Did you know that excavation efforts in the United States are causing an underground cable to be destroyed every three minutes? The National Utility Notification Hotline (811) provides this disturbing information. It emphasizes the crucial significance of exercising caution before commencing any excavation activity. In this blog post we are going to learn about importance of high density polyethylene pipe color codes.

Why Is It Important to Call Before Digging?

Gas, water, and electrical lines are often buried slightly beneath the surface, out of sight. Digging without first assessing what’s beneath the earth may be both costly and dangerous. However, precautions are in place to prevent mishaps, such as labeling the surface and color-coding subterranean pipelines. These precautions assist workers understand what is present and where before they begin excavating. APWA Uniform Color Code.

Understanding the APWA Uniform Color Code

The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Code is the most reliable reference to recognizing the colors of underground high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. This uniform code establishes solid and striped colors for subterranean pipes, allowing construction teams, excavators, and utility providers to immediately identify the type of pipe discovered during an excavation.

Color Variation and Applications

Different hues or tones can also be used to identify pipeline owners. For example, in the telecommunications business, numerous owners often have pipes in the same subsurface location. Using a color system reduces confusion and ensures that stakeholders understand who controls each pipeline.

Here is a color guide for HDPE pipe based on the APWA code:

  • Solid red or red stripes: Power lines, cables, conduits, and lighting cables.
  • Solid orange or orange stripes: Telecommunications, alarm or signal lines, cables, or conduits.
  • Solid yellow or yellow stripes: Methane or propane gas, petroleum, steam, or gaseous materials.
  • Solid green or green stripes: Sewer or drainage lines.
  • Solid blue or blue stripes: Potable water.
  • Solid purple/lavender or purple/lavender stripes: Reclaimed water, irrigation, and slurry lines.
  • Solid black: Any application where the pipe is exposed to sunlight for extended periods.

How Does The High Density Polyethylene Pipe Stripe Structure Work?

The Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI) likewise adopts the APWA color code, which promotes industry standardization and safety. PPI strongly advises that the color yellow be used solely for gas distribution pipes, ensuring that these lines are immediately visible in the field. For further information, seethe PE Handbook of PE Pipe, Chapter 14 on Pipe and Conduit, Section 6.2, and APWA Uniform Color Code.

Adding Color to HDPE and UV Protection

HDPE is made from tiny, colorless resin pellets, and color is added throughout the production process. Carbon black additives are used to protect against UV rays, as colored pipes fade when exposed to sunshine. ASTM F2160 requires that stabilizers used on colored conduit protect it for one year of outdoor storage. Even with UV stabilizers, colorful tubing can fade over time, thus black tubing is suggested for applications that need extensive exposure to sunlight.

Invest in Legacy High Density Polyethylene Pipe

Don’t compromise on the efficiency and safety of your work.

If you are looking for quality and safety in your construction projects, choose Legacy HDPE high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes. Our pipes are manufactured to the highest quality standards and are color-coded to ensure easy identification and maximum safety. For more information about our products and services, please visit our website or contact us directly at Tel: 307-391-0731

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