Calling 811 is the easiest way to discover underground gas and other utility lines before you dig. Your address, details on where you want to dig, and other information will be communicated to any affected utility operators when you make a free call to this federally designated number. Depending on your state, you may be able to contact 811 online to learn how to locate gas lines in your yard.
What is the depth of a propane line buried?
For the protection of the line and connections on both ends, the yard line is subject to depth regulations. Depending on motor traffic, depths range from 12 to 18 inches underground. The reason for this requirement is simple: the earth, dirt, sand, or whatever is covering the line must provide appropriate protection against damage to the subterranean gas line. The weight of a car can quickly crimp or destroy a copper line running beneath a dirt drive that is only a few inches underground. Similarly, stumbling over a line running over the ground’s surface might cause significant injury. Inadvertent movement of the gas service line can result in leaks forming at the line’s connections on both ends. The gas line must be buried at a safe and needed depth for these reasons. Illegal installations include propane gas pipes that run along the top of the ground (as seen above).
What is the best way to mark a propane line?
Gardening, landscaping, and other digging-related projects are popular in the fall and spring. The public is reminded by Central Coast Propane in Paso Robles to dig safely to avoid harming underground utility lines, septic hookups, and water pipes.
Digging without understanding where subsurface utility lines are located can cause gas, electric, communication, water, and sewer lines to be damaged, resulting in neighborhood evacuations, service outages, catastrophic injuries, and costly repairs.
Before you put your shovel in the dirt, take a few safety precautions to avoid harming underground utility lines and completing the project on time.
- Before digging, call 811 at least two days ahead of time. This is the national call-in number for utility companies, and it is required by California law to be called before beginning any digging activity.
- Use white spray paint, chalk, flour, pegs, or flags to mark the area where you want to dig.
- Utility companies indicate subterranean lines in the defined work area using colorful flags, pegs, or paint. Continue to use the utility marks until you’re finished. For a period of 28 days, the marks are valid.
Safety first
When a gas line is fractured or damaged during excavation, a leak can occur. A burst pipe can cause evacuations, utility outages, property damage, and even death. If you detect any of the following, take urgent safety precautions:
- Sounds such as hissing, whistling, or roaring originating from the earth or from gas equipment.
- Dirt shooting into the air, water boiling in ponds or creeks, or moist vegetation
- Stay cautious and exit the area as soon as possible, then call 911 and notify the utility provider.
How 811 works
By dialing 811, the caller is connected to a single contact center that notifies the member utility providers of their intention to dig. Within two business days, the utility companies involved attend to find and mark the approximate locations of any subterranean facilities, or to advise you that they do not have any at your house. Flags or spray paint are used to identify the places within the designated work area.
How to locate private gas, water or septic lines
Private septic systems, wells, and propane tanks may be used on rural property, as well as older properties on the outskirts of some cities. If you’re unsure about the location of these lines, contact a private underground utility locator in your region.
Subsurface facility locators use a variety of specialized tools, including electromagnetic equipment, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and electronic or radio frequency pipe and cable locating tools, if maps of private underground facilities are not accessible. You also get an updated map that shows the locations of all lines, including those that have been abandoned.
The North County Access directory, referrals from local utility providers, or an Internet search for “underground utility locator for Paso Robles” are all good places to start looking for a company that specializes in underground utility location. Your propane, septic, or well company might also be able to help.
Central Coast Propane is a local Paso Robles company that provides propane services to the Central Coast for residential, commercial, and agricultural use. On its website, the company offers propane tanks, installation, and underground gas lines, as well as crucial safety information.
Is it possible to bury gas pipes in walls?
(1) No part of any installation pipework shall be installed in a wall, a floor, or a standing of solid construction unless it is constructed and installed in such a way that it is protected against failure caused by movement of the wall, floor, or standing, as the case may be.
Is it possible to utilize PEX for a propane line?
PEX pipe is not the same as PE piping, and the two are frequently confused. Polyethylene, or PE, is a flexible plastic polymer that is ideal for piping in wells and other cold-water supply lines.
PEX stands for polyethylene that has been cross-linked. It’s made of polyethylene, a material with a stronger link between the polymer chains that make it up. PEX is now suited for both hot and cold water applications as a result of this advancement. It can also be utilized in some gas applications, depending on the building code.
PEX and PE are more flexible and have a significantly greater pressure rating than typical gas lines, thus they suit those requirements. They are, however, made of a soft material that could be damaged by nails, rodents, and other objects. As a result, in your location, either may not be permitted for use as a residential gas line. Even when the utility provider is able to install it, plumbers and homeowners are not always able to.
Can I go as far as I can before dialing 811?
This figure comes from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), and if it sounds disturbingly high to you, it’s because many people are unaware that they must call 811 before digging.
While the ground may not have thawed where you are, April is National Safe Digging Month, and it’s a good reminder to know what you need to do before breaking ground on this year’s projects.
According to data collated by CGA from various industry associations, there are more than 100 billion feet of subsurface utilities in the United States, so you can’t assume your customer’s property is free of them.
There is no limit to how deep a person can go before calling 811. CGA advises that any time you put a shovel in the ground, whether it’s to plant little shrubs or build a fence, you should contact because many utilities are buried just a few inches below the surface.
Even if an area has been designated previously, erosion and root system growth might change the depth or location of buried wires, so call each time you start a job.
Calling 811 is also not an optional chore, as every state has a different statute that requires people to contact before digging. While the amount of time you have to call 811 before digging differs by state, you can find your state’s standards here.
It is a frequent misperception that dialing 811 costs money; nevertheless, dialing 811 is completely free. Utility companies cover the cost to protect you, your staff, and your customers. When you don’t call, hit a utility line, and are held liable for the damage, the true expenses effect your business.
Some utility companies charge not just for the expense of dispatching a staff to repair or replace the damaged property, but also for the loss of service caused by the outage.
In recent years, some states have enacted penalties and fines to aid in the enforcement of the law. Mississippi passed a law in 2016 requiring first-time offenders to complete a compliance training course.
Second-time offenders within a five-year period must complete a training course or face a fine of up to $500 per offense. Malicious activities with the aim to destroy subsurface lines result in a training course and fines of up to $5,000 per event for third-time crimes in a five-year period.
- Two to three days before digging, call 811 or submit an online request to your local one-call center.
- The affected utility companies will be notified by the one-call center. Wait two to three days for the utility operators to react to your request (this varies by state). For each request, an average of seven to eight operators are notified.
- Verify that all of the operators who are affected have responded to your request. The process for confirmation varies by state.
- Dig around the designated locations with care. The majority of state rules prevent machines from being used within 18 to 24 inches of a utility that has been marked. Hand dig or use vacuum excavation if you need to dig closer.
Keep in mind that depending on the state, the locate ticket is only good for a set amount of time, and if you want to continue, you’ll need to call 811 for a re-mark.
Stop working immediately if one of your employees accidentally hits a pipeline. The processes that follow differ depending on the type of utility line hit.
When dealing with natural gas, propane, or petroleum lines, leave the area and contact 911 as well as the facility operator. Don’t do anything that could start a blaze, and make sure everyone is aware of the situation. Keep the public out by cordoning off the area. Stay away from the gas and do not attempt to repair the pipe on your own.
Warning everyone in the area, including emergency responders, that the ground and objects near the point of contact may be energized in the case of electrical wires.
If you have a radio or phone, call the electricity utility operator or the fire department. Otherwise, stay on the excavator and ask someone to call for utility and emergency help.
Those near the excavator or point of contact should keep both feet together and remain still. They must not come into contact with the excavator or the material. Only leave the excavator and the surrounding area after an official from the electric utility has declared it safe. If a fire, explosion, or other hazard requires quick evacuation, jump (not step) from the apparatus and land with both feet. Make sure you’re at least 25 to 30 feet away. Take no ordinary walking steps.
Notify the facility owner of any damaged communications cables, and do not study or stare at broken, severed, or disconnected fibers. Keep a safe distance away and block the area to keep others out.
Contact the pipeline operator after examining the situation and ensuring that nothing appears to be harmed. Minor nicks or dents can lead to major issues in the future.
If a homeowner has consulted you but intends to do it themselves, remind them that calling 811 isn’t just for professionals; anyone planning to dig must dial this number.
How can I make sure my pipes are in good working order before I dig?
Before digging, phone 811 or go to the website of your state’s 811 center to request that the approximate position of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don’t dig into an underground utility line by accident.
How long does an underground propane tank last?
The propane tank is the heart of your propane-powered home, providing gas to your appliances and keeping your family warm and comfortable throughout the year.
But how well-versed are you in propane tanks? Here are some fundamentals to get you started.
The size and use of a propane tank, as well as how well it has been maintained for, determine how long it will last. A high-quality, well-maintained galvanized propane tank should last at least 30 years, with some aluminum and composite cylinders lasting even longer. Propane tanks built underground have a 20 to 30 year average life expectancy, depending on the soil type and how well the tank was installed.
Propane tanks are available in a variety of sizes; the right size for your Middle Tennessee or Southern Kentucky house is determined by the propane appliances you plan to use.
The following are some of the most common propane tank sizes, as well as some of the equipment that they typically power:
120 gallon For use with water heaters, space heaters, and pool heaters (holds 100 gallons of propane)
250 gallon For use with generators, pool heaters, and a variety of other equipment (holds 200 gallons of propane)
500 gallon For use with central heating and pool heaters (holds 400 gallons of propane)
1000 gallon Ideal for large households and businesses (holds 850 gallons of propane)
Federal, state, and municipal legislation and regulations govern the location of propane tanks, which must be followed at all times. Here are a few of the most significant:
- A portion of an underground tank of this size must be at least 10 feet from a building or property line.
Do you have any further concerns concerning propane tanks? To learn more, contact an expert at Advance Propane today!
Is a buried propane tank safe?
Homes and communities benefit greatly from buried tanks. Propane tanks are intrinsically safe, whether stored underground or above ground. Propane is not damaging to soil or water in the unlikely event of a leak, and tank placement is governed by tight rules and codes.