9.4.1 Procedures for Underground Telecommunications and Networking Distribution Systems

I. Introduction

The University owns and maintains the entire underground telecommunications and network distribution system on the Illinois State University campus. Protecting the integrity of this system from potential damage caused by digging, excavating, or subsurface activity is necessary to avoid major disruptions of vital telecommunications and network services. The repair of damaged cables and optical fibers is expensive and time consuming.

II. Departmental Responsibilities

In the interest of maintaining the integrity of the University's underground telecommunications and network distribution system, Telecommunications and Networking must have the cooperation of all University departments that perform work, or hire a contractor to perform work, that involves excavating or digging of any kind. The department supervising the work is responsible for the protection of the underground system.

III. Procedures for Locating Utilities

When underground work (including placement of posts and signs) is anticipated, the contractor or department must call Facilities Management (438-5611) forty-eight (48) hours before starting the work and request campus-utility locating services. If emergency excavation work requires immediate action, the department or contractor may call Telecommunications and Networking in addition to calling Facilities Management.

IV. Liabilities/Restitution

When a cable or optical fiber is damaged, vital voice, data and video services to the University are disrupted until repairs can be made. Damage and outages can range from a few hours to many days. In the event a cable or optical fiber is damaged, the following liability and restitution policies should be followed:

1. If the supervising department or its contractor called Facilities Management for campus-utility locating services, and the location information received was accurate, the department or its contractor will pay the actual cost of the repair, plus a 20 percent overhead charge.
2. If the supervising department or its contractor did not call Facilities Management for campus-utility locating services, the department or its contractor will pay the actual cost of the repair, plus a 30 percent overhead charge.
3. In any case involving (a) or (b) above, the supervising department will be held liable for its contractor’s action.
4. In any situation not covered by (a), (b), or (c) above, responsibility for the cost of repairing damage to a cable or optical fiber will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.
5. In all cases involving damage to cable or optical fiber, repairs must be performed by a qualified telecommunications subcontractor approved by the University.

Last Review: May 2007