Lay the tape about 300mm above the service so it’s encountered before the pipe or cable; many installers also keep it within roughly 300–400mm of the surface. Maintain a uniform depth along the route.
Colour Coded Marker Tapes for Buried Services
Underground warning tapes mark the route of buried services so they can be located before excavation. This range covers printed, colour coded tapes for electric cable, gas, water, sewer and street lighting services, typically supplied on long rolls for use across trenches on civil works and site maintenance. Rolls listed here are 150mm wide × 365m, providing clear legends along the run and good coverage on linear installations. Made from durable polyethylene with solvent resistant print, the tapes are used across utilities, new builds and maintenance works and can be laid over Underground Ducting during backfill to flag the route of cables and pipes before reaching the service below.
In practice, warning tape is laid part way up the trench so it is uncovered first if ground is opened in future, commonly around 300mm above the service and within roughly 300–400mm of finished ground level. Where future location from the surface is important (for example over non‑metallic pipes), detectable variants with integral tracer wires or mesh are often specified alongside standard tape. Around access points, pairing with Manhole Covers & Grates supports safe, visible maintenance areas, while surface mark‑ups using Line Marker Paint keep work zones clear during set out and reinstatement. Always follow the colour/legend required by your project documentation and common NJUG‑style guidance.
These tapes help reduce utility strikes by providing an early visual warning and consistent identification along the trench line. Unroll onto compacted backfill without adhesives, keep a consistent depth, and for detectable versions bond or crimp tracer wires as directed, supporting simple, repeatable site practice and safety compliance. They’re compatible with a wide range of buried services, and integrate neatly with duct runs for lighting and comms where ducting routes must be clearly identified for future works.
Warning Tape FAQ's
Match the legend to the service being protected and follow project specifications; categories here include Electric Cable, Gas, Water, Sewer and Street Lighting. Many tapes are supplied in colour/print schemes aligned to common UK utility identification guidance (e.g., NJUG)
Yes, most polyethylene warning tapes are suitable for a variety of soil types, including wet or clay heavy ground. The material resists moisture and general soil degradation, helping the message remain visible when excavated.
No, when placed at the correct depth above the service, warning tape sits within the backfill layer without affecting compaction or bedding. It should always be laid after the initial backfill has covered the pipe or duct.
Polyethylene warning tapes are designed to remain stable underground for many years. They do not have a formal expiry date, but condition depends on soil type and installation depth. If a trench is reopened during works, new tape should always be added during reinstatement.