One of the most important responsibilities of the NASSCO committees is developing specification guidelines for a variety of underground infrastructure assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation technologies.

NASSCO’s specification guidelines — written and vetted by a cross section of industry professionals, including competitors — are designed to provide objective guidance on the proper inspection of pipes and installation of trenchless technologies.

NASSCO’s Infrastructure Condition Assessment Committee, seeing the need to better address cross bores, released the Specification Guideline for Cross Bore Detection and Prevention last fall.

Cross bore is a term used to describe an instance where a new, underground utility is installed directly through an existing utility. This is usually a result of horizontal boring or directional drilling techniques in the installation of new conduit, with the install being drilled directly through an existing, crossing utility. Gas lines, for example, can cross-bore into sewer laterals, damaging the pipe and blocking flow, eventually leading to sewer backups. Clearing the line with a root cutter can result in a catastrophic explosion with significant property damage and, occasionally, loss of life.

NASSCO’s Specification Guideline for Cross Bore Prevention and Detection was created to support the prevention of further damage to gravity pipeline infrastructure and to locate existing cross bores.

Prevention programs, designed to address new/replacement installations, utilize robotic inspection cameras equipped with locating transmitters to identify the location and approximate depth of all subsurface gravity pipelines at the intended crossing points of the horizontal bore path. These prevention programs should include both pre- and post-construction inspection for new utility installations, as well as the replacement of existing utilities.

Legacy programs, to address existing pipelines, include a process to inspect gravity pipeline infrastructure that was historically subject to damage due to trenchless technology practices without a formal or adequate prevention program.

The Specification Guideline for Cross Bore Prevention and Detection details the preconstruction process, which includes trenchless technology considerations, the utilization of CCTV cameras, and information on pipeline cleaning and blockages. The post-construction process portion of the guideline includes leading practices, quality assurance/quality control, locate cards, GIS, sewer tags, what to do when a cross bore is found, legacy inspections, and potholing.

To download the Specification Guideline for Cross Bore Prevention and Detection, along with specification guidelines for a variety of other trenchless technologies, please visit www.nassco.org/resources.

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January 8 - Dallas, Tx

Includes: MACP, LACP, PACP

Trainer: Paul Booth

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Trainer: Brandon Conley

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Trainer: Brandon Conley

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January 22 - Antioch, CA

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Trainer: Brandon Conley

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January 23 - Santa Fe, NM

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505-412-3362 • sammymaestas@yahoo.com

January 28 - Fort Worth, TX

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Trainer: Rod Thornhill

214-221-5474 • rodthorn@swbell.net

January 29 - Santa Cruz, CA

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Trainer: Marilyn Shepard

(916) 899-8961 • mshepard1@hotmail.com

February 5 - Phoenix, AZ

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Trainer: Marilyn Shepard

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February 5 - Denver, CO

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Trainer: Paul Booth

(704) 681-3989 • woodsideenv@gmail.com

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Trainer: Brandon Conley

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February 11 - Marriottsville, MD

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Trainer: Irvin Gemora

(410) 458-9591 • irv.gemora@comcast.net

February 12 - Covington, GA

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(678) 572-4212 • plumblineconsultant@gmail.com

February 12 - Dallas, TX

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Paul Booth

(704) 681-3989 • woodsideenv@gmail.com

February 12 - Bolton, Ontario

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Trainer: Brandon Conley

(248) 349-0904 • pacp@dohenycompanies.com

February 19 - St Louis, MO

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Trainer: Jerry Weimer

(513) 659-5008 • jerryweimerconsulting@gmail.com

February 27 - Marriottsville, MD

Includes: PACP

Trainer: Irvin Gemora

(410) 458-9591 • irv.gemora@comcast.net