RCES Underground Construction Rules (REV 7).pdf
PDF 229 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 141468
- Issued by
- Polk County, Florida
About this file
This document is a technical guideline and safety rule manual for underground construction operations in the vicinity of CFTOD (Central Florida Transmission Operations Division) electric utilities. The rules establish mandatory procedures and safety protocols for all contractors performing excavation, directional drilling, and subsurface work near CFTOD electrical lines and equipment at various voltage levels (480V and below, 12kV, and 69kV transmission lines). The document specifies approved methodologies for visual confirmation of utility locations, including soft dig excavation techniques using air or water pressure, and requires contractors to obtain Sunshine 811 Locate Tickets before commencing any excavation work. Key requirements include hand digging with non-conductive tools, soil probes of non-conductive materials, and mandatory coordination with RCES Electric Operations for work involving crossings and splice pits. The document establishes different safety distances and outage requirements based on voltage levels and installation types (direct buried cable, conduit, concrete caps or wooden planks, and concrete encased duct banks), ranging from 3 feet for lower voltages to 10 feet for 69kV transmission lines.
Outage requests for deenergizing circuits must be submitted through designated email channels with minimum advance notice of seven days for 480V/12kV outages and ten days for 69kV outages, with emergency requests directed to the RCES Energy Control Center. The document emphasizes that any deviation from these rules requires written approval from RCES Engineering & Programs, and no deviations are considered precedent-setting. Contractors are prohibited from using heavy equipment within specified safety distances of energized or de-energized electrical facilities, and visual confirmation must precede all excavation work at 20-foot intervals along proposed paths parallel to utilities. Special provisions address work within 5 feet of electrical equipment such as transformers and switches, work inside secondary compartments requiring scheduled outages, and situations where concrete encased duct banks may require structural support. The rules were most recently revised on February 4, 2025, to update terminology from RCID to CFTOD.
View the file
Other files
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
RCES Underground Construction Rules In the Vicinity of CFTOD Electric
Utilities
Rev 7
NOTICE
THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT INCORPORATES
TITLE RCES Underground Construction Rules
In the Vicinity of CFTOD Electric
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF THE COMPANY. ANY PARTY
ACCEPTING THIS DOCUMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT
CONTAINS PROPRIETARY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND
AGREES THAT IT SHALL NOT BE DUPLICATED IN WHOLE OR IN SIZE
A
DWG NO. REV
PART, NOR DISCLOSED TO OTHERS, WITHOUT WRITTEN
CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
FILENAME: RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 1 OF 7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 PURPOSE
1.1 SCOPE
1.2 NOTES
1.3 DEFINITIONS / GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.0 480V & BELOW ELECTRICAL LINES
3.0 12kV ELECTRICAL LINES…
4.0 69kV ELECTRICAL LINES
5.0 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT…
6.0 WORKING WITHIN MANHOLES
7.0 SUMMARY TABLE USAGE NOTES
8.0 SUMMARY TABLE
NOTE: Any work to be performed in close proximity to or parallel with existing circuits that have not been visually confirmed must have signed confirmation from the Director of RCES or someone above them to proceed with work.
SIZE
A
REV
FILENAME: : RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 2 OF 7
CHANGE HISTORY
Revision Reason for Change Date
Rev 4 Initial Release 03-11-2017 Rev 5 Updated during 5G roll-out to allow for soft dig excavation up to TX pad without outage. Added summary table 04-18-2021 Rev 6 Complete revision including terminology for work around cables under concrete caps or wooden planks 02-08-2023 Rev 7 Revised RCID to CFTOD. Added SCOPE section. 02-04-2025
1. Purpose:
These rules are to provide guidance for any work being performed in the vicinity of CFTOD electrical lines and equipment.
1.1. Scope:
These rules apply to all work performed in the vicinity of CFTOD electrical lines and equipment. Any request to deviate from these rules must be submitted in writing to WDW.RCES.USR@disney.com The submission must include a detailed description of the alternative method or work practice proposed and how it complies with the intent of these rules. RCES Engineering & Programs will review the request with all appropriate partners and senior leadership. RCES Engineering & Programs shall respond in writing stating if the alternative method or work practice is approved. Any approval issued is specific to the circumstances of the request and shall not be considered establishment of a precedent or expectation that similar requests will be approved in the future.
1.2. Notes:
All 480V, 12kV or 69kV electrical line proximity conflicts will require an outage de‐energizing the circuit unless the conditions described below are met.
Outage requests should be scheduled through RCES via email to the wdw.rces.outage.request@disney.com
Requests should be submitted as far in advance as practical but must be submitted:
o at least seven (7) days before the proposed outage for 480V/12kV outages o at least ten (10) days before the proposed outage for 69kV outages
Approvals will be granted based on resource availability
For emergency requests, contact the RCES Energy Control Center (ECC) at 407‐824‐4185.
1.3. Definitions / General Requirements:
De‐energized is defined as free from any electrical connection to a source of potential difference and from electrical charge o If de‐energizing 12kV or 69kV electrical lines or equipment (transformers, etc.) is required, a pre‐job briefing with the RCES Electric Operations team is required to confirm the scope of work o It is the contractor’s responsibility to identify the energy source for all 480V and below electrical lines
Hand dig is defined as any excavation using hand shovels to break up soil or earth for removal o Shovels must be made with non‐conductive handles to protect the operator from the potential for electrical shocks resulting from contact with energized lines
Soft dig is defined as any excavation using tools or equipment that utilize air or water pressure as the direct means to break up soil or earth for removal by vacuum excavation
Soil Probe is defined as a rod designed for easy penetration of and withdrawal from the ground and used for locating underground utilities and/or facilities o Soil probes must be made of non‐conductive materials to protect the operator from the potential for electrical shocks resulting from contact with energized lines o Soil probes are not to be used as a substitute for soft dig excavation
Sunshine 811 Locate Ticket is defined as the positive response summary provided to an excavator after they have contacted Sunshine 811 to provide dig site information and waited for member utilities to clear or mark the dig site.
o Contractors must have a Sunshine 811 Locate Ticket onsite before any excavation work or subsurface exploration can begin.
o In addition to the utility location(s) provided through the Sunshine 811 process, contractors are required to provide locate equipment or have locate services available (subcontracted) for soft dig and electric field detection.
Visual confirmation is defined as verifying the accuracy of an object’s attribute information through physical inspection of the object. For underground utilities and/or facilities, visual confirmation typically requires excavation to expose assets and to confirm their characteristics, including but not limited to horizontal and vertical location, size, material type, installation type, etc.
o Contractors must obtain visual confirmation of the installation type for any existing circuit(s) within close
DWG NO. REV
FILENAME: RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 3 OF 7
2. 480V & Below Electrical Lines:
All visual confirmation and excavation work requires a Sunshine 811 locate ticket.
Visual Confirmation:
o Approved Methodology: Soft dig only
Visual confirmation via soft dig methodology may be performed while existing circuit is energized o Purpose: To verify location, elevation, and installation type of existing utility (e.g. direct buried cable or conduit) o Close Proximity: Contractors must obtain visual confirmation of existing utility at the following locations:
All proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing an existing utility At 20‐foot intervals along any proposed excavation and/or directional drill bore path(s) parallel to and less than or equal to 3‐feet horizontally from an existing utility
Once Visually Confirmed:
o Direct Buried Cable
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for hand digging within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed direct buried cable
Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed direct buried cable(s) under any circumstances o Conduit (this is the only CFTOD approved method for installation of 480V electrical lines) Soft and/or hand digging is allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed conduit(s) WITHOUT an outage de‐energizing the existing circuit Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed conduit(s) under any circumstances
3. 12kV Electrical Lines:
All visual confirmation and excavation work requires a Sunshine 811 locate ticket.
Visual Confirmation:
o Approved Methodology: Soft dig only
Visual confirmation via soft dig methodology may be performed while existing circuit is energized o Purpose: To verify location, elevation, and installation type of existing utility (e.g. direct buried cable, cable under concrete caps or wooden planks, conduit, or concrete encased duct bank) o Close Proximity: Contractors must obtain visual confirmation of existing utility at the following locations:
All proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing an existing utility
All activities at crossings (open cut excavation and/or directional bore) require coordination with RCES Electric Operations
At 20‐foot intervals along any proposed excavation and/or directional drill bore path(s) parallel to and less than or equal to 3‐feet horizontally from an existing utility
At 5‐foot intervals along any proposed excavation and/or directional drill bore path(s) parallel to and less than or equal to 3‐feet horizontally from an existing splice pit
Once Visually Confirmed:
o Direct Buried Cable (or Unconfirmed Installation Type)
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for all proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing the existing utility
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for hand digging within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed direct buried cable
Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed direct buried cable(s) under any circumstances o Cable Under Concrete Caps or Wooden Planks Soft and/or hand digging is allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed concrete caps or wooden planks WITHOUT an outage de‐energizing the existing circuit IF the work being performed is ABOVE the caps or planks
DWG NO. REV
FILENAME: : RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 4 OF 7
IF the work to be performed is BELOW the caps or planks an outage de‐energizing the existing circuit IS REQUIRED to verify the proximity of cables to the proposed work
Absolutely no heavy machinery, shovels, other hand tools, or probe rods of any sort are allowed to confirm the location of the cables below the concrete cap or wooden planks
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for all proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing BELOW the existing utility
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for hand digging within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed cables under concrete caps or wooden planks
Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed cables under concrete caps or wooden planks under any circumstances
Disturbance or removal of concrete caps or wooden planks requires prior coordination with RCES Electric Operations o Conduit Soft and/or hand digging is allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed conduit(s) WITHOUT an outage de‐energizing the existing circuit Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed conduit(s) under any circumstances o Concrete Encased Duct Bank
Digging is allowed within 3‐feet of the visually confirmed concrete encased duct bank(s) WITHOUT an outage de‐energizing the existing circuit
Depending on width of excavation under the duct bank, support of the duct bank may be required.
Reinforced concrete duct bank: exposing 20’ or more will require support.
Non‐reinforced concrete duct bank: exposing 10’ or more will require support.
If duct bank support is required, contact RCES and submit duct bank support design proposal for evaluation.
4. 69kV Electrical Lines:
All visual confirmation and excavation work requires a Sunshine 811 locate ticket.
Visual Confirmation:
o Approved Methodology: Soft dig only
Visual confirmation via soft dig methodology may be performed while existing circuit is energized o Purpose: To verify location, elevation, and installation type of existing utility (e.g. direct buried cable, conduit, or concrete encased duct bank) o Close Proximity: Contractors must obtain visual confirmation of existing utility at the following locations:
All proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing an existing utility
All activities at crossings (open cut excavation and/or directional bore) require coordination with RCES Electric Operations
At 20‐foot intervals along any proposed excavation and/or directional drill bore path(s) parallel to and less than or equal to 10‐feet horizontally from an existing utility
At 5‐foot intervals along any proposed excavation and/or directional drill bore path(s) parallel to and less than or equal to 10‐feet horizontally from an existing splice pit
Once Visually Confirmed:
o Direct Buried Cable (or Unconfirmed Installation Type)
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for all proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing the existing utility
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for soft and/or hand digging within 10‐feet of the visually confirmed direct buried cable
Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 10‐feet of the visually confirmed direct buried cable(s) under any circumstances
DWG NO. REV
FILENAME: : RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 5 OF 7 o Conduit
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for all proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing the existing utility
An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for soft and/or hand digging within 10‐feet of the visually confirmed conduit
Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 10‐feet of the visually confirmed conduit under any circumstances o Concrete Encased Duct Bank An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for all proposed excavations and/or directional drill bore path(s) crossing the existing utility An outage de‐energizing the existing circuit is required for soft and/or hand digging within 10‐feet of the visually confirmed concrete encased duct bank Excavation utilizing heavy equipment is NOT allowed within 10‐feet of the visually confirmed concrete encased duct bank under any circumstances Depending on width of excavation under the duct bank, support of the duct bank may be required.
Reinforced concrete duct bank: exposing 20’ or more will require support.
Non‐reinforced concrete duct bank: exposing 10’ or more will require support.
If duct bank support is required, contact RCES and submit duct bank support design proposal for evaluation.
5. Electrical Equipment:
When any work activities (open cut excavation and/or directional bore, etc.) are proposed within 5’ of electrical equipment (transformers, switches), contractor shall locate utilities in area and contact RCES to discuss construction parameters prior to proceeding with proposed work.
o NOTE: Soft dig method is required to determine utility locations for new installations up to the equipment pad unless all 12kV and service voltages are de‐energized.
When work is proposed inside the 480V or 208V secondary compartment o A scheduled outage is required for entry o Outage requests should be scheduled through RCES via email to wdw.rces.outage.request@disney.com o Requests should be submitted as far in advance as practical but must be submitted at least three (3) business days before the proposed outage.
6. Working within Manholes:
Please reference the RCES Energized Electrical Manhole Entry Procedure
7. Summary Table Usage Notes:
Read this document entirely prior to reviewing this table.
Determine the voltage of the electric lines in question.
o If this is not known, you must contact the RCES team at wdw.rces.outage.request@disney.com to determine your next steps.
Determine the method of construction used to install the electric lines in question.
o If this is not known, you must assume the strictest result of Direct Bury ‐ Unprotected.
Visually confirm the exact location and method of construction of the electric lines in question by use of approved soft dig method via vacuum excavation.
o If this is not known, you must contact the RCES team at wdw.rces.outage.request@disney.com to determine your next steps.
o Vacuum excavation is required at 20’ intervals along the length of the excavation
Use the Summary Table on the following page as a guide if you can confirm the steps above.
DWG NO. REV
FILENAME: : RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 6 OF 7
8. Summary Table
Existing Buried CFTOD Electric Circuit Proposed Activity
Voltage Visually Confirmed Installation Type
Parallel Horizontal Distance From Confirmed Location
Action
480V (or below) and 12kV Electric Lines
Direct Buried Cable (or Unconfirmed Installation Type)
3' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 3' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Cable Under Concrete Caps or Wooden Planks (working above)
3' or less Outage not required, but only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 3' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Cable Under Concrete Caps or Wooden Planks (working below)
3' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 3' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Cables in Conduit
3' or less Outage not required, but only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 3' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Concrete Encased Duct Bank
3' or less Outage not required, all digging methods allowed, but duct bank may require support (Contact RCES to coordinate)
Greater than 3' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
69kV Transmission Lines
Direct Buried Cable (or Unconfirmed Installation Type)
10' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 10' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Cable Under Concrete Caps or Wooden Planks (working above)
10' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 10' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Cable Under Concrete Caps or Wooden Planks (working below)
10' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 10' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Cables in Conduit
10' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Greater than 10' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Concrete Encased Duct Bank
10' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate), only soft or hand digging allowed, & duct bank may require support (Contact RCES to coordinate)
Greater than 10' Outage not required, all digging methods allowed
Existing Buried CFTOD Electric Splice Pits Proposed Activity
Splice pit may or may not be under concrete cap or wooden planks
10' or less OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) & only soft or hand digging allowed
Existing CFTOD Electrical Equipment Proposed Activity
Transformers or Switches 5' or less Outage not required, but only soft or hand digging allowed
480V or 208V Secondary Cabinet Inside Cabinet OUTAGE REQUIRED (Contact RCES to coordinate) for entry
DWG NO. REV
FILENAME: : RCES Construction Rules [Revision 7].doc SHEET 7 OF 7
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .