Utilities Identification

DOE-HDBK-1092-2004

11.3 UTILITIES IDENTIFICATION

Before locating underground or embedded utilities, facility personnel should obtain and review

available information for the location area. Resources might be available drawings, sketches,

and site knowledge. Failing to thoroughly research and review all available information, from

the original installation up to the present layout, before beginning an underground or embedded

utility detection survey can lead to possible hazards and problems for locators. Facilities often

utilize direct burial trenches to stack utilities and locator equipment often identifies only the utility

closest to the surface.

Facility drawings and/or configuration control methods often separate utilities by function,

making this initial research very important.

Relying on current locating technology, alone, has resulted in many encounters with buried and

embedded utilities.

11.3.1 CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

a. Facility controlled drawings identifying utilities locations.

Voltage levels, burial depth, and elevation details for "stacked" utilities are useful

information to include on these drawings.

b. As-built drawings/sketches are often required to be submitted for all new utilities

installations.

c. Survey point locations are required at some DOE facilities.

This provides very accurate locations for future reference.

Some DOE facilities utilize Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) equipment to mark

utility locations.

d. An permanent above ground, marking program also provides excellent ongoing visual

safety awareness reminder.

11.3.2. EXCAVATION PERMIT

The excavation permit ensures that the scope of the excavation is clearly defined. It also

ensures that the area to be excavated is reviewed by the appropriate facility personnel, prior to

beginning the work. The use of this permit is recommended for operating facilities and older

facilities which do not have exceptional configuration management. If a requirement, the permit

also assures that consistent work authorization is maintained.

A typical excavation permit contains the following, as a minimum :

Detailed scope of work to be performed

Accurate definition of boundaries for the proposed excavation.

Signoffs for appropriate subject matter expert reviews, if required.

Accurate excavation maps, with all known utilities identified and boundaries clearly

marked.

e. Work authorization signoff

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