Ranger, our code only specifies a burial depth IF the conduit is buried. We are allowed to run conduit on top of any surface.
When a conduit is exposed, our code does not specifically address what protection, if any, is required for the conduit.
When I first posted pics here of the conduit run in a shallow groove in the parking lot, it was admitted here that the installer had exploited a technicality.
Was it enough, to simply lay the conduit in a groove barely deep enough to lower the conduit below the surface of the parking lot? Well - at least for this case - time has proven that it was NOT enough. It's my opinion that the damage proves that additional protection (such as proper burial) is needed for this job.
As you might guess, the owner disagrees with me. Right now, he has the damaged conduit protected from traffic by concrete blocks; no one can drive there. It's the owners' position that simply patching the damaged section and putting some pavement over it will be sufficient.
Of course, covering the pipe makes it a buried pipe- so a proper depth is needed. The owner and I disagree on this point. I will ask the City to discuss this issue with the owner.
