Section 4-5 - Construction and Maintenance Standards (a) Construction standards. - (i) Companies shall use the following safety standards for construction of new facilities:
- (A) NESC approved by ANSI, Standard C2; and
- (B) Current accepted engineering standards for the construction of telecommunications plant.
- (ii) All telecommunications cables, both direct and in conduit, shall be installed at least 12 inches below the final surface grade. This requirement is not waived if a Company opts to install buried cable before the final grade is established.
- (iii) Companies shall use Part 68, Title 47 of the CFR for the connection of its new or existing telecommunications plant with terminal equipment of a customer;
- (iv) Companies shall coordinate with utilities and other Companies to avoid or eliminate any interference. The owner of new facilities interfering with existing facilities constructed in accordance with relevant and applicable standards shall bear the cost of correction and mitigation.
(b) Maintenance standards. - (i) Companies shall use the following safety standards for maintenance and operation of facilities:
- (A) The NESC approved by the ANSI, Standard C2; and
- (B) Practices standard in the industry.
- (ii) Each Company shall adopt and comply with maintenance programs, including periodic testing, inspections and prevention, to ensure efficient operation of its system for the rendering of safe, adequate and continuous telecommunications service.