Detectable Underground Warning Tape
Detectable underground warning tape is a specialized, metallic-cored plastic ribbon buried above underground utilities to provide a physical warning and allow remote location from the surface.
Key Features and Purpose
- Metallic Core: Contains a solid aluminum foil layer laminated between plastic films, which lets crews find non-conductive lines (like PVC pipes or fiber optics) using a standard metal or cable locator.
- Visual Warning: Acts as an early alert for excavators digging into the soil before they strike the actual utility line.
- Color-Coded Standards: Uses American Public Works Association (APWA) uniform color codes (such as red for electric, yellow for gas, and blue for water) to identify the specific type of utility at a glance.
- Durability: Built with reverse-printed ink and tough polypropylene or polyethylene films to resist degradation from soil moisture, acids, and alkalis.
- Made in the USA
Difference From Non-Detectable Tape
- Non-detectable tape is made of plain polyethylene without a metal core and only provides a visual warning once it is physically uncovered by a shovel or excavator.
- Detectable tape adds the metal backing, enabling utility workers to trace the path of buried assets from above ground without needing to dig blind.
