N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 17 § 131.20

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 131.20 - Utility facilities on structures

(a) General. Utility facilities may be placed on bridges upon written approval of the department. The following provisions are applicable to new or replacement installations of usual size, pressure and voltage. The department will establish requirements for situations beyond the norm and for those not specifically covered by this subdivision.

(b) All utility facilities to be installed by State-let contract or owner-let contract, shall be fully detailed and shown in plan, section and elevation when required. Utilities shall not be placed on an existing structure if their weight would reduce the allowable vehicle loading below the legal limit except in certain instances when approved by the department.

(c) Location of utility facilities on bridges.

(1) Utility facilities shall not be placed at nor extend below the bottom of the superstructure.

(2) Utility facilities shall not be located where they may be subject to vehicular impacts nor shall they be attached to railing systems which may be subject to vehicular impacts.

(3) Utility facilities shall not be located where they will impair or interfere with roadway drainage.

(4) Utility facilities shall not be supported from the bottom of the concrete structural slab.

(5) Utility facilities should be located so they do not interfere with maintenance and inspection of the structure. Aesthetics is also a consideration. Preferred locations, in decreasing desirability, are:

(i) In bays between main longitudinal bridge members.

(ii) In concrete sidewalks - small diameter installations only.

(iii) In the voided section of closed box bridge members.

(iv) On a utility ledge on the fascia.

(v) Attached to the fascia, preferably on downstream side.

(d) Expansion devices. All utility installations shall either:

(1) have expansion capability located adjacent to the bridge expansion bearings so as to conform to the bridge movements. Additional expansion devices may be required at other locations if the operating temperature range of the utility or the coefficient of thermal expansion of the utility installation differs from the characteristics of the bridge; or

(2) be supported on a system of rollers that allow it to expand and contract independently of the bridge.

(e) Shut-off device. All utility facilities carrying fluid or gaseous materials shall have a shut-off device at the supply side of the structure. If reverse flows are possible, a shut-off device is required on each end. Shut-off devices should be located as close to the structure as feasible, not over 1,000 feet from the end. Exceptions may be granted for low-pressure lines upon a showing that such exception does not compromise public safety.

(f) Marking. Each utility carrier or casing shall be clearly and appropriately marked with the carrier contents. The marking may be painted on or a printed self-adhering tape may be used.

(g) Protective structures. Fencing or other protective structures may be mandated.

(h) Water lines. Water lines shall have welded or restrained joints or shall be cased for the length necessary to prevent water from falling on an underlying highway, railway, or other areas determined by the department.

(i) Sewer lines. Sewer lines shall have welded or restrained joints or shall be cased for the length necessary to prevent sewage from dropping on an underlying highway, railway, or other areas determined by the department.

(j) Natural gas lines. All plans involving natural gas lines must contain a certification by a licensed professional engineer that the work conforms to all applicable provisions of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act ( 49 U.S.C. 1672 et seq.) and the regulations in 49 CFR part 192, and Public Service Commission requirements in 16 NYCRR Part 255. Where not superseded by the above Federal and State provisions;

(1) All installations on structures shall be designed as if subject to the most populous "class location" requirements in 16 NYCRR Part 255.

(2) Unless otherwise approved, all welds on carrier lines shall be nondestructively tested.

(3) All lines on structures shall be electrically insulated from the structure or shall be electrically isolated from the buried portion of the line.

(4) Unless otherwise approved, lines installed in an enclosed portion of a structure, or encased in concrete, shall be sleeved in a continuous manner, with adequate venting. This provision does not apply to sections of lines where they pass through abutments or retaining walls.

(k) Communication lines. Communication lines shall be placed in ducts having sufficient bending strength to span between points of support.

(l) The department, by issuance of a permit under this Part, does not thereby warrant or represent to the permittee that the structure is capable of sustaining or continuing to sustain the utility facilities installed or attached thereto. If for any reason the structure is damaged, the department shall not be liable to the utility for any resulting losses or damages, nor shall the department be obligated to the utility to make repairs or restore the structure.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 17 § 131.20