ASTM C891-90(1997)

Standard Practice for Installation of Underground Precast Concrete Utility Structures

SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the procedures to be followed in the planning, site preparation, and installation of underground precast concrete utility structures. Concrete pipe, box culverts, and material covered in Specification C478 are excluded from this specification.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1989
• Technical Committee: C27 - Precast Concrete Products
• Drafting Committee: C27.10 - Utility Structures

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM C891-90(2003) - Standard Practice for Installation of Underground Precast Concrete Utility Structures
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn. Contact
ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: C 891 – 90 (Reapproved 1997)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Installation of Underground Precast Concrete Utility
Structures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 891; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope detail plans shall be secured before starting the job. All permits
or a record of the permits shall be retained on the job for
1.1 This practice describes the procedures to be followed in
immediate reference.
the planning, site preparation, and installation of underground
4.2 All utilities and owners of surface and subsurface
precast concrete utility structures. Concrete pipe and box
facilities and structures in the area shall be given advance
culverts are not covered under this practice. Also, precast
notification of proposed excavation. Every effort shall be made
concrete manholes covered in Specification C 478 are excluded
to avoid damage to the facilities of others. If any damage
from this practice.
occurs, the owner of the damaged facility shall be notified
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
immediately.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3 Planning shall include the coordination of all respon-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sible parties to ensure that arrangements for removal of broken
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
pavement, rocks, excess spoil, etc. have been made. Respon-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sible parties shall arrange for the delivery, distribution, and
2. Referenced Documents
storage of required material. If such material cannot be stored
2.1 ASTM Standards: on the site, other storage areas must be provided.
C 478 Specification for Precast Reinforced Concrete Man- 4.4 Should it appear that a structure location will interfere
hole Sections with traffic, review the situation with the engineer and notify
appropriate authorities.
3. Survey
4.5 Provide for access to call boxes, fire hydrants, etc.
3.1 The installation area shall be surveyed using the work-
5. Safety Requirements
print and a checklist to identify the work to be done and to
determine that the plans are correct.
5.1 Safety requirements for construction shall be in accor-
3.1.1 The location of the utility structure should be where it
dance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
will cause minimum interference with traffic and shall be
5.2 The utility structure or any sections that comprise the
clearly defined on work prints.
structure assembly shall only be lifted at the lifting points so
3.1.2 All underground facilities and structures such as gas,
designated by the manufacturer.
water, sewer, power, telephone cable, etc. shall be located and
6. Excavating
identified. Location markings shall be placed by the affected
6.1 Coordinate the various excavation operations from the
utilities in advance of the construction.
point of opening the pavement to completion of backfill so that
3.2 The survey shall identify any obstacles such as overhead
the work area thus occupied is kept to minimum consistent
wires, building structures, etc. that will interfere with crane
with the conditions governing the work. This is particularly
operations, work progress, or create a safety hazard. Precau-
important where an excavation is adjacent to hospitals, police
tionary arrangements shall be made before excavation begins.
and fire department buildings, service stations, etc.
3.3 The survey shall give consideration to the soil structure
6.2 If unforeseen facilities or obstructions are encountered,
so that proper shoring, sloping, or both, may be planned in
stop excavating operations immediately. Expose the obstruc-
advance of the excavation work.
tions with wood handled digging tools and investigate them
4. Planning
with caution. If there is any doubt as to the type of obstruction
4.1 Permits required to do work in accordance with the
exposed, request positive identification from those suspected of
owning the facility and then proceed as circumstances dictate.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C-27 on Precast 6.3 Buried work frequently requires the use of heavy
Concrete Products, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C27.10 on
construction equipment and transport of heavy loads. Certain
Utility Structures.
soil conditions may be encountered that will not support these
Current edition approved July 27, 1990. Published September 1990. Originally
loads. To avoid hazards and unnecessary delays caused by
published as C 891–78. Last previous edition C 891–83.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05. cave-ins or equipment becoming mired, carefully observe the
NOTICE:¬This¬standard¬has¬either¬been¬superceded¬and¬replaced¬by¬a¬new¬version¬or¬discontinued.¬
Contact¬ASTM¬International¬(www.astm.org)¬for¬the¬latest¬information.¬
C 891
prevailing conditions beforehand and take appropriate preven- a more level and solid foundation, fill in andcompact the fine
tive measures. soil, sand, or gravel. Set the base as level as possible so any
6.4 When excavating across highways, streets, alleys, water in the structure will drain toward the sumps.
drives, and walks, perform the work in a manner that will 8.6 Assemble the multisection utility structures by lowering
minimize interference with traffic. If necessary, bridge the each section into the excavation. Lower, set level, and firmly
opening with a structure of adequate strength to support any position the base section before placing the additional sections.
traffic likely to pass over it. Handrails are required for 8.7 Where th
...