Excavation Safety: Underground Utility Location Color Codes

Utility color codes are used to identify existing underground utilities in construction areas, to protect them from damage during excavation. Colored lines, flags, or both are used to mark the location and denote the type of underground utility.

A special type of spray paint, which works when the can is upside-down, is used to mark lines, often in a fluorescent color. On flags, a logo often identifies the company or municipal utility which the lines belong to.

In the United States, the American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary marking of underground utilities are listed below.

APWA Uniform Color Codes

Red	electric power lines, cables, conduit, and lighting cables
Orange	telecommunication, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduit
Yellow	natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous or flammable material
Green	sewers and drain lines
Blue	drinking water
Purple	reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines
Pink	temporary survey markings, unknown/unidentified facilities
White	proposed excavation limits or route

Some municipalities use the pink paint to make lines and codes on the pavements related to required street improvements such as ramp replacement, asphalt grinding and form injection. These markings are not related to utility locating.

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At Ron Meyer & Associate Excavating, Inc, we’ve been providing underground and commercial construction to private and commercial businesses for 39 years. As the general contractor or subcontractor, our experienced foremen, equipment operators, pipe layers, truck drivers and well-maintained equipment fleet make us an undeniable choice for your excavating services. Let’s talk about your project!

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_location
• https://www.missdig.org/cm/dpl/downloads/content/2320/2020_MISS_DIG_811_Excavation_Handbook_for_Gas__Liquid_Pipelines_with_PA_174.pdf