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Minutes of The Marking Guidelines Meeting
July 25, 2006
Miss Utility Call Center
Hanover, MD 21076
Wayne Gilmer (Utiliquest) called the meeting to order
at 11:10am.
Introductions of attendees were made.
The minutes of meeting held June 27, 2006 were approved.
Wayne asked everyone to double check the spelling of
their email addresses on the minutes to make sure he
has them correct. A few had indicated that they
had issues opening up the attachment. Tom Baldwin suggested
that everyone use Microsoft Word to open the document.
There was a general discussion about the length of the
Marking Standards Committee meetings. Everyone agreed
that the meeting should end at 12:30 pm, but that it
could go until 1:00 pm if need be. Wayne stated that
lunch would be provided since the meetings would run
past noon.
There was a lengthy discussion on developing the definition
and symbol/style for conduit markings.
Kelly Hardy proposed the following conduit marking definition: “Conduit
markings shall be used when identifying any multiple
cabled or piped facilities, in the confines of the
same trench that are encased or contained inside an
external structure other than its manufactured sheathing
or coating. This should exclude direct buried fiber
optics.” Everyone voted 100% in favor of
the definition.
Kelly Hardy demonstrated the four different styles of
conduit markings. Norman Moore asked Kelly how the colors
would be handled for multiple facility owners in one
conduit run. Tom Baldwin stated that the colors are changed
every few feet to let the excavator know that multiple
facilities are present. Several committee members proposed
that the “H” marking style be used for conduit
markings. A few indicated that APWA had adopted the “H” marking
style for corridor marks, but it was agreed that the
committee would use it for conduit marks. Everyone voted
100% in favor of the marking style.
There was a lengthy discussion on developing the definition
and symbol/style for corridor markings. Mike Collins
expressed concerns with the frequent use of corridor
marks. He believes that locators are using the marks
to cover themselves and it is slowing down his crews.
A few indicated that the locator’s supervisor or
someone from management should be contacted when there
are incidences that corridor marks are being used unnecessarily.
Tom Baldwin stated that most of the contractors working
for BGE have purchased locating equipment in the interest
of damage prevention. Mike stated that he has purchased
locating equipment as well.
Norman Moore stated that examples of the various types
of markings and the reasons why they would be utilized
needs to be a part of the marking standards manual. Wayne
said that the manual will include an explanation and
description for each type of mark.
The committee voted 100% in favor of the following definition
for corridor marks: “Corridor markings are
any structure that has a diameter that is greater than
4 inches and shall be used when identifying any multiple
cabled or piped facilities, in the confines of the
same trench that are not encased or contained inside
an external structure other than its manufactured sheathing
or coating. This should include direct buried fiber
optics.”
Wayne demonstrated the different styles of corridor
marks and the issues locators face with the way utility
lines are placed in the joint buried trench.
There was a general discussion about what color should
be used for the outside portion of the corridor marks.
A few stated that the outside corridor mark, regardless
of its color, is there to determine the width of the
trench and that the contractor still must hand dig within
18 inches off the outside of the mark.
After further debate it was agreed that the symbol/style
and the color of the outside corridor mark could not
be agreed upon by the committee and it would be discussed
at the next marking standards meeting.
Wayne Gilmer read an email from Alex Baquie with regards
to the use of paint on hard surfaces in residential areas.
There was a general discussion about how long paint should
last and the need for paint manufactures to come up with
a solution.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Maryland/DC Damage Prevention meeting will be
held on Tuesday July 25, 2006 at 9:30am at the Miss Utility
Center. Coffee and donuts will be served at 9:00am. The
Maryland/DC Marking Standards Committee meeting will
follow Damage Prevention meeting and lunch will be provided.
There being no further business to be brought before
the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:45pm.
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