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One of our most frequently asked questions is:
We recommend installing Signaltape® within 12 inches (30 cm) of the finished grade. Signaltape® was engineered with this installation depth in mind and is designed to provide a visible warning before excavation equipment reaches a buried utility.
Installing the tape deeper than recommended can reduce its effectiveness as a warning system. As burial depth increases, more soil must be removed before the tape is encountered, reducing the opportunity to identify the presence of a buried utility before damage occurs.
Signaltape® should also be installed at least 12 inches (30 cm) above the utility, with 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm) recommended whenever practical. This separation helps ensure the tape is encountered before excavation equipment reaches the buried facility. When tape and utility are installed too close together, both may be contacted during the same excavation movement.
For continuous installations, each run of Signaltape® should either overlap the next section by a minimum of 20 feet (6 m) or be joined using the approved repair method.
These methods help to maintain the tape's ability to be pulled to the surface when encountered by an excavator. While Signaltape® will still resist shearing if the overlap is not used, shorter sections near the end of a run may not provide enough buried length to offer the same performance shown in demonstrations.
For open trench installation:
Signaltape® may also be installed using static or vibratory plow methods where appropriate.
For complete installation instructions, see the full installation sheet here.