Technical Standard Category C - SEQ Design and Construction Code

Technical StandardCategory CGuidelines for the Construction of Works Overand Adjacent to SEQ Service Providers’ Assetson Public Roads

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over and adjacentto SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public RoadsDocument DetailsThis document is only valid on the day it was printed.Document SponsorChief Operating Officers of the SEQ Service ProvidersVersion Date May 2012ReferencesBuilding Over and Adjacent to SEQ Service Providers’ Assets – AssessmentManualTechnical Standard Category A – Guidelines for the assessment of proposedstructures/works over and adjacent to SEQ Service Providers’ sewers (up toand including 225 mm) on private properties (not roads)Technical Standard Category B – Guidelines for the assessment of proposedstructures/works over and adjacent to SEQ Service Providers’ pressure mainson private properties (not roads)25 May 2012 Technical Standard Category CPage ii of 9

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over and adjacentto SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public RoadsContents1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................42. What needs to be done? ...............................................................................................53. Before Excavating ................................................................................................64. Pipeline Location Details ..............................................................................................65. Emergency Excavations ...............................................................................................66. What to look for on site ................................................................................................76.1 Above Ground ................................................................................................76.2 Below Ground ................................................................................................77. Helpful Hints ..................................................................................................................88. How to Dig Safely ................................................................................................89. UNSURE?.......................................................................................................................................................925 May 2012 Technical Standard Category CPage iii of 9

1. IntroductionGuidelines for the Construction of Works over andadjacent to SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public RoadsThese guidelines relate to construction works being carried out over or adjacent to SEQ ServiceProviders’ Assets on public roads.SEQ Service Providers’ assets on public roads include but are not limited to water mains, recyclemains, gravity sewerage mains,rising mains, pressure reducing valves, hydrants, stop valves,manholes (access chambers), pumping stations and vent poles.Water (potable or recycled) supply and sewerage are essential services vital to the health andwellbeing of the community and to protecting the environment. Any disruption to these servicescan have significant consequences.If intended works are to be constructed over or within 1.0 m of a SEQ Service Providers asset,(including surface fittings such as maintenance holes) approval l must be sought from the relevantSEQ Service Providers prior to the commencement of any works. This is a legislated requirementunder the Water Supply (Safety & Reliability) Act 2008, Part 7, Section 192 and the South-EastQueensland Water (Distribution and Retail Restructuring) Act2009, Part3, Section 53BU.Section 192Interfering with service provider’s infrastructure(1) A person must not, without the written consent of a service provider, interfere with aservice provider’s infrastructure. (Maximum penalty – 1000 penalty units)(2) A person must not, without the written consent of a service provider, build over, interferewith access to, increase or reduce the cover over, or change the surface of land in a waycausing ponding of water over an access chamber for, a service provider’s infrastructure.(Maximum penalty – 500 penalty units)Section 53 BURequirement ement to consult if water infrastructure affected(1) The public entity must give the distributor-retailer a notice stating:(a) details of the proposed public entity work; and(b) that the distributor-retailer retailer may, within a stated period, make written submissions tothe entity about that proposal.(2) The stated period must not end before 30 business days after the notice is given(3) Before deciding to make the change, the entity must consider any written submissionmade by the distributor-retailer retailer within the stated period.Careless digging can cause:Printed copies are uncontrolled.Page 4 of 9

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over andadjacent to SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public Roads• Death or serious injury to workers and the general public• Serious disruption to essential services• Inconvenience to utility users (water supply, telecommunications, etc.)• Expensive financial losses to the community• Project delaysIt may also lead to damage claims and criminal prosecution.2. What needs to be done?DesignAs part of the design process for every project, it is important that:• The location of ALL existing underground services including water supply, recyclewater, sewer rising main and sewerage pipelines and fittings are determined and adesign is adopted that maintains the integrity of the services provided by those assets.• SEQ Service Providers are notified if it is intended to construct over or within 1.0m ofany water supply, (potable or recycled) and sewer pipelines owned by SEQ ServiceProviders. The Notification must include i the following: The location of the proposed works The design plans which show the SEQ Service Provider’s asset The contact details of the project manager of the proposed works The proposed date of the commencement of worksThe notification can either er be mailed OR e-mailed as follows.Allconnex WaterPostal address: PO Box 8042Gold Coast MC 9726Email: info@allconnex.com.auTelephone: 1300 000 928Queensland Urban UtilitiesPostal address: GPO Box 2765Brisbane QLD 4001Email:customerservice@urbanutilities.com.auTelephone: 13 26 57UnitywaterPostal address: PO Box 953,Caboolture Qld 4510Email:Development.Control@unitywater.comTelephone: 5431 8333Printed copies are uncontrolled.Page 5 of 9

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over andadjacent to SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public Roads3. Before ExcavatingThe following steps must be taken before commencing excavation on site.• Reconfirm the location of the SEQ Service Provider’s assets.• Advise the SEQ Service Provider with 48 hours of the exact date of works commencingso that inspections can be arranged.• Confirm that the SEQ Service Provider has acknowledged the advice and that aninspector has been arranged.• Advise the SEQ Service Providers the Dial Before You Dig reference number.• Undertake a risk assessment and make all workers aware of possible hazards.• Ensure excavations are carried out manually until all the SEQ Service Provider’s assetsare located.• Be aware of what steps to take in the event of damage to a pipeline.4. Pipeline Location Details‘Dial Before You Dig’ is a national one-call help service established by a number of utilities toassist in determining the location of underground services.For information on the location of some SEQ Service Providers’ pipelines and other services in thevicinity ity of the proposed planned excavation site: Visit www.dialbeforeyoudig.com.auMost SEQ Service Providers pipe location plans provided in response to a ‘Dial Before You Dig’enquiries are supplied free of charge.5. Emergency ExcavationsThere will be cases where emergency excavations will need to be carried out and there will not besufficient time to notify SEQ Service Providers.Instances where emergency excavations have taken place over or within 1.0 m of a SEQ ServiceProviders asset, the SEQ Service Provider must be notified within 48 hours with the followingdetails to ensure accurate records are maintained and inspections can be carried out.• Date of the excavations• Reason for the excavationPrinted copies are uncontrolled.Page 6 of 9

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over andadjacent to SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public Roads• Extent of the excavation• Contact detailsThe notification can either be emailed OR phoned to.Allconnex WaterEmail: info@allconnex.com.auTelephone: 1300 000 928Queensland Urban UtilitiesEmail:customerservice@urbanutilities.com.auTelephone: 13 23 64UnitywaterEmail:Development.Control@unitywater.comTelephone: 5431 83336. What to look for on siteWhilst it is important to obtain plans, other important indicators to look for on site are:6.1 Above GroundSurface fittings that may provide a guide to the types and location of water, recycle water andsewer pipelines:Fire HydrantSewer Maintenance HoleRecycle Valve (purple)Potable & Recycle (purple)Water MetersPotable Water Stop ValveRecycle above ground water meter6.2 Below GroundDetectable tapes are generally found above water and recycled water mains. Pipe materialsinclude:Water:uPVC, PE, GRP, cast iron, ductile iron (may be sleeved in green plastic), steeland asbestos cement.Printed copies are uncontrolled.Page 7 of 9

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over andadjacent to SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public RoadsRecycled Water: uPVC purple pipes and fittingsSewer:Vitreous clay, uPVC, PE, concrete and asbestos cement.7. Helpful HintsThe following information is to be used as a guide only.• Water and recycled water mains are generally located in footpaths or the road shoulder.• Sewer (gravity or pressure) pipelines are generally located on private property as wellas roads, reserves and public open spaces.• Water and recycled water mains are generally laid at standard depths, however thedepth of sewer pipelines varies significantly.• Locations and depths of pipelines shown on SEQ Service Provider’splans should betaken as a guide only.• SEQ Service Providers plans may not show all individual property service connectionpoints.• Space allocation for SEQ Service Providers assets in footpaths or road shoulder isgenerally between 1 m and 2 m from the property boundary.8. How to Dig SafelyAvoiding pipeline damage is as simple as having the right information, the right tools, the rightskills and the right attitude.Damages to SEQ Service Providers asset can be avoided by simply remembering the 4 P’s: Plan Pothole Protect ProceedPlanIn the planning/design stage of the project, obtain pipe location details. It is important to note thatSEQ Service Providers plans are indicative only; they do not pinpoint the exact location of theasset.PotholeOnce in receipt of indicative information on pipe locations, lexcavate carefully by hand or vacuumto expose the services before using any heavy digging equipment.Printed copies are uncontrolled.Page 8 of 9

Guidelines for the Construction of Works over andadjacent to SEQ Service Providers Assets in Public RoadsProtectProvide protection of SEQ Service Providers’ assets. Protection also benefits worker safety, publicsafety and security of other services. Any movement in a pipeline could result in joint failure,flooding and injury. Final designss and work method statements are required for review andapproval prior to proceeding.ProceedProceed with caution only when the above 3 P’s have been successfully completed.9. UNSURE?If unsure, please contact the relevant SEQ Service Provider.Allconnex WaterPostal address: PO Box 8042Gold Coast MC 9726Email:info@allconnex.com.auTelephone: 1300 000 928Queensland Urban UtilitiesPostal address: GPO Box 2765Brisbane QLD 4001Email:customerservice@urbanutilities.com.auTelephone: 13 26 57UnitywaterPostal address: PO Box 953,Caboolture Qld 4510Email:Development.Control@unitywater.comTelephone: 5431 8333The cost of damage to service assets can quickly escalate beyond the repair of the asset itself.Flooding can result in third party damage. Spillage of sewage can result in environmental fines.Even a temporary loss of service can lead to significant third party claims. These are but a fewexamples of other potential costs resulting from damage to services.Printed copies are uncontrolled.Page 9 of 9