COLUMBUS, Ohio - nvtip -- In a vigilant effort to reduce the adverse effects associated with the damage of buried utilities, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recently updated the 2019 Construction and Materials Specification Manual, which includes specific changes related to underground warning/marking tape.

A significant change to take note of is the requirement to "Furnish tape with a break strength of at least 3000 lb (1361 kg) when tested to ASTM D6775."

Signaltape XT, manufactured by Damage Prevention Solutions, LLC, meets the new ODOT specifications. For more information related to Signaltape, visit www.damageprevention.com.

There are two new specifications related to underground warning/marking tape; the full specifications are outlined below and reflect the exact language from page 524 and page 790 of the ODOT Construction and Materials Specification Manual.

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625.20          Underground Warning / Marking Tape. Install tape approximately 6 to 10 inches (150 to 250 mm) below the final finished grade. Place with the printed side up and parallel with the finished surface. Ensure that the tape is not pulled, distorted or otherwise misplaced in completing the trench backfill. Provide approximately 10 ft (3 m) of tape inside each adjacent pull box connecting the underground utility run. Bond the tracer wire to a good earth ground in each pull box.

725.22          Underground Warning / Marking Tape. Furnish tape that is an inert material, approximately 6 inch (150 mm) wide composed of polyethylene plastic, highly resistant to alkalis, acids, or other chemical components likely to be encountered in soils. Furnish tape in accordance with the ORC 3781.29 color code and with black identifying lettering in accordance with Table 725.22-1 printed on one side only.

TABLE 725.22-1 UNDERGROUND UTILITY FACILITY COLOR CODES

Identifying Lettering	Color
ELECTRIC	Red
GAS	Yellow
COMMUNICATION	Orange
WATER	Blue
SEWER	Green

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Furnish tape in continues rolls with the identifying lettering repeated continuously the full length of the tape. Furnish tape with a break strength of at least 3000 lb (1361 kg) when tested to ASTM D6775. Furnish tape with a minimum diameter #12 AWG HDPE insulated copper clad steel tracer wire. Provide certified data verifying compliance with these requirements.

Other changes to the ODOT Construction and Materials Specification Manuel are highlighted in the online version of the 2019 Manual.