Minimum Cover in roadway

[gjjdemarco]

I have searched the forum and it seems the waters are still muddy for me about this.

The situation is 1 1/2" Schedule 40 PVC in a roadway concrete encased. 240v lighting circuit to be installed.

I read 300.5 as a minimum of 24" of cover over conductors for a roadway. Another Jman at work keeps arguing that if it is under a minimum of 2" concrete, than it only has to be 12" cover.

Does the concrete cover superceed the roadway requirement in any way?

Thanks,

 

[mwm1752]

Under streets, highways, roads, alleys, driveways, and parking lots 24", column 3# without concrete protection --- It appears that concrete protection of 2" per the table allows a reduction in burial depth to 12" -- The 1987 Handbook states as an exception Under streets, highways, roads, alleys, driveways, and parking lots 24" as a minimum, The 1990 Handbook is the first time column 3# without concrete protection is introduced in the table. There is no real clarity addressing your question -- could be an AHJ situation. Usually the most restrictive is enforced unless circumstances arise that the depth of 24" cannot be achieved. In that case 12" With a 2" topper may be acceptable. I would also say the 2" would be a buried protection and not the surface of the road,ect.

 

[eprice]

I lean toward 24" being the requirement. Not only is 24" the more restrictive requirement, I think it is also the more specific requirement. You could have 2" concrete cover in a lot of situations, but under streets, etc. is a more specific condition.

 

[charlie b]

I don't think the asphalt with which streets are made can be treated as though it were concrete. My answer is 24 inches.

 

[kwired]

I have searched the forum and it seems the waters are still muddy for me about this.

The situation is 1 1/2" Schedule 40 PVC in a roadway concrete encased. 240v lighting circuit to be installed.

I read 300.5 as a minimum of 24" of cover over conductors for a roadway. Another Jman at work keeps arguing that if it is under a minimum of 2" concrete, than it only has to be 12" cover.

Does the concrete cover superceed the roadway requirement in any way?

Thanks,

The only "roadway" that I can see 12" cover acceptable for is column 4 second from bottom row.

The conditions for this are limited to one and two family dwelling applications their driveways, or parking areas, and the circuits involved are limited to 20 amps, 120 volts or less and must have GFCI protection.

All other applications is 24" minimum under a roadway.

 

[tom baker]

I have seen traffic signal conduits embedded in the bottom of concrete panels (IE sections of a roadway done in concrete). Backhoe hooked the panels to remove, pulled up the conduit. That fix was a long night. Even if you can locate you are expecting the conduits to be 24".