Help me understand 300.5 (3)

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

grab12

Member
I got in an argument today with my local inspector who works one day a week and makes in impossible to coordinate work and have any positive production on a project, anyway, I have 3 PVC conduits underground ,1 service (3") and 2 others for phone and cable. The guy tells me I can backfill the driveway just make sure i put the warning tape in. I used the yellow "CAUTION" tape 12" above the conduit. I say ok and do it then wait for him to show up the next day to inspect the trench. To make a long story short he failed my trench inspection because he saw the yellow caution tape and insisted that i have to use the metal tape, and the caution tape is not allowed. He said it is in the code that i had to use the metal warning tape, do i? Also my other question is the article 300.5(3) is refering to service conductors, is that in a raceway and direct burial? Please help, i want to prove him soooo wrong.:mad:
 
why didn't you use the red buried electric tape then he couldn't bitch
he's a ball breaker for shure...try the state but only if you want an enemy for life.....:D
 
grab,

1st. NEC says 'warning ribbon ' , nothing about being metal. Maybe a local amendment ?

2nd. Is the 3" service pipe being installed for the Power Company, who has control over

the 3" pipe. If it is the POCO the NEC 90.1(B)(5) says it is not covered by the code, so the

Inspector has no say over it at all.
 
grab12 said:
I got in an argument today with my local inspector who works one day a week and makes in impossible to coordinate work and have any positive production on a project, anyway, I have 3 PVC conduits underground ,1 service (3") and 2 others for phone and cable. The guy tells me I can backfill the driveway just make sure i put the warning tape in. I used the yellow "CAUTION" tape 12" above the conduit. I say ok and do it then wait for him to show up the next day to inspect the trench. To make a long story short he failed my trench inspection because he saw the yellow caution tape and insisted that i have to use the metal tape, and the caution tape is not allowed. He said it is in the code that i had to use the metal warning tape, do i? Also my other question is the article 300.5(3) is refering to service conductors, is that in a raceway and direct burial? Please help, i want to prove him soooo wrong.:mad:
Click to expand...

What us the "metal" tape anyway, maybe something for a tracer ? I only have red plastic. BTW, once or twice I was out of red and thought about using yellow caution tape, didn't do it. Didn't want red sticker for yellow tape.
 
shermansfather said:
What us the "metal" tape anyway, maybe something for a tracer ? I only have red plastic. BTW, once or twice I was out of red and thought about using yellow caution tape, didn't do it. Didn't want red sticker for yellow tape.
Click to expand...


What code section is this in ? Or is it a local thing ?
 
As far as the plastic tape is concerned, the red I buy says "warning buried electrical wires" the yellow just says "caution". I figure NEC says "warning ribbon" not "caution ribbon". It's cheap enough.
 
Not knowing where the OP is located, I can offer only what one of the NJ POCO's has available:

PSE&G Service Requirements said:
10.
If the customer, for whatever reason, is responsible for installing any underground service runs, and such service runs are not encased in concrete, and are buried 18 inches or more below grade, such service runs shall have their location identified by a red warning ribbon that shall be placed in the trench at least 12 inches above the underground installation. This ribbon shall be of the ?detectable? type, be at least 3 inches wide, and shall state ?Caution Buried Electric Line Below? (Ideal 42-201 or similar product). Tape shall be visible at the exit points of the
service from the ground, where practicable.
Click to expand...
http://www.pseg.com/customer/business/new_service/pdf/RequirementsElecSvc2005.pdf pages34, 39, 109/A-17, et al.


Ideal 42-201 is a metal ribbon:
42-201.jpg
Ideal Industries said:
Features


  • Solid aluminum foil core tapes for protection, location and identification of underground utility installations
  • Meets or exceeds industry standards including APWA color code
  • Formulated to resist degradation from acid and alkali found in soils
Click to expand...
 
Just to add to this, check the job specs too. I had a guy keep isnsiting that he had to put in red slurry, per code. Turns out it was required by the property owner and was on the plans that way.
 
why would you put caution tape in the ground, and not proper warning tape, and expect that to be ok ? What is someone digging up behind you supposed to think if they find caution tape ? Do you think that they will know there is an electric line underneath it ? I agree with your inspector, if for no other reason than the caution tape is not suitable for the intended purpose.
 
nakulak said:
why would you put caution tape in the ground, and not proper warning tape, and expect that to be ok ? What is someone digging up behind you supposed to think if they find caution tape ? Do you think that they will know there is an electric line underneath it ? I agree with your inspector, if for no other reason than the caution tape is not suitable for the intended purpose.
Click to expand...

I agree. If they hit yellow ribbon, they won't think anything of it. Dig a little more, BOOM
 
nakulak said:
why would you put caution tape in the ground, and not proper warning tape, and expect that to be ok ? What is someone digging up behind you supposed to think if they find caution tape ? Do you think that they will know there is an electric line underneath it ? I agree with your inspector, if for no other reason than the caution tape is not suitable for the intended purpose.
Click to expand...

While I agree, I can see where some confusion may lay...

PSE&G Service Requirements said:
10.
If the customer, for whatever reason, is responsible for installing any underground service runs, and such service runs are not encased in concrete, and are buried 18 inches or more below grade, such service runs shall have their location identified by a red warning ribbon that shall be placed in the trench at least 12 inches above the underground installation. This ribbon shall be of the ?detectable? type, be at least 3 inches wide, and shall state ?Caution Buried Electric Line Below? (Ideal 42-201 or similar product). Tape shall be visible at the exit points of the
service from the ground, where practicable.
Click to expand...
Even PSE&G's requirements shows "ribbon" and "tape" to mean the same thing.

IMHO, "ribbon" has a metallic property that can be detected, whereas "tape" is generally ignored on the jobsite :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top