Digging in frost

Each year the Netherlands averages about 50 frost days. This number varies according to the changing weather of the Netherlands. What should you do in such a situation? So what to do in case of frost. In this article you will find out.

The period when these approximately 50 frost days can occur is usually from October through April. On a frost day, the temperature, at the observation height of 1.5 meters above the ground, drops below freezing.

It can also occur in May or September when the temperature drops below zero. In severe frosts, the top layer of the ground freezes to about 15 cm deep.

Cables and pipes are between 30 cm and 1 meter deep, but this can vary considerably due to ground subsidence, elevation and so on. To keep the pipes frost-free during frost days, a depth of 60 cm is recommended.

In any case, never forget to make a Klic report prior to digging (even with frost).

Temporary suspension of an excavation permit (excavation ban)

In certain weather conditions, such as flooding, frost, black ice or heavy snowfall, when the performance of the work causes inconvenience to residents and/or damage to the municipality, the municipality will temporarily suspend an excavation permit.

The supervisor of the municipality will determine, partly based on local weather conditions/conditions and available meteorological information, whether there are circumstances that justify the imposition or lifting of a break-up ban.

The basis for the suspension is the inconvenience to the residents and/or damage to the municipality due to, for example, breakage of frozen paving material, substrate that cannot be properly compacted or the inability to finish trenches or paving in a continuous manner.

4 points of attention during digging in frosty weather

1. Take precautions to prevent damage to the network component during planned excavation work, including damage caused by frost.
2. Where necessary, take measures to prevent exposed (parts of) nets from frost damage (maintain a cover of at least 0.75 meters when covering soil; another possibility is to apply insulation material).
3. Excavated/exposed roots must be protected from frost and damage, this can be done by covering the roots with burlap or other insulating material. Roots should be left exposed for a maximum of 24 hours.
4. To prevent freezing of the ground where digging is to take place, frost blankets are the ideal solution. If the highly insulating and waterproof frost cover blankets are laid down before the frost period, the ground does not freeze and burners and kangaroos are unnecessary. Even if the frost blankets are placed on frozen ground some time before digging, they insulate so well that the earth's heat thaws the frozen layer again.
   >> Click on this link to do an Klic request.<<