Underground Utilities And Utility Boxes
People usually don’t think about the various types of underground utilities utilized every day until the utilities are unavailable. Or the planning and materials needed for a new installation or repair. But utility workers think about these things every day, including the concrete, frequently used to encase the utility lines.
Because concrete is responsible for protecting these critical infrastructures, any mix has to be high-quality and precise. Then, many utilities run under streets and walkways, meaning any work finishes quickly for reopening. Read on to learn about the types of and coding for underground utilities and how volumetric mixers aid in this type of work.
Common Types Of Underground Utilities
Four common types of underground utilities include:
- Gas;
- Potable water;
- Television or communication;
- Sewage lines; and
- Electric power lines.
These lines are buried anywhere from 17.7 inches to 47 inches (45 centimeters to 120 centimeters) underground and protected within utility boxes. The boxes provide protection from frost, heat, and chemical damage. These boxes, along with their size and style, are customizable to fit the manufacturer’s needs.
Color Code For Underground Utilities
Construction crews follow the standard color code provided by the American Public Works Association when installing and/or repairing underground utilities. Different colors of flags and spray paint identify utility lines by type to those who dig. Always call 811 to avoid potential accidents with any line damage.
The different lines, buried at various depths, are categorized by color and span from red to purple and colors between. Colors for underground utilities are:
- Red: Electric cables, conduits, power lines, and lightning cables;
- Blue: Potable (drinking) water;
- Yellow: Natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous/flammable material;
- Green: Sewage and/or drain lines;
- Orange: Telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit;
- Purple: Irrigation, reclaimed water, and slurry lines;
- Pink: Unknown/unidentified facilities or temporary survey markings; and
- White: Proposed excavation limits
Expediting Roadways, Walkways Using Volumetric Mixers
Cemen Tech’s volumetric mixers take out the guesswork when working on projects requiring utility boxes. These versatile units allow an operator to pour the flowable fill commonly used for utilities in small amounts, such as quarter yard increments. In addition to pouring boxes, their efficiency is also valued when restoring roadways, walkways, and other forms of infrastructure. Volumetric mixers, while cost-effective and requiring little downtime, finish projects faster in comparison to your traditional barrel mixers.