Recommended Marking Guidelines

For Underground Utilities

FINDINGS OF THE MARKING GUIDELINES SUB-COMMITTEE

OF THE APWA ONE-CALL COMMITTEE

Michael McDonald, Chair

August 9, 2001
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Background ..................................................................................................................................1

Discussion ....................................................................................................................................1

Methodology.................................................................................................................................2

Marking Guidelines Sub-Committee Members.......................................................................3

Recommendations ......................................................................................................................4

Appendix A Recommended Marking Guidelines ................................................................5

Appendix B Responses to Comments Received ..............................................................10

Appendix C Request for Comments Posted on the Internet...........................................25

Proposed Resolution ................................................................................................................27

i
 Recommended Marking Guidelines
For Underground Utilities

Background

Why are the Guidelines for marking underground facilities needed? The
American Public Works Association took the lead in the development of the color
codes for the identification of underground-buried facilities that have been
adopted throughout the United States and many other countries. Currently
throughout the nation and the world for that matter, the placement and
replacement of underground facilities thrives.

The challenges faced by excavators are enormous enough on top of the fact that
they must deal with different legislative requirements from different municipalities
and states. As a result of this drive to place more and more of our infrastructure
underground, a large number of contractors are crossing both local and state
boundaries.

At the heart of damage prevention is improved information accuracy and

consistency in communication between excavators and operators of underground
facilities.

Discussion

Because of these issues, One Call Systems International attempted to create

Marking Guidelines in the early 90s. This effort failed however because no
stakeholder could reach agreement, and there was no common ground.

The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), and the high
visibility damages to underground facilities that lead up to it changed all this.
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 2

Because of this Bill, the Department of Transportation responded to the request

for Best Practices relating to damage prevention.
These best practices covered everything from the design of a project to the
completion and mapping of underground installations as well as emerging
technologies.

Membership of the APWA took a lead on this effort and through the relationships
built through this process it was agreed that the time was right to move forward
with these guidelines.

These proposed guidelines are not all inclusive, nor with emerging technologies,
should anything we propose be.

Methodology

The process we adopted is as follows:

First, make sure that there was accurate representation from all stakeholders as
well as support from APWA staff. Our Stake holders represented the following
organizations and Trade Associations; American Gas Association, Edison
Electrical Institute, the National Telecommunications Damage Prevention
Council, One Call Systems International, the National Utility Contractors
Association, the AGC, the National Utility Locating Contractors Association
(NULCA), Locate Equipment Manufacturers Association, as well as input from
the info-now community due to the web posting.

There were nine responses from the recommendations posting on the web.
Several comments expressed concerns relating to the marking of no/conflict, or
all clear of facilities. Actually this was an oversight by the committee before the
posting of the guidelines on the web and the following changes have been made:
If a no conflict exists at the excavation site instead of GAS/OK, a marking

2
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 3

should be placed indicating at a minimum the initials of the underground facility

owner. Example: NO/PG&E, or a circle with a / through it accompanied by the
owners initials. It was also suggested that the company segment be identified as
well. As stated in a response from AT&T, Numerous government organizations
who have expanded their public works departments and utility units from typical
water, sewer, street, and drain operators into power, telephone, cable TV, ISP,
and other telecommunications carriers.

Finally, there has been a great deal of concern raised about the amount of paint
placed on the ground. This was a concern of the committee as well, however of
a higher concern was that of Public Safety and the reliability of the nations
underground infrastructure.

All responses and comments from this posting have been compiled as well as my
responses and are included as appendices.

The process for all decisions was based on obtaining consensus of all parties.
Everything you see within this proposal are suggested guidelines that all
participants could live with and agreed upon. Many issues still exist that we could
not reach agreement on, however it is the committees feeling that this indeed is
a step in the right direction.

Marking Guidelines Sub-Committee Members

Mike McDonald, Chair American Public Works Association (APWA)
Gary McKay Detroit Edison
Tim Boatfield Georgia Utility Protection Center
Jim Barron National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA)
Allen Gray Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
Jacque Washburn 3M Corporation
Tom Jackson Georgia Power
Morgan Abele National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NULCA)
Ron Boes American Gas Association (AGA)
Danny Barret National Telecommunication Damage Prevention Council (NTDPC)
Dan Simpson WorldCom
Bill Kieger Pennsylvania One-Call

3
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 4

Recommendations

We respectfully ask the Board to adopt the following Resolution endorsing the
Recommended Marking Guidelines in conjunction with the current Color Codes.

Respectfully Submitted by the Marking Guidelines Sub Committee,

Michael McDonald, Chair

4
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 5

Appendix A -- Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities

5
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 6

6
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 7

7
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 8

8
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 9

9
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 10

Appendix B Responses to Comments Received

Response to Larry Ferguson:

Larry the committee agrees totally. Your recommendation will be part of the
report delivered to the APWA Board of Directors for approval. Thank you
again for taking the time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ferguson, Larry D [mailto:Larry.D.Ferguson@Williams.com]
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2001 9:17 PM
To: Teresa Hon
Cc: Haberkorn, Michael A
Subject: Suggestion to showing no gas in area

I work for Williams Gas Pipeline and we are in the same areas as local
Distribution companies -- In the past we had a real problem with the
Local gas company marking no gas -- but guess what Williams had a high
Pressure main 3 feet away. It is imperative that the company Logo or
Initials be placed in the locate marks to show which company has no
Facility in the area.

Response to Dan Munthe:

Dan-Thanks for your response. I will respond in the order received.

(Line Markings)
The premise of arrows at the ends of the requested area makes good
sense, however the committee could not reach consensus on a standard or
recommendation as to how far apart marks should be based off of
variables with field conditions.
(Corridor Markings)
Even though this has the potential for abuse, this was a compromise
reached between the facility owners and the nations two largest Contractor
Associations, the A.G.C., and the National Utility Contractor Association.
These marks are to be used when the material, size and number of facilities
are not known.
(High Pressure)
No consensus could be reached on acronyms other than High Pressure.
This was partly due to no conflict symbology. It was agreed that any no
conflict or site clear indication should include the initials of the company
without facilities in the dig area. This could lead to more confusion than
currently exists.

10
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 11

(Marking Offsets)
If every underground facility, road or permanent surface ran north to south
or east to west, this would be a viable option.
(Marking Buried Splices, Valves, and Manholes)
The proposed guidelines are all the Committee could reach consensus on.
(What was not addressed)
1. White Markings: No consensus could be reached due to varied local
legislation and whether this should be required on small jobs.
2. Addressed with corridor marking
3. Addressed with corridor marking
4. No consensus could be reached
5. No consensus could be reached
6. No consensus could be reached along with magnetic tape

-----Original Message-----
From: Munthe, Dan [mailto:Dan.Munthe@state.mn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 12:12 PM
To: 'Mike McDonald'; Teresa Hon
Subject: RE: Proposed marking guidelines

Some random thoughts in no particular order...

"Line Markings"
Arrows should be used only at the ends of the requested area (as indicated on
the one call ticket). This would indicate that the facility continues (of course).

"Corridor Markings"
This could potentially be abused, i.e. if two facilities shared a 10'
easement could a locate technician then paint a 10' corridor marking across the
whole easement?

"High Pressure"
H.P.= High Pressure. It would be beneficial to develop a standardized list of
acronyms for other situations as well...
COM = Communications
ELC = Electric
STL = Steel
EMS = Electronic Marking System device
CON = Concrete and etc.

"Marking Offsets"
direction (N,S,E,and W) should be included.

"No Conflict"
Should only be used with an informational flag (translucent in color) that

11
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 12

identifies the facility owner and included locate ticket information so that
the flag can not be displaced and used elsewhere.

"Marking Buried Splices, Valves, and Manholes"

Should be differentiation between buried splices and valves and vaults.

Also, these standards do not address...

1. White Markings
2. Size indications (anything over 2" diameter).
3. Material indications (steel, plastic, clay tile, etc.)
4. Spacing of the marks
5. Flags (standardization; owner & phone number?) and frequency of use.
6. Alternative markings; stake chasers

Thanks,
Dan Munthe
Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety
651-296-7364

Response to Robert Davis:

Thank you for your support Mr. Davis. The reason for "Recommended
Marking Guidelines" verses "Marking Standards" is as follows.
Emerging technologies for our industry is changing the way we do
business at a rapid pace. I can remember going on jobsites with my father
watching him locate underground facilities with witching rods. Today I go
to jobsites and see demonstrations of the latest generations of Ground
Penetrating Radar.
Our hope is that these guidelines if adopted by the APWA Board be liquid
and easily modified verses an ANSI standard.

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert H. Davis [mailto:rhdservices@mindspring.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2001 5:58 AM
To: Teresa Hon
Cc: Tim Boatfield; Hans Wonneberger
Subject: Marking Guidelines Feedback

I cannot offer any specific input at this time, only a strong interest.
I just became aware of this effort from Tim Boatfield (GAUPC).

My firm is in the private locating business, locating not only on private property,
but often in the right-of-way. We have been encountering many more types of

12
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 13

facilities than there are official APWA designations over the years. Obviously my
technicians "made up" markings. It has become more of a problem as we have
more technicians and surveyors that we work with and need to standardize.

I think your work in this area is important. However, I am not clear as to why you
want to change from develping standards to only "recommended" markings.

Bob Davis

RHD Services, Inc.

630 10th Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Ga. 30318
404-634-6152
Fax 404-874-8586

Response to Patricia Koeb:

Patricia, thank you for your response.

Your comments regarding "no conflict" or "site clear" have been
addressed in the following manner.
Because in many situations there could theoretically be two companies in
the same area of excavation, i.e.: Missouri Gas and Williams Co. High
pressure, this marking guideline will be recommended.
N/MGE or N/WILLIAMS or N/WGP (whatever initials the facility owner
determines).
Because of utilities initialing their facilities the committee could not come
to a consensus on the use of any other acronyms other than High
pressure.

-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia Koeb [mailto:patricia.koeb@southernunionco.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 1:36 PM
To: Teresa Hon
Cc: Melvin Burns
Subject: Feedback concerning Proposed Marking Guidelines

Missouri Gas Energy

Engineering Department
223 Gillis
Kansas City, MO. 64120

8 August 2001

To whom it may concern:

13
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 14

Regarding the APWA June 6th, 2001 proposed utility marking guideline,
Missouri Gas Energy would like to comment on 2 separate markings:

No Conflict (No utilities within the requested area)

GAS/OK

MGE personnel think that: GAS & (circle with / thru it) may be more
appropriate or possibly just no marking; if that utility is not in the
area.
---------------------------------------

Marking Gas Lines - High Pressure

- could also be Plastic - PE or Cast Iron - CI
--------------------------------------

Your attention to these suggestions are appreciated! For further questions,

please contact: Patricia Koeb at 816-472-3485 ro Melvin Burns at 816-472-3464.

Sincerely,

Patricia Koeb

Response to Gary Auvil:

Gary- the committee agrees with your issue regarding no conflict, site
clear, and the potential for disastrous results. Your recommendation and
comments have been incorporated into the final report for the APWA Board
of Directors.
As with you a large concern for the industry is the issue of over marking. A
great deal of discussion and compromise took place between the
contractors associations as well as the owners of underground facilities.
Your concerns on this matter will be addressed in the report as well.
Thank you again for your participation.

-----Original Message-----
From: Auvil, Gary [mailto:Auvil.Gary@broadband.att.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 1:47 PM
To: Teresa Hon
Subject: Marking Guidelines Feedback

As a representative of a multi business / multi facility company, I see potential

problems with the "clear area - no utility" marking proposal. If, for example, AT&T
were to mark an area "No TEL" it might imply to Excavators that there were no

14
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 15

telephone lines to worry about, while Sprint, MCI WorldCom, and other local
telephone companies may have facilities in the area. Additionally, many
companies now operate separate and distinct businesses that have been merged
together under one name, with segment identifiers. AT&T for instance, has AT&T
Long Distance (designated "LD") and AT&T Broadband (designated "BB"). I am
also aware of numerous local government organizations who have expanded
their public works departments and utility units from typical water, sewer, street,
and drain operators into power, telephone, cable TV, ISP, and other
telecommunications carriers.

All marks should identify the company or entity, and further identify by company
segment. Tickets generated by the local One Call entity will list the member
companies, giving the excavator names of companies and segments or
departments to look for.

Finally, any methods or standards developed should attempt to minimize

The amount of marks required and mandate spray chalk or other products that
Will dissipate, or can easily be removed or covered after work is complete.
Left over marks are becoming deceptive and a form of eye pollution!

Gary Auvil
Director - New Construction
San Francisco Bay Market
550 Garcia Avenue
Pittsburg, CA. 94565
925.432.0500 ext. 225
925.382.7443 Wireless
925.439.9537 Fax
auvil.gary@broadband.att.com

Response to Bill Phillips:

Bill, thank you for your response.

I understand your preference for generic facility identification however
damage to underground facilities and public safety require more.
I will use NO/GAS as an example:
A gas distribution company in the mid-west marked a N/G on the ground
indicating no conflict for gas at the job site. A cable TV construction crew
arrived on the job prior to the due date of the marking request, saw the N/G
on the ground and dug into a high pressure gas line that had not arrived to
mark yet.
This same scenario has applied to many companies; AT&T, Sprint, MCI, El
Paso Natural Gas etc.

15
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 16

The proposed marking guidelines were developed jointly between facility

owners and the nations two largest Contractor Associations, the AGC, and
National Utility Contractors Association.
The only recommendations to be made to the APWA Board of Directors will
be those that consensus could be reached upon.
Thank you again for your comments.

-----Original Message-----
From: Phillips, Bill [mailto:bphillip@czn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 10:47 AM
To: Teresa Hon
Cc: Farrow, Mike
Subject: Marking Guidelines Feedback
This is some feed back from the field
I only care that the facilities are marked so that the contractor
understands. I prefer generic facility designations such as TEL OK for
notification of no conflicts. Most contractors don't know who the local
Company is. This may be a problem for multiple CATV vendors, but they
usually are in common trenches anyway.
Bill Phillips
Operations Supervisor
PSC West
916-686-3032
916-686-9528 fax

Response to Bruce Bocking:

Bruce thanks you for your remarks and your concerns. I will attempt to
address them in the order received. Please keep in mind these
recommendations were reached by consensus and anything that could not
be agreed to was not included.

1. Corridor Markings were developed for the excavating community based

on a need to know how many facilities may be within a given trench. The
committee agrees that this may not be warranted for most Gas Companies
however; it is very necessary for Electric and Communication distribution
companies. In many states the definition of what a facility actually is not
spelled out in the legislation. Many underground maps of older
installations as well may not show the number of facilities. Excessive paint
is a concern of all, however public safety is of greater concern.

2. Your comments relating to no conflict are right on target and have been
adopted for the Boards approval.

16
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 17

3. At the national level there is a great need in both the Electric and
Communications industries. Electronic Markers are used for the following:
service stub-outs, junction boxes, conduit stub outs, and with emerging
technologies data warehousing of facility installation and maintenance
information. The committee could not reach consensus on this issue as
stated in the guidelines.

These recommendations are just that, recommendations. They are a start

and with the rapid changes underway with our industry currently, will
surely change, as new technology is made available.

Thank you again for taking the time and effort to participate.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bocking, Bruce - TPBXB [mailto:tpbxb@socalgas.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 8:44 AM
To: thon@apwa.net
Cc: Hammer, Steve B. - TPSBH
Subject: Proposed Markings

I wanted to take this opportunity to comment on the proposed APWA

Markings displayed on your web site http://www.apwa.net/HotTopics/#14
<http://www.apwa.net/HotTopics/>

#1) I feel the proposed "corridor" markings are excessive and not warranted. If a
facility owner marks up the street with that much paint the cities will demand their
removal.
#2) The "No Conflict" suggestions are ambiguous. GAS/OK could mean no
natural gas line in conflict but there could be a gasoline line existing or vice
versa. What if one member fails to show up? I would suggest "NO SCG" for no
Southern California Gas in conflict. Or "NO Shell", etc..
#3) Marks For electronic markers and buried splices are not appropriate under
Suggested marking guidelines. Those marks mean nothing to an excavator and
just add to the national excessive street marking problem. Thanks for the
opportunity to comment.

Bruce Bocking
Southern California Gas Co.
E&TS - Field Technologies
Bbocking@socalgas.com
213-244-4290

Response to Richard Lonn:

17
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 18

Richard thank you for your input and concerns.

The committee expressed many of the concerns you have remarked about
during our discussions. As a facility owner knows, maps are not always
correct.
Because of this, it was the committees recommendation that size, material,
number of facilities, etc., only be specified, "When Known".
The corridor marking was a compromise between the nations two largest
Contractors Associations, the AGC, and the National Utility Contractors
Association. They were the ones who really pushed this issue. The bottom
line is that if there is ANY DOUBT, this information should not be given.
These Marking Recommendations are a start, and will undoubtedly change,
as new technology is made available.
Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Lonn [mailto:rlonn@aglresources.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 4:54 AM
To: Teresa Hon
Cc: Colleen Heflin; Terry McCready; TBoatfield@gaupc.com;
tvjackson@southernco.com
Subject: Marking Guidelines Feedback

Dear folks,

These comments are concerning the proposed APWA marking guidelines.

Overall, there are several good suggestions in the sample sheet. These
include:

Utility Initials Corridor markings

Conduit Markings Termination Points
Marking offsets the symbology for
Oversized Utilities

However, I have one concern that relates to several of the examples, and that is
to request the locator to mark the size, pressure and material of gas lines with
the symbology. To ask the locator to determine whether the line they are
locating is 6", 4" or 2" and plastic, steel or cast iron when he may not have
records available on site could result in significant misinformation and
mismarkings where you have mixed systems with multiple material and size
changes within a small area.
This is a particularly difficult situation for utilities who cannot take electronic
records into the field The other issue of indicating

18
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 19

pressure is even more difficult to ensure and provides no benefit to the excavator
that I can see. A damaged gas line is dangerous regardless of whether it has a
1/4 psi, 60 psi or 300 psi pressure on it.
As I said earlier, overall, I think most of the recommendations have
merit, but the reasons for not providing information on size, material
and pressure are important and not different at all from the reasons
that locators do not provide depth either.

Thanks for allowing this input.

Sincerely,

Richard R. Lonn
Chief Engineer
AGL Resources

Response to Don Heyer:

Don thanks for participating and taking the time to send your comments.

My response will be based and formatted in the order of your comments

and those of USA North.

I will start by saying that these are recommendations and not standards. As
far as the question of who should come up with these recommendations,
my understanding was that this was voted on by the membership of One
Call Systems International who charged the committee with the task of
moving forward. This effort also falls into line with the APWA color codes,
which has been adopted internationally.
APWA took the same approach as the common ground best practices for
these recommendations, and that was one of consensus.
Please keep in mind that you represent three states and there stakeholders.
APWA represents stakeholders in all 50 states as well as other countries.

As a point of clarification, these recommendations were not limited to only

the owners and operators of underground facilities. The committee had
participation from all stakeholders including representation from the
National Utility Contractors Association as well as the A.G.C. (Both of these
are the premier Contractor Associations in the United States)

Graffiti as you stated is a major issue for Municipalities throughout the

United States, however Public Safety is far more important to Risk
Managers. Again please keep in mind these are recommendations and not
standards. This is an education issue and needs to be promoted as such.

19
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 20

Based off of your remarks and those received by others, the no conflict
symbol will be changed to include the initials of the facility owner. Your
point is well taken that it is ambiguous and could lead to disastrous
results.

While we agree that these recommendations are not all inclusive, they are
recommendations that every participant can agree upon. As was found on
the Common Ground Best Practices Study, it is almost impossible to arrive
at solutions that satisfy the requirements of all state and local legislation.
The same challenges held true for the color codes.
Through education, and the continuing partnerships with other Trade
Organizations, and our participation with the Common Ground Alliance, we
feel this effort is just the beginning of heightened public awareness and
public safety as a whole.

-----Original Message-----
From: Don Heyer [mailto:dheyer@usan.org]
Sent: Monday, June 25, 2001 4:00 PM
To: Teresa Hon
Subject: Comments on Marking Recommendationns Committee

APWA
To Whom It May Concern:

My comments are in blue for your convenience, verses the recommendations in

black made by the APWA Marking Recommendations Committee. There are
several issues with the recommendations of the APWA Marking
Recommendations Committee that my organization, USA North and our
members in Central / Northern California, Nevada and Hawaii have.

1. Even though the APWA has been an outstanding asset of Damage

Prevention and will continue to be, I feel that the Common Ground
Alliance (CGA) Best Practices Subcommittee would be a more appropriate
organization to make any recommendation for new marking standards.
The recommendations would be new standards and their adoption would
fall under Chapter 4 Locating and Marking Task Team Best Practices.
The CGA Best Practices Subcommittee is in charge of modification,
additions or deletions to the Best Practices of the Common Ground
Report. Since the CGA is made-up of all stakeholders including the
APWA, it would certainly be more appropriation organization to review
recommendation for marking standards.

20
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 21

2. These recommendations only deal with one half of the issue. They are
limited to owner/operators of underground facilities and have no
recommendations for the excavators. This leaves a great void between
the two groups, if Damage Prevention is a shared responsibility where are
the recommendations for the excavator as some States have already
adopted. In the three states that my One-Call Center serves, we have had
Suggested Marking Guidelines for both the excavator and the
owner/operator for 5 years plus, why have our and other One-Call Centers
guidelines and been ignored?

3. One of the greatest out cries that the Cities and Counties of California,
Hawaii and Nevada has is Graffiti. Approximately 4 years ago the Cities
and Counties of California tried to past a bill, that would outlaw the use of
spray can paint. If it had pasted, how would the owner/operators of
underground facilities have marked the horizontal path of their facilities?
One of the major reasons that this bill was defeated was an agreement
between stakeholders (especially these cities and counties) that our
marking guidelines would be used to educate both excavator and
owner/operator to limit the over-marking of excavation sites. The white
markings from excavators indicating the limits of their job site is a crucial
part of this undertaking, and the cooperation of the owner/operation to limit
their marking to the area indicated by the excavators white markings.
These recommendations also increase the size of marking by the owner
operator to a point where I believe the Cities and Counties of California
will try to eliminate spray can paint again.

4. Please review the OVERSIZED UTILITY MARKINGS, CONDUIT

MARKINGS AND MARKING GAS LINES HIGH PRESSURE marking
below, these markings create what is called graffiti in the streets. These
marking could be replaced by Example A and provide the same
appropriate information.

5. Please review the NO CONFLICT (NO UTILITIES WITHIN THE

REQUESTED AREA) this marking is ambiguous. What is it saying to the
excavator? By substituting the NO CONFLICT with Example E you
clearly indicate which utility has no facility at this site. The use of generic
markings is strongly discouraged, it confuses all stakeholders at the job
site. Is the NO CONFLICT marking, clearing all gas lines at this
excavation site? It sure seems to be indicating that there are no gas lines
at this site.

The following are samples on how the above suggestions would look (All
markings would correspond to current APWA color code standards:

21
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 22

Line Markings

SBC
Utility identified by Initials

Example A: SBC
24
Our marking example uses less marking paint without arrow points and
allows for width or number of facilities to be displayed which helps the
excavator. Use of arrows is limited to providing direction of offsets
or laterals only.
Corridor Markings

SRP
Identification when number
of lines cannot be
determined
Example B:
SRP
24
Either of the markings above or below use less marking paint and allows for
the width or number of facilities to be displayed. These markings represent
the centerline of the facility or the facility and the hand dig buffer. CA &
HI hand dig buffer is 24 while NV buffer is 30.

22
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 23

Oversized Utility Markings

W 42
Markings for large diameter structures
This type of marking is excessive and unnecessary, examples A
& B take width into consideration, no matter how wide or
narrow.
Conduit Markings

Conduit can be marked just like any other type of facility by using examples
A & B and adding the number of ducts or the width of the duct structure, this
will eliminate unnecessary and excessive markings.
Marking Gas Lines High Pressure

Providing the pressure of a gas facility is not necessary, it could cause an

excavator to think that a lower pressure is safer to use power equipment
around and it creates unnecessary liability for the pipeline companies (what
if they get the pressure wrong. Use of arrows is limited to providing
direction of offsets or laterals only.

Marking Termination Point, Dead End, Stub Outs

Example C:

D.E. E.O.M.

This is how we mark the termination points; either the marking without
letters or with D.E. (Dead End) or E.O. M. (End of Main), width of line can
be added.

23
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 24

Example D:
Marking Offsets
SBC 12
STL
12

Indicate Facility
owner, direction to
utility and distance to

The above is our example of our offset markings. We suggest that the arrow
points the direction to the line, which includes the initials of the utility,
and the distance to the line. The width and composition of the line is
marked on the other side for clarification. Use of arrows is limited to
providing direction of offsets or laterals.

Proposed Markings Consensus not reached by committee

No Conflict (No utilities within the requested area)

No PG&E or PG&E
Example E:
The use of generic description of facilities is strongly discouraged
because of liability. By saying NO or a circle with a slash through it
with the company initials clearly indicates that this utility has no
facilities
Electronic at this site.
Marker

Is this an industry standard marking?

Marking Buried Splices, Valves, Manholes

Establishing guidelines for these types of structures is unnecessary, the

centerline marking or and hand dig buffer covers this type of facility.

Thanks,
Don Heyer, Operations Manager
USA North
dheyer@usan.org
925-798-9504 ext 4

24
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 25

Appendix C Request for Comments Posted on the Internet

(http://www.apwa.net/About/PET/One-Call/index.asp?mode=marking)

APWA Marking Recommendations Committee

Years ago when utility companies, excavators, and utility locators were based in a
single city or region everyone essentially knew what the color codes and markings
standards were for their local utilities systems. Today, utility companies are national
and global entities; excavators work and travel across many different regions of the
country, and utility locating firms have contracts for multiple customers over much of
the country. What is common practice in one region is completely foreign in another.
Excavators and utility locators must often learn a new set up markings with each
area they work. This has lead to a good deal of confusion and frustration of behalf of
the various stakeholders in the damage prevention process.
Members of the APWA and other associations related to the damage prevention
industry recognized the need for a uniform set of marking standards for the utility
industry. While the APWA color code is the universally accepted standard for
identifying utility types, there has not been a universally accepted recommendation
for the methods of marking and identifying utility lines. The intent and hope of the
APWA Marking Standard Committee is to present some basic guidelines for
developing and establishing uniform marking standards for utility lines.
Cases in point:

There are at least 20 known methods for indicating a buried duct structure
There are at least 18 known methods for indicating a single buried facility.
It is not unusual to see completely different methods of marking the same
type of utility line or structure in the same city or region. This is often the
case with different utility owners of the same utility type providing service in
the same areas.

It was with these problems and ideas in hand that the first committee assembled.
The first meeting of the APWA Marking Standards Committee took place on February
29, 2000 at the Underground Safety 2000 Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In attendance were:

Mike McDonald APWA

Gary McKay Detroit Edison
Tim Boatfield Georgia Utility Protection Center
Jim Barron National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA)
Allen Gray AGC
Jacque Washburn 3M Corporation
Tom Jackson Georgia Power
Morgan Abele National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NULCA)

The 2000 APWA Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona was the second meeting of the
APWA Marking Standards Committee. The first two meetings where then followed by
a series of conference calls to help clarify the position of the APWA Marking
Standards Committee.
Additional participants in these meetings were:

25
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 26

Danny Barret AT&T

Dan Simpson MCI
Ron Boes AGA
Don Heyer USA North
Bill Kieger OCSI

Some key issues for the committee:

Change APWA Marking Standards to APWA Marking Recommendations. The

committee felt that the APWA should provide recommendations and guidance
as opposed to setting any sort of required standard.
Include a broad range of stakeholders, along the lines of the Common
Ground: Best Practices Committees.
Establish a consensus forum, also along the lines of the Common Ground:
Best Practices Committees. Only those recommendations reaching full
consensus from the committee members would be included as a
recommendation.

Where do we see these recommendations proceeding?

After review and comments from the other PET committees, as well as comments
from the general membership based off of the Web posting, a compilation of the
proposed guidelines and all comments will be presented to the APWA Board of
Directors for approval.
Again thanks to the staff and membership of the following Trade Groups and
Associations for all their hard work on this project and to those whose names
inadvertently may not have been included in this document.
National Utility Contactors Association Associated General Contractors of America
American Gas Association Edison Electrical Institute Equipment Manufacturers
Association National Telecommunications Damage Prevention Council Office of
Pipeline Safety
Submitted Respectfully, Michael K. McDonald Committee Chair
Proposed Marking Guidelines

Proposed Marking Symbols rev June 2000 PDF

Provide Input Regarding the Proposed Marking Guidelines (Please submit no later
than August 15, 2001) e-mail input to: thon@apwa.net

26
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 27

AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION

1401 K Street, NW 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 408-9541 Fax: (202)
408-9542

APWA Resolution

ENCOURAGING THE USE OF

RECOMMENDED MARKING GUIDELINES FOR UNDERGROUND UTILITIES

Recommended by the One-Call Committee: August 10, 2001

Approved by the Government Affairs Committee: September 10, 2001
Adopted by the Board of Directors: September 12, 2001

WHEREAS, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has been a leader in the
movement to protect underground utilities through the establishment of the Uniform
Color Code for designating the various utilities, which has become a national standard,
and

WHEREAS, the number and complexity of underground utilities has dramatically

increased, largely due to the adoption of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 in the
United States, but also a phenomenon occurring globally, and

WHEREAS, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) provided monies
for exploring best practices for protecting underground utilities, which has raised the
expectations in the construction, utility, and right-of-way management professions, and

WHEREAS, the One-Call Professional/Educational/Technical Committee of APWA and

their networking community, One-Call Systems International (OCSI) formed a sub-
committee to propose marking guidelines to assist in delineating the various utility
owners and size of buried utility infrastructure, and

WHEREAS, the Marking Guidelines sub-committee has developed proposed marking

guidelines and have circulated them to APWA members, including contractors, public
and private utility owners, one-call center operators, utility marking contractors, public
right-of-way mangers, and

WHEREAS, the One-Call Professional/Educational/Technical Committee of APWA has

developed Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities in a report
dated August 9, 2001, and

WHEREAS, the One-Call Committee approved the Recommended Marking Guidelines

and have asked the APWA Board of Directors to recommend these guidelines be used
by all utilities and public agencies, now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, by the American Public Works Association as follows:

The Board of Directors of the American Public Works Association encourages all utility
owners and public agencies to use the recommended guidelines set forth in

27
Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities
August 9, 2001
Page 28

Recommended Marking Guidelines for Underground Utilities, dated August 9, 2001,

and

Furthermore, it is recommended that the various One-Call Centers (sometimes referred

to as Call Before You Dig systems) adopt the recommended guidelines for use in their
respective service area, and

Furthermore, that a copy of this resolution be widely distributed to APWA members;

affiliated professional and trade associations; and appropriate state and federal
agencies.

28