Virginia Code 56-265.17:3: Procedures for operators in response to a designer notice
An operator, upon notification by a designer in accordance with § 56-265.17:1, shall:
Terms Used In Virginia Code 56-265.17:3
- Designer: means any licensed professional designated by the project owner who designs government projects, commercial projects, residential projects consisting of 25 or more units, or industrial projects, which projects require the approval of governmental or regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the project area. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
- Locate request: means the completed delivery of information to the notification center requesting markings for a specified area of excavation or demolition and receipt of the same by the notification center in accordance with this chapter. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
- notification: means the completed delivery of information to the person to be notified, and the receipt of same by such person in accordance with this chapter. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
- Operator: means any person who owns, furnishes or transports materials or services by means of a utility line. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
- Positive response: means a code or phrase posted by an operator or locator to the notification center detailing the marking status of a locate request. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
- Utility line: means any item of public or private property which is buried or placed below ground or submerged for use in connection with the storage or conveyance of water, sewage, telecommunications, electric energy, cable television, oil, petroleum products, gas, or other substances, and includes pipes, sewers, combination storm/sanitary sewer systems, conduits, cables, valves, lines, wires, manholes, attachments, and those portions of poles below ground. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
- Working day: means every day, except Saturdays, Sundays, and legal state and national holidays. See Virginia Code 56-265.15
1. Respond to the designer’s request for underground utility line information within 15 working days in accordance with subdivisions 2, 3, and 4;
2. Provide designers with the operator’s name, the type of underground utility line, and the approximate horizontal location of the utility line. The foregoing information may be provided to the designer through the means that include field locates, maps, surveys, installation records or other means. Marking shall be done by both paint and flags whenever possible;
3. Provide such information about the location of the utility lines to designers for informational purposes only. Operators will not be liable for any incorrect information provided or for the subsequent use of this information, nor will they be subject to civil penalties for the accuracy of the information or marks provided. Any concerns about the accuracy of information or marks should be directed to the appropriate operator; and
4. Respond to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the sixteenth working day following the designer’s locate request.