Surface markings

(a) All surface markings and public utility locations stakings shall be made in accordance with this section. (b) Surface markings shall consist of paint or equivalent material. The paint or material should have sufficient lasting properties so as to stand up to wear and tear of traffic; but should be sufficiently degradable so as not to be permanent, unless the marking is intended to be permanent. (c) Surface markings for the identification of the location of underground facilities shall be located preferably at the center line of the underground facility and at the outer limits of the proposed excavation, discharge of explosives or demolition activity. (d) Where center-line marking is impractical, the location of the facility may be indicated by means of offset surface markings. (e) Staking shall consist of the use of stakes made of wood or any other suitable material. Such stakes shall be placed in an upright position directly above the facility and be exposed above the ground a minimum of eighteen (18) inches. The tope of the stake shall be clearly marked with both the designated utility color and identification abbreviation in accordance with subsections (h) and (i) of this section. (f) In areas where surface markings cannot be utilized, or in areas where the use of stakes would be superior to surface markings, staking may be employed for locating facilities or for designating areas of proposed excavation, demolition or discharge of explosives. Stakes shall normally be located above the center line of the underground facility and at the outer limits of the proposed excavation, demolition or discharge of explosives activity. Stakes shall not be used for offset locations unless surface marking or center line staking is inadequate or inappropriate. (g) Surface markings or stakes shall be located at such appropriate intervals as is necessary to clearly indicate the location and course of the underground facility. (h) With the exception of normal traffic control markings, all markings on public streets, sidewalks and rights-of-way, and all surface markings and stakings of public utility locations and areas of proposed excavation, demolition or discharge of explosives shall be in accordance with, and shall not conflict with, the following uniform color code. (1) Yellow—Gas, oil petroleum products, steam, compressed air, compressed gases and all other hazardous materials except water. (2) Red—Electric power lines, electric power conduits and other electric power facilities. (3) Orange—Communication lines or cables, including but not limited to telephone, telegraph, fire signals, cable television, civil defense, data systems, electronic controls and other instrumentation. (4) Blue—Water. (5) Green—Storm and sanitary sewers and drainage systems including force mains and other non-hazardous materials. (6) Purple—Radioactive materials. (7) White—Proposed working area of excavation, discharge of explosive or demolition; survey markings. (8) Brown—Other. (9) Unpainted stakes with colored ribbon—survey markings. (i) All surface marking and staking utilized for the location of underground facilities shall contain letter designations which clearly identify the type of facility so marked or staked. Such letters shall be legible and shall be used in accordance with the following: (1) C—Communication facilities other than telephone company facilities. (2) CH—Chemicals. (3) CTV—Cable television. (4) E—Electric power. (5) FS—Fire signals. (6) G—Gas. (7) HPW—High-pressure water over 125 PSIG. (8) P—Petroleum. (9) PP—Petroleum products (naphtha, gasoline, kerosene and similar products). (10) S—Sewer. (11) ST—Steam. (12) T—Telephone company facilities. (13) TC—Traffic control signals. (14) W—Water. (15) O—All other facilities. (j) All surface markings and stakings shall be in accordance with the following. ("G" is represented below, but specific product identification use shall be in accordance with subsection (i) of this section.) (1) Approximate location is a strip of land extending not more than one and one-half feet on either side of the markout line. The arrow indicates the direction of run. The length of the mark shall be approximately eighteen inches (18″); (2) Approximate location is a strip of land extending not more than one and one-half feet plus y/2 inches on either side of the markout line, where y is the size of the facility (e.g., y inch pipe, y inch conduit). The arrow indicates the direction of run. The length of the mark shall be approximately eighteen inches (18″); (3) A point where a facility tees off. y and z may or may not be present. y and z are the size of the respective facilities (e.g., y inch pipe, z inch conduit); (4) Offset mark for run of pipe where X′ represents the distance, in feet, from the reference line to the underground facility. y may or may not be present. y is the size of the facility (e.g., y inch pipe, y inch conduit); (5) Approximate location is a strip of land extending not more than one and one-half feet on either side of the line established by the series of stakes; (6) Approximate location is a strip of land extending not more than one and one-half feet plus y/2 inches on either side of the line established by the series of stakes, where y is the size of the facility (e.g., y inch pipe, y inch conduit); (7) Approximate location is a strip of land extending not more than one and one-half feet on either side of, and X′ in the direction indicated from the line established by the series of stakes; and (8) Approximate location is a strip of land extending not more than one and one-half feet plus y/2 inches on either side of, and X′ in the direction (i.e., approximate compass direction) indicated from, the line established by the series of stakes, where y is the size of the facility (e.g., y inch pipe, y inch conduit). (k) A public utility may, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 16-345-3 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, identify the location of a facility connected to its facility beyond the point of the interconnection or tee, but not owned or operated by the public utility as a helpful guide to an excavator in a similar manner to subsections (a) to (j), inclusive, of this section, except that surface markings shall be dotted or broken line instead of a solid line. (l) A public utility may signify that it has no facilities in the immediate area of a proposed excavation, demolition or discharge of explosives by writing "no name of utility or commonly recognized abbreviation" in letters at least twelve inches high using the uniform color code as described in subsection (h) of this section.