Red: Electric power lines, cables or conduit, and lighting cables. Yellow: Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous materials. Orange: Communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduits, and fiber. Blue: Potable water.
Red is the color for electrical equipment. Red can indicate the subterranean presence of power lines, cables, conduits, transformers, or even lightning cables. Red stands out against most surfaces, and for that we can all be glad. Red means “Be careful!” Yellow Means natural gas, petroleum, or steam.
Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. If locate flags are in place for more than 14 days without any activity, the property owner can remove them because they are no longer valid at that point.
vane; pennant; banner; small flag; flag.
When you see an orange flag, it is marking communications, alarm or signal lines and cables or conduit, aka the system controlling your home's telephone and television access. These are also likely connected to your neighborhood's communication lines, so dig with caution. Blue Flags.
Main lines are generally found at least 24 inches deep, while service lines are gener- ally found at least 18 inches deep. Keep in mind: existing grades can change and the current depth of an electric or natural gas line may be different than when originally installed.
Blue indicates drinkable water. Purple is for irrigation, reclaimed water or slurry. Pink is used to mark temporary survey areas.
If you see a trunk with marks in orange, it indicates that trees has been slated for removal by the Urban Forestry Division (UFD). If a tree has a yellow dot, it doesn't mean the tree is coming down, but it does mean something a bit foreboding. That marks the location for new street tree plantings.
After calling 811, utilities have at least 48 hours to come out and mark their lines with a color-coded paint or flagging system. Red indicates electric power lines, conduit and cables. Yellow represents gas, oil, petroleum or gaseous materials. Orange is used for communication, alarm or signal lines.
These signs should be obvious—look for marking flags, paint, pedestals, fire hydrants, and other above-ground indicators. Even though these indicators may signal there are no underground utilities within the dig area or drill site, be alert to additional warning signs as you start the excavation.
Green for bikesWhat's going on: Green pavement markings within a bicycle lane or through an intersection help to define the space for bicyclists while increasing awareness of the bike facility and conflict areas between modes.
Paint, flags, or stakes indicating the presence of a buried facility should correspond to the following color codes:
- Red = Electric.
- Yellow = Gas/Oil/Steam.
- Orange = Communications/CATV.
- Blue = Water.
- Green = Sewer.
- Pink = Survey Markings.
- White = Proposed Excavation.
Electromagnetic Utility Locating EquipmentIt works by transmitting an electromagnetic frequency through the conductive material of an underground utility. For water pipes, we would apply the signal directly to the pipe by connecting to the pipe at a riser, hydrant, or valve.
You must show legal evidence in order to refute a surveyor's findings. If after discussing the problem with the surveyor you still feel it has not been resolved to your satisfaction, there are other avenues that may be pursued. You can hire a land surveyor of your own choice to perform a separate boundary survey.
Land surveys can cost anywhere between $100 and $900, but most average around $500. The cost of a land survey depends on a series of factors such as property size, terrain and geographic location.
The other reason why there are flags on your lawn is that there is a bigger excavation project planned in your area. These projects involve underground facilities that need to be protected. The state requires utility companies and their subcontractors to locate and mark where underground lines are buried.
Surveyor Abbreviations
| RANCHOS |
|---|
| AGUA HEDIONDA | AGUA HED |
|---|
| R | RIGHT |
| R/O | RIGHT OF |
| R/W | RIGHT OF WAY |
Marking Property CornersMost land developers and home builders mark property corners at some point during the development of a piece of land. The builder's surveyor drives the rebar into the ground at the exact property corner and a cap is placed on top (as shown in the picture above).
Current Condition FlagsOne or two red flags or a black flag means "high surf and no swimming," while green means "calm waters." Yellow signs report light surf or currents and advise caution. Orange flags may be triangular, in which case they indicate dangerous environmental air or water quality.
Yes! 811 is a free phone number and service. The service includes contacting all affected utility operators who will then send utility locators to your site free of charge. Utility lines will be marked with paint and/or flags, usually within 2-3 days.
Calling the 811 HotlineThe best way to locate gas and other utility lines that are underground before you dig is by calling 811. When you make a free call to this federally designated number, your address, information on where you're planning to dig and other information will be sent to any affected utility operators.
American Public Works Association
What do I do? Call the Miss Utility Call Center for assistance. If the damage results in a release of natural gas or other hazardous material or the damage creates an emergency – immediately take steps to safeguard life, health and property AND call “911” or your local emergency personnel to report the emergency.
Miss Utility (811) does not itself locate utilities. Private utility lines are buried utilities that are located on common or private property between the meter and a home or a commercial building. Examples of private utilities are: underground sewer line from the main line in the street to the house or building.
811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center's website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don't unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.
