Every plumber must enclose each opening which
he or she may make in the road, street or public way with sufficient
barriers. Flashing yellow lights must be kept burning from sunset
to sunrise, one flashing yellow light to be placed at each end of
openings in streets and the other flashing yellow lights to be placed
at intervals of three feet. All necessary precautions shall be taken
to guard the public effectually from accidents, damage or inconvenience
to persons or property from the beginning to the end of the work.
Plumbers will be held liable for all damages, including costs incurred
by the City in defending any action brought against it for damages
and costs of any appeal that may result from the neglect of his or
her employees or himself or herself of any necessary precaution against
injury or damage to persons, animals, vehicles or property of any
kind.
A.
Notification of Inspector. The plumber in charge shall
notify the Plumbing Inspector at least 24 hours before starting any
work in any road, street or public way. If, in the judgment of the
Plumbing Inspector, sufficient equipment is on hand for the job to
be done, he or she shall grant permission to commence work.
B.
Prohibited openings. Openings will not be permitted when, in the opinion of the Plumbing Inspector or the City Engineer, the openings would be left open over a weekend or holiday period. Openings will not be permitted between December 15 and March 1 unless a special bond has been filed with the City Clerk in accordance with § 190-9B.
C.
Closing off of streets. Openings in roads, streets
or public ways shall not be made in a manner that impedes the flow
of traffic. On specific main roads, as ascertained by the City Engineer,
one traffic lane shall be maintained at all times, and such lane shall
at no time be blocked by the excavating equipment. Where it is impossible
to install a sewer lateral, water service or water tap in any road,
street or public way without completely closing said way to traffic,
the Plumbing Inspector, under direction of the City Engineer, may
grant permission, in writing, stating a time limit. If such permission
is obtained, the plumber must place adequate warning devices, barricades
and detour signs before work starts, in such a manner as to provide
the least amount of inconvenience for the public. Detour routes shall
be as determined by the Plumbing Inspector or the City Engineer.
D.
Timbering of trenches. All trenches and excavations
in excess of three feet in depth shall be adequately and securely
timbered and protected as provided for in the current General Orders
on Tunnel, Caisson and Trench Construction of the Industrial Commission
of Wisconsin.
E.
Cutting and replacing street surfaces.
(1)
When opening any street surface or other public way,
all material for paving or ballasting must be removed with the least
possible loss of surfacing material and, together with the excavated
material from the trenches, must be placed where it will cause the
least inconvenience to the public. All such materials must be so placed
that they will free passage of water along the ditches, and the street
must at all times be kept open for traffic. As little as possible
of the trench must be dug until the slant or junction piece to the
sewer is found. The backfilling must be puddled and the paving and
ballast must be replaced in as nearly the original condition as possible
and to the satisfaction of the Plumbing Inspector or the City Engineer.
When caving occurs, all the street surface thus disturbed must be
restored in the same careful manner as though it were any excavation
or a trench.
(2)
When any excavation is made in the gravelled or paved
surface, shoulder or other surface subject to travel by vehicles in
any street or highway, the clay excavated must be removed immediately
and the excavation entirely backfilled to the lot line with sand or
gravel thoroughly wet and consolidated. The character of the backfill
material used shall be such as is approved and authorized by the City
Engineer. Any tunnels dug under gravel roads or pavements shall be
excavated and backfilled with concrete all in accordance with the
standard specifications of the Metropolitan Sewerage Commission for
sewers in tunnel.
(3)
When excavations are necessary in permanent or semipermanent
pavements, such as concrete or soil-cement stabilized surfaces, such
pavement shall be replaced by the plumber in a manner as specified
by the City Engineer.
