Foreword

This PAS was sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Its development was facilitated by BSI Standards Limited and it was published under licence from The British Standards Institution. It came into effect on 31 March 2017.

Acknowledgement is given to the Technical Author, Les Guest, and to Dr Marc Hobell, for his assistance in drafting Annex C of this PAS. Acknowledgement is also given to the following organizations that were involved in the development of this PAS as members of the steering group:

• A Luck Associates
• Aberdeenshire Council
• Atkins
• Centriforce Products Ltd.
• Civil Engineering Contractors Association
• Enfield Council
• Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd.
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Les Guest Associates
• LinesearchbeforeUdig Ltd.
• National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG)
• Ordnance Survey Ltd.
• Pitney Bowes Software
• Premier Energy Services Ltd.
• Subscan Technology Ltd.
• Thames Water
• TPS Consult
• Transport for London
• University of Birmingham, School of Engineering
• Co-opted member

The following funders of this PAS are also acknowledged:

• Atkins
• Carillion Construction Ltd.
• Centriforce Products Ltd.
• Consortium (comprising Altuity Solutions Ltd., Infotec and Key2iD)
• Heathrow Airport Ltd.
• LinesearchbeforeUdig Ltd.
• Premier Energy Services Ltd.
• Subscan Technology Ltd.
• Subsurface Utility Engineering LLC
• Technics Group
• Transport for London

Acknowledgement is also given to the members of a wider review panel who were consulted in the development of this PAS.

The British Standards Institution retains ownership and copyright of this PAS. BSI Standards Limited as the publisher of the PAS reserves the right to withdraw or amend this PAS on receipt of authoritative advice that it is appropriate to do so. This PAS will be reviewed at intervals not exceeding two years, and any amendments arising from the review will be published as an amended PAS and publicized in Update Standards.

The PAS process enables a code of practice to be rapidly developed in order to fulfil an immediate need in industry. A PAS can be considered for further development as a British Standard, or constitute part of the UK input into the development of a European or International Standard.

This PAS is not to be regarded as a British Standard. It will be withdrawn upon publication of its content in, or as, a British Standard.

Hazard warning

WARNING This PAS calls for the use of procedures that can be injurious to health if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability and does not absolve the user from legal obligations relating to health and safety at any stage.

Use of this document

It has been assumed in the preparation of this PAS that the execution of its provisions will be entrusted to appropriately qualified, and experienced people, for whose use it has been produced.

This PAS is not intended to be used retrospectively and therefore only applies to those assets that are:

• newly-installed and newly-replaced (after the publication of this PAS);
• surveyed in line with the PAS 128 methodology (survey type A); or
• exposed whilst other work is being undertaken.

Presentational conventions

The provisions of this standard are presented in roman (i.e. upright) type. Its methods are expressed as a set of instructions, a description, or in sentences in which the principal auxiliary verb is “should”.

Commentary, explanation and general informative material is presented in smaller italic type, and does not constitute a normative element.

Where words have alternative spellings, the preferred spelling of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is used (e.g. “organization” rather than “organisation”).

Where reference is made to English regulations and terminology, (e.g. highway authority) then the equivalent also needs to be considered for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (e.g. roads authority).

Related documents

This PAS is intended to be used alongside PAS 128, Specification for underground utility detection, verification and location. PAS 128 specifies requirements for the detection, verification and location of existing and new underground utilities. PAS 128 applies to active, abandoned, redundant or unknown underground utilities and the location of their associated surface features and sets out:

• the accuracy to which the data are captured;
• the quality expected of these data; and
• a means by which to assess and indicate the confidence that can be placed in such data.

This PAS is also intended to be used alongside HSG47, Avoiding danger from underground services. HSG47 outlines the potential dangers of working near underground services and gives advice on how to reduce any direct risks to people’s health and safety, as well as the indirect risks arising through damage to services.

Contractual and legal considerations

This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.

Compliance with a PAS cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.

Particular attention is drawn to the following specific regulations:

• Highways Act 1980 [1]
• New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) [2]
• Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 [3]
• The Street Works (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 [4]
• Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) [5]
• Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 [6]

PAS 256:2017

Buried assets. Capturing, recording, maintaining and sharing of location information and data. Code of practice

Published:

31 Mar 2017

Withdrawn:

2 Feb 2023