Page 48 - PCCAJournal3rdQuarter2011

PART 1 – SCOPE

A. This section pertains to the protection of all existing underground utilities that exist within and adjacent to work areas. “Paint Marks” or “Flags” as provided by Local One Call (811) or other utility locate services shall NOT be accepted as exact or definitive.

B. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to physically locate any and all existing utilities within and adjacent to the work zone prior to initializing work.

PART 2 – GENERAL

A. All utilities within 5 feet of a work zone MUST be found and seen prior to the start of any excavation operations.

B. Potholing shall be performed to verify the location and depth of the existing utilities.

C. Backhoes, trenchers or other types of mechanical equipment shall not be used to find underground utilities within 10 feet of a work zone.

D. At no time shall picks, round, pointed shovels, or any other type of sharp tool be used for locating utilities.

E. Only square, blunt, non-sharp tools may be used for hand digging.

F. Vacuum Excavation shall be allowed with the use of high-pressure water (up to 4,000 psi) with an approved non-cutting nozzle. Zero degree nozzles are not allowed.

G. Vacuum Excavation may also be allowed utilizing high-pressure air (with dust containment system) or dry vacuum.

H. Formore information regarding the use of VacuumExcavation go to: www.vacuumexcavation.com

PART 3 – EXECUTION

A. Contractor shall contact One Call (811) utility locate service (in writing) at least 48 hours in advance to order locates within and adjacent to the work zone.

B. Contractor shall notify all other known utility companies (those not affiliated with One Call) at least 48 hours in advance to order locates within and adjacent to the work zone.

C. All utility crossings are to be exposed (using methods described in Part 2 above) prior to any excavation.

D. All existing utilities running parallel and within 5 feet of either side of the intended work shall be physically located.

E. Contractor shall not assume that utilities found will continue on the same line and grade.

F. Underground utility pothole spacing and frequency shall be as follows:

1. Gas & Electric lines within 25 feet of the work zone shall

be potholed and marked every 25 feet to verify the line has not changed directions.

2. Gas & Electric lines greater than 25 feet from the work

zone shall be potholed at least once on each end of the limits of excavation.

3. Fiber Optic lines shall be potholed every 25 feet within

the work zone.

4. Telephone & Cable Television lines shall be potholed

every 50 feet within the work zone.

5. Water, Sewer & Reuse Utilities (less than 8” in diameter)

shall be potholed every 25 feet within the work zone. 6. Water, Sewer & Reuse Utilities (8” through 24” in

diameter) shall be potholed every 50 feet within the work zone.

7. Water, Sewer & Reuse Utilities (greater than 24” in

diameter) shall be potholed every 100 feet within the work zone.

8. At least two (2) potholes shall be obtained for each utility

within the work zone regardless of the size of the work zone.

G. Material returned to the inspection hole shall be the original soil compacted back in place.

H. All inspection holes shall be returned to original surface condition.

PART 4 – PERMITTING & SAFETY

A. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that all applicable permits for underground work have been obtained prior to commencement of work.

B. All work shall be performed by licensed underground contractors. C. Contractor shall prepare and follow a written safety plan. This safety plan shall be provided to the permitting agency and shall be made available onsite.

D. Safety plan shall include a site map and show all known existing utilities and shut-off valves.

E. Shut-off valve handles (for all existing water, sewer, reuse, gas & electric utilities) are to be in place through the duration of the work for immediate operation if needed.

Go to www.undergroundpolicy.com to download and print the entire section.

Underground Utility Protection Policy

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