762626.1 Plastic UG Marking Tape

Click here for a PDF of this Material Standard

Revision 2
Nov 18, 2011

1. Scope

This specification applies to plastic underground marking tape.

2. Application

Tape will be used as a means of alerting excavators to the presence of underground electric lines. Tape will be direct buried in the earth above underground electric lines.

3. Physical Characteristics

Tape shall be "safety red" in accordance with the APWA uniform color code for marking buried electric lines. Tape shall be manufactured of an inert, highly durable polyethylene film a minimum of 4 mils thick. Tape shall be highly resistant to alkalis, acids and other destructive agents found in the soil. Tape shall have a minimum tensile strength of 20 lbs per 3-inch width strip and a minimum elongation of 500-percent.

4. Width and Labeling Requirements

Tape shall be either 3-inches wide or 6-inches wide as specified by the District stock code numbers given below. Tape shall bear a continuous printed message on one side, repeated at intervals less than or equal to 30-inches. The shall read, "CAUTION ELECTRIC LINE BURIED BELOW", or a District approved equivalent phrase. The message shall be printed with durable black ink in block letters. The letters shall be a minimum of 1-inch and a maximum of 2-inches tall on the 3-inch width tape and a minimum of 1-inch and a maximum of 5-inches tall on the 6-inch width tape.

5. Packaging Requirements

Tape shall be supplied in lengths of 1000 ft firmly wound on a round core with a 3-inch inside diameter. The maximum outside diameter of the complete roll of tape shall be 9-inches. Each roll of tape shall be commercially packaged to ensure safe delivery without damage. Each package shall be marked with the manufacturer's name and the package contents.

6. Material ID Numbers

This specification applies to the following District Material ID's:

0762626 - 3" Wide Plastic Tape "CAUTION ELECTRIC LINE BURIED BELOW"
0762634 - 6" Wide Plastic Tape "CAUTION ELECTRIC LINE BURIED BELOW"