Activity 3.3.

1 Utilities

Introduction
Utilities for any project represent a significant portion of the cost of the project. Proper layout
and sizing of equipment are essential for keeping costs in check. Designers attempt to keep
utility lines as short as possible because of the high cost of long lines. For example, the service
wire for electrical service must be unbroken from the tap point to the panel box with no splices
allowed. If four hundred feet of #0000 wire is ordered and it is four feet short, the entire cable
must be replaced.

Many environmental and aesthetic concerns must also be considered when placing utilities.
Wires, transformers, poles, and pipes are unsightly and are prone to weather damage.
Underground utilities are expensive to install and maintain and must be protected from freezing
temperatures and vehicles traveling above. When utilities are installed, wetlands and wildlife
habitats must be protected.

In this activity you will conduct research on the various methods of transmission of utilities and
their associated environmental concerns and present your findings. Then you will size and
locate the new utility service connections for the Keystone Library Renovation project.

Equipment
· Engineering notebook

· Colored pencils

· Keystone Library Site Plan

· Computer with Internet access

Procedure
Part 1 – Utility Research

1. The class will be divided into small groups to research each of the following utilities
services.

o Telecommunications
 AA Communications

o Power

Duke Energy

o Water supply

City of Noblesville

o Wastewater
Aqua Indiana

o Gas

Indiana Gas Company

2. As a group research your assigned utility to gather at least the following generic
information. This information should not be specific to your site.

o History

William Conner and Josiah Polk formally platted the town of Noblesville in 1823.
The city's first large growth period occurred with the discovery in 1888 of
Noblesville's first natural gas well

o Possible sources or providers for the utility service (public or private)

Both public and private

o Transmission and/or distribution methods

Power lines, gas pipes, etc.

o Methods of measuring usage (if any)

Roughly $2,076 a year on electricity

o Typical sizing requirements

At least 6 inches

3. As a group research the following requirements imposed by the City of Noblesville

regarding the installation of utility service lines. You may begin your research with the Unified
Development Ordinance for the City of Noblesville, Indiana. Article 6: Site Design and
Improvement Standards provides information on utilities
(http://www.cityofnoblesville.org/egov/docs/934961102311534.pdf).
 · Requirements for connection (i.e., are you required to connect to the city-
owned system or can you install a private system on-site?)

Public or private utilities are allowed

· Requirements for above ground or below ground installations

They have to be given enough room for function without interference with any
other system

· Minimum size of each utility service line, if applicable

6 inches in diameter

· Required spacing between utility lines, if applicable

Minimum of three feet

· Required location of service connection

Each antenna, including exposed elements, has a volume of three.

· Permit requirements

Any other permits to build utilities that are needed to be legal

· Other required equipment, fittings, meters, etc.

Any equipment needed for the function of the utility systems that is aligned with
the safety code.

4. As a group create a one page information sheet describing your utility research and the
requirements imposed by the City of Noblesville.

5. Distribute the information sheet and present a short (2-3 minute) presentation on your
research.

Part 2 – Keystone Project

Make the following assumptions when designing the utility services for the Keystone Library
Renovation Project.

o The electrical and telecommunication services and electric meter were

removed when the building was abandoned
 d.o The prior owner of the property used a well for water supply. The new library
will take advantage of the city water supply.

o The prior owner used a septic system for wastewater disposal.

And does not work so it needs to be replaced.

o The prior owner did not use gas and therefore had no connection to the gas
main.

Will have to get new gas meter and install it.

o Stormwater management will be addressed in the next lesson. Do not consider

a connection to the storm water system at this time.

Will need a connection to the storm water system.

1. Individually, lay out the service lines for the utilities needed for the Keystone Library
Renovation. Mark up a Keystone Library Renovation site plan to indicate the proposed service
connections for each utility. Use pencils of the appropriate color to indicate each utility.

2. Revise your Keystone Library Renovation model to reflect the proposed utility service
locations.

Conclusion
1. How do you determine how large a utility supply must be in order to support the
demands of service?

You would see how big the area is and the population to see how much water is needed.
Always get more than you need so you have overflow if an increase in population.

2. Explain why you chose above or below ground installations for your utilities

Above ground installations, because bare pipes on the surface look cool.

3. Why do so many different utilities use many of the same terms? Examples: main,
branch, service, etc.

It keeps the jargon to a minimum when dealing with other utility workers.

4. Why is it important to keep bends and fittings to a minimum when designing utilities?

The more bends and fittings make it so that it will stop the flow up and make it take longer to
get to the area. It will also cost more money if you put all of the fittings in.