Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) with amending regulations of: 7 August 2018 [shall come into force from 10 August 2018]. If a whole or part of a paragraph has been amended, the date of the amending regulation appears in square brackets at the end of the paragraph. If a whole paragraph or sub-paragraph has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears in square brackets beside the deleted paragraph or sub-paragraph.

Republic of Latvia Cabinet Regulation No. 574 Adopted 30 September 2014

Regulations Regarding the Latvian Building Code LBN 008-14, Layout of Engineering Networks

Issued pursuant to
Section 5, Paragraph one,
Clause 3 of the Construction Law

1. The Regulation approves the Latvian Building Code LBN 008-14, Layout of Engineering Networks (hereinafter - the Building Code).

2. This Regulation shall come into force on 1 October 2014.

Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma

Minister for Economics Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis

 

Approved by
Cabinet Regulation No. 574
30 September 2014

Latvian Building Code LBN 008-14, Layout of Engineering Networks

1. The Building Code prescribes the requirements for the layout of heat supply, water supply, sewerage, drainage, electronic communications networks, electricity supply networks, gas supply networks with pressure up to 1.6 MPa (hereinafter - the engineering networks).

2. The requirements laid down in this Building Code shall be met in the following cases:

2.1. when developing and amending local government spatial plans (hereinafter - the spatial plan), local plans, and detailed plans;

2.2. when preparing technical provisions and special provisions for building designs and also issuing a construction permit with the conditions included therein;

2.3. when developing building designs and technical schemes;

2.4. when constructing and installing the engineering networks.

3. The layout of the engineering networks in the territory shall be planned in a way that it would meet the requirements of the Construction Law and also ensure the quality of the environment, rational use of energy and natural resources, and accessibility of the environment.

4. When laying out new engineering networks, the existing ones shall be preserved.

5. The freezing depth of soil of the particular territory shall be taken into account in the layout of the engineering networks according to the climatic indicators applicable in construction but, if the engineering networks are laid out at a more shallow level than the freezing depth of soil, they shall be provided with thermal insulation, if necessary.

6. If there already are several engineering networks, foundations, or earth electrodes in the right of way of towns and villages (within the borders of red lines) and it is not possible to conform to the layout distances of the principal engineering networks specified in this Building Code, they shall be regarded as restricted circumstances for the laying out of underground engineering networks.

7. If there already are several engineering networks in the territories of towns and villages and it is not possible to conform to the layout distances of the principal engineering networks specified in this Building Code, they shall be regarded as restricted circumstances for the laying out of surface engineering networks.

8. If it is not possible to lay out the engineering networks in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Building Code, derogations from them shall be permitted if the following conditions are met:

8.1. it is possible to ensure safety of the technical solution in accordance with the requirements of the Construction Law and other laws and regulations;

8.2. in accordance with the procedures laid down in the relevant special construction regulations, the solution has been agreed upon with the owner of the plot of land or, if there is none, the legal possessor and with the owner of such engineering networks the protection zone of which is being affected or between which the specified distances cannot be observed, or, if there is none, with the legal possessor of such engineering networks and also with the relevant State and local government authorities, except for the cases specified in the Energy Law.

9. When constructing the engineering networks, derogation of the layout of the engineering networks of 0.3 m from that intended in the building design or technical scheme shall be permitted, without violating the minimum distances specified in this Building Code. If changes in the layout of the engineering networks affect other engineering networks or property rights, the changed part of the building design or technical scheme must be repeatedly agreed upon with the owner of the relevant engineering networks or immovable property or, if there is none, with the legal possessor.

10. The Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Transport shall, in cooperation with the relevant technical committee for standardisation, recommend to the national standardisation body a list of standards that need to be applied in connection with this Building Code. The national standardisation body shall publish it on its website.

[7 August 2018]

11. The minimum horizontal distances from the underground engineering networks, openly artificially formed recesses in the surface of the land, or water reservoirs (taking into account external dimensions) to other structures are determined in Table 1 of this Building Code.

Table 1

Minimum Horizontal Distances from Underground Engineering Networks to the Foundations of Structures of Engineering Networks, Openly Artificially Formed Recesses in the Surface of the Land, Water Reservoirs, or Other Structures

No.	Underground engineering networks	Horizontal distance (m) from underground communications to
		the foundations of structures	the foundations of fences, overpasses	the foundations of catenary supports and earthings	the support structures of lines of electronic communications networks	the axis of the outside track			the curbstone of a street (edge of a carriageway, fixed lane verge)	the outer edge of a motor road ditch or the embankment toe of a motor road	the foundations of the overhead supports and earth electrodes, transmission lines, foundations of guywire			the foundations of surface gas pipeline supports
						electrified 1520 mm track and 1520 mm track intended for electrification	non-electrified 1520 mm track and 1520 mm track intended for electrification	750 mm railway and track for a tramway			with voltage up to 1 kV for external lighting	with voltage from 6 kV-20 kV	with voltage of 110 kV; 330 kV	gas pipelines with pressure up to 1.6 MPa
1.	Water pipeline and sewerage pressure pipe (<100 mm)	5(3)	1.5	10	1	10	5.8	2.8	1.5	1C	1	2	3	1
2.	Gravity sewerage of household, faecal, and rain wastewater	3	1.5	10	1	10	5.8	2.8	1.5	1C	1	2	3	1
3.	Collector drain	3	1	5	1	5.8	5.8	2.8	1.5	1	1	2	3	1
4.	Parallel drainage	0.4	0.4	0.6	1	5.8	5.8	2.3	0.4	-	-	-	3	1
5.	Gas pipelines with the following pressure (MPa):
5.1.	low pressure (up to 0.005 (including))	1	1	10	1	10	5.8	2.8	1	1C	1	2	3	1
5.2.	mean pressure (above 0.005 up to 0.4 (including))	2	1	10	1	10	5.8	2.8	1	1C	1	2	3	1
5.3.	high pressure (above 0.4 up to 1.6 (including))	5	1	10	1	10.8	10.8	3.8	1	1C	1	2	3	1
6.	Heating pipelines:
6.1.	from the external wall of a channel, tunnel	2	1.5	10	1.5	10	5.8	2.8	1.5	1C	1	2	3	1
6.2.	from the casing of a directly buried pipe	2	1.5	10	1.5	10	5.8	2.8	1.5	1C	1	2	3	1
7.	Electricity supply cables of all types	0.6	0.6	5	1(2) L	10.8	5.8	2.8	1.5*	1C	1	2(5) L	2(10) L	1
8.	Cables of technological power lines of the railway	0.6	0.6	0.6	1	1.9	1.9	1.9	1.96	1C	1	2 (5) L	2 (10) L	1
9.	Cables of electronic communications networks and their drains	0.6	0.6	2	1	10.8	5.8	2.8	1.0	1C	1(2) L	2(5) L	10**	1
10.	Technological electronic communications networks of the railway, signalling cables and their drains	0.6	0.6	0.6	1	1.9	1.9	1.9	1.5*	1C	1	2 (5) L	2 (10) L	1
11.	Channels and communications tunnels	2	1.5	1.5	1	5.8	5.8	2.8	1.5	1C	1	2	3	1
12.	External pneumatic waste pipes	2	1	1	1	5.8	5.8	2.8	1.5	1C	1	3	5	1
13.	Land amelioration structures (ditches, ponds)	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	H*	H*	15 (30) L	-
14.	Quarries and mineral resources										H*	H*	30

Notes.

1. The minimum distance from cables of electricity supply networks of all types, underground cables of electronic communications networks, or cable ducts to the pits of dry toilets - 2 m.

2. In this Table, a group of structures also includes the compact transformer substation.

3. L - the distance indicated outside the brackets applies to the territories of towns and villages, the distance indicated in the brackets - to a rural area.

4. N - the distances are determined by calculating safety and electromagnetic exposure, the solution is agreed upon in accordance with Paragraph 5 of this Building Code.

5. H - the distance of the projection of the support height (at the relevant ground level) to land amelioration structures and extraction sites of mineral resources (ditches, ponds, quarries).

6. * To the side of a street (carriageway).

7. ** Under restricted circumstances 1 m if the cable is installed in a pipe.

8. C - conditional upon the engineering networks not being located in the road right of way.

12. It is prohibited to lay out all types of communications on a railway or motor road earth structure.

13. The minimum horizontal distances between underground engineering networks (taking into account external dimensions) are determined in Table 2 of this Building Code.

Table 2

Minimum Horizontal Distances in Metres Between External Walls (Edges) of Underground Engineering Networks

No.	Engineering networks	Water pipelines and sewerage pressure pipes	Gravity sewerage of household, faecal, and rain wastewater	Drainage and storm drain	Gas pipelines with the following pressure (MPa)		Electricity supply cables:		Cables of electronic communications networks and their drains	Heating pipelines:		Channels, tunnels	Supports of the contact system of tramways and trolley buses
					low and mean pressure (up to 0.4)	high pressure (above 0.4 up to 1.6)	with voltage up to 36 kV	with voltage of 110 kV; 330 kV		channels, external walls of tunnels	casings of directly buried pipes
1.	Water pipelines and sewerage pressure pipes	1.5D	1.5A	1.5A	1	1.5	1	1	1	1.5	1.5	1.5
2.	Gravity sewerage of household, faecal, and rain wastewater	1.5	0.4A	0.4A	1	1.5	1	1	1	1.5D	1.5D	1.5D
3.	Drainage and storm drain	1.5A	0.4B	0.4B	1	1.5	0.5	1	1	1	1	1	1
4.	Gas pipelines with the following pressure (MPa):
4.1.	low and mean pressure (up to 0.4 (including))	1	1	1	0.5C	0.5C	1	1	0.5	1	1	1
4.2.	high pressure (above 0.4 up to 1.6)	1.5	1.5	1.5	0.5C	0.5C	1	1	0.5	1	1	1
5.	Electricity supply cables:
5.1.	with voltage up to 36 kV	1	1	0.5	1	1	0.1-0.25G	0.5G	0.5(2) F	2	1	2	1(0.5)E
5.2.	with voltage of 110 kV; 330 kV	1	1	1	1	1	0.5G	0.5G	0.5(2) F	2	2	2	5(2)E
6.	Cables of electronic communications networks and their drains	1	1	1	0.5	0.5	0.5(2)F	0.5(2)F	0.5(2) F T	1	1	1
7.	Heating pipelines:
7.1.	channels, external walls of tunnels	1.5	1	1	1	1	2	2	1	-	-	2
7.2.	casings of directly buried pipes	1.5	1	1	1	1	1	2	1	-	-	2
8.	Channels, tunnels	1.5	1.5D	1	1	1	2	2	1	2	2	-
9.	Supports of the contact system of tramways and trolley buses						1(0.5)E	5(2)E	1(0.5)E

Notes.

1. The mutual distances and layout of engineering networks in entries into buildings shall be determined upon mutual agreement of the owners of engineering networks or, if there are none, legal possessors.

2. ^A - it shall be assumed that the distance from the joint and household gravity sewerage to the water pipeline or sewerage pressure pipe is 3 m if the internal diameter of the water pipeline or pressure sewerage (depending on the material) is 500 mm and more.

3. ^B - when building concurrently in one trench at the same depth (the depth difference up to 0.4 m). When building at different times at varying depth (the depth difference of building-in exceeds 0.4 m), it shall be assumed, that the distance between walls of pipes is 1.5 m.

4. ^C - when laying out concurrently in one trench two or more parallel gas pipelines with the pipe diameter up to 300 mm, the permissible distance between them is 0.4 m.

5. ^D - when building at the same depth (the depth difference up to 0.4 m), the distance between external surfaces of pipes may be reduced to 1 m.

6. ^E - the minimum distance to the axis of the supports of the contact system of tramways and trolley buses is indicated outside the brackets, the minimum distance to the base edge of the supports is indicated in the brackets.

7. ^F - the distance indicated outside the brackets applies to towns and villages, the distance indicated in the brackets - to a rural area. In towns and villages, the distance may be reduced in restricted circumstances if additional protection is ensured.

8. ^G - the minimum distance for cables with voltage up to 20 kV is 0.1 m. If cables are used by different undertakings, the distance between alternating current cables with voltage up to 20 kV is 0.25 m. The minimum distance to cables with voltage of 110 kV and 330 kV is 0.5 m. The minimum distance to direct current cables is 0.5 m. When installing communications with the trenchless method, the minimum distance in the protection zone of the power line for cables with voltage of 110 kV and higher is 2 metres.

9. T - the minimum distance between cables of electronic communications networks or drains belonging to one owner or, if there is none, legal possessor is not restricted. If cables of electronic communications networks or drains belong to different owners or, if there are none, legal possessors, the minimum distance is 0,5(2) L m.

14. The minimum horizontal distances from surface engineering networks to other structures or engineering networks are determined in Tables 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this Building Code.

Table 3

Minimum Horizontal Distances from Surface Gas Pipeline Supports to Other Structures

No.	Engineering networks	Horizontal distance (m) from the foundations of surface gas pipeline supports to
		an explosive or fire-hazardous production or warehouse building or structure with the fire load >1200 MJ/m2 where an explosion may cause fire or fire may cause an explosion	a production or warehouse building or structure with the fire load 1200 MJ/m2	warehouses of open flammable and combustible liquids and warehouses of combustible materials in industrial territories	warehouses of open especially flammable, flammable, and combustible liquids and warehouses of combustible materials outside industrial territories	residential and public buildings	catenary supports and earthings	the support structure of electronic communications networks	the axis of the outside track			the curbstone of a street (edge of a carriageway, fixed lane verge)	the outer edge of a road ditch or the embankment toe of a road*	the fencing of an open electricity substation	the closest outside wire of electricity transmission overhead lines if the linear voltage is
									an electrified railway with 1520 mm rails	a non-electrified railway with 1520 mm rails	750 mm railway and track for a tramway				Up to 1 kV	6kV- 20 kV	110 kV; 330 kV
1.	Foundations of supports above the ground gas pipelines with the following pressure (MPa):														Not less than the height of the support of the transmission line**		1.5 H** and 1.5 H***
1.1.	low pressure (up to 0.005 (including))	5	2	10	20	2	10	1	20	20	3	1.5	1.5	10
1.2.	mean pressure (above 0.005 up to 0.4 (including))	5	2	10	20	5	10	1	20	20	3	1.5	1.5	10
1.3.	high pressure (above 0.4 up to 0.6 (including))	5	2	20	40	5	10	1	40	20	3	1.5	1.5	10
1.4.	high pressure (above 0.6 up to 1.6)	10	5	20	40	-	10	1	40	20	3	1.5	1.5	10

Notes.

1. If the height of the support of a gas pipeline exceeds the height of the support of a transmission line, it shall be assumed that the distance between the gas pipeline and the closest outside wire of the transmission line is not less than the height of the support of the gas pipeline.

2. Building of surface gas pipelines along the walls and coverings of buildings shall be permissible in accordance with the requirements laid down in the laws and regulations governing construction.

3. * If the engineering networks are not being located in the road right of way.

4. ** In restricted circumstances, it shall be permitted to reduce the distance from the transmission line with voltage up to 1 kV - 1 m, from the transmission line with voltage from 6 kV to 20 kV - 3 m, from the transmission line with voltage of 110 kV - 7 m, from the transmission line with voltage of 330 kV - 12 m.

5. *** H - height of the support of overhead power line.

Table 4

Minimum Horizontal Distances from the Overhead Line of Electronic Communications Networks to Other Structures

No.

Engineering networks

Minimum horizontal distance (m) from the support structure or the vertical projection of the closest outside wire, suspended cable of the line of an electronic communications network to

the foundations of structures

the foundations of fences, overpasses

the axis of the support of the contact system of a tramway or trolley bus

the axis of the closest outside track of 1520 mm railway

the axis of the closest track of railway with 750 mm rails

the foundations of catenary supports or earthing

railway engineering structures (bridges, borders of the switch overpass)

railway light signals, their supports, supports of external lighting

the foundations of a surface gas pipeline or its supports or the vertical projection of the outside pipe

the vertical projection of the closest outside wire, suspended cable of the line of an electronic communications network

the outer edge of a motor road ditch or the embankment toe of a road

the closest outside wire or cable of an overhead power line in maximum deviation

up to 1 kV

6-20 kV

110 kV and 330 kV

1.

The supporting structure of the line of an electronic communications network or the vertical projection of the closest outside wire, suspended cable of the line - depending on which is closest to the structure

3.5

0.6

5

(1.3 H)1

(1.3 H)1

(1.3 H)1

(1.3 H)1

(1.3 H)1

1

2

*

2

1.3 H**

Height of the highest support***

Notes.

1. H - the height of the support of the line of electronic communications networks.

2. * The minimum horizontal distance from the vertical projection of the closest outside wire or suspended cable of the overhead line of electronic communications networks to the outer edge of a motor road ditch or the embankment toe of a road is 2.5 m.

3. ** In restricted circumstances, it shall be permitted to reduce the minimum distance for the layout of engineering networks to 2 m.

4. ** In restricted circumstances, it shall be permitted to reduce the minimum distance for the layout of engineering networks to 7 m (110 kV) and 12 m (330 kV).

Table 5

Minimum Horizontal Distances from Overhead Low Voltage (up to 1 kV) and Medium Voltage (6-20 kV) Transmission Lines to Other Structures

No.	Elements of the overhead power line	Minimum horizontal distance (m) to
		balconies, terraces, and windows of structures	tight walls of structures	structures	the axis of the support of the contact system of a tramway or trolley bus	the railhead of 1520 mm railway or to the axis of the support of the contact system of an electrified railway	the outside wire of the longitudinal line of railway signalling, radio communications, or electricity supply	the outer edge of a motor road ditch or the embankment toe of a road	fire-hazardous or explosive areas	crowns of trees
1.	overhead power lines with voltage up to 1 kV
1.1.	outside bare wire moved aside	1.5	1.0			(1.3 H)	2.0	2.5		1.0
1.2.	outside aerial cable moved aside	1.0	0.5			(1.3 H)	2.0	2.5		0.3
1.3.	axis of the power line								>1.5 H
2.	overhead power lines with voltage of 6-20 kV:
2.1.	outside wire not moved aside in rural areas			1.0
2.2.	outside wire moved aside for the layout of engineering networks in restricted circumstances			2
2.3.	outside wire moved aside in towns and villages			2
2.4.	outside wire moved aside				3	(1.3 H)	2.0	2.5		2.0*
2.5.	axis of the power line								>1.5 H

Notes.

1. H - height of the support of overhead power line.

2. * The distance may be reduced for overhead power lines with insulated wires up to 1.25 m.

Table 6

Minimum Horizontal Distances from Overhead Low Voltage (up to 1 kV) and Medium Voltage (6-20 kV) Transmission Lines to Other Surface Engineering Networks

No. Type of use of the structure (code according to structure classification)	Overhead power line	Minimum horizontal distance (m) to
		the outside wire of the overhead power line	the support structures of the overhead power line	the outside wire or aerial cable of the overhead lines of electronic communications networks	surface gas pipelines with pressure up to 1.6 MPa which are built on supports	surface gas pipelines with pressure up to 1.6 MPa which are built on supports, in restricted circumstances for the layout of engineering networks	surface main oil and oil product pipelines
1.	Lines up to 1 kV:
1.1.	outside wire	2.0			>H		50
1.2.	outside wire moved aside to the maximum		2.0	2.0		1
2.	6 kV-20 kV lines:
2.1.	outside wire	2.5			>H		50
2.2.	outside wire moved aside to the maximum		2.0	1.3 H*		3

Notes.

1. H - height of the support of overhead power line.

2. * In restricted circumstances, it shall be permitted to reduce the minimum distance for the layout of engineering networks to 2.0 m.

Table 7

Minimum Horizontal Distances from Overhead High Voltage 110 kV and 330 kV Transmission Lines to Other Structures and Engineering Networks

No.	Elements of the overhead line	Minimum horizontal distance (m) to
		buildings	objects of institutions for children, sports objects, recreational objects, objects where people are gathering	the axis of the support of the contact system of a tramway or trolley bus	the railhead of the railway or the supports of the contact system or an electrified railway or their outside wire	the side of a street/road or the outer edge of its ditch, or the embankment toe of a road in mutual crossings	the side of a street/road or the outer edge of its ditch, or the embankment toe of a road in approximation or parallel placement	fire-hazardous or explosive areas	the support of the overhead line of electronic communications networks	the pipelines of oil and oil products	gas regulating equipment GRP/SGRP	towers of all types, masts
1.	Overhead power lines with voltage of 110 kV:
1.1.	outside wire	7 (30)	30	4	6		4	1.5 H	7	10 (20)	1.5 H'/8	1.5 H''
1.2.	base of the support and its earth electrode					5				10
2.	Overhead power lines with voltage of 330 kV:
2.1.	outside wire	12 (30)	30	8	8		8	1.5 H	12	15 (30)	1.5 H/8	1.5 H
2.2.	base of the support and its earth electrode					10				10

Notes.

1. 1.5 H' - height at one and a half times of the support of the power line.

2. 1.5 H'' - height at one and a half times the tower or mast.

3. The distance indicated outside the brackets applies to the territories of towns and villages, the distance indicated in the brackets - to a rural area.

15. The minimum vertical distances from surface engineering networks to other structures or engineering networks are determined in Tables 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of this Building Code.

Table 8

Minimum Vertical Distances from Overhead High Voltage 110 kV and 330 kV Overhead Transmission Lines to the Highest Wire or Cables of an Electrified Railway in Mutual Crossings

No.	Distance between the supports of a power line, m	Minimum vertical distances in metres if the distance from the crossing point to the nearest support is
		30	50	70	100	120	150
1.	Crossing of 330 kV overhead power lines with railway
1.1.	up to 200	5	5	5	5.5	-	-
1.2.	up to 300	5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7
1.3.	up to 450	5	5.5	6	7	7.5	8
2.	Crossing of 110 kV overhead power lines with railway
2.1.	up to 200	3	3	4	4	-	-
2.2.	up to 300	3	3	4	4.5	5	5.5

Note. Sag of wires of a power line must be taken into account for all indicated vertical distances if the maximum ambient temperature is +35 °C.

Table 9

Minimum Vertical Distances from Overhead High Voltage 110 kV and 330 kV Overhead Transmission Lines to Other Structures and Engineering Networks

No.	Elements of the overhead line	Minimum vertical distance to
		surface gas pipelines and pipelines of oil products	the top wire or bearing cables of the contact system of tramway and trolley bus lines	the railhead of a non-electrified railway	the surface of the carriageway of major State motor roads	the surface of the carriageway of motor roads/streets (except for major State motor roads)
1.	Lowest wire of an overhead power line with voltage of 110 kV	4	3	7.5	9	7
2.	Lowest wire of an overhead power line with voltage of 330 kV	8	5	9	12	8.5

Note. Sag of wires of a power line must be taken into account for all indicated vertical distances if the maximum ambient temperature is +35 °C.

Table 10

Minimum Vertical Distances from 110 kV and 330 kV Underground Cable Power Lines to Other Engineering Networks and Structures in Mutual Crossings

No.	Elements of 110 kV and 330 kV cable lines	Minimum vertical distance (m) to
		other underground cable power lines or their protective tubes	underground pipelines (water, sewerage, gas, oil products, etc.)	underground pipelines of heating mains	cable lines of electronic communications networks and their protective tubes	the surface of a street/road carriageway	the railway and tramway rails	tunnels and channels
1.	External surface of the cable or its protective tube	0.5	0.25(1)L	0.5(1)L	1	2	2.5	2

Notes.

1. It is not permitted to place other underground pipelines above and below 110 kV and 330 kV cables in parallel execution, except for crossings.

2. ^L - the distance indicated outside the brackets applies to towns and villages, the distance indicated in the brackets - to a rural area.

Table 11

Minimum Vertical Distances from Overhead Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Transmission Lines to Land, Other Structures, and Engineering Networks

No.	Minimum vertical distance to	Overhead transmission lines (OTL)
		with voltage up to 1 kV	with voltage from 6 kV-20 kV
1.	Street, road carriageway in crossings with OTL	6 (7*)	7 (8*)
2.	Land in towns and villages	6	7
3.	Land outside towns and villages	6	6
4.	OTL with voltage up to 1 kV in crossings	1	2
5.	OTL with voltage 6 kV-20 kV in crossings	2	2
6.	Lines of electronic communications networks	1 (0.5**)	2
7.	The railhead of a non-electrified railway	7.5	7.5
8.	The highest wire or cable of an electrified railway	3	3
9.	The bearing cables or contact wires of a tramway and trolley bus contact system	1.5	3
10.	Elements of cableways or pipelines	1	3
11.	Water surface (at the maximum water level) at OTL crossings with rivers, channels, ponds, etc.	6	6

Notes.

1. Vertical distances are indicated in the Table at the ambient temperature of +15 °C and in still air.

2. * The minimum vertical distance from the bottom wire of an overhead transmission line to the highest point of the structure of major State motor roads and regional motors roads, but in towns and villages to the street carriageway in crossings with OTL.

3. ** If a line of electronic communications networks has been built with insulated wires or an aerial cable.

Table 12

Minimum Vertical Distances Between Wires, Between Wires and Protective Cables, upon 110 and 330 kV Overhead Lines Crossing Between Themselves and with Medium Voltage and Low Voltage Lines

No.	Span length, m	Minimum distance in metres if the crossing point to the nearest support is
		30 m	50 m	70 m	100 m	120 m	150 m
1.	In crossings of 330 kV lines between themselves and with lower voltage lines
1.1.	up to 200	5	5	5	5.5*	-	-
1.2.	up to 300	5	5	5.5	6*	6.5*	7*
1.3.	up to 450	5	5.5	6	7*	7.5*	8*
2.	In crossings of 110 kV lines between themselves and with lower voltage lines
2.1.	up to 200	3	3	3	4*	-	-
2.2.	up to 300	3	3	4	4.5*	5*	-

Notes.

1. Vertical distances are indicated in the Table at the ambient temperature of +15 °C and in still air.

2. * Distance applies only to voltage up to 1 kV.

16. When building engineering networks with the open trench method, the minimum vertical distance between underground engineering networks of all types in crossings shall be 0.20 m (except for crossings with 110 kV and 330 kV underground electricity supply networks) if additional technical requirements are not laid down. Cable lines with voltage up to 20 kV, when crossing other engineering networks, vertical distance between cables and other engineering networks under normal circumstances shall be not less than 0.5 m. In restricted circumstances, in conformity with the minimum crossing distance of 0.25 m, the cable shall be covered in a cable duct at the crossing point and not less than 2 m to each side from the crossing point.

17. When building engineering networks with the trenchless method, the minimum vertical distance between underground engineering networks of all types in crossings shall be 0.5 m but in crossings with 110 kV and 330 kV underground electricity supply networks - 2 m.

18. Covering of engineering networks with the trenchless method under supports of electricity supply networks and their structures shall not be permitted.

19. Parallel covering of engineering networks on a vertical plan and under other underground engineering networks shall be permitted, agreeing thereupon with the owners of engineering networks or, if none, legal possessors.

20. In Tables of this Building Code, the horizontal distances of engineering networks shall be indicated between vertical projections of the closest outside engineering networks but vertical distances - between horizontal projections of the closest engineering networks at crossing points.

21. The following requirements shall be met in the 1520 mm railway right of way:

21.1. engineering networks shall be laid out in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 79 of 1 February 2005, Regulations Regarding the Use of the Railway Right of Way, in conformity with the requirements laid down in this Building Code and the Railway Law, and the solution shall be agreed upon with the owner of the railway infrastructure or, if none, legal possessor;

21.2. horizontal distance from underground engineering networks to the earth structure of the railway (embankment toe or entrenchment baulk) and the water drainage device (pit baulk) shall be at least 1.5 times bigger than the depth of the laying trench of engineering networks but not less than 2 m;

21.3. it shall be only permitted to lay out railway technological engineering networks on the earth structure of the railway (embankment toe or entrenchment baulk);

21.4. the minimum horizontal distance from underground engineering networks, except for technological communications of the railway, to the axis of the outside track of the railway shall be 5.8 m;

21.5. underground engineering networks may cross the railway in a casing pipe which is as wide as the railway right of way. After agreement with the owner of the railway or, if there is none, legal possessor, the ends of the casing pipe may be laid out in the railway right of way but the distance in the plan from the end of the casing pipe to the tracks shall be at least 5.0 m (for gas pipelines - 10 m), but to the edge of the earth structure and to the water collecting ditch shall be at least 3.0 m;

21.6. the depth of laying underground engineering networks in crossings with 1520 mm railway, except for technological communications of the railway, depending on the technology used for the performance of work, shall be:

21.6.1. at least 2.5 m from the surface of the casing pipe to the rail pad if works are performed by applying the bursting method;

21.6.2. at least 1.5 m (2.5 m for gas pipelines) from the surface of the casing pipe to the rail pad if works are performed by applying impact moling or horizontal directional drilling technology;

21.6.3. at least 1.2 m (2.0 m for gas pipelines) from the surface of the casing pipe to the rail pad if works are performed by applying the open (trench) method;

21.6.4. at least 0.7 m (1.5 m for gas pipelines) from the surface of the casing pipe to the bottom of the water collecting ditch but, if there is not water collecting ditch, to the embankment toe of the railway.

22. The following requirements shall be met in the motor road right of way:

22.1. outside towns and villages, engineering networks along motor roads shall be laid out behind the road right of way but, in the cases specified in the Energy Law, the road right of way shall be used as much as possible, agreeing with the owner of the motor road infrastructure or, if there is none, legal possessor on the conformity of such laying out with the requirements of laws and regulations;

22.2. in places where it is not possible to lay out engineering networks behind the motor road right of way due to technical and economic reasons, engineering networks may be laid out in the road right of way without affecting the structural elements of the motor road if a permission of the owner of the motor road infrastructure or, if there is none, legal possessor has been received and the technical requirements stipulated thereby are conformed to;

22.3. laying out, movement, and reconstruction of engineering networks in the road right of way must not deteriorate the operating characteristics and transport safety of the motor road and also road elements.

23. If it is not possible to lay out engineering networks in towns or villages between the carriageway of a street (road) and the red line or in the central reserve of a street (road), laying out of engineering networks under carriageways of streets (roads) shall be permitted after agreement on the conditions for laying out and building of engineering networks (for example, renewal of a street covering, time and organisation of construction works) with the owner of the street (road) or, if there is none, legal possessor. Overhead power lines with voltage of 110 kV and higher shall not be laid out in the territories of streets of red lines.

24. In towns and villages where the distances indicated in Tables 1 and 2 of this Building Code cannot be conformed to in the layout of engineering networks, engineering networks may be placed under the carriageway of a street (road) in conformity with the technical requirements stipulated by the owner of the street (road) or, if there is none, legal possessor.

25. In towns and villages, electricity cables, gas pipelines, heating pipelines, electronic communications networks, network elements, and cables for alarm and operational distribution shall be laid out within the borders of red lines of a street (road) under sidewalks, footpaths, cycling paths, and in the green area. Other engineering networks shall be laid out in the green area as much as possible.

26. When planning renewal work of the hard road surface, the owner of the relevant engineering networks or, if there is none, legal possessor shall be informed thereof. In planning reconstruction of the hard road surfaces and the street, if underground engineering networks have been laid out under its carriageway, the owner of engineering networks or, if there is none, legal possessor shall be invited and the technical condition of engineering networks shall be checked, and also resetting or renewal of engineering networks shall be intended if such solution is technically and economically feasible or if leaving of engineering networks under the carriageway is not permissible due to the technical condition or operating conditions of engineering networks. In such cases, resetting or renewal of engineering networks shall be carried out from the funds of the initiator of construction.

27. The minimum horizontal distance from gas pipelines (taking into account external dimensions), cables or electronic communications networks or cable ducts to the trunk of a tree to be preserved shall be 1.5 m, from other underground engineering networks - 2 m, except for parks and avenues in State protected cultural monuments where a different distance may be determined in accordance with the requirements for the protection of cultural monuments. In restricted circumstances, it shall be permitted to reduce the distance to the trunk of a tree to be preserved up to 1 m for the laying out of engineering networks in towns and villages unless it has been laid down otherwise in laws and regulations, if building of engineering networks is intended by applying the trenchless method or the horizontal directional drilling method.

28. The minimum horizontal distance from gas pipelines, heating main, water pipeline and sewerage pipeline, cables of electricity transmission and electronic communications networks, or cable ducts to the ornamental planting to be preserved shall be 1 m. In restricted circumstances, if a careful digging method is applied or pipes are laid out by applying the trenchless method which does not damage the root system, it shall be permitted to reduce the indicated distance up to 0.5 m unless it has been laid down otherwise in laws and regulations.

29. If it is intended to install an engineering network, applying careful digging methods, the minimum horizontal distance from the vertical projection of the external edge of engineering networks to be newly built to the centre of the local geodetic network point which has been fixed in the area as:

29.1. a ground or hard surface sign, shall be 1 m;

29.2. bore-hole or fundamental benchmark, shall be 5 m.

30. When installing engineering networks, the structure of the local geodetic network point may not be affected and such activities shall not be permitted as a result of which the local geodetic network point might change its location (coordinates), be damaged, or destroyed. If, when building engineering networks, it is not possible to conform to the specified distances, installation of engineering networks shall be agreed upon with the person appointed by the local government who is responsible for the local geodetic network.

31. Perpendicular crossing of engineering networks is recommended.

32. If possible, overhead transmission lines with voltage of 110 kV and higher to be newly built shall be laid out outside built-up areas of residential and public buildings of towns and villages in conformity with the width of a protection zone specified in the Protection Zone Law and the permissible limit values of electromagnetic field until the border of the buildings.

33. Electricity supply networks with voltage up to 20 kV shall be built as underground cable lines in the built-up territories of four-storey and higher residential buildings of towns and villages. The building of electricity supply networks with overhead lines shall be permitted if such solution is technically and economically feasible and if the permissible limit values of the electromagnetic field to the border of the buildings are conformed to.

34. The minimum depth of laying out electricity supply cable lines (with voltage up to 20 kV) shall be 0.7 m below the design mark of the surface of the land, but, when crossing roads, streets, carriageways, and fields, the depth shall be at least 1 m. In individual sections that are 5 m in length (entries into buildings, cable distribution cabinets, crossings with other engineering networks), it shall be permitted to reduce the distance up to 0.5 m, taking measures for mechanical protection of cables.

35. Sewerage pipelines of electronic communications networks shall be built in depth of at least 0.4 m under sidewalks, footpaths, cycling paths, and in the green area or in depth of 0.6 m in other places.

36. A warning (marking) tape above cables of electricity supply networks and electronic communications networks or cable ducts shall be placed in the distance of 0.2 to 0.4 m above the cable or cable duct. A warning tape shall not be used if the cable is laid by applying trenchless method.

37. Only closed-type transformer substations (except for transformers of 10 MVA and higher capacity) and distribution points shall be laid in existing and planned built-up territories of residential and public buildings.

38. Zones for bushings and leads of cables and overhead lines shall be intended at the access points of electricity supply substations and distribution points.

39. The minimum distance from individually standing distribution points with voltage of 6 kV-20 kV and substations with one or several transformers with 1000 kVA or higher capacity to the windows of residential and public buildings shall be 10 m, but from a transformer substation with the transformer capacity up to 630 kVA to the windows of residential and public buildings - 5 m. The minimum distance shall not apply to transformer substations built on the first floor or basement floor of the building. In the territory of medical treatment institutions, the minimum distances to transformer substations and distribution points shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of the laws and regulations governing health protection.

40. When carrying out reconstruction of streets and roads for an infrastructure of electronic communications networks, unified cable ducts with pipelines of different operators of electronic communications networks therein shall be created as much as possible.

41. If a site for extraction of mineral resources has been laid out in the distance of direct visibility from the location of engineering networks, the extraction of mineral resources by applying the blasting method shall be carried out, agreeing thereupon with the owner of engineering networks or, if there is none, legal possessor.

42. Local plans, detailed plans, building designs, and other technical documentation developed and agreed upon in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations the development of which has been commenced in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations until the day of coming into force of this Building Code and the technical solutions of which conform to the requirements of the laws and regulations in force at the relevant time period or in relation to which a planning and architectural order, technical provisions, or special provisions for a building design have been received need not be revised in accordance with the requirements of this Building Code.

Minister for Economics Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis

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