Next Generation Interconnection Interoperability (NGIIF) Reference Document s1

ATIS-0300029

Next Generation Interconnection Interoperability (NGIIF) Reference Document

Part VIII, Cable Locate Guidelines

Version 12.0

[Above is the page number. They are always in 10 point, regular, centered, Arial. Style Sheet: Page number.]

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Notice

This document was developed by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions’ (ATIS) sponsored Next Generation Interconnection Interoperability Forum (NGIIF). The NGIIF addresses next-generation network interconnection and interoperability issues associated with emerging technologies. Specifically, it develops operational procedures which involve the network aspects of architecture, disaster preparedness, installation, maintenance, management, reliability, routing, security, and testing between network operators. In addition, the NGIIF addresses issues which impact the interconnection of existing and next generation networks and facilitate the transition to emerging technologies. All changes to this document shall be made through the NGIIF issue resolution process.

Note Regarding Previous Versions

The NIIF Reference Document was formerly known as the Network Operations Forum (NOF) Reference Document. The NOF Reference Document was published and maintained by Bellcore. The last version of the NOF Reference Document is Issue 13.

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ATIS-0300029, NGIIF Reference Document, Part VIII, Cable Locate Guidelines

The NGIIF Reference Document, Part VIII, Cable Locate Guidelines, is an ATIS standard developed by the NGIIF.

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CABLE LOCATE GUIDELINES

Table of Contents

1. GENERAL Error! Bookmark not defined.

A. Purpose 3

B. Applicability 3

C. Definitions 3

2. BASIC PREMISES 3

3. SCOPE OF THIS DOCUMENT Error! Bookmark not defined.

4. LOCATE ASSUMPTIONS Error! Bookmark not defined.

5. SERVICE PROVIDERS LOCATE GUIDELINES 4

6. ABNORMAL CONDITION PROCEDURES 5

1 General

1.1 Purpose

This document is intended to provide a set of guidelines that address industry concerns regarding the prevention of damage to the network caused by accidental damage to the Access Service Provider's or Access Service Customer's outside plant facilities.

1.2 Applicability

This document is intended to be a living document, and is therefore subject to revision and upgrading under the Carrier Liaison Committee guidelines.

This document does not replace or supersede any existing Contract(s), Tariff(s), State Law(s) or Regulations(s), or any other legally binding document(s).

1.3 Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the term Service Provider is used to indicate both Access Service Providers (ASP) and Access Service Customer (ASC).

The term Facility, as used in this document, describes buried plant to include but not be restricted to, Copper Cable or Fiber Optical Cable.

The term Call Before You Dig or CBUD, as used in this document describes a telecommunications entity operations center responsible for implementing the guidelines described in this document. The CBUD centers are commonly responsible for interactions with facility "One Call" agencies.

The term One Call, as used in this document describes an agency, a center, or an operator that performs the duties associated with the American Public Works Association (APWA) utility locate requests/referrals for all buried facilities, including telecommunications facilities.

The term Utility, as used in this document describes a public utility company, or consortium that delivers its service to the consumer public at large via buried facilities (e.g., electrical, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications, CATV, etc.).

LOCATE is a procedure that involves various mechanisms to identify telecommunications facilities deemed at risk. Notification may be to a One Call system, or directly to the individual Service Provider.

2 Basic Premises

Network Service Providers have an obligation to ensure that appropriate procedures are in place to proactively assure the integrity of buried facilities.

Other parties concerned with preventing damage to network facilities include One Call operators, construction and demolition companies and employees, and concerned telecommunications users.

3 Scope of this Document

The guidelines in this document address the following major areas of concern:

· Normal preventative measures. In most states, these are based on state laws that require prior notification of activity that has the potential to result in telecommunication cables being damaged.

· Emergency response to contractors who, for various reasons, failed to involve the organization responsible for LOCATE prior to beginning work in an unmarked area.

· Reactions to observations by Service Provider personnel that work has started, or is about to begin, in an area that has not been protected by required LOCATE practices.

· Reactions to observations by concerned telecommunications users that work is being performed in an area where they feel it is possible that utility facilities may not be protected.

· Recommendations for Service Providers who operate in jurisdictions that do not require mandatory notification programs.

4 Locate Assumptions

This section describes baseline assumptions/understandings that form the basis for the Service Provider guidelines.

As a result of state and local regulations, most areas are covered by an arrangement that provides a single contact, or "One Call," for parties to notify utilities of their intention to work in an area, and to request that the utilities LOCATE their facilities prior to the commencement of any work in that area.

In an area served by a One Call agency, any party proposing to conduct construction or demolition activities is expected to call the One Call agency and request a utility LOCATE be performed at the work site.

In an area not served by a One Call agency, the above parties should notify the individual utility directly. Many individual utilities maintain "Call Before You Dig" centers or CBUDs, to provide these services. In the case of telecommunications CBUD, the party should request a cable LOCATE at the site.

Network Service Providers should maintain, or be associated with, an organization that has the responsibility for interfacing with any party concerned with preventing telecommunication network damage.

Where local or state requirements do not exist, it is recommended that Service Providers at a minimum should adhere to the American Public Works Association recommendations for utility locating.

The One Call center will request specific information from the referring party as necessary to facilitate LOCATE and field meet procedures (e.g., contact name, company/individual reporting, site location, start date, activity being performed, field appointment information). The One Call center determines which utilities are to be notified and provides the referral information specifics to each affected utility.

5 Service Providers Locate Guidelines

On receipt of a request for LOCATE, the Service Provider shall make a record of the request for tracking and auditing purposes.

Service Providers shall be responsible for reviewing referral information to ensure that all necessary data is provided, and for contacting the referring party or the on site personnel for any corrections and/or clarifications.

The following information should be requested from the referring party:

· Name of the company (or individual) requesting the LOCATE service.

· Name and phone numbers for on site representatives, and if available, other back up information.

· Specific site location information, such as street address or map locations.

· Proposed start date of construction or demolition activities at the site.

· Descriptions of the type and extent of the activities to be conducted at the site.

· Dates and times available for a field meet, if required and/or requested.

· Provide any special site access information, such as site phone numbers, entrance locations, etc.

Service Providers' field representatives are required to verify the proposed field meet, coordinating any changes with the site contact.

Service Providers' field representatives shall follow company practices, state laws, or industry recommendations in visiting the site and locating and marking the facilities as required. It is recommended that this activity be performed at the same time as the field meet.

There are circumstances that may require special action by the LOCATE field representative. In these instances, it is strongly recommended that additional efforts, including frequent revisits and on site standby, be considered to protect the facilities. Examples of these circumstances are:

· The representative believes that the type of activities planned will harm the facilities.

· Facilities in the affected area contain priority, or critical, circuits and/or service.

· Contractors at the site have a history of ignoring cable locations and markings.

· Weather conditions such as mud, snow or rain require the remarking of facility locations

· The site is in an area subject to frequent vandalism.

Procedures should be in place to provide rapid response to emergency calls.

All telecommunication providers should participate in a cable LOCATE program in each geographic location. This can be accomplished as a stand alone operation of each Service Provider, or other owners of buried utilities, or it can be a coordinated effort including all utilities.

All incidences where cable damage has occurred should be reviewed monthly.

Regular meetings should be held with that group of contractors who are not contacting cable owner companies for cable LOCATE services and who are damaging the cables.

Major/significant buried cable routes should have cable warning signs requesting that you call before digging. These warnings should, at a minimum, conform to the American Public Works Association guidelines.

Call before you dig awareness programs should be in effect.

6 Abnormal Condition Procedures

In instances where calls are made to either CBUDs or One Calls reporting that site activity is underway that may cause damage to utility facilities, as much information pertaining to the site and the activities should be obtained from the caller.

The utility receiving the referral should ensure that this activity is not coincident with one already referred.

The entity receiving the referral, on determining that this is a new situation, should notify all other utilities.