Texas Regional Utility Locate Rodeo Official Rules, Regulations & Information May 9, 2015 University of Texas Arlington Continuing Education / Workforce Development 140 W. Mitchell Street, Arlington, TX 76109 Disclaimer & Waiver The information contained within this document is subject to change without notice. Any changes will be discussed in the mandatory meeting, prior to competition. Every competitor, volunteer and spectator will be required to sign a waiver the day of competition. Failure to comply with this will result in immediate disqualification and you will be asked to immediately leave the premises. Our Goal The intention of the Texas Regional Utility Locate Rodeo is to recognize the profession of underground utility facility locating and to demonstrate the safety, skills and on-going educational efforts associated with high quality workmanship. At the end of the day of competition, the participants shall say that it was fair and consistent in judging and the Rodeo was a pleasant and fun event. Eligibility If you are, or have been a practicing technician employed by a utility company, one of their locate contractors, an owner or employee of a private locating company, or use electronic equipment to locate underground facilities as part of your job duties, you are eligible to compete in the Rodeo. If you have located facilities within the confines of the Rodeo Event grounds within 6 months prior to the event, you are ineligible to compete. General Rules & Mandatory Meeting All competitors should check-in between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM CST on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the UT Arlington Continuing Education / Workforce Development Building, 140 W. Mitchell Street, Arlington, TX 76109. There will be a MANDATORY RULES MEETING at 9:00 AM. All Competitors & Volunteers must attend this meeting! NO EXCEPTIONS! Competition will begin at approximately 10:00 AM. Lunch will be furnished to everyone in attendance. The competition should be complete no later than 4:00 PM unless unforeseen circumstances occur. 1
Judging for the Texas Regional Utility Locate Rodeo is based on rules adopted by the International Utility Locate Rodeo (IULR). Competition will proceed in all weather conditions, except for thunderstorms. Dress Code: Competitors may wear any type of clothing (shorts, jeans, trousers, t-shirts) but it should look professional. (no holes, etc ) Any type of shoes including boots or tennis shoes (again, professional ). No flip-flops are allowed. Competitors must wear a safety vest while competing. We are eliminating the mandatory hard hat in alignment with the IULR. You may wear a cap, but it must be a cap from your employer or industry related. (No Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, etc ) You may compete with no headwear at all if you prefer. NO EXCEPTIONS - Safety vests shall be provided by the competitor or their company. Definitions Rodeo Wheel Placed in the Event Area as the competitors measuring point for all utilities within the specified event. It looks similar to the look of a wagon wheel; this set-up has a center pin with a revolving tape measure attached to it. It has 8 lines and end points from the center pin. Each end point is a specific color. The color at the end point is considered the color of the line. The event site template colors correspond with the placement of each end point on every event site. Center Line of Facility Top-dead center of the target utility as determined by the event site committee. Event Area Immediate area of a particular event zone. The boundaries will be identified and pointed out to contestants prior to competition. Out of Bounds is defined as any time a competitor moves outside the boundaries of the event site. If a competitor crosses the boundary, the judge will throw a red flag at the site of the infraction and verbally warn the competitor he is out of bounds. This is a 10 point deduction. If the competitor doesn t return to within the event boundary immediately, he/she will be disqualified for that event and must stop all locating immediately. Competitors Locate Location of the target facility as designated by the competitor with its measurement (location) as certified on the Event Template. Timing Out If the judge calls time, competitor must stop all activity immediately, because time has exceeded 12 minutes and a time of 12 minutes and 01 second will be entered. This will result in an automatic 50 point deduction. Any measurements on the event template, prior to the call of time, will be entered. Calling Time This is when the competitor call time by stating I am finished as he/she believes the event has been completed. 2
Ghost Measurement measurement placed on any signal other than the intended target facility. This will be a 100 point deduction Competition Four divisions will be available: Gas, Power, Telecom, Water 20 slots for each division Division winners will receive an all expense paid trip and entry to the International Utility Locate Rodeo which will be held in Georgia, July 30 August 2, 2015. 2 nd & 3 rd place winners of each division will receive cash prizes, based upon the number of total entries. General Information Each event will be pre-determined by the Event Site Committee Conductive Locating, Inductive Locating, or a combination of both is allowed. Use of a cell phone is prohibited while competing on an event site. The clock starts when the judge says Begin. Map/Plat of underground utilities will be posted for competitors. The competitor will have up to 12 minutes to view map/plat, find an access point and hook up, locate the facility (with Rodeo provided poker chips and/or flags only), then document measurements onto the provided template. (As in the real world, the maps/plats shall serve as reference only they are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate.) Competitors may bring their own stopwatch. Competitors may not use their cell phone as a timekeeping device. Time updates WILL NOT be given, by the judge, to a competitor. The Rodeo Poker Chips may be moved as many times as necessary. If a competitor is using flags, they may not be moved once they are placed. (A flag is considered moved if the competitor releases their hand from the flag once it is placed in the ground and moves that same flag to another spot.) Points will be deducted if the flag is moved. The competitor may place a chip to designate the exact location of the utility as determined by the competitor. There is no deduction for moving the chips. Competitors will record their own measurements. The location of the poker chip and/or flag as measured by the participant is the accuracy component in judging the event. A tape measuring instrument will be provided at each site, attached to the center point of the wheel. All measurements must be recorded in feet and inches to the closest ½ inch And must be legible. 3
The competitor will pull and log the measurement from the center point of the wheel to the crossing point on any and all of the spokes of the wheel that the target utility crosses. Competitor must return Event Site to original condition BEFORE calling time. Rolling measuring tape to its original position Return Poker Chips to the Judges table and placed in the box they were taken from Flags (if used) returned to their original position Any and all equipment used must be returned to its beginning position Once competitor feels they have completed the event, he/she must say, I am Finished or Done. Only then, will the time clock stop. All of this must be completed within the allotted 12 minute timeframe. Time will be kept on 2 stopwatches and compared for the most accurate time. Times will be recorded in minutes and seconds. Clock will not be stopped for any reason unless a foreign or unforeseen issue arises. Any premature stoppage of time will be determined solely by the on-site judge. The competitor may request a review by the Master Judge if he/she believes the situation was not addressed equitably. Time will be considered for tie-breaking only. In the event that time does not break the tie, competitors who are tied will participate in a coin toss, with the Master Judge presiding. The loser of the flip shall be given the next available prize for that division. If the tie is for 3 rd place, only 1 (one) 3 rd place prize will be given. Accuracy Each competitor will begin each event with 1000 points. If a competitor calls time and fails to record any measurements on the template at all, he/she will receive a score of 0 for that event. If a competitor fails to record measurements on any single string or crossing where the Master Template indicates the target facility actually crosses, he/she will lose the amount of points associated with the actual Master Template measurement. (Example: If a competitor fails to take a measurement on the blue pin and the Master Template shows the Target Facility crossing the blue pin at 6 2 (74 inches) from the center pin, the competitor will take a 74 point infraction. If the crossing were at 19 5 (234 inches) from the center pin, the competitor would take a 234 point infraction.) Infractions will be calculated in the negative if it is necessary for the calculation of the final scores. 4
One Point Infractions 1. Moving flags after initial placement. One point will be deducted for each time a flag is moved. 2. Failure to return all Poker Chips to the designated box on the judges table. This includes placing all rodeo tools or flags (if used) to their original location before calling for time. (1 point per chip / flag / tool) 3. Failure to retract tape measure and return to its original position. 4. Failure to have locating instruments and accessories secured in a carrying case or bag. Case or bag must be closed properly before time starts and before time is called. Case or bag must be at the judge s table before time starts and before time is called. No Exceptions! 5. Failure to wear headwear properly (not backwards) at all times while in the event area. Five Point Infractions 1. Failure to reconnect bonds on any access point. 2. Breaking a string or displacing any spoke or hub of the Rodeo Wheel. 3. Failure to wear safety vest while in the event area. Ten Point Infractions 1. If a competitor goes outside the boundaries of event site he/she will receive a 10 point deduction. The judge will throw a red flag at the site of the infraction and warn the competitor to return to the event site area. Leaving the boundaries a 2 nd time will result in disqualification. Fifty Point Infractions 1. If the judge calls time, competitor must stop all activity, because the time has exceeded 12 minutes and a time of 12 minutes and 01 seconds will be entered. Measurements on the event site template prior to the call of time will be entered and a 50 point deduction will be automatically deducted from the competitors score, by the scoring software. 2. If a competitor opens any access point undesignated (not already open) to view utilities or hook up to any utilities will receive a 50 point deduction. One Hundred Point Infractions 1. Occurs when a Ghost Measurement is placed on any signal other than the intended target facility. Disqualification Failure to be present for the mandatory rules meeting at 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 9, 2015. Unforeseen travel delays will be taken into consideration. If this occurs, you should contact Jim Bob Sims at 972.415.1379 as soon as you see a problem exists. 5
No competitor will be allowed access to their event sites until it is their turn to compete. You will be escorted to and from event site by a designated volunteer. We ask that you remain in the designated gathering area when not competing and spend this time visiting with our sponsors who have donated of their time and money to make this event possible. Let them know how much you appreciate their support. Any competitor found to be in violation will be immediately disqualified for the entire competition and asked to leave the Rodeo grounds. Damage to any access point or facility including but not limited to peeling or removing wire coating or insulated jacket material. Any competitor that shares information with another, on any event, will be disqualified. Any competitor that strays from designated area and does not return after being warned by the judge will be disqualified. Any competitor that strays from event boundaries and fails to return immediately. (2 nd infraction) Unprofessional, aggressive or unsportsmanlike behavior will result in disqualification. Attempts to gain access to Rodeo Grounds records or any other information on the physical plant at UT Arlington will result in disqualification. Intentional sabotage or tampering with equipment, event sites or other attempts at disruption will result in disqualification. A judge is recused from judging an employee of his/her company or an employee of one of their contractors. An alternate judge will replace the recused judge. If a judge fails to replace themselves and judges one of his/her company s employees the competitor involved will be disqualified for that particular event. Any competitor attempting to access their cell phone during their event(s), while competing, will be automatically disqualified. No questions, No exceptions. Other Infractions Any competitor exhibiting aggressive behavior, verbal or physical, including throwing equipment will be disqualified by the master judge. Competitor Substitution An alternate or substitute for any pre-registered competitor must be declared prior to the Mandatory Meeting at 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 9, 2015. 6
Any alternate or substitute must comply with all rules and procedures set forth in this communication and the mandatory meeting. Judges The Rodeo will consist of Master Judge(s), Event Judges and Alternate Judges. The Master Judge(s) shall oversee the entire competition and be available to settle all disputes. All decisions by the Master Judge(s) are final. The Alternate Judges will be available to substitute for an Event Judge if needed. Judges will treat all competitors with professional respect and courtesy. High-Fives, smirks, or other visible signs of inappropriate activity will not be tolerated from judging staff. Unfair judging and disrespect to competitors will not be tolerated. Disrespect from competitors will not be tolerated either. This type of behavior may result in total disqualification. Judges will not judge a competitor from their company or from a Locate Contractor that works for their company. Alternate judges will be available for such scenarios. Master Judge(s) reserve the right to impose additional penalties not shown in the rules when unforeseen conditions arise that may be deemed unsafe or inappropriate, or not generally practiced in the industry. Rules for Event Judge Questions Competitors my ask the on-site judge questions prior to the event, but not after the clock has started. It is the competitor s responsibility to ask the questions prior to beginning the event. The competitor will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to stand ready with equipment in hand and ask the judge any questions. This timeframe includes the judge s answers. These two (2) minutes does not include viewing the map/plats. The competitor must make any protests to the event judges only. Protests are to be declared after event is completed and before the competitor leaves the event site. Upon competitor notification to an event judge of the protest, the event judge shall request the Master Judge to discuss the situation and make the official call. Video or photo footage will not be allowed to settle judging disputes. Contesting a Call If a competitor can demonstrate a problem with any particular judging call, he/she should protest to the Event Judge after he/she has completed the Event, but before leaving the Event site. 7
Upon competitor s notification to an Event Judge of a protest, the Event Judge shall contact the Master Judge(s) to discuss the situation and make the official call and/or settle the dispute. The Master Judge(s) will be available by phone or as needed and will proceed as soon as possible to the event in question in order to rectify the situation. The competition will proceed with an alternate judge while the dispute is settled. Decisions of the Master Judge(s) are final. Tools and Equipment All types of electro-magnetic locating devices will be allowed in this competition. Each competitor must use their own equipment, but all equipment must be in safe operating condition. Please make certain that your equipment and tools are clearly marked with your name and company identification. The Texas Regional Utility Locate Rodeo, nor their sponsors, will be responsible for your property. 8