Description of PAS 256:2017 2017

This PAS gives recommendations for improving the capturing, recording and maintaining of data related to buried assets (and associated above-ground assets) together with the sharing, in a security-minded manner, of asset information relating to utilities, local authorities and other providers’ infrastructure.

This PAS is not intended to be used retrospectively and therefore only applies to those assets that are:

1. newly-installed and newly-replaced (after the publication of this PAS);

2. surveyed in line with the PAS 128 methodology (survey type A); or

3. exposed whilst other work is being undertaken.

This PAS applies to buried assets located in public and private land.

This PAS covers:

1. a data glossary;

2. data formats, such as geography markup language (GML);

3. transition of spatial data, using relative accuracy as a minimum and moving towards absolute accuracy (including depth), together with supporting evidence such as photographs or tagging;

4. the inclusion of decommissioned or abandoned assets when sharing data;

5. a target number of days to make data available for sharing from installation;

6. the capture of data emanating from works carried out under a s50 licence or equivalent;

7. the inclusion of local authority and other organizations’ buried assets;

8. movement from paper or microfiche records to a structured, accessible digital format;

9. the capture and sharing of measurable deviations from straight line installations;

10. the use of warning and protection devices to aid the final location of the buried asset; and

11. symbology, typology, colour coding and layering.

NOTE 1 At the time of publication, efforts to standardize symbology are being undertaken by The Survey Association and these are expected to be introduced as best practice when published. In the interim, this PAS directs users towards the NJUG publication, Guidance on the Positioning and Colour-Coding of Underground Utilities Apparatus [NR2] (see Clause 17). Each organization is advised to share the symbology used in its records whenever data is shared.

NOTE 2 Scotland already has a centralized Scottish electronic records system ⁴⁾ which makes underground pipe and cable information accessible via the Scottish Road Works Register (SRWR).

NOTE 3 Attention is drawn to The INSPIRE Regulations 2009 [9], The INSPIRE (Scotland) Regulations 2009 [10], The INSPIRE (Amendment) Regulations 2012 [11] and The INSPIRE (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2012 [12].

This PAS does not cover:

1. how or where data are stored or how the integrity of storage is assured;

   NOTE 4 Information on data and file retention is given in PAS 128, 11.7.

2. mines and quarries, with the exception of the buried assets associated with these types of undertaking;

3. asset owners’ policies, processes, procedures and systems for maintaining and providing data to ensure legal compliance; or

   NOTE 5 This PAS is cognizant of the need to maintain commerciality and security. Further information on adopting a security-minded approach to open data is given in PAS 1192-5 and the guidance notes on the CPNI website ⁵⁾.

4. service pipes and cables supplying individual premises, only the main networks.

NOTE 6 Future revisions of this PAS might address assets attached and related to main networks.

NOTE 7 Where information is held on service pipes and cables supplying individual premises, it is useful to share this information with operators. Organizations which do not currently capture service connections are encouraged to begin doing so. Where an organization has knowledge of other buried structures (cellars, bridge decks, fleets, tunnels, London Wall, etc.) it is important that these are also highlighted.

This PAS is for use by organizations owning buried assets and organizations who require the asset records for planning and designing purposes or carrying out work in the vicinity of those buried assets.

This PAS applies to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

NOTE 8 Attention is drawn to devolved legislation and terminology as described in the foreword.

About BSI

BSI Group, also known as the British Standards Institution is the national standards body of the United Kingdom. BSI produces technical standards on a wide range of products and services and also supplies certification and standards-related services to businesses.