Separation of Utilities

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augie47

augie47

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Tennessee
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State Electrical Inspector (Retired)
Is there any requirement in any Code requiring separation of utilities in a trench (gas, water, power, communication) ??
 
@augie47 typically the AHJ or the state body (typically a Utility Commission) requires that dry utilities be separated (i.e. comms, power, gas). That is why you have a joint trench company (or consultant) draw up these trench packages.
 
augie47 said:
Is there any requirement in any Code requiring separation of utilities in a trench (gas, water, power, communication) ??
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I think many cases there isn't really a code but some utilities want a separation for various reasons.

I do believe potable water generally needs to have separation from sewer lines to help lessen possibility of contamination to the water supply should some excavating accident occur.
 
Baltimore Gas and Electric which provides both gas and electric in their service area used to share trenches with gas and electric primaries. The practice was determined to be the cause a serious building explosion do a primary fault damaging the gas line not long ago.
 
It's usually up to your local jurisdiction, either the city or state which would have something more specific. If it's regarding your POCO, then they'll have a 60 page manual that requires a decoder ring and a full moon to figure out, but they usually require some kind of separation depending on if it's parallel (not so much if it's perpendicular).
 
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