12/4/2024 Tampa Bay DPC

Tampa Bay DPC Meeting Notes

Date: December 4, 2024
Location: GeoPoint Survey, Tampa, FL
Attendance: 45 attendees (29 in-person, 15 online, including Sunshine 811 staff)

Agenda Highlights

1. 3F Delay Request Code Issues

  • Problem: Misuse of the 3F code by locators without agreement from excavators.

  • Resolution Steps:

    • Log disputes in Exactix under the Service Areas tab as "no agreement."

    • Attempt to contact locators or supervisors for resolution.

    • Excavators can proceed with reasonable care and locate underground utilities using acceptable methods if no agreement is reached.

2. Excessive or Unnecessary Locates

  • Impact: Causes delays in locating services.

  • Recommendations:

    • Request locates only for work starting within 30 days.

    • Renew tickets only if marks are no longer visible or work continues.

3. Extraordinary Circumstances

  • Definition: Declared during storms or large projects when utilities operate outside normal conditions.

  • Process:

    • Utility member operators contact Sunshine 811 to declare and rescind extraordinary circumstances. They are asked for a rescind date at the time of declaration.

    • When extraordinary circumstances are declared, Sunshine 811 automatically responds with positive response code “3T Unmarked: Extraordinary circumstances per s.556.105(8)(a) exist; call utility owner/operator provider for this location.”

    • Excavators receiving code 3T can call the member operator for more details, but still need to wait the legal timeframe, as some will locate and mark their facilities within the legal timeframe. If the two full business days expire and there is no update from the member operator, the statute allows excavation to proceed provided reasonable care is used and facilities are identified using locating equipment or other acceptable means.

4. Marking Standards

  • Concerns Raised:

    • Inconsistent and excessive marks.

    • Lack of detailed facility information (e.g., size, material, owner).

  • Suggested Improvements:

    • Require locators to provide identifying details with marks.

    • Enhance accuracy and accountability for utility owners and locators.

    • Address issues of paint pollution and unclear markings through statewide consensus on standards.

      • Would require legislative changes in Chapter 556, F.S.

      • Current law only requires use of color codes and marking within 24 inches of facility.

5. Contractors Locating Facilities

  • Discussion:

    • Should contractors self-locate facilities after notifying 811 and waiting the required time (two business days for a normal ticket and 10 for underwater tickets).

      • Self-locating requires reasonable care and use of appropriate equipment or acceptable means to locate facilities.

      • Suggest training in locating underground facilities with proper training (e.g., NULCA certification)

6. Large Project Tickets

  • Challenges:

    • Requesting locates for long distances where digging cannot be completed within 30 days overwhelms locators and the system.

    • Current waiting times (two business days for a normal ticket and 10 for underwater tickets) are insufficient for large projects.

  • Proposals:

    • Define project scope limits (e.g. one-mile stretches, four to five days for locating).

    • Use design tickets for pre-planning and provide locators with specific excavation details.

General Discussion Points

  • Marking standards need improvement to reduce confusion, improve accuracy, and ensure facility safety.

  • Large projects require better planning and communication to optimize locating timelines and resource allocation.

  • Legislative changes may take time, so fostering open communication among stakeholders is crucial.

W Schaefer