Pvc laid in trench buried with no warning tape and no inspection

[zappy]

Asked foreman shouldn't this be inspected first? He said for what? I just left it at that. My question is 1. Do you always need to lay warning tape above the pipe? 2. Shouldn't it always be inspected before you cover it. This is a high school. Thank you for your help.

 

[petersonra]

does the spec call it out?

what inspections are required and when is determined by the local inspection agency. if they don't require a trench inspection it is not required.

I don't recall that warning tape is in the code.

 

[infinity]

In the NEC warning ribbon is required for direct buried service conductors not conduit. {300.5(D)(3)}

 

[petersonra]

In the NEC warning ribbon is required for direct buried service conductors not conduit. {300.5(D)(3)}

(3) Service Conductors. Underground service conductors
that are not encased in concrete and that are buried 450 mm
(18 in.) or more below grade shall have their location identified
by a warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at
least 300 mm (12 in.) above the underground installation.

if they are in conduit it appears they still require the warning tape.

 

[frankft2000]

Service conductors would need tape, but looks like non service conductors in conduit would not require burial tape.

 

[iwire]

Service conductors would need tape, but looks like non service conductors in conduit would not require burial tape.

I agree.

 

[infinity]

if they are in conduit it appears they still require the warning tape.

There is no mention of conduit in that section so a conduit would not require the ribbon. That section says this:

(D) Protection from Damage. Direct-buried conductors
and cables shall be protected from damage in accordance
with 300.5(D)(1) through (D)(4).
(1) Emerging from Grade. Direct-buried conductors and
cables emerging from grade and specified in columns 1 and
4 of Table 300.5 shall be protected by enclosures or race-
ways extending from the minimum cover distance below
grade required by 300.5(A) to a point at least 2.5 m (8 ft)
above finished grade. In no case shall the protection be
required to exceed 450 mm (18 in.) below finished grade.
(2) Conductors Entering Buildings. Conductors entering
a building shall be protected to the point of entrance.
(3) Service Conductors. Underground service conductors
that are not encased in concrete and that are buried 450 mm
(18 in.) or more below grade shall have their location iden-
tified by a warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at
least 300 mm (12 in.) above the underground installation.

 

[ptonsparky]

I've seen service conductors encased in concrete. Whoa. real hack job.

So as I understand it service conductors in PVC is fine, but encase that in concrete, you need a marker ribbon. :blink:

 

[qcroanoke]

nevermind

 

[Fulthrotl]

Asked foreman shouldn't this be inspected first? He said for what? I just left it at that. My question is 1. Do you always need to lay warning tape above the pipe? 2. Shouldn't it always be inspected before you cover it. This is a high school. Thank you for your help.

is there a permit on the job?

no? on a school?

yes? well, the inspector may have a problem
with work covered up without his approval.

maybe he will make your foreman dig it up.
maybe not.

warning tape is cheap. i lay a ribbon over
anything i bury.

everyone has a different spin on stuff.
sounds like your side of the street is clean...
time to just get popcorn and watch, and
see what happens.

 

[Ponchik]

Ask your inspector see what they require for the inspection.

As far as the ribbon, IMO it is only for unprotected buried service conductors.

 

[hurk27]

the way I read 300.5(D)(3) is if the service conductors are not in concrete a ribbon is required, and PVC, EMT, as well as RMC is not in concrete or am I loosing it with my English?

(3) Service Conductors. Underground service conductors
that are not encased in concrete and that are buried 450 mm
(18 in.) or more below grade shall have their location iden-
tified by a warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at
least 300 mm (12 in.) above the underground installation.

I would add that in most cases these conductors would be under the utility's control and would not be subject to the NEC at least around here it wouldn't, but lets say you decide to use 230.40 exception 3 and run a second or third feed from the meter back into the ground to an out building/s then I have always been required to install a ribbon above them, I know it's been in the code since at least the 1999 cycle.

The rule here is if the SEC's are not in concrete they get a ribbon.

 

[infinity]

the way I read 300.5(D)(3) is if the service conductors are not in concrete a ribbon is required, and PVC, EMT, as well as RMC is not in concrete or am I loosing it with my English?

Since you've asked you're losing your English.
Subsection (3) falls under (D) which is not for conduit.

(D) Protection from Damage. Direct-buried conductors
and cables shall be protected from damage in accordance
with 300.5(D)(1) through (D)(4).

 

[jap]

the way I read 300.5(D)(3) is if the service conductors are not in concrete a ribbon is required, and PVC, EMT, as well as RMC is not in concrete or am I loosing it with my English?



I would add that in most cases these conductors would be under the utility's control and would not be subject to the NEC at least around here it wouldn't, but lets say you decide to use 230.40 exception 3 and run a second or third feed from the meter back into the ground to an out building/s then I have always been required to install a ribbon above them, I know it's been in the code since at least the 1999 cycle.

The rule here is if the SEC's are not in concrete they get a ribbon.

For what its worth, I agree with you.
No,Subsection 3 under D is not for conduit, but there are service conductors in that conduit,therefore we install a ribbon.