Code of Massachusetts Regulations
220 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Title 220 CMR 126.00 - Underground Electric Supply And Communication Lines 50,000 Volts And Below
Section 126.30 - Purpose, Scope and Application of 220 CMR 126.00

Universal Citation: 220 MA Code of Regs 220.126

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Purpose of 220 CMR 126.00. The purpose of 220 CMR 126.00 is the practical safeguarding of persons from hazards arising from the installation, operation and maintenance of underground or buried supply and communications lines, and associated equipment. It contains basic provisions considered necessary for safety. It is not intended as a design specification or an instruction manual. Construction should be made in accordance with accepted practice for the given local conditions in all particulars not specified in 220 CMR 126.00.

(2) Scope of 220 CMR 126.00. 220 CMR 126.00 covers underground supply and underground communications conductors, 50 KV and below -- phase to phase, owned and/or operated by systems under the jurisdiction of the Department. (This includes such systems owned and/or operated by electric companies and municipal electric departments, as defined in M.G.L. c. 164; telephone companies, telegraph companies and railroads. It does not include CATV systems, or systems owned and operated exclusively by municipal police or fire departments.)

(3) Application of 220 CMR 126.00.

(a) New Installations, Reconstructions and Extensions. 220 CMR 126.00 shall apply to all new installations, reconstructions and extension made following October 3, 2008, except that they may be waived or modified by the Department when shown to be impractical. In such cases, equivalent or greater safety shall be secured in other ways, including special working methods. Methods of construction and installation other than those specified in 220 CMR 126.00 may be used experimentally to obtain information if done where proper supervision is administered.

(b) Existing Installations. 220 CMR 126.00 do not apply to existing installations except as may be required for safety reasons by the Department.

(c) Waiver.
1. It will sometimes be necessary to modify or waive certain rules in cases of temporary installations or installations which are soon to be discarded or reconstructed.

2. In cases of emergency, the person responsible for the installation may decide as to modification or waiver of any rule, but shall promptly notify all parties directly concerned. This action shall be submitted to the Department for review.

3. Pending the decision of the Department; the person responsible for the installation may decide as to modification or waiver of any rule.

4. It is not intended that 220 CMR 126.00 shall supersede rules of others having jurisdiction in specific areas.

(4) Requirements. 220 CMR 126.00 state the safety requirements for the installation and maintenance of underground electric supply and communication lines. To meet service or operational criteria it may be necessary to exceed these requirements or to provide other design and construction features. Safety requirements shall not be neglected in so doing.

(5) Not Complete Specifications. 220 CMR 126.00 is not complete specifications, but is intended to embody the requirements which are most important from the standpoint of safety. Rules in 220 CMR 126.00 which are to be regarded as mandatory are characterized by the use of the word "shall". Where a rule is of an advisory nature, it is indicated by the use of the word "should".

(6) Interpretations. Interpretations are intended to clarify the intent of specific rules and are not intended to supply consulting information on the application of the code. Requests for interpretation may be addressed to the Department. After due consideration by the Department, the inquirer will be notified of its decision in writing.

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