Blue Staking is marking the location of underground infrastructure and facilities, such as electric, gas, water, telephone, and cable lines, to prevent them from being damaged during digging or excavations. It is a state law that all underground facilities must be marked before any digging or excavation starts.
Arizona 811, previously known as Arizona Blue Stake, performs excavation information services and stakeholder education designed to provide for public safety and underground equipment damage prevention by following state requirements. Arizona 811 works with homeowners, professional excavators, facility owners, operators, designers, and landscapers throughout Arizona to identify telecommunication, electric, or gas distribution lines.
Call before you dig
Before any digging or construction occurs, an individual or business can create an online E-Stake ticket at www.arizona811.com to identify areas of concern on a property. The service is free and required by law to be complete before any excavation projects can begin.
Once a ticket has been created with Arizona 811, a facility owner or operator in the area will either mark underground facilities or indicate a “No Conflict” status at the property. Once the property has been marked or “blue staked,” the homeowner or business can begin their excavating project and address any areas of concern.
It is important to remember that an individual or company digging on a property can be held civilly liable for all damages and may be prosecuted for any criminal violations.
In short, this means that anyone who digs a trench or hole without clearing it with Arizona 811 could end up paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, damages, judgments, and even serving time in prison. Utilities are marked with different paint colors to help identify the utilities and ensure the safety of infrastructure and lives. The paint will fade over time, however it does need to remain visible during the excavation.
That is why it is important to contact a professional before you complete any projects.
Questions about Utility Marks?
RP Gas can answer any questions about blue staking and utility marks.
RP Gas Piping is Arizona’s number one contractor for all your natural gas services. They have the staff, equipment and experience to complete all types of projects while staying in compliance with all applicable city and state ordinances. Call RP Gas Piping at 602-759-8340 to discuss your next project.
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