User:LunaEatsTuna/Appendix:Utility symbols

Utility symbols in the United Kingdom

Utility symbols, also known as utility markings, are used to identify and label public utility cables, pipes, wires and other connections—collectively known as "lines"—that are underground. They are usually spray painted onto the ground (be it pavement, roads, or, sometimes, grass) with a specialist-type of graffiti before forthcoming digging to warn maintenance and construction workers so they do not erroneously cause damage or destruction to any services. These services include electrical wiring, telecommunications, drainage systems and pipelines (sewage, water, gas, steam, slurry, oil); but utility symbols may also indicate survey markings.

Several symbols exist to indicate different objects and such; colours are used to denote the different types of services. The symbols themselves are variously combined letters and numbers to indicate specific functions, features or ownership. For instance, the name of the company that owns that which is marked always comes first (that is, on the left), followed by other details, i.e. measurements, watts, material types etc. The names are always abbreviated; for instance, in the United States, NG is the National Grid, VZN is Verizon, USA is the Underground Service Alert, and so forth. A new line will typically always start with the abbreviation of the company that owns it, followed by the commencement of the actual line itself.

The colours (which vary by country and will be listed below) of course alter the meaning of the symbols—for instance, in the United States, a green line is a sewage pipe, a red line is an electrical wire, and an orange line may be a broadband cable.

United States

Colour codes

Red	Electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables
Orange	Telecommunications, cables, broadband lines, CCTV networks, conduits, alarm or signal lines
Yellow	Natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other gaseous or flammable material
Green	Sewage and drainage pipelines
Blue	Potable water pipelines
Purple	Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
Pink	Temporary survey markings
White	Proposed excavation sites; measurements or general instructions

Symbols

Char.	Image	Description	Definition
|		A line	Indicates the location of a pipe or line (4" and under); may change direction (vertically, horizontally) to accurately follow the line. Changes may be quadrilateral or circular, depending on the accurate position of the line. The line is always placed at the centre of the pipe. May also be interpreted as ┆.
║		Two separated lines	Indicates the size of a pipe or line when it is 6" or over. The size may be written as a numerical value (i.e. 12") within the confines of the two separated lines.
Ⅲ		Three separated lines	Indicates the size of the line (see ║), as well as the centre, denoted by the line in the middle (|).
		Three lines, with the centre line elongated; all connected by one line in the centre	A line that is exceptionally large (often 18" or more, but varies by jurisdiction), and too wide to be practically or physically marked with two separate lines (as ║).
H		H-shape	Alternative form of ║.
┆		Dotted lines	See |.
┬		A line splitting in two; a T-shape	A connection with another line, i.e. if green, indicates where a private or residential sewage line connects to the main sewer system.
╦		Two separated lines in a T-shape	Synonym of ┬ for larger lines; see ║.
□		A square (or rectangle)	A structure, such as a cable tv pedestal or electric transformer; the box or rectangle is usually larger than the structure's actual size. Some exceptionally-large boxes may have disconnected lines. An alternative form (regardless of size) includes only four corners, as ⛶.
⛝		A square enclosing an X	Synonym of □, especially for smaller squares.
●		Enclosed circle	1. Centre of a duct or conduit system. 2. When inside two lines (see ║), indicates a line or cable's centre, i.e. for a cable, its strongest signal strength. Alternatively, a line (|) could be used, creating Ⅲ.
○		Circle	1. Synonym of ●, used especially for overground drains and manhole covers. 2. (rare) Synonym of □.
◇		Diamond	Centre of a conduit or duct, always placed between two successive lines (see |) or inside two lines (see ║); similar to ●.
ⓧ		Circle with an X	Location of a manhole, splice or valve.
⛶		Square with four separated corners	Synonym of □.
		Square with four separated double-sided arrows	Synonym of □.
		Line splitting into two lines, which both protrude slightly backwards	Termination point; dead end.
+		A plus	Four connected lines in the shape depicted.
⇥		Arrow facing a line	An offset mark; used in conjunction with a distance marker to point in the direction of the actual location of something. Used when the marker cannot be placed in the correct location, i.e. private property, obstructed, loose ground (dirt, grass) etc.
↑		An arrow	Marks the direction (flow) of something, i.e. if blue, marks the direction that water flows.
↦		An arrow with a line at the back	Continues in the pointed direction without being marked; the utility marking equivalent of "etc."

Example

• 
  The above image indicates that a planned excavation site continues in the pointed direction for another 1,000 inches unmarked. The initials below indicate that the mark was made by the Underground Service Alert.

Can you understand the image? Become native in American Utility Markese today! ;3

WORK IN PROGRESS BELOW THIS LINE

Scaffolding

literally just the letter h

Legend:

Colour	Meaning
Red	Electrical wiring
Orange	Telecommunications: cable, broadband lines; CCTV networks (US)
Yellow	Gas, oil and steam pipes
Green	Telecommunications: cable, broadband lines; CCTV networks (UK)	Sewage and drainage pipes (US)
Blue	Water pipes (potable)
Purple	Reclaimed water, slurry lines (US)
White	Measurements or general instructions	Proposed excavation site
Pink	Temporary survey markings
Refs