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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service

**BULLETIN 1753F-150**

**SUBJECT:** **[Specifications and Drawings for Construction of
Direct]{.underline}**

> **[Buried Plant, RUS Form 515a]{.underline}**

**TO:** All Telecommunications Borrowers

RUS Telecommunications Staff

**EFFECTIVE DATE:** September 17, 2001

**OFFICE OF PRIMARY INTEREST:** Outside Plant Branch, Telecommunications
Standards Division.

**AVAILABILITY:** This bulletin supersedes RUS Bulletin

345-150, Specifications and Drawings for Construction of Direct Buried
Plant, RUS Form 515a, issued May 25, 1989. This bulletin can be accessed
via the Internet at
<http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/publications/bulletins.htm>

**PURPOSE:** This specification provides Contractors, Engineers, and RUS
Borrowers with assembly unit descriptions, materials, construction and
installation, and drawings for direct buried plant associated with RUS
Form 515, Telecommunications System Construction Contract.

[Roberta D. Purcell]{.underline} [8/21/01]{.underline}

### Roberta D. Purcell Date

Assistant Administrator

Telecommunications Program

RUS Bulletin 1753F-150

Specifications and Drawings for Construction of

Direct Buried Plant, RUS Form 515a

TABLE OF CONTENTS

# [Page]{.underline}

List of Changes i

Part I -- Description of Assembly Units and Proposal and

Contract Sections 1

Part II -- Specification for Materials 22

1\. Scope 22

2\. General 22

3\. Stub Poles 22

4\. Miscellaneous 22

Part III -- Specification for Construction and Installations 22

1\. General 22

2\. Buried Plant Housing Stub Poles 23

3\. Cable Splicing 23

4\. Buried Cable or Wire 23

5\. Buried Handholes 28

6\. Miscellaneous -- Buried Plant 28

7.  Special Requirements for Installation of Serving

> Area Interface Cabinets (SAIC) 30

List of Construction Drawings and Plans 31

INDEX

###  **CONSTRUCTION:**

Buried Cable Plant

Fiber Optic Cable Plant

###  **SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:**

Outside Plant

#### LIST OF CHANGES

1\. Elimination of Section BC. Cross-connecting modules and blocks are
now included as part of Section BDS, Serving Area Interface Cabinet
(SAIC) Assembly Units.

2\. Modification of Section BD as follows:

> \(a\) Redefined unit to indicate stake mounted as default unit type;
>
> \(b\) Requires that the grounding connector for terminating the
> external ground wire is included with the unit;
>
> \(c\) Added units for Large Pair Count Housings;
>
> \(d\) Added suffixes \"A\" for poled mounted, \"F\" for concrete pad
> mounted, and \"R\" for crushed stone or gravel bed;
>
> \(e\) Eliminated suffixes \"B\" for internal offset bracket for load
> coil mounting, \"C\" grounding connector, and \"G\" for additional
> guard.

3\. Addition of Section BDO, Buried Plant Fiber Optic Housing Assembly
Units.

4\. Modification of Section BDS, as follows:

> \(a\) Redefined unit to indicate stake mounted as default unit type;
>
> \(b\) Requires that the grounding connector for terminating the
> external ground wire is included with the unit;
>
> \(c\) Redefined unit to included cross-connect modules and blocks;
>
> \(d\) Eliminated suffixes \"M\" framed for cross-connect modules,
> \"B\" framed for screw blocks, and \"S\" for stake mount.

5\. Modification of the BFC and BFO units as follows:

> \(a\) Compensation will be on a per foot basis;
>
> \(b\) Ripping is now included as part of the unit;
>
> \(c\) Provided suffixes \"I\" for installation of cable inside a duct,
> and \"V\" for installation of vacant duct or ducts simultaneously in
> the same plow slot or trench.

6\. Elimination of Section BG.

7\. Addition of Section BH, Buried Handhole Assembly Unit.

8\. Elimination the BM76 unit. Ripping is now included as part of the
buried cable units (BFC and BFO).

9\. Modification of the BM2A unit to comply with the National Electrical
Code.

10\. Modification of the BM2C unit to include provisions for bonding
existing cables in an existing facility.

11\. Addition of BM2D, New Facility Re-Bonding Assembly Unit.

12\. Modification of BM6M to provide compensation on a per foot basis.

13\. Addition of miscellaneous assembly units BM21, Cable Entrance;
BM22, Grounding System; BM50, Buried Service Wire or Cable Installation
to Pole-Mounted Wire Terminal Assembly Unit; BM52 Re-numbering Assembly
Unit; BM65, Guard Assembly Unit; and BM91, Pedestal Restricted Access
Insert Assembly Unit.

14\. Provision of suffix \"D\" to the BM60 and BM61 units to indicate
directional boring.

15\. Provision of suffix \"P\" to the BM60 and BM66 units to indicate
plastic pipe.

16. Modification of the BM61 unit by allowing the Engineer to specify
    the maximum bore diameter in parentheses.

17\. Provision of suffix \"E\" to the BM71 unit to indicate extra depth
in rock.

18\. Modification of the BM80, 81, and 82 assembly unit drawing to
indicate a 12 inch placement of the brackets from the top and bottom of
the guard.

19\. Elimination of the BM90 unit.

20\. Modification of Section HBF as follows:

> \(a\) Redefined unit to include compensation for installing closure in
> a housing or handhole;
>
> \(b\) Eliminated suffixes \"B\", \"C\", \"H\", and \"J\".

21\. Modification of Section HC as follows:

> \(a\) Redefined unit to provide compensation on a single pair basis;
>
> \(b\) Created HC2 unit in order to provide compensation for
> terminating cable pairs on cross-connect modules or blocks.

22\. Modification of Section HO to provide compensation for testing a
fiber.

23\. Elimination of Section PM. The PM21 and PM22 have been redesignated
under the miscellaneous units as BM21 and BM22. In addition the units
were changed to be more generalized.

24\. In part III, section 4, the determination for when a rock
excavating unit (BM71) is applied was redefined.

25\. In part III, section 4, when a BM71 unit is applied, trench width
and depth requirements were added.

26\. In part III, an additional section was added for buried handholes.

For editorial or other minor technical changes, refer to the body of the
document.

###### 

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**[Part I - DESCRIPTION OF ASSEMBLY UNITS AND PROPOSAL
AND]{.underline}**

**[CONTRACT SECTIONS]{.underline}**

The Contractor's Proposal form is divided into sections and the sections
approved for construction shall be listed in the Construction Agreement
by the Owner. The sections are as follows:

Section BA - Buried Plant Housing Stub Pole Units

Section BD - Buried Plant Housing Assembly Units

##  Section BDO - Buried Plant Fiber Optic Housing Assembly Units

Section BDS - Serving Area Interface Cabinet (SAIC) Assembly Units

Section BFC - Buried Filled Copper Cable Assembly Units

Section BFO - Buried Filled Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Units

Section BH - Buried Handhole Assembly Units

Section BM - Miscellaneous Assembly Units

Section HBF - Buried Filled Splice Closure Assembly Units

Section HC - Copper Splicing Assembly Units

#  Section HO - Fiber Optic Splicing Assembly Units

Section W - Rearrangement Units

Section XX - Nonreusable Materials Removal Units

Section XZ - Reusable Materials Removal Units

Each assembly unit includes only the materials listed on the
corresponding Installation and Construction Guide Drawings or
description of unit where no drawing exists. The various installation
and construction units, which are included in this Proposal and upon
which quotations are required, are defined by the following
descriptions:

[Section BA - BURIED PLANT HOUSING STUB POLE UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of all labor and material for a stub pole in place. Stub poles
shall be of the length and type designated by the Engineer as follows:

BA2 6.5 Feet \[1.98 meters (m)\], Round Wood Stub Pole

BA3 8.0 Feet (2.44 m), Round Wood Stub Pole

BA4 10.0 Feet (3.05 m), Round Wood Stub Pole

BA5 13.5 Feet (4.12 m), Round Wood Stub Pole

BA21 6.5 Feet (1.98 m), Sawn Wood Stub Pole

BA22 8.0 Feet (2.44 m), Sawn Wood Stub Pole

BA23 10.0 Feet (3.05 m), Sawn Wood Stub Pole

The stub pole plan, kind of preservative, and method of treatment are
designated in the Proposal.

[Section BD - BURIED PLANT HOUSING ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of a buried plant housing stake mounted in place. These units
include all labor and material to install pea gravel, housing numbers,
route letters, load point numbers, directional and other markings of
buried filled copper cable. Includes all labor and material to install
bonding connectors, harnesses, and grounding connector for terminating
external ground wire, in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin
1753F-401 (PC-2).

The assembly units are defined as follows:

#  BD3 Buried Plant Housing, Type H Stake-Mounted

BD4 Buried Plant Housing, Type H Stake-Mounted

BD5 Buried Plant Housing, Type H Stake-Mounted

BD7 Buried Plant Housing, Type H Stake-Mounted

BD14 Buried Plant Housing, Type M Stake-Mounted

BD15 Buried Plant Housing, Type M Stake-Mounted

BD16 Buried Plant Housing, Type M Stake-Mounted

BD6000 Buried Plant Housing, Large Count Stake-Mounted

##  BD8000 Buried Plant Housing, Large Count Stake-Mounted

BD10000 Buried Plant Housing, Large Count Stake-Mounted

Note: The splicing capacity shall be in accordance with RUS Splicing
Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).

Options designated by the following suffixes apply:

###  [Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

A Pole mounted (see guide drawing 905 when

> increased height is required).

F Concrete pad mounted.

H Good-housekeeping panel.

P Plastic pad mounted.

R Crushed stone or gravel bed.

[Examples]{.underline}:

BD3 BD3 housing stake mounted.

BD4AH BD4 housing pole mounted and good-housekeeping

> panel.

BD14R BD14 housing with crushed stone or gravel bed.

BD8000F BD8000 housing, concrete pad mounted.

[Section BDO -- Buried Plant Fiber Optic Housing Assembly
Units]{.underline}

### Consists of a buried plant fiber optic splice case housing stake mounted in place. These units include all the labor and material to install pea gravel, housing numbers, route letters, and directional and other markings of buried filled fiber optic cable. Includes all labor and material to install mounting hardware for fiber optic splice case, bonding connectors, harnesses, and grounding connector for terminating external ground wire in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).

### 

### The assembly unit is defined as follows:

#  BDO Buried Plant Fiber Optic Housing, Stake-Mounted

Note: Type of mounting hardware shall be dependent upon the type of
fiber optic splice case utilized.

Options designated by the following suffixes apply:

###  [Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

A Pole mounted.

F Concrete pad mounted.

P Plastic pad mounted.

R Crushed stone or gravel bed.

[Examples]{.underline}:

BDOA BDO Housing pole mounted.

BDOP BDO Housing plastic pad mounted.

[Section BDS - SERVING AREA INTERFACE CABINET (SAIC)]{.underline}

[ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of an SAIC stake mounted in place. Includes all labor and
materials to complete the installation. Included in this unit shall be
the cabinet; cross-connect modules or blocks; cabinet mounting
accessories; internal mounting hardware such as frames, mounting
brackets, splicing ladders and talk block; grounding connector for
terminating external ground wire, bonding connectors and harnesses in
accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2); pea
gravel; interface number and direction markings and placement of
conduit(s) and such other labor and materials necessary to complete the
installation. Detailed plans and specifications further defining these
units and establishing specific requirements including size of the
housing for each SAIC location are attached hereto and are identified by
the name and location of each SAIC.

The assembly units are defined as follows:

BDSM( )( )( ) - SAIC equipped with modules.

BDSB( )( )( ) - SAIC equipped with blocks.

The number of feeder pairs to be terminated shall be indicated in the
first parentheses; the number of distribution pairs to be terminated
shall be indicated in the second parentheses; and the number of
electronic pairs to be terminated shall be indicated in the third
parentheses.

Options designated by the following suffixes apply:

[Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

A Pole mount.

F Concrete slab mount.

P Plastic pad mount.

R Crushed stone or gravel bed.

[Examples]{.underline}:

BDSM(25)(25)(0)A SAIC equipped with modules, 25 feeder pairs terminated,
25 distribution pairs, pole mounted.

BDSB(50)(25)(25)F SAIC equipped with blocks, 50 feeder pairs terminated,
25 distribution pairs terminated, 25 electronic pairs terminated,
concrete pad mounted.

[Section BFC - BURIED FILLED COPPER CABLE ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of one (1) foot (0.305 m) of buried filled copper cable in
place. This unit includes all material and labor for installing, ripping
(where necessary as determined by the Engineer), and backfilling, except
as specifically provided for

in other units. Where the cable is plowed, ripping may be necessary to
provide a ripped path to allow placement at the required depth, and may
require more than one ripped pass.

Options designated by the following suffixes apply:

[Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

D Two or more cables placed simultaneously in the

same plow slot or trench. Specify all cables within parentheses ( ).

H Screened cable designated for Tl carrier

systems.

H1C Screened cable designated for TlC carrier

systems.

I Buried filled cable, which will be installed inside a duct.

P Predesignated buried filled cable which will, in the

judgment of the Engineer, be much more difficult to

install than normal for this project because of the

presence of underground facilities or severe right-of-

way restrictions. This suffix will be specified on the

Construction Sheets in advance of bidding, and will

not be specified later unless changes in the

presence of underground utilities, right-of-way

easement, or route changes occur that would, in the

judgment of the Engineer, greatly increase the

difficulty of cable placement. Also, this suffix will

be specified during construction when undocumented

buried facilities are encountered that, in the

judgment of the Engineer, greatly increase the

difficulty of cable placement.

T Buried filled cable which will be placed at the

specified depth by trenching only. This unit will be

specified by the Engineer on the Construction Sheets

in advance of bidding.

> V( )( ) One or more vacant ducts to be placed simultaneously in the
> same plow slot or trench. The first set of parentheses shall indicate
> the number of ducts and the second set of parentheses shall indicate
> the inside diameter of the ducts.

A. This unit also includes:

\(1\) Clearing of right-of-way. (The Engineer will be responsible for
specifying any special conditions or instructions concerning the
right-of-way clearing on the Construction Sheets.)

Note 1: Trees that are felled shall be cut to commercial wood length and
placed on the side of the right-of-way for the landowner. Commercial
wood length means the length designated by the Engineer, but in no case
shall be required to be less than 2 feet (0.61 m).

Note 2: Brush, branches, and refuse from the clearing operations shall,
without delay, be disposed of by such of the

following methods as the Engineer will direct:

[Code]{.underline} [Disposition]{.underline}

A Chipped and Blown.

B Removed from the vicinity of the right-of-way.

C Piled on one side of the right-of-way in such

manner as to not obstruct roads, ditches, etc.

D Other as specified by Engineer.

> \(2\) All labor and material required for the installation of cable
> guards installed with the approval of the Engineer for the convenience
> of the Contractor.
>
> \(3\) All labor and material required in the repair and/or replacement
> of streets, sidewalks, roads, drives, fences, lawns, shrubbery,
> watermains, pipes, pipelines and contents, underground power and
> telecommunications facilities, buried sewerage and drainage
> facilities, and any other property damaged during the installation of
> the buried cable, except loss or damage to crops, gardens, ornamental
> flowers or trees in the construction corridor necessarily incident to
> the construction of the Project and not caused by the negligence of
> the Contractor.
>
> \(4\) The cable installed in place for aerial inserts in buried plant
> when specified by the Engineer. It includes the miscellaneous
> accessories such as drive rings, thimbleye nuts, etc., in accordance
> with the Construction Sheets, not included in other units,
>
> needed to secure the buried cable in place. (This unit
>
> does not include poles, anchors, guys, riser guards or suspension
> strand units which will be separately specified by the Engineer.)
>
> \(5\) The spiraling of buried cable at an aerial insert where
> indicated by the Engineer on the Construction Sheets.

\(6\) All labor and material including housings, splice

closures, stub poles, trenching, backfilling, tamping,

cable, straight splicing, and other material and labor

required for the purpose of joining cable of the same

size and gauge in continuous lengths (reel ends). The

housings or closures and all other associated

materials and equipment shall be of the same type as

required at other cable splicing points specified in

the construction of the Project unless otherwise

approved by the Engineer.

> \(7\) The labor and material for buried cable installed in
> Miscellaneous Assembly Units, such as, pipe crossings, rock
> excavating, asphalt or concrete. The labor and material required by
> these miscellaneous assembly units are specified separately.

B. The length of buried cable for compensation purposes is determined by
taking the sum of distances between splice or terminal points specified
by the Engineer, paralleling the cable. It includes the cable installed
in trenches, pipes and non-pipe underground crossings, in sections of
aerial construction of buried cable and in vertical runs on poles and in
stake-mounted or pole-mounted housings. It excludes lateral and vertical
runs of cable required solely for the purpose of joining cable in
continuous lengths (reel ends) of the same size and gauge. The length of
buried cable installed shall be determined from the sequential number
length markers on the outer jacket of the buried cable except where the
markings are illegible, found to be in error or an excessive amount of
slack has been provided such as in housings, filled splice closures and
aerial inserts. Compensation for multiple cables placed in the same plow
slot or trench is determined on the basis of the lengths of the
individual cables involved.

Each buried filled copper cable assembly unit is listed in accordance
with the number of pairs and gauge of conductors. Each unit is prefixed
by the letters BFC. The following illustrations indicate the method of
designating the material required.

BFC(50-24 & Two cables placed simultaneously in the same

25-22)D plow slot or trench; one a 50 pair, 24 gauge

and the other a 25 pair, 22 gauge cable.

Quantity, labor and material unit prices are

to be specified for each cable separately.

BFC100-22H A 100 pair, 22 gauge buried filled copper

> cable with a screen designated for T1
>
> carrier systems.

BFC300-24P A 300 pair, 24 gauge buried filled copper

> cable which in the judgment of the Engineer
>
> will be much more difficult to install than
>
> normal because of the presence of
>
> underground facilities or severe
>
> right-of-way restrictions.

BFC200-24V(2)(1\") A 200 pair, 24 gauge buried filled copper cable with
2 vacant ducts having 1 inch (in.) \[25.4 millimeters (mm)\] inside
diameters placed simultaneously in the same plow slot or trench.

BFC25-24I A 25 pair, 24 gauge buried filled copper cable to be installed
in a duct.

[Section BFO - BURIED FILLED FIBER OPTIC CABLE ASSEMBLY
UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of one (1) foot (0.305 m) of buried filled fiber optic cable in
place. This unit includes all material and labor for installing, ripping
(where necessary as determined by the Engineer), and backfilling, except
as specifically provided for in other units. Where the cable is plowed,
ripping may be necessary to provide a ripped path to allow placement at
the required depth, and may require more than one ripped pass.

Options designated by the following suffixes apply:

[Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

> D Two or more cables placed simultaneously in the same plow slot or
> trench. Specify all cables within parentheses ( ).

I Buried filled cable, which will be installed inside a duct.

> P Predesignated buried filled cable which will, in the judgment of the
> Engineer, be much more difficult to install than normal for this
> project because of the presence of underground facilities or severe
> right-of-way restrictions. This suffix will be specified on the
> Construction Sheets in advance of bidding, and will not be specified
> later unless changes in the presence of underground utilities,
> right-of-way easement, or route changes occur that would, in the
> judgment of the Engineer, greatly increase the difficulty of cable
> placement. Also, this suffix will be specified during construction
> when undocumented buried facilities are encountered that, in the
> judgment of the Engineer, greatly increase the difficulty of cable
> placement.
>
> T Buried filled cable which will be placed at the specified depth by
> trenching only. This unit will be specified by the Engineer on the
> Construction Sheets in advance of bidding.
>
> > V( )( ) One or more vacant ducts to be placed simultaneously in the
> > same plow slot or trench. The first set of parentheses shall
> > indicate the number of ducts and the second set of parentheses shall
> > indicate the inside diameter of the ducts.

A. This unit also includes:

> \(1\) Clearing of right-of-way. (The Engineer will be responsible for
> specifying any special conditions or instructions concerning the
> right-of-way clearing on the Construction Sheets).

Note 1: Trees that are felled shall be cut to commercial wood length and
left on the side of the right-of-way for the landowner. Commercial wood
length means the length designated by the Engineer, but in no case shall
be required to be less than 2 feet (0.61 m).

Note 2: Brush, branches, and refuse from the clearing operations shall,
without delay, be disposed of by such of the following methods as the
Engineer will direct:

[Code]{.underline} [Disposition]{.underline}

A Chipped and Blown.

B Removed from the vicinity of the right-of-way.

### 

###  C Piled on one side of the right-of-way in such manner as to not obstruct roads, ditches, etc.

D Other as specified by Engineer.

> \(2\) All labor and material required for the installation of cable
> guards installed with the approval of the Engineer for the convenience
> of the Contractor.
>
> \(3\) All labor and material required in the repair and/or replacement
> of streets, sidewalks, roads, drives, fences, lawns, shrubbery,
> watermains, pipes, pipelines and contents, underground power and
> telecommunications facilities, buried sewerage and drainage
> facilities, and any other property damaged during the installation of
> the buried cable, except loss or damage to crops, gardens, ornamental
> flowers or trees in the construction corridor necessarily incident to
> the construction of the Project and not caused by the negligence of
> the Contractor.
>
> \(4\) The cable installed in place for aerial inserts in buried plant
> when specified by the Engineer. It includes the miscellaneous
> accessories such as drive rings, thimbleye nuts, etc., in accordance
> with the Construction Sheets, not included in other units, needed to
> secure the buried cable in place. (This unit does not include poles,
> anchors, guys, riser guards or suspension strand units which will be
> separately specified by the Engineer.)
>
> \(5\) The spiraling of buried cable at an aerial insert where
> indicated by the Engineer on the Construction Sheets.
>
> \(6\) The labor and material for buried cable installed in
> Miscellaneous Assembly Units, such as, pipe crossings, rock
> excavating, asphalt or concrete. The labor and material required by
> these miscellaneous assembly units are specified separately.

B. The Buried Filled Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Unit does not include
labor and material for splicing the individual fibers. All splice
points, including reel end splices, shall be specified by the Engineer
on the Construction Sheets. All labor and material required for splicing
the fibers and for enclosing the splice, such as, fiber organizers,
splice closures, housings and stub poles, and miscellaneous hardware
items shall be included in other assembly units.

C. The length of buried cable for compensation purposes is determined by
taking the sum of all distances between splice or terminal points
specified by the Engineer. It includes the cable installed in trenches,
pipes and non-pipe underground crossings, in sections of aerial
construction of buried cable and in vertical runs on poles and in
stake-mounted or pole-mounted housings. The length of buried cable
installed shall be determined from the sequential number length markers
on the outer jacket of the buried cable except where the markings are
illegible or found to be in error. Compensation for multiple cables
placed in the same plow slot or trench is determined on the basis of the
lengths of the individual cables involved.

Each buried filled fiber optic cable assembly unit is listed in
accordance with the number of optical fibers. Each unit is prefixed by
the letters BFO. The following illustrations indicate the method of
designating the material required.

######## BF024 A buried filled fiber optic cable with

24 fibers.

(BF036 & Indicates a 36 fiber, buried filled fiber

BFC100-24)D optic cable and a 100 pair, 24 gauge buried filled copper
cable, placed in same plow slot or trench. Quantity, labor and material
unit prices are to be specified for each cable separately.

BFO24V(2)(1\") A buried filled fiber optic cable containing 24 fibers
with 2 vacant ducts having 1 in. (25.4 mm) inside diameters placed
simultaneously in the same plow slot or trench.

BFO36I A buried filled fiber optic cable containing 36 fibers installed
in a duct.

[Section BH -- BURIED HANDHOLE ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of labor and material for one (1) buried handhole installed in
place, including the base, top cover and mounting hardware, and pea
gravel. The handhole size, amount of pea gravel and the installation
shall be as specified by the Engineer. The handhole assembly unit shall
be used only in areas of non-vehicular traffic. When required for use in
areas of vehicular traffic, the handhole shall be rated to withstand
vehicular traffic. Where specified, vehicular traffic rated handholes
shall be suffixed with the letter "T".

The assembly units are defined as follows:

BHC( ) Buried Handhole for copper systems.

BHF( ) Buried Handhole for fiber optic systems.

The dimensions of length, width, and depth of the handhole shall be
indicated in the parentheses in inches (millimeters).

[Examples]{.underline}:

BHC(13x24X24) Buried handhole for copper systems with dimensions of 13 x
24 x 24 in. (330 x 610 x 610 mm) (approximate).

BHF(17x30x30)T Buried handhole for fiber optic systems with dimensions
of 17 x 30 x 30 in. (432 x 762

> x 762 mm)(approximate) which is rated for vehicular traffic.

[Section BM - MISCELLANEOUS ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of all labor and material to construct and install the units
defined individually below required for the installation and
construction of the buried cable portions of the Project:

BM2( )( ) [Housing Ground Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of the
necessary labor and material for the installation of a ground rod
(installed in undisturbed soil), ground rod clamp and the required
length of a bare #6 AWG copper ground wire connected to an auxiliary
grounding connector (included in the housing assembly unit) within the
housing (see unit drawing BM2). Indicate the desired diameter and length
of ground rod. For a sectionalized ground rod and coupling device use
the suffix "S".

> [Examples]{.underline}: BM2(1/2)(5) A 1/2 in. X 5 foot (13 mm X 1.5 m)
> ground rod.
>
> BM2(5/8)(8) A 5/8 in. x 8 foot (16 mm X 2.4 m) ground rod.

####### BM2(5/8)(20)S Two 5/8 in. x 10 foot 

####### (16 mm X 3.1 m) sectionalized ground rods and a coupling device. Where sectionalized ground rods are required the total length should appear on the Construction Sheets.

BM2A [Housing Auxiliary Ground Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of

the necessary labor and material for the

installation of a ground rod clamp (if required)

and the required length of a bare #6 AWG copper

> ground wire connected to a pole ground wire using

a ground wire connector (see unit drawing BM2A).

BM2B [Housing Ground Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of the

necessary labor and materials for the installation

of a bonding connector bracket within an existing

housing. The bonding connector bracket should be

the bracket that is recommended by the housing

manufacturer.

BM2C [Existing Facility Bonding Assembly Unit]{.underline} -- Consists
of the necessary labor and material for bonding new or existing cable in
an existing facility, such as a buried plant housing or splice closure.
This unit includes a bonding connector, a bonding harness, tie-wraps,
replacement of gravel and/or sealer, and rearrangement of an existing
cable. Compensation shall be paid on a per bond basis.

BM2D [New Facility Re-Bonding Assembly Unit]{.underline} -- Consists of
the necessary labor and material for re-bonding an existing cable in a
new facility such as a buried plant housing or splice closure. This unit
includes a bonding connector, a bonding harness, and tie wraps.
Compensation shall be paid on a per bond basis.

BM6M [Suspension Strand Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of one

> \(1\) foot (0.305 m) of 6M \[6,000 pounds (lbs)\--2722

kilograms (kg)\] suspension strand, supporting

> hardware, lashing wire, cable straps, and all other
>
> accessories required for aerial insert construction
>
> in buried plant, but excludes the buried cable.
>
> This unit will be used for short sections of aerial

construction in buried plant. When such aerial

inserts are required, the Engineer will specify the

pole, riser guard, guy and anchor assembly units

required, plus the appropriate quantity of this

unit. The Contractor will be compensated for these

units at their respective bid prices plus the

appropriate cable units including the vertical

length on the end poles.

BM10M [Suspension Strand Assembly Unit]{.underline} - This unit is the

same as the BM6M unit except that the size of the

strand is 10M (10,000 lbs\--4536 kg).

BM16M [Suspension Strand Assembly Unit]{.underline} - This unit is the

same as the BM6M unit except that the size of the

strand is 16M (16,000 lbs\--7257 kg).

BM21 [Cable Entrance]{.underline} -- Consists of the necessary labor and
material to terminate copper and/or fiber optic outside plant cables as
shown on the detailed drawings as specified by the Engineer.

BM22 [Grounding System]{.underline} -- Consists of the necessary labor
and material to construct a grounding system as shown on the detailed
drawings as specified by the Engineer. This unit shall include all
ground electrodes, trenching, backfilling, bonding the auxiliary ground
electrodes to each other and to the primary ground electrodes, and
bonding to the master ground bar (MGB).

BM50( ) [Buried Service Wire or Cable Installation to Pole-Mounted Wire
Terminal Assembly Unit]{.underline} -- Consists of the necessary labor
and material to install a buried wire or cable from a buried plant
housing to a pole mounted wire terminal. This unit includes the
installation of pole mounted buried wire or cable, a pole mounted wire
terminal, and the necessary wire work at the wire terminal (see assembly
unit drawing BM50). Pair count of the terminal size shall be indicated
in the parentheses. Installation of the buried plant housing and
splicing of the pole mounted buried wire or cable inside the buried
plant housing shall be compensated under separate units.

BM52 [Re-numbering Assembly Unit]{.underline} -- This unit consists of
the necessary labor and material to remove existing numbers and clean
where necessary, and re-number an existing housing.

BM53 [Warning Sign Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of one (1)

staked mounted warning sign, in place as shown on

###  the Construction Sheets. This unit includes all

labor and material to install the stake mounted

> sign (see detail drawing specified by the Engineer).

BM54 [Route Sign Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of one (1) stake

mounted route sign, in place, as shown on the

Construction Sheets. This unit includes all labor

and material to install the stake mounted sign

(see detail drawing specified by the Engineer).

BM55 [Splice Location Sign Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of one

\(1\) stake mounted splice location sign, in place, as

shown on the Construction Sheets. This unit

includes all labor and material to install the

stake mounted sign (see detail drawing specified by

the Engineer).

BM55A [Buried Splice Location Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of

one (1) buried splice location assembly unit

installed in or above the buried splice case. The

installation of the buried splice location unit

shall be in accordance with the manufacturer\'s

instructions. If the owner has standardized on a

specific system, the Engineer shall so indicate (see

detail drawing specified by the Engineer).

BM60( ) [Underground Pipe Crossing Assembly Unit]{.underline} --
Consists of one (1) lineal foot (0.305 m) of steel pipe, with the inside
diameter in inches (meters) specified in parentheses, installed in
place. This unit includes the pushing of pipe and any excavation,
backfilling and tamping necessary for the installation of the pipe. The
pipe shall be installed at the depth specified by the Engineer. The
installed pipe shall be free of any sharp projections to avoid damage to
the outer jacket of the buried cable or wire during its installation in
the pipe. The contractor will be compensated for labor and material for
the buried cable or wire under separate units. Options designated by the
following suffixes apply:

[Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

D Directional boring required.

P Plastic pipe required.

BM61( ) [Underground Non-Pipe Crossing Assembly Unit]{.underline} -
Consists of the labor in providing a hole in soil one (1) foot (0.305 m)
in length and of a diameter in inches (meters) specified in parentheses.
The depth of the hole below the surface of the ground shall be specified
by the Engineer. This unit includes any excavation, backfilling and
tamping necessary for the installation. This unit may be used where the
permanent installation of a steel or plastic pipe under the BM60 unit is
not required. The contractor will be compensated for labor and material
for the buried cable or wire under separate units. Where directional
boring is required, the unit shall be suffixed by the letter \"D\".

BM65( ) [Guard Assembly Unit]{.underline} -- Consists of the necessary
labor and material for installing one (1) lineal foot (0.305 m) of split
galvanized steel guard. The sections of guard may be straight and or
curved. This unit may be used as attachments to bridges, abutments,
walls, etc., and any below ground location. All hangers, bolts, and
other attachment hardware along with excavation, backfilling, tamping,
and restoration are included as part of this unit. The diameter of the
guard shall be indicated in the parentheses. The contractor will be
compensated for labor and material for the buried cable or wire under
separate units. (See detailed drawings as specified by the Engineer).
Where a split plastic guard is required, the unit shall be suffixed by
the letter \"P\".

BM66( ) [Bridge Attachment Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of the
necessary labor and material for installing one (1) lineal foot (0.305
m) of galvanized steel pipe, of the inside diameter in inches (meters)
specified, attached to a bridge. Details of the method of installation
will be in accordance with the Plans and Specifications as determined by
the Engineer. The contractor will be compensated for labor and material
for the buried cable or wire under separate units. (See detailed
drawings as specified by the Engineer). Where a plastic pipe is
required, the unit shall be suffixed by the letter \"P\".

BM71 [Rock Excavating Unit]{.underline} - Consists of one (1) lineal
foot (0.305 m) of trenching, blasting, sawing, etc., measured parallel
to the surface of the ground, in rock, including excavation, backfilling
and tamping to place cable or wire to the depth specified in the
Specifications. This unit includes all material and labor required in
the repair and/or replacement of streets, roads, sidewalks, drives,
fences, lawns, shrubbery, watermains, pipes, pipelines and contents,
underground power and telecommunications facilities and any other
property damaged by the excavating, except loss or damage to crops,
gardens, trees or ornamental flowers in the construction corridor
necessarily incident to the construction of the Project and not caused
by the negligence of the Contractor. This unit will be specified by the
Engineer only when field conditions at the site show the existence of
rock to a depth required by the specification, which cannot be trenched,
plowed or ripped. If extra depth is required, the unit shall be suffixed
by \"E( )\", where the required depth in rock shall be shown inside the
parentheses. The contractor will be compensated for labor and material
for the buried cable or wire under separate units.

BM72 [Asphalt Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of labor and
material necessary to remove and restore one (1) lineal foot (0.305 m)
of asphalt pavement (where the removal does not necessitate the breaking
up of concrete) measured along the route of the cable or wire. Any
trenching which may be necessary for the installation of buried cable or
wire is included in this unit. All work shall be performed as required
in accordance with federal, state and/or local construction standards in
effect at the time of bid date. (Pursuant to these federal, state and/or
local standards, restoration may include the use of any base and
sub-base materials such as concrete, crushed stone, etc.). The
contractor will be compensated for labor and material for the buried
cable or wire under the separate units.

BM73 [Concrete Assembly Unit]{.underline} - Consists of the labor and
material necessary to remove and restore one (1) lineal foot (0.305 m)
of concrete pavement (or any combination of concrete pavement and other
surfacing material) where the removal necessitates the breaking up of
concrete pavement, measured along the route of cable or wire. Any
trenching which may be necessary for the installation of buried cable or
wire is included in this unit. All work shall be performed as required
in accordance with federal, state and/or local construction standards in
effect at the time of bid date. (Pursuant to these federal, state and/or
local standards, restoration may include the use of any base and
sub-base materials such as concrete, crushed stone, etc.) The contractor
will be compensated for labor and material for the buried cable or wire
separate units.

BM80 Riser Guard, 1 in. inside diameter (ID) x 8 feet

> (25.4 mm x 2.44 m).
>
> (see assembly unit drawing BM80)

BM81 Riser Guard, 2 in. ID x 8 feet (50.8 mm x 2.44 m).

(see assembly unit drawing BM81)

BM82 Riser Guard, 3 in. ID x 8 feet (76.2 mm x 2.44 m).

(see assembly unit drawing BM82)

BM91 [Pedestal Restricted Access Insert Assembly Unit]{.underline} --
Consists of a restricted access insert installed within a housing and
the labor and material for setting up in preparation for installing the
insert, such as, opening the jacket and bonding of the cable shields.
Cable splicing shall be compensated under the appropriate splicing
units.

[Section HBF - BURIED FILLED SPLICE CLOSURE ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of a buried splice closure and the closure manufacturer\'s
provided encapsulating material, installed in place and the labor and
material for setting up in preparation for installing the closure, such
as, excavating a splicing pit, installing closure in a housing or
handhole if necessary, opening the sheath or jacket of the cable,
bonding of the cable shields, filling the closure, and closing the
closure in accordance with the manufacturer\'s instructions. Cable
splicing shall be compensated under the appropriate splicing units.

The assembly units are defined as follows:

HBF( ) [Buried Filled Closure]{.underline} - A filled splice closure
with pair count and gauge for each cable to be spliced.

HBFO( ) [Buried Filled Fiber Optic Closure]{.underline} - A fiber optic

closure and organizer with the number of fibers to be

housed in the organizer.

Note: Suffix \"A\" shall indicate a treated plank with dimensions as
specified by the Engineer, placed

> 6 in. \[15.24 centimeters (cm)\] above the closure
>
> (see guide drawing 907).

The following illustrations indicate the method of designating the
material required.

HBF(100-24) Buried filled closure enclosing two

cable ends same pair count and gauge.

HBF(200-24)(100-24)A Buried filled closure enclosing two

cable ends with different pair counts

provided with a treated plank above.

HBFO(24) Buried filled fiber optic splice

closure and organizer capable of

accommodating a minimum of 24 fibers.

[Section HC -- COPPER SPLICING ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

HC1 Consists of the labor and material necessary in the wire work and
splicing of one (1) cable pair in any cable, including any non-working
pair in an existing cable in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard
Bulletin 1753F-401 (PC-2) using individual mechanical splicing
connectors. The splice may be straight, bridged, or pieced out and
bridged. Pairs that are to be tested, capped, or tested and capped, when
specified by the Engineer are considered to be part of this unit. Only
those pairs on which splicing, testing, and/or capping operations are
performed are counted and each pair is counted only once at each
location. On aerial inserts, each end of the fuse link is considered as
a splice.

HC2 Consists of the labor and material necessary for terminating one (1)
distribution, feeder, and/or electronic pair on a cross-connect block or
a cross-connect module, including any non-working pair in an existing
cable in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).
Pairs that are to be tested, when specified by the Engineer are
considered to be part of this unit. Only those pairs on which
terminating and/or testing operations are performed are counted and each
pair is counted only once at each location.

HC3 Consists of the labor and material necessary in the wire work and
splicing of one (1) cable pair in any cable, including any non-working
pair in an existing cable in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard
Bulletin 1753F-401 (PC-2) using splicing modules. The splice may be
straight, bridged or pieced out and bridged. Pairs that are to be
tested, capped, or tested and capped, when specified by the Engineer are
considered to be part of this unit. Only those pairs on which splicing,
testing, and/or capping operations are performed are counted and each
pair is counted only once at each location. On aerial inserts, each end
of the fuse link is considered as a splice.

HC4 Consists of the labor and material for placing and terminating both
ends of one (1) pair of cross-connect jumper wires on cross-connecting
blocks and/or modules.

[Section HO - FIBER OPTIC SPLICING ASSEMBLY UNITS]{.underline}

Consists of all labor and material necessary to splice and/or test one
(1) glass fiber in any cable in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard
Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2). The labor shall include initial measurement,
minimizing the attenuation, splicing and stowing the spliced fiber in a
fiber organizer. The labor and material for the fiber organizer is part
of the appropriate splice closure unit.

###  [Suffix]{.underline} [Description]{.underline}

HO1 Fusion Splice

HO2 Mechanical Splice

HO3 Connector Splice

[Section W - REARRANGEMENT UNITS]{.underline}

Specific rearrangement units shall be designated and described by the
Engineer on the \"List of Special Arrangement Units\" table of RUS Form
515. Existing plant assembly units to be rearranged are designated by a
prefix \"W\".

[Section XX - NONREUSABLE MATERIALS REMOVAL UNITS]{.underline}

These units cover the furnishing of all labor for the removal of
construction assembly units from existing lines, and transportation of
the removed materials for proper disposal. The Contractor will be
permitted to use the most economical method of removing these units. The
removal units are designated by the prefix \"XX\" followed by the
assembly unit designation of the unit to be removed.

[Section XZ - REUSABLE MATERIALS REMOVAL UNITS]{.underline}

These units cover the furnishing of all labor for the removal of
construction assembly units from existing lines and all labor and
transportation of the removed materials to a location designated by the
Owner. The Contractor will be charged by the Owner for the materials
removed under this section at the unit material values shown in column 2
of the \"Value and Disposition of Units to be Removed\" table of RUS
Form 515. The number of units to be charged to the Contractor and the
extended value of these units are shown in columns 3 and 4. Such charges
will be placed against the Contractor as assembly units are removed and
the unit material values will be deducted from the total value of
assembly units constructed on this project for determination of the work
accomplished for purposes of the monthly progress payments to the
Contractor. Of the assembly units listed in the \"Value and Disposition
of Units to be Removed\" table to be removed from existing lines certain
units are to be reused in the construction of the project. The quantity
of such units to be reused is listed in the \"Value and Disposition of
Units to be Removed\" table, column 5. These units where installed in
the project will be inventoried as new assembly units and compensated
for at the unit bid prices. The quantity of assembly units listed in
column 6 of the \"Value and Disposition of Units to be Removed\" table
is the maximum quantity of removed assembly units that are to be
returned to the Owner for credit which will be allowed at the unit
material prices in column 2. Column 7 indicates the extended value of
the units to be returned to the Owner. The Contractor will be allowed
credit for assembly units listed in column 6 which, in the opinion of
the Engineer, have not been damaged by the Contractor in removal and
handling. Such credits will be allowed the Contractor as the assembly
units are returned to a location designated by the Owner and shall be
added to the total value of installed assembly units for determination
of work accomplished for the purposes of the monthly progress payments
to the Contractor. The removal units are specified by the prefix \"XZ\"
followed by the assembly unit designation of the existing assembly unit
to be removed.

**[Part II - SPECIFICATION FOR MATERIALS]{.underline}**

**1. SCOPE**

This part of the specification is concerned with the various materials
required for the construction of the outside buried cable and wire plant
of the rural telecommunications system as shown on the Plans,
Specifications, and Construction Sheets.

**2. GENERAL**

All materials used in the construction of the rural telecommunications
system except those listed in Paragraph 4 below shall be listed in RUS
Informational Publication (IP)

344-2, \"List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Telecommunications
Systems of RUS Borrowers,\" unless specific written approval has been
granted by the Administrator.

**3. STUB POLES**

The stub pole plan, method of treatment, kind of preservative and
general procedure applying to all stub poles shall be in accordance with
the latest RUS specifications in effect at the time the bids are
received.

**4. MISCELLANEOUS**

Items for which categories do not appear in RUS IP 344-2, \"List of
Materials Acceptable for Use on Telecommunications Systems of RUS
Borrowers,\" shall be of a quality suitable for the application for
which they are intended.

#### Part III - SPECIFICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION

**1. GENERAL**

**1.1** All construction and installation work shall be done in a
thorough and workmanlike manner in accordance with the Plans,
Specifications and Construction Sheets and shall be subject to
acceptance by the Owner and the Administrator.

**1.2** All material to be used in construction of the Project shall be
stored so as to be protected from deteriorating effects of the elements.

**1.3** All buried cables or wires, and accessory materials used in the
construction of the Project shall be handled with care. Each reel of
buried cable or wire shall be inspected for damage. All damage shall be
repaired to the satisfaction of the Engineer and in accordance with the
methods or other instructions described in the appropriate paragraphs of
Part III. If reel wrap is present, the reel wrap shall remain intact on
the reel until the cable or wire is ready to be placed.

**1.4** Deviations from the Plans, Specifications and Construction
Sheets shall not be permitted except upon written permission of the
Engineer.

**1.5** The latest revision of the National Electrical Safety Code
(NESC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC) shall be followed in every
case except where local regulations are more stringent, in which case
local regulations shall govern.

**1.6** The Contractor shall maintain conductor polarity (tip and ring)
identification at the main distributing frame, buried plant housings,
splice closures and in the service entrance, all in accordance with the
Plans, Specifications, and Construction Sheets (see guide drawing
815-1).

**2. BURIED PLANT HOUSING STUB POLES**

**2.1** The setting depth of stub poles where specified and used as
mounting posts in connection with buried plant housings, shall be a
minimum of 3.0 feet (0.91 m) in soil and as specified by the Engineer in
solid rock. If a greater depth in soil is necessary, the Engineer will
indicate the required depth in the Proposal.

**2.2** The bottom of the hole shall be thoroughly tamped.

**3. CABLE SPLICING**

Splicing for fiber optic cable, copper cable and wire shall be in
accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).

**4. BURIED CABLE OR WIRE**

**4.1** [General]{.underline}

**4.1.1** The construction equipment shall be subject to the approval of
the Owner and the public authorities having jurisdiction over highway
and road rights-of-way.

**4.1.2** The design of the plowshare shall be such that the buried
copper cable or wire passing through the plow shall not bind and shall
not be bent in a radius less than 10 times the outside diameter of the
copper cable or wire. Buried fiber optic cable passing through the plow
shall not bind and shall not be bent in a radius less than 20 times the
outside diameter of the cable. The plowshare shall have a removable gate
for the purpose of inspection, and a hinged fairlead, which shall be
equipped with smooth, free wheeling rollers or low friction surfaces to
prevent damage to the cable or wire.

**4.1.3** The Engineer should periodically inspect the cable or wire as
well as the installation equipment and procedures during installation to
guard against damage to the cable or wire when it is being placed in the
ground, and to see that proper depth is maintained at all times.

**4.1.4** The Contractor shall promptly repair any damage to fences,
lawns, shrubbery, drives and any other property damaged during
construction.

4.1.5 A rock excavating unit (BM71) shall be applied where a plow train
cannot maintain specified depth under the buried cable or wire unit
(including ripping). To assist in determining the ability of any plowing
equipment to place the cable at a specified depth, the table below shall
be used only to compare the capability of this equipment with standard
minimum drawbar pull ratings unless different characteristics are
specified by the Engineer (greater drawbar pull may only be specified at
greater depths than shown in the table).

Minimum Drawbar Pull vs. Cable or Wire Depth at

1.2 MPH (1.93 km/hr)

+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| ###### Depth    |                 | ###### Minim    |                 |
|                 |                 | um Drawbar Pull |                 |
| #####           |                 |                 |                 |
| # Inches Meters |                 | ######          |                 |
|                 |                 |  Pounds Newtons |                 |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| 24              | 0.61            | 55,000          | 2.45 x 105      |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| 30              | 0.76            | 75,000          | 3.34 x 105      |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+
| 36              | 0.91            | 95,000          | 4.23 x 105      |
+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+

**4.1.6** The equipment and construction methods used by the Contractor
shall be such as to cause minimum displacement of the soil. The slot
made in the soil by the cable plow shall be immediately closed.

**4.1.7** Damage to banks, ditches, driveways and roads caused by the
equipment shall be immediately repaired to the satisfaction of the
Engineer and public authorities having jurisdiction over highway and
road rights-of-way where involved.

**4.1.8** Where cables or wires are buried near the edge of pavements,
the Contractor shall take particular care to avoid damaging the
pavement. If such damage does occur repairs shall be made immediately to
meet the requirements of state or local authorities having jurisdiction
over the pavement involved.

**4.1.9** The stub pole or stake portion of stake mounted housings shall
be installed in accordance with the Construction Sheets in a manner not
to damage the cable or wire placed in the trench.

**4.1.10** To avoid possible damage to buried cable or wire from
exposure to traffic, livestock and other hazards, trenching of laterals,
trenching around culverts, construction of aerial inserts and similar
operations shall be completed as soon as practicable behind the plowing
operation.

**4.1.11** Trenches shall be promptly backfilled with earth and tamped
at 6 in. (15.24 cm) lifts so that the earth is restored to original
grade to assure no hazard to vehicular, animal or pedestrian traffic. No
trenches shall be left open overnight.

**4.1.12** When placing cable or wire in a trench in rock, the cable or
wire shall be cushioned by a fill of sand or selected soil at least 2
in. (5.08 cm) thick on the floor of the trench. The backfill for at
least 4 in. (10.16 cm) above the

cable or wire shall be free from stones, rock or other hard or sharp
materials, which might damage the cable. Alternate methods are
permissible subject to approval of the Engineer.

**4.2** [Handling of Cable]{.underline}

**4.2.1** Cables or wires shall be carefully inspected by the Contractor
during the placement operation to be certain that the cables or wires
are free from defects.

**4.2.2** Bends of small radii and twists that might damage cable or
wire shall be avoided. During the placement operation, copper cable or
wire shall not be bent in a radius less than 10 times the outside
diameter of the cable or wire. Fiber optic cable shall not be bent in a
radius less than 20 times the outside diameter of the cable.

**4.2.3** Care is to be exercised during the plowing operation, to feed
the cable or wire into the ground through the plow loosely and at no
tension. Equipment and construction methods shall be such as to assure
compliance with this requirement. The Contractor shall furnish competent
supervision at all times at the site of plowing operations to assure
compliance with this requirement.

**4.2.4** If, during the plowing operation, the plow should strike a
buried object or rock that stops the equipment which necessitates
removal of the plow from the ground, the plow shall be removed from the
ground carefully, and if practicable without backing the plow, to avoid
damage to the cable or wire. Should it be necessary to back the plow to
remove it from the ground, the cable or wire shall be uncovered a
sufficient distance back for inspection by the Engineer to determine
whether the cable or wire has been damaged.

**4.2.5** Every instance of damaged cable or wire observed at any time
whether prior to installation, occurring during construction, or
discovered by test or observation subsequent to installation in plant,
shall be immediately called to the attention of the Engineer. The method
of repair or correction of such damage shall be in accordance with the
written instructions of the Engineer. The Contractor shall promptly
repair such damage or make such corrections in accordance with such
written instructions of the Engineer. Minor damage to the

outer jacket of the cable or wire observed prior to or occurring during
construction shall be repaired in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard
Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).

4.2.6 Major damage to cable or wire observed prior to or during
construction shall be corrected by enclosing the damaged section of
cable or wire in (1) a buried plant housing located as specified by the
Engineer or (2) a buried filled splice closure if approved by the
Engineer, which are buried to the same depth as that required for the
cable or wire. If the shield has been broken or the conductor insulation
damaged, the cable or wire shall be restored to the equivalent of new
condition. This may require cutting out the damaged section of cable or
wire if required by the Engineer.

4.2.7 Major damage to cable or wire discovered after placement either
through test or observation shall be repaired as approved by the
Engineer. This may require cutting out the damaged section and replacing
it with a short section of new cable or wire with splices made in (1)
buried plant housing or (2) buried

filled splice closures, if approved by the Engineer, which are buried to
the same depth as that required for the cable or wire. It may also
require the replacement of an entire section between housings already
installed.

**4.3** [Depth of Buried Plant]{.underline}

**4.3.1** Unless otherwise specified by the Engineer in the Proposal, or
on the Construction Sheets, the depth of buried cable or wire placed,
measured from the top of the cable or wire to the surface of ground or
rock shall be as listed in the following table:

Minimum depth in soil 24 in. (610 mm)

Minimum depth at ditch crossings 36 in. (914 mm)

(See guide Drawing 975)

Minimum depth in rock 6 in. (152 mm)

**4.3.2** In the case of a layer of soil over rock, either the minimum
depth in rock, measured to the surface of the rock, or the minimum depth
in soil, measured to the surface of the soil, may be used at the
Contractor\'s option.

**4.3.3** When rock excavating is specified, width and depth
requirements of the trench shall be as shown below:

######  [Trench Width]{.underline} [Trench Depth]{.underline}

6 in. (152 mm) or less 6 in. (152 mm)

7 in. (178 mm) 9 in. (229 mm)

8 in. (203 mm) 12 in. (305 mm)

9 in. (229 mm) 15 in. (381 mm)

10 in. (254 mm) or greater 18 in. (457 mm)

Either the minimum depth in rock shall be achieved or some other method
may be employed by the Contractor to provide adequate protection to the
cable or wire as agreed to by the Engineer.

**4.3.4** When directional boring is used, the Contractor shall
continually control the horizontal and vertical movements of the bore to
a specified route and depth.

**4.4** [Splicing and Terminations]{.underline}

**4.4.1** Buried service wires shall be spliced directly to the
appropriate pair of the buried cable, or spliced to the appropriate pair
number on a filled terminal block as specified by the Engineer.

**4.4.2** For the purpose of joining buried cable or wire at reel ends,
the buried cable or wire shall be made continuous by splicing the
conductors directly together either in a housing or a filled buried
splice closure. The method and location shall be specified by the
Engineer.

**4.4.3** Splicing and termination of cable or wire pairs shall be in
accordance with the cable schematic drawings issued by the Engineer.

**4.4.4** All splices and terminations of cable or wire pairs in filled
buried splice closures shall be electrically tested to ensure freedom
from opens, shorts, crosses and grounds and all defects cleared prior to
closing the splice closure. Shield continuity also shall be checked
prior to closing the slice closure.

**4.4.5** Splicing of copper cable, wire, or fiber optic cable shall be
in accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin

1753F-401(PC-2).

**5. BURIED HANDHOLES**

**5.1** Buried handholes shall be installed in accordance with the
instructions given herein unless otherwise specified by the Engineer
unless state or local requirements are more stringent in which case the
latter requirements will govern.

**5.2** The Engineer shall determine the location of the handhole and
shall specify type, position and depth of installation.

**5.3** A hole shall be dug large enough to accommodate the handhole.

**5.4** The handhole shall be positioned and a suitable backfill shall
be tamped around the handhole.

**5.5** Pea gravel should be placed inside of the handhole to minimize
condensation problems.

**5.6** The Engineer shall ensure that the dimensions of the handhole
shall be large enough to accommodate the splice case installation and
when required, cable slack.

**6. MISCELLANEOUS - BURIED PLANT**

**6.1** The separate steel stakes of stake mounted housings shall be
driven a minimum of 12 in. (30.48 cm) in undisturbed earth in a vertical
position and faced in accordance with the Construction Sheets. Care
shall be exercised in the installation of stakes or housings. Housing
covers shall be securely closed at all times except when work is being
performed within the housing.

**6.2** The shields of all buried copper cable or wire and the armor of
all buried fiber optic cable shall be connected together at all splices
and termination points, as specified in RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin
1753F-401(PC-2) to ensure a continuous metallic connection throughout
the buried plant. Buried cable or wire shields and fiber optic cable
armor shall also be connected to the ground connectors in buried plant
housings and to other ground installations as shown on the Construction
Sheets and in RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).

**6.3** Stake mounted warning, route, and splice location signs shall be
installed in accordance with the manufacturer\'s instructions and in
locations as specified by the Engineer. As an alternate to the splice
location sign, the Engineer may specify the use of a buried splice
location device (BM 55A).

**6.4** Buried cable and wire, including buried services, terminated or
spliced in a housing shall be directionally marked as specified on the
Construction Sheets or as specified by the Engineer. The directional
markers shall be installed at the time the cable or wire is placed in
the housing and before the lateral trench to the housing is backfilled.

**6.5** Where aerial inserts in buried plant are specified by the
Engineer, the construction shall be accomplished if possible without
cutting the cable or wire. Where due to physical conditions, in the
opinion of the Contractor, the cutting and splicing of cable or wire are
necessary, prior approval to cut the cable or wire shall be obtained
from the Engineer. The splicing of cable or wire shall be in accordance
with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401(PC-2).

**6.6** Junctions between buried cable and aerial circuits shall be made
in accordance with the applicable Construction Sheets.

**6.7** All products utilized to control rodents and/or insects should
be specifically formulated for the telecommunications industry and
applied in accordance with the instructions or directions detailed on
the manufacturer\'s product label.

**6.8** Buried cable and wire shall be placed in the same trench to the
buried plant housing, unless otherwise specified by the Engineer.

7.  **SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION OF SERVING AREA NTERFACE
    CABINETS (SAIC)**

**7.1** Specific installation instructions for the pad or slab base
preparation and construction, placement of conduit(s), and the assembly
and installation cabinet shall be provided by the manufacturer and/or
the Engineer.

**7.2** A drainage hole shall be drilled at the low point of the radius
of bend of the conduit placed between two cabinets.

**7.3** All vacant or unused conduit shall be sealed as specified by the
Engineer.

**7.4** Specific installation instructions for mounting the cabinet
assembly will be provided by the manufacturer and/or the Engineer.

7.5 The separate steel stakes of stake mounted housings shall be driven
a minimum of 12 in. (30.48 cm) in undisturbed earth in a vertical
position and faced in accordance with the Construction Sheets. Care
shall be exercised in the installation of the stakes and housings.
Housing covers shall be securely closed at all times except when work is
being performed within the housing.

**7.6** All special installation tools for splicing and placing
cross-connect jumper wires shall be used as indicated by the
manufacturer.

**7.7** here conventional hard-wire splicing is employed at SAIC
locations, the splicing and lay-up of conductor pairs shall be in
accordance with RUS Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401

(PC-2) and/or special instructions issued by the Engineer.

**7.8** Pair counts shall be shown on all splice, feeder and
cross-connect modules or blocks identifying feeder, distribution and
electronic terminations.

**7.9** air count tags shall be used on bundle pair counts where
hard-wire splicing is employed. On bundle tags, feeder,
feeder/distribution, distribution and electronic cable identification,
pair counts shall be shown per cable schematics in accordance with RUS
Splicing Standard Bulletin 1753F-401

(PC-2).

**[LIST OF CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS AND PLANS]{.underline}**

[Assembly Unit Drawings]{.underline}

### BM2, -2A Ground Wire Assembly, Buried Plant

BM50 Buried Service Wire or Cable Installation to

> Pole-Mounted Wire Terminal

BM80, BM81, BM82 Riser Guards

[Construction Guide Drawings]{.underline}

1.  Buried Plant Conductor Polarity Diagram

######## 

######## 905 Installation of Type \"M\" or Type \"H\" Pole-

> Mounted Housings at Increased Height

907 Splice Closures -- Direct Burial

### 

### 910 Pea Gravel and Sealer Installation

> Procedures for Buried Plant Housings

### 

### Aerial Insert in Buried Plant Construction

### 

### 952 Protection of Buried Cable from Power

Contact to Aerial Inserts

965. Placement of Numbers and Letters on Housings

971-1 Wiring Arrangement at Junction of New Aerial Cable with Buried
Cable or Wire

971-2 Junction of Aerial Cable with Buried Cable

or Wire

975 Buried Plant Under Ditches

976 Housing Installation Details

NOTE: On the Assembly Unit and Construction Guide Drawings an asterisk
(\*) in the ITEM column indicates items that are no longer listed in RUS
IP 344-2, \"List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Telecommunications
Systems of RUS Borrowers.\"