Underground electrical service ducting / containment : colour coding?

[daviwill]

Evening all,

Could someone advise if there is a regulation/guidance note that defines colour coding of underground ducting / containment for electrical services, I assume the 'accepted' colours of yellow -gas, blue - water and black - electrical are standardised but I could not see where this has been defined.

I have been having a 'discussion' with a ground worker who has laid drainage pipe in preparation for an electrical service, he has advised it is taped but I wanted to confirm if this is against guidance.

Thanks

 

[Leesparkykent]

I don't think you will find a regulation but industry standard colours are shown here on page 7. http://www.njug.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/V1-Positioning-Colour-Coding-Issue-8.pdf

 

[daviwill]

I don't think you will find a regulation but industry standard colours are shown here on page 7. http://www.njug.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/V1-Positioning-Colour-Coding-Issue-8.pdf

Thanks for the info,

Would you have concerns with regards to using a drainage pipe to provide containment for an electrical service?

As I see it, if the swa service cable was simply laid in the trench and taped accordingly it wouldn't be an issue as the identification of exposed services indicates to assume any black plastic service as a live electrical service, HSG47.

In this scenario, the fact it would be ducted in standard drainage pipe although taped raises a concern about potential misidentification and the scenario of a future groundworker cutting through thinking it was drainage causes a severe risk.

If the colour coding is deemed 'industry standard', is there a case to challenge and ask for black service ducting to be installed?