Cable Routing / Trench Layouts – Comprehensive I&C Engineering Checklists for EPC Projects

Cable Routing / Trench Layouts — Final Self-Verification Checklist

Use this before the first formal review (internal/external). Applies to above-ground tray/ladder routes, buried trenches/duct banks, HDD crossings, and sitewide corridors for power, control, instrumentation, F&G, telecom, and fiber.

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Header & Document Control

Document number/title follow project numbering; “Cable Routing / Trench Layouts” clearly stated with unit/area/corridor package.
Revision index and purpose (IFR/IFA/IFC/IFD) correct; prepared/checked/approved names and dates completed; issue register updated.
References listed with numbers & revisions (Plot Plans, General Arrangements, P&IDs, SLDs/Load List, Tray/Trench Specs, Earthing Philosophy, Area Classification, Underground Services, Road/Drainage, 3D Model, Client Specs).

Scope & Basis

Scope includes above-ground trays/ladders, buried trenches/duct banks, manholes/handholes, HDD/road/rail/pipeline crossings, and building penetrations; exclusions stated (e.g., vendor internal cabling).
Design basis/codes identified (project standards + applicable IEC/IEEE/NFPA/local authority) and referenced on drawings/notes.
Route IDs/naming convention defined (corridor IDs, trench numbers, tray tags); match with Cable Schedule and 3D model namespaces.

Routing Criteria & Separation

Required separations maintained: HV↔LV, power↔control/instrument, FO/telecom↔power, F&G/life-safety circuits per project standard; crossings preferably at ~90° with sleeves/barriers where required.
EMF/noise mitigation considered (twisted/screened instrumentation away from VFD feeders, parallel run limits, segregated trays or dividers as specified).
Thermal & mechanical clearances respected (hot surfaces, exhausts, steam lines, moving equipment, doors/egress); minimum headroom and maintenance access preserved.
Cable bend radii and pull-box spacing consistent with cable/FO specs; vertical and horizontal drop-outs provided where needed.

Tray / Ladder / Supports

Tray/ladder width/height selected to suit cable fill with spare capacity; dividers/covers used where specified (UV, oil, outdoor, F&G).
Support spans and tray loading checked (including ice/wind/seismic if applicable); deflection within limits; corrosion protection/coating system specified.
Bonding jumpers across expansion joints; tray earthing connections at required intervals; insulated supports where separation to structures is required.
Drop-out fittings, vertical risers, and radius fittings specified; clearances to instrument stands/JBs/MCCs respected; signage/labels shown.

Trench / Duct Bank Design

Trench width/depth meet specification; bedding/sand layers and backfill defined; minimum cover and separation to other utilities satisfied.
Duct bank configuration shown (conduit size/number, spacers, concrete strength, cover slabs); spare ducts allowance included; thermal considerations noted.
Drainage provisions included (falls/sumps, avoidance of low points where water collects); warning tape/mesh and route markers specified.
Manhole/handhole spacing suits pulling lengths and road alignment; internal racking, pulling eyes, and cable ID plates indicated.

Crossings, Penetrations & Firestopping

Road/rail/pipeline/watercourse crossings detailed (sleeves/HDD/boring); entry/exit pits and depths coordinated with authorities and right-of-way constraints.
Building penetrations use MCT/frames sized for installed + spare cables; sealing/fire rating per zone; flood/ingress protection defined.
Interfaces with coated/cathodically protected pipelines include isolation kits/clearances; metallic sleeve bonding/earthing addressed.

Hazardous Areas & Zoning

Routes comply with Area Classification: no unnecessary trenches in high-risk zones; ventilation/drainage considered to avoid gas accumulation.
Life-safety circuits/fire-resistant routes segregated and protected as per spec; emergency egress paths kept clear of cable obstacles.
Ex equipment proximity and detector coverage considered; tray materials/fasteners compatible with zone requirements.

Earthing, Bonding & Shielding

Tray bonding jumpers installed at expansion joints and at specified intervals; earthing tails to main earth grid shown on plans.
Armour/screen bonding philosophy applied (single-point vs both-ends) per system; FO metallic components bonded/isolated appropriately.
Separation to lightning down-conductors and HV earthing respected; DC stray current/corrosion interfaces considered near CP systems.

Fiber Optic & Telecom Specific

FO bend radius, pulling tension, and side-wall pressure limits respected; slack loops provisioned at panels/manholes for splicing.
Micro-duct/conduit sizes and counts adequate with spares; splice closures/racks accessible; OTDR test locations planned.
Telecom segregation from power maintained; patch panel/IDF/MDF locations coordinated; labeling/ID scheme defined.

Constructability, Pulling & Access

Cable pulling calculations completed (max pull tension, side-wall pressure, lubrication needs, intermediate pulls); pulling direction and drum staging defined.
Access for installation and maintenance verified (rollers, winch locations, crane lifts, scaffold/road closures); safe working clearances maintained.
Environmental constraints addressed (min ambient for pulling, rain/water ingress, temporary dewatering, traffic management, barricading).

Coordination with Other Disciplines

Clash-free with piping/steel/HVAC/architectural/roads/utilities in 3D model; expansion joints and building movement joints accommodated.
Underground utility surveys/mark-outs integrated; NOCs/permits and authority requirements reflected on drawings/notes.
Fire & Gas detector coverage and access not obstructed; escape routes and muster paths kept clear.

BOM, Takeoff & Labeling

Quantities for trays/ladders/supports/ducts/concrete/sand/warning tape/manholes/handholes/covers and earthing bonds verified; spares included per policy.
Route markers/labels/engraved tags specified (format, spacing, color coding); tray/trench ID signage included on drawings.
Cable length summaries per route/pull validated vs drum lengths; wastage/allowance included; interfaces with Cable Schedule synchronized.

QA/QC, Testing & As-Builts

Inspection/test points defined: trench inspection, duct mandrel/sponge test, integrity of sleeves/MCT, tray earthing continuity, route verification walk-downs.
Hold/witness points and checklists referenced; photographic records/as-built survey (GPS/coordinates) requirements stated.
Redlines/as-builts deliverables defined (updated layouts, crossing details, penetration schedules, labeling tables) with document numbers.

Data Integrity & Final Polish

Drawing set complete (key plans, sections, details, typicals, schedules); sheet numbers, north arrows, legends, and notes present and consistent.
No orphan routes or undefined IDs; CAD layers, lineweights, and colors per standard; hidden filters turned off; print areas/page breaks set.
Change log and revision history updated with rationale and impacts; confidentiality/footer correct; transmittal list aligned.

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Use this checklist before issuing Cable Routing / Trench Layout drawings for first formal review.

Tagged Engineering Deliverable Check List

Cable Routing / Trench Layouts – Comprehensive I&C Engineering Checklists for EPC Projects

Cable Routing / Trench Layouts — Final Self-Verification Checklist

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