{{Short description|Area for public utility access}} {{refimprove|date=April 2018}} thumb|An open utility vault. "ELEC" on cover indicates electrical equipment/wires. A '''utility vault''' is an underground room providing access to subterranean public utility equipment, such as valves for water or natural gas pipes, or switchgear for electrical or telecommunications equipment. A vault is often accessible directly from a street, sidewalk or other outdoor space, thereby distinct from a basement of a building.<ref>City of Sacramento, California. ''Sacramento City Code.'' [http://www.qcode.us/codes/sacramento/view.php?topic=12-12_12-i-12_12_010 "12.12.010 Definitions."] "'Utility vault' means any underground room providing access to subterranean utility equipment." Accessed 2018-04-09.</ref><ref>City of New York, New York. ''2014 Construction Codes.'' Building Code, Chapter 32. [http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/apps/pdf_viewer/viewer.html?file=2014CC_BC_Chapter_32_Encroachments_into_the_Pulic_Right_of_Way.pdf&section=conscode_2014 "Section 3201.8. Definitions."] "Vault: Any space below the surface of a street, that is covered over, except those openings that are used exclusively as places for descending, by means of steps, to the cellar or basement of any building." Accessed 2018-04-09.</ref>

Utility vaults are commonly constructed out of reinforced concrete boxes, poured concrete or brick. Small ones are usually entered through a manhole or grate on the topside and closed up by a manhole cover. Such vaults are considered confined spaces and can be hazardous to enter. Large utility vaults are similar to mechanical or electrical rooms in design and content.

==See also== *Dartford Cable Tunnel *Telecommunications pedestal *Utility cut *Utility tunnel

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://precast.org/precast-product/underground-utility-vaults/ Underground Utility Vaults] - National Precast Concrete Association

{{Man-made and man-related Subterranea}}

Category:Building engineering Category:Rooms Category:Subterranea (geography)

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