this terminal.
Code 96 shall be used if no response is required from a specific terminal ID code If an operator has multiple terminal codes that overlap, they may choose to use Code 96 to display that a certain terminal is not responding If a ticket is cancelled, the operator/locator shall use this code to respond (VA811 will not post responses on a cancelled ticket to the Positive Response System ) If a ticket is transmitted to an operator/locator’s terminal, but field markings are performed by another person under contract with the operator, Code 96 may be used by the operator/locator to convey that they will not respond The person responsible for marking the utility line is required^1 to update to the Positive Response System with the
current marking status Operator/locators are encouraged to document the reason that no response was required
97 Extraordinary circumstances exist.
Code 97 is only used in the event that extraordinary circumstances exist These circumstances may include: floods, snow, ice storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, other natural disasters, blackouts, and massive computer network failures
(^1) In the event that the person responsible for marking the utility line is the
same as the person requesting the ticket, an additional response is not required
In addition to the Positive Response Codes entered by
VA811’s member operators or their contract locators,
the Positive Response System generates the following
automated responses when applicable:
000 - No Response.
000 This is an automated place holder generated by VA811’s Positive Response
System that indicates the member operator has not yet responded and the ticket’s
due by date and time has not yet passed Once a response is posted by the
member operator or the due by date and time has passed, the code is removed
888 - Ticket Has Been Cancelled.
888 This is an automated response generated by VA811’s Positive Response
System when a ticket is cancelled by the person who requested it Once this
response is posted, the system will not accept any further response from any
member operator or their contract locator
999 - Has Not Responded.
999 This is an automated response generated by VA811’s Positive Response
System for Normal, Update, Remark, Designer and Meeting tickets immediately
after the due by date and time has passed and a member operator or its contract
locator has failed to post a response code to the Positive Response System A
“No Show” ticket is transmitted by VA811 to the member operator as the response
999 is posted to the system
