Working around our networks
Whenever you are digging on private or public property, or working near overhead lines there is a serious risk to life and property if you don’t follow the right safe working practices. So, use our safety services before you start work:
- Permits to work before working near gas high pressure transmission pipelines
- Reference maps which show the location of our underground electricity, gas distribution and communications cables and pipes
- On-site advice, mark outs and close approach consents is provided for work near strategic electricity, gas distribution and communications cables and pipes
- Close approach consents for excavation work near power poles and operating machinery near overhead lines
- Service disconnections for gas and power before building removals or demolitions
- High load permits for loads over 4.75 metres
- And follow our emergency guidelines should an incident occur.
It takes time to arrange these services, so plan your work carefully and call us in advance. Allow:
- Two working days for reference maps and service disconnections and permits to work (more time for large projects)
- Up to four working days for on-site advice, mark outs and Close Approach Consents.
- Up to five working days for high load permits.
The dangers- Electrocution or burns from electrical flash over or gas igniting (note: any electronic equipment in the vicinity, including mobile phones, can ignite a gas leak)
- Harm to life, property damage
- Electricity can travel through the ground, causing the ground to become live
- Gas accumulating in adjacent buildings and exploding
- The force of escaping gas from a high pressure pipeline can cause serious damage
- Fibre optic laser light viewed directly can result in loss of eyesight
- Disruption on signalling, cutting off an electricity substation from monitoring or control
- Glass used in fibre cables is extremely brittle and can break off and penetrate skin very easily
- Interrupting critical electricity, gas and communications services.
| Vector stringently enforces health and safety across its networks and if a third party is found breaching any of the above laws and regulations we will refer the matter to the Department of Labour for investigation. We may also take legal action to recover both the cost of repairs and the cost of lost business from any party or parties responsible for damaging our network infrastructure. |
You must obtain a permit for all works within a pipeline easement or in the road reserve near a high pressure transmission pipeline, this includes:
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Transmission pipelines are located in registered easements located on private property and in the road reserve. Easement widths do vary but they are generally 12 metres wide for a single pipeline and increase by 4 metres for each additional pipeline. The location of transmission pipelines are clearly marked. Look out for:
- Warning signs and painted posts on fences in rural areas
- White triangular warning signs at major pipeline river and harbour crossings
- Signs on kerbs, streetlights and power poles in urban areas
Signs are an indication only and you must contact us before any excavation commences. To get your Permit to work phone 0800 734 567, fax 06 759 6494 or email us. We will meet you at the site and issue you with a Permit to work.
- Get reference maps. Call 0800 B4U DIG (0800 248 344) or request online at www.beforeudig.co.nz. We will contact you if any strategic network cables or pipes are shown on the maps you have requested, advise whether onsite advice will be provided and for the appropriate Close Approach Consent to be issued.
- Mark out the service locations you are responsible for marking out all non-strategic cables and pipes within your worksite – Vector will no longer provide this service. You must use appropriate location technology, such as an electronic cable or pipe locator, or engage a professional locator (see below).
- Hand dig to expose cables and pipes. Hand digging is less likely to cause serious damage to cables and pipes. Dig with caution for your own safety and remember to watch out for services coming off a main.
Any damage to a cable or pipe should be reported to Vector immediately.
| Professional locator | |
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| Te Aratika Drilling Ltd | 09 420 4726 |
| Underground Service Locators | 0800 425 622 |
| Please note: Vector takes no responsibility for liability for the work carried out by these companies. Should you engage this company the contract would be directly between yourself and that company. | |
Cable and pipe depths
Our cables and pipes are laid at different depths in the ground, varying from 600mm to over 1200mm. Alterations to the ground cover may reduce or increase the depths. We cannot guarantee the depth of any cable, and don’t rely on finding buried marker tape when you dig as this may have shifted over time.
When you plan to work near overhead lines or power poles it is a legal requirement that you follow the minimum safe distances as set down by New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice – NZECP 34:2001 Electrical Safe Distances.
- All work activity must be kept at least four metres from overhead lines. If you need to work closer to our overhead lines you must get a close approach consent.
- Do not dig within five metres of one of our power poles without a close approach consent. Depending on the depth of excavations, you may need additional pole supports to prevent poles collapsing. We can advise you and may provide supervision in some cases.
- For a close approach consent please contact Vector on 0508 248 967.
For your own safety, you must have the electricity and gas services disconnected before you demolish or remove a building. Call 0508 B4U WORK (0508 248 967), or complete a removal/disconnection application form - electricity, gas - and fax it to 09 375 1507 or email disconnectionrequest@vector.co.nz
You must apply for a high load permit if you plan to move any tall structure such as a house or a boat. Call 0508 B4U WORK (0508 248 967), or complete the high load application form and fax it to 09 375 1507.
Loads between 4.75 and 5.4 metres high:
- We will check the proposed route.
- If the route is clear to the height required, a permit will be issued.
- If there are low lines we will arrange to escort the load at no cost.
Loads over 5.4 metres high:
- We will check the proposed route.
- If the route is clear to the height required, a permit will be issued.
- If the route is not clear we will arrange an escort. A charge will apply.
- If disconnection is necessary, a 15 day notice period is required so we can inform customers who will be affected.
Building near overhead linesYou must ensure that structures such as garages and extensions to houses remain well clear of overhead lines. The NZECP 34:2001 has set down minimum distances allowed between any new buildings and overhead lines. The minimum safe distances differ depending on the voltage of the overhead lines - see the table provided. If you need to build closer to overhead lines on a private property they may need to be placed underground. A specialist contractor can do this – call us for advice on 0508 B4U WORK (0508 248 967).
Our safe work practice guides provide practical advice to help you work safely around our networks. Download them here or email us for hard copies.
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Guide for working safely around our Auckland gas, electricity and communications network
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Gas pipeline safety guide for work near our gas networks across the North Island
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High pressure pipeline safety information for our gas pipelines throughout the North Island