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Detectable warning tape
Lay it in the trench above water and sewer lines. It warns anyone digging later that there’s a pipe below, and its aluminum core lets a metal detector find the tape from the surface. Blue for water, green for sewer.
Green sewer line and blue water line tape
Thickness
5 mil
3-layer laminate
Widths
2 and 3 in.
1,000 ft rolls
Colors
Blue, green
Water, sewer (APWA)
Core
Aluminum
Metal detectable
Colors
| Color | Printed | For |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Buried water line below | Potable water |
| Green | Buried sewer line below | Sanitary sewer and drains |
The colors follow the APWA uniform color code, so crews anywhere know what’s below.
Plain plastic warning tape only helps if someone digs into it. The aluminum layer in this tape means it can be found from the surface before anyone digs.
How to install it
Local code or the engineer’s plans govern depth and placement.
- Bury the tape 12 in. or less below grade. It’s easiest to detect at that depth.
- Keep it 24 to 36 in. above the pipe, so it’s found well before a digger reaches the pipe.
- Keep it in the same position along the whole length of the line.
- Don’t stretch, tear or crease the tape as it goes in.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Construction | 3-layer laminate: 0.9 mil polypropylene, 0.28 mil aluminum, 3.74 mil polyethylene |
| Total thickness | 5 mil (0.005 in.) |
| Tensile strength | Over 7,060 psi |
| Elongation at break | 118% |
| Widths | 2 in. and 3 in. |
| Roll length | 1,000 ft |
| Colors | Blue (water) and green (sewer) |
| Storage | Clean, dry, 32 °F to 86 °F |
Downloads
| Document | Format | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Detectable warning tape data sheet | 168 KB |
Related
- RACI casing spacers for pipe in a casing
- End seals for both ends of the casing
- Double-sided butyl tape for under the spacer rings
Need warning tape?
Tell us the color, width and how many rolls. Most orders ship the same day from Dallas.