Tradefox Reference
Underground utilities.Know what’s below before you dig.
Buried cables and pipes are colour coded so you can tell an electricity duct from a gas main once it is exposed, but the codes differ from country to country. Pick a scheme to see where services usually run and how they are marked, compare schemes side by side, then find the rules and dig-safe service for any country.
Colour schemes
The colour of the pipe, duct or cable itself. Used in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, for Australian conduits and in European pipe standards. You only see it once the service is exposed.
Paint and flags put on the surface by locators. Used in the USA and Canada (APWA colours), Australia, New Zealand and France. It shows where a line runs before anyone digs. The UK has no paint code.
United Kingdom Street Works UK Volume 1
Street Works UK (formerly NJUG) Volume 1: Positioning and colour coding of underground utilities' apparatus
- Published by
- Street Works UK (NJUG Ltd, trading as Street Works UK)
- Edition
- Issue 10 (2023 update, PDF published July 2024); Issue 8 (29 Oct 2013) still widely quoted
- Status
- Current industry guidance (not law). Issue 10 replaced Issue 8 and absorbed the former Volume 2 content.
Recommended colours and positions for buried utility pipes, cables and ducts in streets and footways across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, plus highway apparatus such as street lighting and traffic signals.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- Electricity (HV and LV)Black or redHV cables and ducts black or red; LV cables usually black. Older ducts may hold cables that do not match.Treat any black plastic service as a live electricity cable until proven otherwise.
- Gas (low and medium pressure)YellowYellow PE; older Aldyl A pipe can be tan, and early plastics yellow, green or black.Iron or steel pipes that could be gas or water are treated as live gas.
- Gas (intermediate and high pressure)Orange or yellow with brown stripesIP: orange, or yellow with brown stripes (HDPE); HP steel has a yellow coating or black wrap; reinforced thermoplastic is orange with silver stripes.
- Water (potable)BlueBlue PE, or blue with brown stripes for pipe laid in contaminated ground; iron, steel and PVC mains also in service.
- Water (non-potable)Black with green stripesShown in Issue 8; not repeated in Issue 10.Issue 8 also gave black with red stripes for firefighting water mains.
- Sewers and waste waterOrange, grey, black or blueNo single colour; Issue 10 lists orange, grey, black or blue for gravity and rising mains. Issue 8 noted ductile iron may be red and PVC brown.
- Telecoms (communications ducts)Grey, white, green, black or purpleDuct colour varies by operator; cables commonly black or light grey.
- Street lighting (England and Wales)Orange or black duct, black cableScotland: purple duct and cable. Northern Ireland: orange duct, black or purple cable (Issue 10).Ask the electricity owner first; lighting cables are live.
- Traffic signals and controlOrangeOrange duct and cable.
- Motorway and trunk road communications (England and Wales)Purple duct, grey cableScotland: black or grey duct with black cable.
- Oil and fuel pipelinesBlack (steel)Issue 8: black pipe, with marker posts and tape or tiles above.Work near pipelines usually needs the operator's prior consent.
- District heatingBlack or grey (no unique colour)Steel or PE pre-insulated pipe; marker reads Heat Network or District Heating.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
There is no UK colour code for surface paint marks: Street Works UK and HSE guidance HSG47 do not set one, so marking colours vary by contractor and utility. The US APWA paint colours are often shown on UK websites as if they were UK rules. They are not.
Warning tape and marker mesh Issue 8 (older) guidance
Issue 10 no longer lists tape colours. These come from the older Issue 8 and are still common on site.
Before you dig in the United Kingdom
No statutory one-call. LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD), free online
Typical depths
Typical minimum cover only, never guaranteed. Issue 10 gives roughly: comms 250 mm in footways (450 mm carriageway); LV electricity about 450 mm; 11 kV about 450 mm footway and 520 mm carriageway; 33 kV about 750 mm; 66 kV and above about 900 mm; gas mains 450 to 750 mm depending on size and pressure; water about 750 mm; sewers about 900 mm (footway) to 1200 mm (carriageway). Road changes, old work and obstacles mean real depths can be much shallower.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
The UK has no statutory colour law for buried services; this guidance is the agreed industry convention. There is no UK paint colour code for surface marking. Several UK web pages reproduce the US APWA paint colours as if they were UK rules; they are not. Issue 10 is less detailed than Issue 8 for marker tape, so tape colours here come from Issue 8.
- Street Works UK, Guidance on the Positioning and Colour Coding of Underground Utilities' Apparatus, Volume 1 Issue 10 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Issuer and issue; Table 1 utility colours (electricity black or red, LV black, gas yellow PE and pressure variants, clean water blue, waste water, comms duct colours, district heating); Table 2 street lighting and highway apparatus by region; typical minimum depths; warnings not to rely on colour
- Street Works UK, Publications page (opens in a new tab)Volume 1 current issue is Issue 10 (overall update consulted on in 2023, PDF uploaded July 2024); supersedes earlier NJUG 4 and 7
- NJUG Volume 1 Issue 8 (29 Oct 2013), copy hosted by Essex Design Guide (opens in a new tab)Previous issue: electricity HV/LV black or red with yellow marker tape; potable water blue; non-potable black with green stripes; firefighting water black with red stripes; oil/fuel pipelines black; comms duct colours; street lighting regional colours
Checked 9 Nov 2026
United States APWA Uniform Color Code
APWA Uniform Color Code (ANSI Z535.1 safety colours), as used in CGA Best Practices
- Published by
- American Public Works Association; adopted by the Common Ground Alliance
- Edition
- APWA card Rev. 4/99; CGA Best Practices Appendix B (updated yearly)
- Status
- De facto national standard; many state one-call laws adopt it, and state rules take precedence where they differ.
Temporary surface marks (paint, flags, stakes, chalk) used by locators and excavators to show buried facilities and proposed digs.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
APWA sets paint and flag colours only. The colour of the pipe or cable itself is up to each utility, so never assume a buried line matches its paint mark.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
- Electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cablesPaint: red
- Gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materialsPaint: yellow
- Communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduitPaint: orange
- Potable waterPaint: blue
- Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry linesPaint: purple
- Sewers and drain linesPaint: green
- Proposed excavationPaint: white
- Temporary survey markingsPaint: pink
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Before you dig in the United States
811 (national call-before-you-dig number)
Contact 811 (free) a few business days before digging. Marks show the owner's initials or name and the facility width when over 2 in (50 mm). Within the tolerance zone (facility width plus 18 in / 450 mm each side unless state law says otherwise) dig only by hand or with non-invasive methods until the line is exposed. The colour code is for surface marks; the colour of the pipe or cable itself is not standardised by APWA.
- APWA, Uniform Color Code (Rev. 4/99) (opens in a new tab)Colours and meanings (red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, white, pink); ANSI Z535.1 safety colours; tolerance zone 18 in (450 mm) each side; owner ID on marks
- CGA Best Practices Appendix B (Uniform Color Code and Marking Guide), copy hosted by Blue Stakes of Utah (opens in a new tab)Same colour assignments under CGA Best Practices; state rules that specify other colours take precedence; marking symbols, offsets and tolerance zone
- Common Ground Alliance, Best Practices Appendix B page (opens in a new tab)Appendix B exists within CGA Best Practices (online edition labelled Version 20.0); CGA publishes a new edition each spring
- 811 Before You Dig (Common Ground Alliance initiative) (opens in a new tab)811 is the free national before-you-dig service in the US; contact a few business days before digging; lines marked with paint or flags
- TerraTape underground warning tape specification (ARCAT) (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer specification states tape colours follow the APWA colours per ANSI Z535.1 (red electric, yellow gas, orange comms, blue water, green sewer); some product lines also sell yellow tape for electric
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Canada CSA Z247 and provincial practice
Canada: CSA Z247 damage prevention with provincial one-call locate marking (APWA colours)
- Published by
- CSA Group (CSA Z247); provincial notification centres
- Edition
- CSA Z247 first published 2015
- Status
- National Standard of Canada; locate colours used by provincial centres and utilities follow the APWA/ANSI code.
Requirements for preventing damage when disturbing ground near buried infrastructure, plus the paint and flag colours used on locates.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
The Canadian locate colours are for surface marks only. Pipe and cable colours are set by each owner.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
- Electric powerPaint: red
- Gas, oil, steam and other gaseous materialsPaint: yellow
- Communication and signal cablesPaint: orange
- WaterPaint: blue
- Sewer and stormPaint: green
- Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurryPaint: purple
- Proposed excavationPaint: white
- Temporary survey markingsPaint: pink
Before you dig in Canada
Provincial centres via Click Before You Dig (811 is not national in Canada)
811 is not Canada's national number: use the provincial centre (for example Ontario Dig Authority 1-800-400-2255, BC One Call 1-800-474-6886, Info-Excavation in Quebec and Atlantic Canada). In Ontario, locates expire after 60 days. The CSA store page does not show the colour clause, so the colours here are confirmed from Ontario sources rather than from the text of Z247.
- Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call) (opens in a new tab)Ontario locate marking colours: red electric, orange communication, yellow gas/oil/steam, green sewer/storm, blue water, purple irrigation/slurry, pink survey, white proposed excavation
- City of Windsor (Ontario), Markings and Locates (opens in a new tab)Local utilities use the APWA Uniform Colour Code; Ontario One Call 1-800-400-2255; locates expire after 60 days
- CSA Group store, CSA Z247 Damage prevention for the protection of underground infrastructure (opens in a new tab)Title and scope of CSA Z247 (National Standard of Canada; free PDF for Canadian users); the product page does not set out a colour table
- CSA Group news release via Newswire (18 June 2015) (opens in a new tab)CSA Z247 published in 2015 as a single national damage-prevention standard
- 811 Before You Dig, Digging in Canada (opens in a new tab)811 is not Canada's national number; provincial notification centres with websites and phone numbers
- Enbridge, Click/Call Before You Dig (Canada) (opens in a new tab)Second list of provincial one-call organisations and numbers (BC One Call, Utility Safety Partners, Sask 1st Call, Click Before You Dig Manitoba, Ontario, Info-Excavation)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Australia AS 5488 and industry practice
Australia: AS 5488 utility information classes with national colour conventions for conduits, tape and marking
- Published by
- Standards Australia (AS 5488, AS/NZS 2053, AS/CA S009, AS/NZS 2648.1); WSAA for water industry tape
- Edition
- AS 5488.1 and AS 5488.2: 2022 (first published as AS 5488-2013)
- Status
- Current standards; marking colours widely used by locators and attributed to AS 5488, but the standard text was not opened.
AS 5488 sets quality levels for subsurface utility information (how reliably a service's position is known). Separate standards set conduit and tape colours.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- Electricity (LV and HV)OrangeHeavy-duty orange UPVC conduit for underground electrical, traffic signal and street lighting wiring.
- TelecommunicationsWhiteOutdoor comms conduit white (or white stripe) and marked COMMUNICATIONS under AS/CA S009.Orange is reserved for mains power.
- GasYellowYellow PE, or black with yellow stripes.Industry convention; not confirmed against an Australian standard in this check.
- Water (drinking)BlueBlue PE or PVC, or black with blue stripes.Industry convention.
- Recycled water (non-drinking)Purple (lilac)Industry convention.
- SewerCreamCream PVC is common for gravity sewer.Industry convention.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Before you dig in Australia
Before You Dig Australia (BYDA), free online
Typical depths
Example only (Tasmanian road spec): minimum cover 600 mm for LV conduit under footpaths, 300 mm for ELV and comms only, 600 to 1200 mm under roads. Typical, never guaranteed.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
Australian red means fire services, not electricity, and orange means electricity: the opposite of US paint marks. Lodge a free Before You Dig Australia enquiry (byda.com.au) before digging; the old 1100 number is now a support line for online lodgement. One supplier lists green tape for water and sewer, which conflicts with the WSAA colours; follow the asset owner's specification.
- Tasmania Department of State Growth, Specification 733 Conduits and Pits (Oct 2022) (opens in a new tab)Underground electrical conduit orange, communications conduit white (heavy-duty UPVC to AS/NZS 2053.2); marker tape with trace wire per AS/NZS 3000:2018; minimum cover table
- Voltimum Australia, Correct conduits for communications cabling (2015) (opens in a new tab)AS/CA S009 requires outdoor communications conduit to be white and marked COMMUNICATIONS; orange is reserved for mains power
- WSAA Product Appraisal Report 1213 Issue 4 (Feb 2024), underground marking tape (opens in a new tab)Water industry tape colours: blue drinking water, purple non-drinking water, cream sewer; AS/NZS 2648.1 for non-detectable tape; black lettering repeated at 1 m or less
- Sitemate (Dashpivot), AS5488 colour codes (opens in a new tab)Surface marking colours used in Australia: white comms, blue water, red fire, cream sewer, yellow gas, green drainage, purple reclaimed water, orange electricity, brown petroleum, pink unknown
- Jaybro, Australian colour codes for utilities (spot paint) (opens in a new tab)Independent list of the same Australian marking colours (white, green, orange, red, yellow, purple, pink, blue)
- Schnap Electric Products, Underground warning tape guide (opens in a new tab)Supplier guide: orange tape for electrical, white for telecoms, yellow for gas; tape typically 300 to 500 mm above the asset
- Standards Australia store, AS 5488.1:2022 (opens in a new tab)AS 5488 is published in parts (2022 editions of Part 1 and Part 2 listed in the store); page body did not render
- Austroads ATS 1330 Management of Utilities on Site (Ed 1.0, Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab)Cites AS 5488 Part 1 (subsurface utility information) and Part 2 (subsurface utility engineering); contains no colour table
- Before You Dig Australia (opens in a new tab)BYDA is the single point of contact for requesting underground and overhead asset information
- City of Greater Geelong, Before You Dig Australia (opens in a new tab)BYDA was formerly Dial Before You Dig; page still refers to 1100
Checked 9 Nov 2026
New Zealand NZUAG National Code of Practice
New Zealand: NZUAG / National Code of Practice for Utility Operators' Access to Transport Corridors (duct and marking colours)
- Published by
- New Zealand Utilities Advisory Group (NZUAG); duct colours referenced to the Guide for Safety with Underground Services (2002)
- Edition
- Code of Practice July 2019 (v2); NZUAG handbook revised March 2020
- Status
- Current national code for work in road and rail corridors.
Colour of ducts and pipes, and paint colours and letters used to mark services on the surface.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- ElectricityOrange
- GasYellow (or black with yellow stripe)
- TelecommunicationsGreen, light blue, purple or salmon
- Water supplyBlue or white
- Wastewater (sewer)Light grey
- StormwaterDark grey
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Typical depths
The Code sets a risk-based process for agreeing depths rather than fixed depths. Example from contractor guidance: LV cable around 600 mm. Road changes can leave a pipe laid at 600 mm only 200 mm down.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
Black pipes with coloured stripes (at least 5 mm wide) may also be used, and services are sometimes found in wrongly coloured or plain black pipe, so confirm with the owner. NZ paint marks differ from both the US and Australia: red marks sewers and pink marks stormwater. Contractor guidance notes spray paint is being reduced in favour of whisker markers. Use beforeUdig (free) before digging.
- NZUAG handbook Think Safe, Work Safe, Home Safe (Mar 2020), hosted by Wellington Electricity (opens in a new tab)NZ duct/pipe and surface marking colours (electricity orange; gas yellow; telecoms ducts green, light blue, purple or salmon with purple paint; water blue or white; wastewater light grey with red paint; stormwater dark grey with pink paint); letters E, G, T, W, SS, SW
- National Code of Practice for Utility Operators' Access to Transport Corridors (July 2019, v2), hosted by Auckland Transport (opens in a new tab)Duct colours must follow clause 34 of the Guide for Safety with Underground Services (2002); code sets a process for depths rather than fixed depths
- Naylor Love, Underground Services Identification training module (Jan 2023) (opens in a new tab)NZ contractor guidance: HV electricity in orange duct; tape often at about half the service depth; spray paint being reduced in favour of whisker markers
- beforeUdig (New Zealand) (opens in a new tab)Free online service covering New Zealand, with about 186 member asset owners
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Ireland I.S. 370:2016
Ireland: I.S. 370:2016 Colour code for buried plastic piping
- Published by
- National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
- Edition
- 2016 (replaced I.S. 370:2007)
- Status
- Current Irish Standard; applies to new installations.
Colours for new buried plastic pipes and ducts by service.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- Electricity (125 V and above, incl. public lighting)RedNew ducts red, marked DANGER ELECTRICITY CABLES (per HSA code).Older electricity ducts were black or orange.
- Street furniture and signals (below 125 V)Orange
- Telecoms and fibreGreen or greySmooth duct green, grey or any colour other than red, yellow or orange; corrugated duct any colour other than those three.
- GasYellowAlso yellow with black, brown, green, blue or red stripes; black with yellow stripes; orange; or black with orange stripes.
- Potable waterBlue or blackBlue, blue with brown stripes, black with blue stripes, or black/blue with stripes other than yellow or orange.
- SewerBlack or brownOr black with brown stripes.
- Storm and road drainsBlack
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
I.S. 370 covers the colour of buried plastic pipes and ducts only. It sets no surface paint colours.
Before you dig in Ireland
No single service. Gas Networks Ireland Dial Before You Dig (gas only)
Many existing Irish services do not follow I.S. 370, so colour is a clue, not proof. The NSAI illustration layout is slightly garbled for the public lighting row; treat lighting cables as electricity.
- NSAI, I.S. 370:2016 Colour code for buried plastic piping (illustration sheet) (opens in a new tab)Irish colour code for new buried plastic pipes and ducts: electricity red; telecoms green, grey or any colour except red, yellow or orange; gas yellow-based or orange; potable water blue or black-based; sewer black/brown; street furniture orange; storm drain black
- HSA, Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (2016) (opens in a new tab)Electricity ducts red under I.S. 370 (older ducts black or orange); yellow warning tape over ESB cables; gas yellow; treat black plastic as electricity; typical depths; 500 mm power-tool rule
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Dubai (UAE)
Dubai (UAE): DEWA distribution network safety and protection guidelines
- Published by
- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
- Edition
- Undated booklet (current on DEWA site)
- Status
- Utility requirements attached to DEWA NOCs.
Protection of DEWA MV cables during third-party works.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
Dubai (UAE) sets no colours for the buried pipes and cables themselves. Each utility chooses its own, so identify every service with a locator and the owner’s records.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Dubai (UAE) sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Typical depths
Typical only: HV cables usually 0.9 to 1.2 m deep; tape or tiles may be missing and cables may be shallower.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
Covers DEWA electricity only; no Dubai-wide colour table for all utilities was found. A DEWA NOC and trial pits are required before work; hand-dig over MV cables less than 1 m deep and expose cables by hand within 1 m of a trench.
- DEWA, Safety and Protection Guidelines (Distribution MV network) (opens in a new tab)Yellow warning tape over DEWA cables; protection tiles about 30 cm above cable and tape about 30 cm above tiles; HV cables usually 0.9 to 1.2 m deep; NOC required; hand digging rules
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Europe (PE pipes)
European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Published by
- CEN
- Edition
- EN 12201-2:2024; EN 1555-2:2025
- Status
- Current European product standards.
Colours of polyethylene pressure pipes as manufactured.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- Water (drinking)Blue or black with blue stripesBlue, or black with blue stripes, is reserved for drinking water; plain black also allowed.Confirmed from the draft text of EN 12201-2.
- Water (non-drinking, drainage, sewer pressure)Black or black with brown stripesOr a colour set by national practice.
- GasYellow or black with yellow stripesOrange is also used in some countries for higher pressure.Clause text of EN 1555-2 not opened; colours confirmed by the PE100+ Association and national sources.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Europe (PE pipes) sets no colours for surface paint marks.
These are product colours, not a buried-services code. They explain why yellow gas and blue water pipes are seen across Europe even where no national colour code exists.
- iTeh sample, prEN 12201-2:2021 (PE pipes for water) (opens in a new tab)Drinking water PE pipes black or blue; blue or black-with-blue-stripes reserved for drinking water; other uses black, black with brown stripes or national colours (draft text)
- PE100+ Association, How can I verify the origin of the pipe (opens in a new tab)Industry body: gas PE pipe yellow or black with yellow stripes; water PE pipe blue or black with blue stripes
- Slovak preview of EN 1555-2:2025 (opens in a new tab)EN 1555-2:2025 (PE gas pipes) supersedes the 2021 edition and has a colour clause (6.2); clause text not visible in the preview
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Europe (tape)
EN 12613: Plastics warning devices for underground cables and pipelines with visual characteristics
- Published by
- CEN (adopted nationally as BS EN, DIN EN, NF EN, I.S. EN, etc.)
- Edition
- EN 12613:2021 (supersedes EN 12613:2009)
- Status
- Current European standard.
Material, strength and performance of plastic warning tapes, nets and mesh laid above buried cables and pipes.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
Europe (tape) sets no colours for the buried pipes and cables themselves. Each utility chooses its own, so identify every service with a locator and the owner’s records.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Europe (tape) sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
A common misunderstanding is that EN 12613 sets a pan-European tape colour code. It does not: it covers how the tape is made and how well it performs. Colours come from national practice (for example French mesh colours, UK yellow tape over cables) or from the utility's own specification.
- iTeh preview, SIST EN 12613:2021 (opens in a new tab)Scope (plastic warning devices for buried cables and pipes); supersedes EN 12613:2009; colour is left to agreement between manufacturer and purchaser
- Arkara DIN warning tape datasheet (Hornbach) (opens in a new tab)German warning tape sold to DIN EN 12613 in blue, yellow, green and red with no national colour-to-service table
Checked 9 Nov 2026
France
France: anti-damage regulations (DT-DICT) marking colour code, warning mesh colours and NF P98-332 distances
- Published by
- Ministry of Ecological Transition (guide approved by arrete); AFNOR (NF P98-332, NF S70-003); INERIS (guichet unique)
- Edition
- Guide d'application Fascicule 2 (2016), Fascicule 3 v2 (Nov 2019); NF P98-332 (Feb 2005)
- Status
- Regulatory: marking (marquage-piquetage) is compulsory under Code de l'environnement R.554-27 and the arrete of 15 Feb 2012.
Paint and stake marking of networks before works; buried warning mesh colours; spacing between networks.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
France sets no colours for the buried pipes and cables themselves. Each utility chooses its own, so identify every service with a locator and the owner’s records.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
- Electricity (LV, HTA, HTB) and lighting; traffic signals on mains voltagePaint: red
- Gas (transport or distribution) and hydrocarbonsPaint: yellow
- Chemical productsPaint: orange
- Drinking waterPaint: blue
- Sewer and stormwaterPaint: brown
- Heating and air conditioningPaint: violet
- Telecoms; traffic signals on extra-low voltagePaint: green
- Multi-network zone (several networks in one area)Paint: pink
- Other site information (works area)Paint: white
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Declare works through the national guichet unique (reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr): DT by the client, DICT by the contractor. Marking must extend 2 m beyond the works footprint and be kept in place for the job. Network position accuracy classes: A (within 0.4 m rigid / 0.5 m flexible), B (within 1.5 m), C (worse). Note France uses violet for heating and brown for sewers, unlike the US.
- Guide d'application de la reglementation anti-endommagement, Fascicule 3 v2 (Nov 2019), copy hosted by Sogelink (opens in a new tab)Annex E.3 standard marking colours: red electricity and lighting; yellow gas and hydrocarbons; orange chemicals; blue drinking water; brown sewer and storm; violet heating and cooling; green telecoms and ELV signals; pink multi-network zone; white other site info
- Guide d'application, Fascicule 2 Guide technique des travaux (19 Oct 2016), Ministry consultation copy (opens in a new tab)Warning mesh colours: red over electricity cables (about 20 cm above), yellow over gas, violet over heating/cooling networks, blue over drinking water; mesh not systematic over all gas/chemical lines
- DICT Services, Marquage-piquetage sheet (opens in a new tab)Second source for the same marking colours, citing NF P 98-332 table 3 and the arrete of 15 Feb 2012; marking required up to 2 m beyond the works footprint
- AFNOR, NF P98-332 (Feb 2005) (opens in a new tab)NF P98-332 is current and covers distances between buried networks and between networks and vegetation
- Reseaux et canalisations (guichet unique, INERIS) (opens in a new tab)Single national portal (law 2010-788) that lists the network operators to whom DT and DICT declarations must be sent; free to identify operators
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Germany
Germany: no single national colour code; DIN/DVGW product colours, DGUV safe-digging rules and operator protection instructions
- Published by
- Network operators (Leitungsschutzanweisungen); DGUV / BG BAU; DIN and DVGW
- Edition
- Various (e.g. BG BAU C 472, 07/2021)
- Status
- Practice; no national buried-services colour table found.
How buried lines are identified and protected in Germany.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- Gas (PE)YellowYellow, or black with yellow stripes, under EN 1555.Product convention, not a German colour code.
- Drinking water (PE)BlueBlue, or black with blue stripes, under EN 12201.Product convention.
- Sewer (PVC KG pipe)Orange-brownCommon KG pipe colour.Unverified convention.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Germany sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Typical depths
Typical only (Stadtwerke Aalen): electricity 0.4 to 1.0 m; water mains 1.0 to 1.8 m; gas mains 1.0 to 1.6 m; district heating 0.6 to 1.0 m. Expect deviations at crossings and where ground levels changed.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
Check local rules. Before digging, get line information from every operator (many use the BIL portal or their own online Planauskunft) and keep it on site. Keep machines clear of lines (BIL template: 30 cm, with hand digging inside that zone; more for high voltage and high pressure). DGUV Information 203-017 covers protection measures near buried cables and pipes.
- BG BAU, Baustein C 472 Erdverlegte Leitungen (07/2021) (opens in a new tab)German safe-digging card: get line information from owners first, hand or vacuum dig near lines, treat cables as live; cites DGUV Information 203-017; no colour code
- Stadtwerke Aalen, Schutzanweisung Versorgungsleitungen (7th ed., 02/2021) (opens in a new tab)Typical (not guaranteed) German cover depths: electricity 0.4 to 1.0 m, water mains 1.0 to 1.8 m, gas mains 1.0 to 1.6 m, district heating 0.6 to 1.0 m; no colour code given
- BIL eG, Muster-Leitungsschutzanweisung (opens in a new tab)BIL industry portal for line enquiries; 30 cm machine clearance with hand digging inside it; warning tapes not always present; no colour code
- Arkara DIN warning tape datasheet (Hornbach) (opens in a new tab)German warning tape sold to DIN EN 12613 in blue, yellow, green and red with no national colour-to-service table
- PE100+ Association, How can I verify the origin of the pipe (opens in a new tab)Industry body: gas PE pipe yellow or black with yellow stripes; water PE pipe blue or black with blue stripes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Great Britain (HSE)
HSE HSG47: Avoiding danger from underground services
- Published by
- Health and Safety Executive
- Edition
- Third edition, 2014 (ISBN 978 0 7176 6584 6)
- Status
- Current HSE guidance; following it is normally enough to comply with the law.
Safe system of work for anyone planning, managing or doing work near buried services: plan the job, locate and identify services, then dig safely.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- ElectricityBlack (assume live)HSG47 tells you to assume any black plastic service is a live electricity cable.On building sites and at collieries cables can be in yellow or blue pipe, so colour alone proves nothing.
- Gas (PE)YellowPE gas mains and pipeline cladding are usually yellow; PE services may run in yellow convoluted duct on new estates.Iron or steel pipes are treated as gas until proven otherwise.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Great Britain (HSE) sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Typical depths
Electricity cables are typically 450 mm to 1 m deep but can be much shallower; never assume a depth from plans.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
HSG47 points to the national colour coding agreed by the utilities (the NJUG/Street Works UK guidance) rather than printing its own table. Key practice: use plans, a cable locator with a signal generator, trial holes and hand digging; keep hand-held power tools at least 500 mm from the marked line where practicable; dig alongside, not on top of, the service. Mark lines with crayon, chalk or (preferably biodegradable) paint, or wooden pegs on soft ground; HSG47 sets no paint colours.
- HSE, HSG47 Avoiding danger from underground services (product page) (opens in a new tab)Third edition 2014, ISBN 978 0 7176 6584 6; scope and three-part safe system (plan, locate and identify, dig safely)
- HSE, HSG47 (3rd edition) full PDF (opens in a new tab)Refers to the NJUG national colour coding system; black plastic services to be treated as live electricity; PE gas usually yellow; no paint colour code; trial holes, 500 mm power-tool rule, typical cable depth 450 mm to 1 m
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Hong Kong
Hong Kong: EMSD Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines (no standard colour code)
- Published by
- Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
- Edition
- 2018
- Status
- Current code of practice.
Working near CLP Power and HK Electric underground cables.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- LV electricity (380/220 V)Black (CLP); green, blue or black (HK Electric)
- 11 kV electricityRed or black (CLP); red, black or turquoise (HK Electric)
- 132 kV and aboveBlack
- Fibre optic (power company)Orange, black or purple (CLP); pink or black (HK Electric)
- Pilot cablesYellow or blackYellow cables can be mistaken for PE gas pipe.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Hong Kong sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Typical depths
Approximate only: CLP LV at least 450 mm, 11 kV at least 750 mm, 33 kV and above at least 1 m; HK Electric LV to 22 kV typically 450 to 900 mm.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
The code states plainly that Hong Kong has no standard colour coding covering all underground services; some HV cables look like water pipes. Treat any unidentified service as live and consult the electricity supplier.
- EMSD Hong Kong, Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines (2018) (opens in a new tab)States there is no standard colour coding for all underground services; Table A3.1 typical CLP and HK Electric cable colours and depths; treat unidentified services as live
- EMSD Hong Kong, Code of Practice chapter 5 (web edition) (opens in a new tab)Same no-standard-colour statement; 300 mm minimum clearance from cables below 132 kV, 1 m at 132 kV and above
Checked 9 Nov 2026
India
India: Call Before u Dig (CBuD) excavation coordination system
- Published by
- Department of Telecommunications (with BISAG-N)
- Edition
- Launched 22 March 2023
- Status
- Government coordination app and portal; no national buried-services colour code found.
Links excavating agencies with owners of buried cables and pipelines before digging.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
India sets no colours for the buried pipes and cables themselves. Each utility chooses its own, so identify every service with a locator and the owner’s records.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
India sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Owners reply in the app with a green (asset present) or red (no asset) response; this is a reply code, not a colour code for marking or pipes. Check local rules and owners' specifications.
- Department of Telecommunications (India), Call Before u Dig (opens in a new tab)Government app and portal (cbud.gov.in) launched 22 March 2023 linking excavators and asset owners; no colour code for buried services
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Ireland (safe digging)
Ireland: HSA Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (with Gas Networks Ireland and Uisce Eireann guidance)
- Published by
- Health and Safety Authority; Gas Networks Ireland; Uisce Eireann
- Edition
- HSA Code 2016; GNI guidance HSQ/GU/005 Rev 2 (March 2025)
- Status
- Current approved code of practice.
Safe digging near electricity, gas, water and telecoms services in Ireland.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- ElectricityRed (new ducts); older ducts black or orangeSome direct-buried cables are also red.Assume black plastic is a live cable.
- Gas (distribution PE)YellowSometimes with brown or black stripes; transmission steel pipe coated black, white, cream, yellow or concrete.
- Water (PE mains)BlueUisce Eireann PE mains are blue; iron and steel water pipes can look like gas pipes.
- TelecomsBlack or greySmooth black duct, grey corrugated duct or concrete pipe.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Ireland (safe digging) sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Typical depths
Typical only: electricity 400 mm to 1 m (new cables about 450 mm in footpaths, 600 mm in roads and grass); gas mains about 750 mm in roads, 600 mm in footpaths, 1.1 m in fields; gas services 450 mm, down to 375 mm near buildings.
Typical figures only, never guaranteed. Ground levels change, services move and old apparatus may be shallower than expected.
Ireland has no single one-call service: request plans from ESB Networks, Gas Networks Ireland (Dial Before You Dig 1800 42 77 47, gasnetworks.ie/dbyd), Uisce Eireann, telecoms operators and the local authority. Keep hand-held power tools 500 mm from a cable's marked line; no mechanical digging within 3 m of a gas transmission pipeline and keep excavators 0.5 m from distribution pipes.
- HSA, Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (2016) (opens in a new tab)Electricity ducts red under I.S. 370 (older ducts black or orange); yellow warning tape over ESB cables; gas yellow; treat black plastic as electricity; typical depths; 500 mm power-tool rule
- Gas Networks Ireland, Safety Advice for Working in the Vicinity of Natural Gas Pipelines (HSQ/GU/005 Rev 2, Mar 2025) (opens in a new tab)PE distribution pipes mainly yellow, sometimes with brown or black stripes; Dial Before You Dig 1800 42 77 47 and gasnetworks.ie/dbyd; typical cover; safe distances
- Uisce Eireann, TT7 Water Main Pipe Laying (opens in a new tab)PE water mains are blue; marker tape with trace wire laid on the pipe surround
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Netherlands
Netherlands: KLIC (cables and pipes information) under WIBON, with operator guidance on how services look
- Published by
- Kadaster (KLIC); network operators (e.g. Stedin)
- Edition
- Stedin KLIC guide v1.0 (April 2020)
- Status
- KLIC notification is a legal duty before mechanical digging; there is no national colour code for the services themselves.
Map information on request plus practical descriptions of each service type.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
- ElectricityGrey (armoured cable)Old lead cables are black with tar.Cables can turn black in acidic soil.
- GasYellowYellow PE pipe.
- Fibre opticOrangeThin orange cable, very fragile.
- Cable TV (CAI)GreenThin green cable.
- TelephoneBlue with white and red stripe
- WaterBlack with blue stripe, or cream PVC
- SewerGrey or brownPVC, fragile.
- District heatingBlack (insulated)One or two pipes.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Netherlands sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Make a KLIC-melding with Kadaster before mechanical digging and hand-dig trial trenches to confirm positions. Depths are not fixed; telecom, CAI and fibre can be very shallow and some lines are deeper than 1 m. The colours above describe one operator's network and are typical, not a national standard.
- Stedin, Handleiding KLIC-informatie (v1.0, April 2020) (opens in a new tab)What Dutch cables and pipes look like in the ground: electricity grey armoured cable, gas yellow PE, fibre orange, CAI green, telecom blue with stripes, water black with blue stripe or cream PVC, sewer grey or brown PVC, heat black insulated; KLIC notification required for mechanical digging
- Kadaster, KLIC (opens in a new tab)KLIC is the Kadaster's cables and pipes information centre; KLIC-melding product page; phone 0800-0080 (option 2)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Singapore
Singapore: LTA standard details for road-related cables
- Published by
- Land Transport Authority
- Edition
- SDRE14/1 (May 2019)
- Status
- Standard details for LTA works only.
Public lighting and traffic light cable installation in pavements.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
Singapore sets no colours for the buried pipes and cables themselves. Each utility chooses its own, so identify every service with a locator and the owner’s records.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
Singapore sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Warning tape and marker mesh
Laid in the trench above the service, so you should reach the tape before the pipe or cable. Never count on it being there.
Only LTA cables are covered. No Singapore-wide colour code for all buried services was found; check with each owner (power, gas, water, telecom) before digging.
- LTA Singapore, Standard Details SDRE14/1 (pavements, May 2019) (opens in a new tab)Public lighting ducts with black PVC warning marker reading DANGER LTA LT CABLE; traffic light cables under red plastic slabs about 200 mm above the pipes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
South Africa
South Africa: municipal wayleave systems (no national colour code found)
- Published by
- Municipalities (e.g. City of Cape Town)
- Edition
- Cape Town Wayleave Process and Standards v4.0 (Sept 2025)
- Status
- Municipal requirements.
Enquiries about existing services, wayleave approval and permits to work in road reserves.
Colour of the buried pipe, duct or cable
What you see once the service is exposed. Colour helps identify it, it never proves it is safe.
South Africa sets no colours for the buried pipes and cables themselves. Each utility chooses its own, so identify every service with a locator and the owner’s records.
Surface marking colours
Paint, flags or stakes put on the ground by locators to show where a line runs before anyone digs.
South Africa sets no colours for surface paint marks.
Check local rules. Danger tape is required over new services in Cape Town, with colours set on city drawings not included in the text. Keep at least 300 mm from existing municipal services and, where possible, 1 m from MV and 1.5 m from HV cables.
- City of Cape Town, Road Reserves Wayleave Process and Standards (v4.0, Sept 2025) (opens in a new tab)Existing-service enquiries and wayleaves go through the city system; danger tape is required per city drawings but no colour code is given in the text; 300 mm clearance to municipal services
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Side by side. Same service, different colour.
The colour each scheme gives to every type of service. Where a scheme only sets paint colours for marking the surface, that is shown instead and labelled. Select a scheme name to open its full details. On-screen colours are approximate.
Same colour, different meaning
Paint colours are not international. A mark that means one thing at home can mean something else abroad.
- United Stateselectric power lines
- Canadaelectric power
- Australiafire service
- New Zealandwastewater / sewer
- Franceelectricity
- United Statescommunication
- Canadacommunication and signal cables
- Australiaelectricity
- New Zealandelectricity
- Francechemical products
- United Statesreclaimed water
- Canadareclaimed water
- Australiareclaimed water
- New Zealandtelecommunications
- Franceheating and air conditioning
| Service | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Black or red | RedPaint mark | RedPaint mark | Orange | Orange | Red | Not specified | RedPaint mark | Not specified | Black (assume live) | Black or green or blue | Red or black or orange | Grey (armoured cable) |
| Street lighting and signals | Orange or black duct, black cable | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Orange | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Telecoms | Grey, white, green, black or purple | OrangePaint mark | OrangePaint mark | White | Green, light blue, purple or salmonPaint mark: purple | Green or grey | Not specified | GreenPaint mark | Not specified | Not specified | Orange or black or purple or pink | Black or grey | Orange |
| Gas | Yellow | YellowPaint mark | YellowPaint mark | Yellow | Yellow (or black with yellow stripe) | Yellow | Yellow or black with yellow stripes | YellowPaint mark | Yellow | Yellow | Not specified | Yellow | Yellow |
| Water | Blue | BluePaint mark | BluePaint mark | Blue | Blue or whitePaint mark: blue | Blue or black | Blue or black with blue stripes | BluePaint mark | Blue | Not specified | Not specified | Blue | Black with blue stripe, or cream PVC |
| Recycled water | Black with green stripes | PurplePaint mark | PurplePaint mark | Purple (lilac) | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Sewers and drains | Orange, grey, black or blue | GreenPaint mark | GreenPaint mark | Cream | Light greyPaint mark: red | Black or brown | Black or black with brown stripes | BrownPaint mark | Orange-brown | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Grey or brown |
| District heating | Black or grey (no unique colour) | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | VioletPaint mark | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Black (insulated) |
| Proposed excavation | Not specified | WhitePaint mark | WhitePaint mark | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Temporary survey | Not specified | PinkPaint mark | PinkPaint mark | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Other services | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | RedPaint mark | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | OrangePaint mark | Not specified | Not specified | Black | Not specified | Not specified |
By country. Which code, and who to call.
Many countries have no national colour code for buried services and rely on each utility’s own practice. Each entry shows the scheme followed, the call-before-you-dig service where there is one, and how well that is supported.
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found; French-influenced practice possible but not confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Australia: AS 5488 utility information classes with national colour conventions for conduits, tape and marking
- Basis
- Standards (AS/NZS 2053, AS/CA S009, AS/NZS 2648.1, AS 5488) and industry marking convention
- Before you dig
- Before You Dig Australia (BYDA), free online
byda.com.au (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Conduits: electricity orange, comms white. Marking paint: orange electricity, white comms, yellow gas, blue water, purple recycled, cream sewer, green stormwater, red fire, pink unknown. BYDA was formerly Dial Before You Dig; 1100 is now a support line.
- Sources
- Tasmania Department of State Growth, Specification 733 Conduits and Pits (Oct 2022) (opens in a new tab)Underground electrical conduit orange, communications conduit white (heavy-duty UPVC to AS/NZS 2053.2); marker tape with trace wire per AS/NZS 3000:2018; minimum cover table
- WSAA Product Appraisal Report 1213 Issue 4 (Feb 2024), underground marking tape (opens in a new tab)Water industry tape colours: blue drinking water, purple non-drinking water, cream sewer; AS/NZS 2648.1 for non-detectable tape; black lettering repeated at 1 m or less
- Sitemate (Dashpivot), AS5488 colour codes (opens in a new tab)Surface marking colours used in Australia: white comms, blue water, red fire, cream sewer, yellow gas, green drainage, purple reclaimed water, orange electricity, brown petroleum, pink unknown
- Jaybro, Australian colour codes for utilities (spot paint) (opens in a new tab)Independent list of the same Australian marking colours (white, green, orange, red, yellow, purple, pink, blue)
- Before You Dig Australia (opens in a new tab)BYDA is the single point of contact for requesting underground and overhead asset information
- City of Greater Geelong, Before You Dig Australia (opens in a new tab)BYDA was formerly Dial Before You Dig; page still refers to 1100
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- EU product colours; operator practice
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call found. Ask each operator for line information before digging. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- Regional plan-request platforms
- Before you dig
- KLIP (Flanders) and KLIM-CICC (Brussels and Wallonia)
klip.vlaanderen.be (opens in a new tab)
Check local rules - Notes
- Belgium uses regional platforms for cable and pipe plan requests. Colours follow operator practice. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- Utility (concessionaire) practice
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found. Ask each concessionaire (power, gas, water, telecom) and the municipality. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Canada: CSA Z247 damage prevention with provincial one-call locate marking (APWA colours)
- Basis
- CSA Z247 national standard; provincial one-call law and practice; APWA colours on locates
- Before you dig
- Provincial centres via Click Before You Dig (811 is not national in Canada)
clickbeforeyoudig.com (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Locate marks use the APWA colours. Use the provincial centre: Ontario Dig Authority 1-800-400-2255, BC One Call 1-800-474-6886, Alberta 1-800-242-3447, Sask 1st Call 1-866-828-4888, Info-Excavation (Quebec and Atlantic provinces).
- Sources
- Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call) (opens in a new tab)Ontario locate marking colours: red electric, orange communication, yellow gas/oil/steam, green sewer/storm, blue water, purple irrigation/slurry, pink survey, white proposed excavation
- City of Windsor, Markings and Locates (opens in a new tab)Ontario utilities use APWA colours; Ontario One Call 1-800-400-2255
- 811 Before You Dig, Digging in Canada (opens in a new tab)811 is not Canada's national number; provincial notification centres with websites and phone numbers
- Enbridge, Click/Call Before You Dig (Canada) (opens in a new tab)Second list of provincial one-call organisations and numbers (BC One Call, Utility Safety Partners, Sask 1st Call, Click Before You Dig Manitoba, Ontario, Info-Excavation)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- National codes for pipeline planning (e.g. GB 50289) set spacing, not colours
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national buried-services colour code found. Gas PE pipe is commonly yellow; other colours vary by city and utility. Ask the local utilities and the urban construction archive for records. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- EU product colours; digital technical map
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call found. A national digital technical map of utilities is being built; not confirmed as a dig service. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- National register (LER); EU product colours
- Before you dig
- LER (Ledningsejerregistret)
ler.dk (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Make a dig enquiry (graveforesporgsel) in LER before digging; owners reply with maps. No Danish buried-services colour code was confirmed; PE gas yellow and water blue follow EN standards. Check local rules.
- Sources
- LER, Ledningsejerregistret (Denmark) (opens in a new tab)Nationwide register of Danish utility owners; a graveforesporgsel (dig enquiry) is made through LER to get line information; fee per m2
- PE100+ Association, How can I verify the origin of the pipe (opens in a new tab)Industry body: gas PE pipe yellow or black with yellow stripes; water PE pipe blue or black with blue stripes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- Nationwide private enquiry service; EU product colours
- Before you dig
- Johtotieto (Johtotietopankki)
0800 12600
johtotietopankki.fi (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Johtotieto covers many major Finnish network owners but not necessarily all; ask local owners too. No Finnish colour code was confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- Johtotietopankki / Johtotieto Oy (Finland) (opens in a new tab)Nationwide private service for location data of underground cables and pipes; free 24/7 map service; phone 0800 12600
- PE100+ Association, How can I verify the origin of the pipe (opens in a new tab)Industry body: gas PE pipe yellow or black with yellow stripes; water PE pipe blue or black with blue stripes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- France: anti-damage regulations (DT-DICT) marking colour code, warning mesh colours and NF P98-332 distances
- Basis
- Regulation (Code de l'environnement R.554-1 ff., arrete of 15 Feb 2012) and approved guide
- Before you dig
- Guichet unique (Construire sans detruire), DT-DICT
reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Compulsory marking colours: red electricity, yellow gas/hydrocarbons, orange chemicals, blue drinking water, brown sewer, violet heating/cooling, green telecoms, pink multi-network zone, white other info. Warning mesh: red electricity, yellow gas, blue water, violet heat.
- Sources
- Guide d'application de la reglementation anti-endommagement, Fascicule 3 v2 (Nov 2019), copy hosted by Sogelink (opens in a new tab)Annex E.3 standard marking colours: red electricity and lighting; yellow gas and hydrocarbons; orange chemicals; blue drinking water; brown sewer and storm; violet heating and cooling; green telecoms and ELV signals; pink multi-network zone; white other site info
- Reseaux et canalisations (guichet unique, INERIS) (opens in a new tab)Single national portal (law 2010-788) that lists the network operators to whom DT and DICT declarations must be sent; free to identify operators
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- Guichet unique (DT-DICT), as in mainland France (not confirmed for this department)
reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr (opens in a new tab)
Check local rules - Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Germany: no single national colour code; DIN/DVGW product colours, DGUV safe-digging rules and operator protection instructions
- Basis
- Operator protection instructions, DGUV rules, EN product colours
- Before you dig
- No statutory national service. Ask each operator; many use the BIL portal
bil-leitungsauskunft.de (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- No single national colour table found. PE gas pipes are usually yellow and PE water pipes blue (EN product standards); warning tapes are made to DIN EN 12613 with colours set by operators. Typical depths vary widely by operator. Check local rules.
- Sources
- BIL eG, Muster-Leitungsschutzanweisung (opens in a new tab)BIL industry portal for line enquiries; 30 cm machine clearance with hand digging inside it; warning tapes not always present; no colour code
- Stadtwerke Aalen, Schutzanweisung Versorgungsleitungen (7th ed., 02/2021) (opens in a new tab)Typical (not guaranteed) German cover depths: electricity 0.4 to 1.0 m, water mains 1.0 to 1.8 m, gas mains 1.0 to 1.6 m, district heating 0.6 to 1.0 m; no colour code given
- BG BAU, Baustein C 472 Erdverlegte Leitungen (07/2021) (opens in a new tab)German safe-digging card: get line information from owners first, hand or vacuum dig near lines, treat cables as live; cites DGUV Information 203-017; no colour code
- PE100+ Association, How can I verify the origin of the pipe (opens in a new tab)Industry body: gas PE pipe yellow or black with yellow stripes; water PE pipe blue or black with blue stripes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- Guichet unique (DT-DICT), as in mainland France (not confirmed for this department)
reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr (opens in a new tab)
Check local rules - Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Hong Kong: EMSD Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines (no standard colour code)
- Basis
- EMSD Code of Practice (2018)
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- Hong Kong officially has no standard colour coding for all underground services. CLP and HK Electric cable colours vary (LV black/green/blue, 11 kV red/black/turquoise). Treat unidentified services as live; contact each utility.
- Sources
- EMSD Hong Kong, Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines (2018) (opens in a new tab)States there is no standard colour coding for all underground services; Table A3.1 typical CLP and HK Electric cable colours and depths; treat unidentified services as live
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- India: Call Before u Dig (CBuD) excavation coordination system
- Basis
- Government coordination platform (DoT, 2023)
- Before you dig
- Call Before u Dig (CBuD) app and portal
cbud.gov.in (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- No national buried-services colour code found. CBuD connects excavators with registered asset owners. Older and private services are often unrecorded. Check local rules.
- Sources
- Department of Telecommunications (India), Call Before u Dig (opens in a new tab)Government app and portal (cbud.gov.in) launched 22 March 2023 linking excavators and asset owners; no colour code for buried services
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Ireland: I.S. 370:2016 Colour code for buried plastic piping
- Basis
- Irish Standard I.S. 370:2016 and HSA Code of Practice (2016)
- Before you dig
- No single service. Gas Networks Ireland Dial Before You Dig (gas only)
1800 42 77 47
gasnetworks.ie/dbyd (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- New ducts: electricity red, street furniture orange, gas yellow-based, water blue or black-based, telecoms green or grey, sewer black/brown. Older electricity ducts may be black or orange. Get records from ESB Networks, Gas Networks Ireland, Uisce Eireann, telecoms operators and the council.
- Sources
- NSAI, I.S. 370:2016 Colour code for buried plastic piping (illustration sheet) (opens in a new tab)Irish colour code for new buried plastic pipes and ducts: electricity red; telecoms green, grey or any colour except red, yellow or orange; gas yellow-based or orange; potable water blue or black-based; sewer black/brown; street furniture orange; storm drain black
- HSA, Code of Practice for Avoiding Danger from Underground Services (2016) (opens in a new tab)Electricity ducts red under I.S. 370 (older ducts black or orange); yellow warning tape over ESB cables; gas yellow; treat black plastic as electricity; typical depths; 500 mm power-tool rule
- Gas Networks Ireland, Safety Advice for Working in the Vicinity of Natural Gas Pipelines (HSQ/GU/005 Rev 2, Mar 2025) (opens in a new tab)PE distribution pipes mainly yellow, sometimes with brown or black stripes; Dial Before You Dig 1800 42 77 47 and gasnetworks.ie/dbyd; typical cover; safe distances
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- EU product colours; operator practice
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call service found (a national federated infrastructure register, SINFI, exists but is not a dig service). Warning tapes are commonly made to UNI EN 12613; colours follow the operator. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- Utility and road administrator rules
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national colour code or one-call service found. Road works are coordinated through road administrators; ask each utility (power, gas, water, telecom) for records. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows UK practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code confirmed. UK-influenced utility practice is likely in places but not confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- Guichet unique (DT-DICT), as in mainland France (not confirmed for this department)
reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr (opens in a new tab)
Check local rules - Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- Guichet unique (DT-DICT), as in mainland France (not confirmed for this department)
reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr (opens in a new tab)
Check local rules - Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call found. CFE (power), gas distributors, water bodies and telecom carriers keep their own records. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found; French-influenced practice possible but not confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Netherlands: KLIC (cables and pipes information) under WIBON, with operator guidance on how services look
- Basis
- WIBON (KLIC notification law); operator guidance
- Before you dig
- KLIC-melding (Kadaster)
0800-0080
kadaster.nl/zakelijk/producten/graafwerk/klic-melding (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- No national colour code. Typical look: gas yellow PE, electricity grey armoured cable, fibre orange, CAI green, water black with blue stripe or cream PVC, sewer grey or brown PVC. KLIC notification required before mechanical digging.
- Sources
- Stedin, Handleiding KLIC-informatie (v1.0, April 2020) (opens in a new tab)What Dutch cables and pipes look like in the ground: electricity grey armoured cable, gas yellow PE, fibre orange, CAI green, telecom blue with stripes, water black with blue stripe or cream PVC, sewer grey or brown PVC, heat black insulated; KLIC notification required for mechanical digging
- Kadaster, KLIC (opens in a new tab)KLIC is the Kadaster's cables and pipes information centre; KLIC-melding product page; phone 0800-0080 (option 2)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- New Zealand: NZUAG / National Code of Practice for Utility Operators' Access to Transport Corridors (duct and marking colours)
- Basis
- National Code of Practice for Utility Operators' Access to Transport Corridors (2019) / NZUAG
- Before you dig
- beforeUdig, free online
beforeudig.co.nz (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Ducts: electricity orange, gas yellow, telecoms green/light blue/purple/salmon, water blue or white, sewer light grey, stormwater dark grey. Paint: orange E, yellow G, purple T, blue W, red sewer, pink stormwater.
- Sources
- NZUAG handbook Think Safe, Work Safe, Home Safe (Mar 2020), hosted by Wellington Electricity (opens in a new tab)NZ duct/pipe and surface marking colours (electricity orange; gas yellow; telecoms ducts green, light blue, purple or salmon with purple paint; water blue or white; wastewater light grey with red paint; stormwater dark grey with pink paint); letters E, G, T, W, SS, SW
- beforeUdig (New Zealand) (opens in a new tab)Free online service covering New Zealand, with about 186 member asset owners
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows UK practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found. British-era practice may persist on older networks; not confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- Operator and municipal practice; locating firms
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No single national one-call service confirmed. Line owners and locating firms provide påvisning (marking) on request. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- Geodetic utility records (GESUT) and EU product colours
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call found. Utility records come from district geodetic offices and operators. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- APWA Uniform Color Code (ANSI Z535.1 safety colours), as used in CGA Best Practices
- Basis
- US territory: APWA colours expected (unconfirmed)
- Before you dig
- Excavation and Demolition Coordination Center (Law 267 of 1998), via 811 (not confirmed)
811
Check local rules - Notes
- Puerto Rico has its own excavation coordination law; 811 routing and colour use not confirmed in this check. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows UK practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call found. Works need utility NOCs; many specifications follow UK practice, not confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- GOST/SNiP-era practice and local permits (ordering an excavation permit)
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or buried colour code found. Excavation permits are issued locally and usually require utility approvals. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Not confirmed. Likely follows French practice; check local rules.
- Before you dig
- Guichet unique (DT-DICT), as in mainland France (not confirmed for this department)
reseaux-et-canalisations.ineris.fr (opens in a new tab)
Check local rules - Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- Utility and municipal NOCs
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found. Works need NOCs from the relevant utilities and municipality. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Singapore: LTA standard details for road-related cables
- Basis
- Owner standard details (LTA)
- Before you dig
- No national one-call found. Check with each owner (SP Group, PUB, telcos, LTA)
Check local rules - Notes
- Only LTA's road cable details were found: black PVC marker over lighting cables, red slabs over traffic light cables. No Singapore-wide colour code confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- LTA Singapore, Standard Details SDRE14/1 (pavements, May 2019) (opens in a new tab)Public lighting ducts with black PVC warning marker reading DANGER LTA LT CABLE; traffic light cables under red plastic slabs about 200 mm above the pipes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- South Africa: municipal wayleave systems (no national colour code found)
- Basis
- Municipal wayleave process
- Before you dig
- No national one-call. Municipal wayleave systems (e.g. City of Cape Town)
Verified - Notes
- No national colour code found. Enquire about existing services through the municipality's wayleave system and each utility (Eskom, municipal electricity, Transnet, telecoms). Check local rules.
- Sources
- City of Cape Town, Road Reserves Wayleave Process and Standards (v4.0, Sept 2025) (opens in a new tab)Existing-service enquiries and wayleaves go through the city system; danger tape is required per city drawings but no colour code is given in the text; 300 mm clearance to municipal services
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- Gas safety law (unconfirmed)
- Before you dig
- Excavation One Call System (EOCS), Korea Gas Safety Corporation (not confirmed)
Check local rules - Notes
- A gas-led excavation notification system is reported for Korea but was not confirmed in this check. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- EU product colours; operator practice
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found. Ask each operator and the municipality; tapes commonly made to UNE EN 12613. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- National enquiry service; EU product colours
- Before you dig
- Ledningskollen (PTS), free
ledningskollen.se (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Ledningskollen passes your dig area to line owners, who reply with maps or ground marks. No Swedish buried-services colour code was confirmed. Check local rules.
- Sources
- Ledningskollen (Sweden) (opens in a new tab)Free service run by PTS; sends dig enquiries to line owners who reply with maps or ground marking; recommended, not stated as mandatory
- PE100+ Association, How can I verify the origin of the pipe (opens in a new tab)Industry body: gas PE pipe yellow or black with yellow stripes; water PE pipe blue or black with blue stripes
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- European PE pipe product standards: EN 12201 (water) and EN 1555 (gas)
- Basis
- EU/CEN product colours; cantonal and municipal practice
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call found. Utility records are held by municipalities and operators (often to SIA 405 geodata conventions). Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Basis
- Municipal road-excavation management
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found. Road excavation is managed by city governments. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- No national scheme recorded
- Before you dig
- None recorded
- Notes
- No national one-call or colour code found. Some municipalities run infrastructure coordination centres. Check local rules.
- Sources
- None recorded
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Dubai (UAE): DEWA distribution network safety and protection guidelines
- Basis
- Utility NOC requirements (Dubai)
- Before you dig
- No national one-call. In Dubai, a DEWA NOC (and other utility NOCs) before work
Check local rules - Notes
- DEWA lays yellow warning tape and protection tiles over its cables; HV cables usually 0.9 to 1.2 m deep. Other emirates and utilities set their own rules. Check local rules.
- Sources
- DEWA, Safety and Protection Guidelines (Distribution MV network) (opens in a new tab)Yellow warning tape over DEWA cables; protection tiles about 30 cm above cable and tape about 30 cm above tiles; HV cables usually 0.9 to 1.2 m deep; NOC required; hand digging rules
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- Street Works UK (formerly NJUG) Volume 1: Positioning and colour coding of underground utilities' apparatus
- Basis
- Industry guidance (Street Works UK Volume 1) plus HSE HSG47
- Before you dig
- No statutory one-call. LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD), free online
lsbud.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Buried apparatus colours follow Street Works UK (formerly NJUG) Volume 1: electricity black or red, gas yellow, water blue, comms grey/white/green/black/purple ducts. There is no UK paint colour code. Ask every asset owner for records; LSBUD covers many but not all. NUAR (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) is in public beta for asset owners and their contractors. Follow HSG47: plans, locator with signal generator, trial holes, hand digging.
- Sources
- Street Works UK, Guidance on the Positioning and Colour Coding of Underground Utilities' Apparatus, Volume 1 Issue 10 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Issuer and issue; Table 1 utility colours (electricity black or red, LV black, gas yellow PE and pressure variants, clean water blue, waste water, comms duct colours, district heating); Table 2 street lighting and highway apparatus by region; typical minimum depths; warnings not to rely on colour
- HSE, HSG47 (3rd edition) full PDF (opens in a new tab)Refers to the NJUG national colour coding system; black plastic services to be treated as live electricity; PE gas usually yellow; no paint colour code; trial holes, 500 mm power-tool rule, typical cable depth 450 mm to 1 m
- LinesearchbeforeUdig (LSBUD) (opens in a new tab)Free online search service covering over 60% of GB utility infrastructure with 160+ member asset owners; not stated to be statutory
- National Underground Asset Register, About (opens in a new tab)NUAR covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland; public beta since June 2025; access limited to asset owners and their invited contractors; does not replace owner engagement
Checked 9 Nov 2026
- Colour scheme
- APWA Uniform Color Code (ANSI Z535.1 safety colours), as used in CGA Best Practices
- Basis
- APWA Uniform Color Code adopted in CGA Best Practices and state one-call laws
- Before you dig
- 811 (national call-before-you-dig number)
811
811beforeyoudig.com (opens in a new tab)
Verified - Notes
- Paint and flag colours: red electric, yellow gas/oil/steam, orange comms, blue potable water, purple reclaimed water, green sewer, white proposed dig, pink survey. Free; contact 811 a few business days ahead. State law sets notice periods and tolerance zones.
- Sources
- APWA, Uniform Color Code (Rev. 4/99) (opens in a new tab)Colours and meanings (red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, white, pink); ANSI Z535.1 safety colours; tolerance zone 18 in (450 mm) each side; owner ID on marks
- 811 Before You Dig (Common Ground Alliance initiative) (opens in a new tab)811 is the free national before-you-dig service in the US; contact a few business days before digging; lines marked with paint or flags
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Local rules come first. Utilities, highway authorities and site owners often have their own requirements, and anything laid before the current scheme may follow an older code or none at all. Confidence shows how well each entry is supported: Verified entries were confirmed from an official source such as a standards body, regulator, utility or government; Corroborated entries are supported by two independent technical sources; entries marked Check local rules show the usual practice and should be confirmed locally.
Dig safely. Colour is a clue, not a guarantee.
Striking a buried cable can kill, and a damaged gas main can explode. These steps follow the approach set out in HSE guidance HSG47, Avoiding danger from underground services: plan, locate, then dig with care.
Smell gas or damaged a gas pipe?
Get everyone away from the area, keep out ignition sources (no smoking, no switches, no engines starting) and leave the pipe alone. In Great Britain call the National Gas Emergency Service free, any time. In Northern Ireland call 0800 002 001. If an electricity cable is hit, keep clear and call 105 in the UK. Call 999 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
1Get the plans
Ask every utility, the landowner and the highway authority for up-to-date records before work starts. Read them, keep them on site and brief the team. Plans show approximate routes only and often miss service connections.
2Locate before and during
Scan the whole working area with a cable avoidance tool (CAT) in every mode, and use a signal generator (genny) to trace lines the CAT cannot pick up on its own. Scan again as the dig gets deeper. Only trained people should use the kit.
3Mark it out
Mark the line of every service you find on the surface with paint, chalk or pegs, using the local colour code. Keep the marks visible and refresh them, and never assume an unmarked area is clear.
4Hand-dig trial holes
Confirm position and depth by careful hand digging. Near services use insulated hand tools, ease soil away with a spade or shovel, and avoid driving picks, forks or bars into the ground. Keep machines well back until services are exposed.
5Treat every service as live
Assume every cable, pipe and duct is live or under pressure until its owner has confirmed in writing that it is dead or disconnected. Support exposed services and protect them from damage while the trench is open.
6Never rely on colour or depth
Colours fade and get dirty, ducts are reused, and old or foreign apparatus may not follow any code. Resurfacing and landscaping change cover depths. Use colour and depth to help identify what you have found, never to decide that it is safe.
7Report all damage
Even a scrape to a cable sheath or pipe coating can fail later. Stop work, keep people clear, do not try to repair or bury it, and tell the owner straight away.
This is a summary, not a substitute for the full guidance, a safe system of work or proper training. Follow your site rules and the utility owners’ own requirements.
Planning a trench or foundation?
Work out excavation volumes, concrete, sub-base and backfill with the Tradefox concrete and groundworks calculators.