Standards Australia has launched a new Australian Standard which will outline a consistent approach towards the classification of information relating to subsurface utilities.
The standard seeks to address the current difficulties in establishing and verifying the existence and location of subsurface utilities.
AS 5488-2013 Classification of Subsurface Utility Information is intended to improve public safety, reduce costly property damage, and provide more accurate information on the location and type of subsurface utilities.
Chief Executive Officer of Standards Australia, Colin Blair, said Australian utility owners, operators and locators have welcomed the Australian Standard.
“The primary objective of this Australian Standard is to provide utility owners, operators and locators with a framework for the consistent classification of information concerning subsurface utilities,” Mr Blair said.
“The standard also provides guidance on how subsurface utility information may be obtained, and how that information should be conveyed to users,” Mr Blair said.
Mr Blair said knowledge of the precise details of subsurface utilities can protect the asset lifecycle and reduce interference to infrastructure.
