Chapter 2
2.19 Underground Electronic Utility Markers72
Practice Statement:
Underground electronic utility markers are an effective way to enable accurate locating and verification of underground facilities. (See Appendix B: Guidelines for Underground Utility Marker Technology)
Practice Description:
Facility owners/operators can consider several characteristics in the selection and installation of underground electronic utility markers for locating to ensure consistency among stakeholders’ future identification. Various characteristics are included in Appendix B, Guideline for Underground Electronic Utility Marker Technology. Underground utility markers such as electronic markers (EMs), RFID markers, ball markers and magnetic markers are devices that emit a signal to assist in the location of an underground facility. Underground electronic utility markers can be used to locate and identify an underground facility in two ways: (1) the underground utility markers can emit a signal that is a match to a predefined utility type, and (2) the underground utility marker signal can carry identifying data associated with the underground utility/asset type. Underground utility marker selection and examples of frequency ranges by utility and marker type are included in Appendix B, Guideline for Underground Electronic Utility Marker Technology.
References:
- VDOT paper: Electronic RFID Marking and GPS Based Utility As-Built Mapping System
- See Practice Statement 2-5, “Markers for Underground Facilities”
- See Practice Statement 2-17, “Electronically Locatable Lines”
- Publication No. FHWA-HRT-16-019 “Feasibility of Mapping and Marking Underground Utilities by State Transportation Departments”
- Washington Gas, Engineering and Operating Standards, “Underground Plastic Pipe Location Identification”
- Consolidated Edison guideline, “Installation of electronic markers on gas mains and services”
- UGI