Frequently Asked Questions About Traffic Control Services
General Questions
What areas does Power Safety Service cover?
We serve over 100 cities across Northern California, from the Oregon border to Fresno and from the Pacific coast to the Sierra foothills. Our headquarters is in Lodi, CA, with primary service areas including Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Fresno, Stockton, Modesto, and all communities in between. We also deploy to remote North State locations including Yreka, Mount Shasta, Redding, and Chico.
Are you available 24/7?
Yes. We answer our phones and deploy crews 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This includes nights, weekends, and holidays. Our emergency response line is 916-573-7133.
What certifications does Power Safety Service hold?
We hold SBE certification (ID #2042258), SAM registration (UEI: K6XHQTLM18M5), and all of our flaggers carry current ATSSA certification. We also have licensed Professional Engineers (PE) and Traffic Engineers (TE) on staff for traffic control plan design.
Do you carry insurance?
Yes. We carry comprehensive general liability insurance, workers’ compensation coverage, and automobile liability insurance. We provide Certificates of Insurance with additional insured endorsements upon request.
Can you work on government projects?
Yes. Our SBE certification and SAM registration qualify us for state, county, and city contracts as well as federal projects. We meet prevailing wage requirements and carry all necessary insurance and bonding for public works.
Flagging Questions
What is ATSSA certification?
ATSSA stands for the American Traffic Safety Services Association. ATSSA certification means our flaggers have completed training in work zone traffic control procedures, signal use, emergency protocols, and MUTCD standards. It is the industry standard for flagger certification in California.
How many flaggers will my project need?
The number of flaggers depends on your work zone configuration, traffic volume, the number of lanes affected, and the type of work being performed. A simple one-lane closure on a low-volume road might need one flagger. A multi-lane highway closure could require four or more. We assess your needs and recommend the right crew size.
Can I get a flagger on short notice?
In most cases, yes. For routine work, we can deploy flaggers within 24 hours. For emergency situations, we can often deploy within a few hours depending on location and crew availability.
Do your flaggers work night shifts?
Yes. We provide flaggers for day, swing, and graveyard shifts. Night flaggers are equipped with LED-illuminated Stop/Slow paddles, reflective gear, and personal lighting that meets Caltrans nighttime visibility requirements.
Traffic Control Plan Questions
What is a traffic control plan (TCP)?
A traffic control plan is an engineered drawing that shows how traffic will be managed around a work zone. It includes sign locations, taper configurations, lane widths, buffer zones, detour routes, and equipment specifications. Most jurisdictions in California require an engineer-stamped TCP as part of the encroachment permit application.
Do I need an engineer-stamped plan?
Most cities and counties in California require traffic control plans to be stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Traffic Engineer (TE). Caltrans requires engineer-stamped plans for all work on state highways. We provide PE and TE stamped plans for all projects.
How long does it take to get a traffic control plan?
Standard plans take 3-5 business days. Rush plans can be completed in 24-48 hours. Emergency plans are available same day. Complex multi-phase projects may take longer depending on scope.
Can you design a plan for a jurisdiction you have not worked in before?
Yes. While we have existing relationships with over 100 jurisdictions, our engineers can design plans for any California jurisdiction. We research the specific local requirements and produce compliant plans.
Permit Questions
What permits do I need for road work?
At minimum, you will typically need an encroachment permit from the city or county where the work is located. Lane closures, road closures, and work on state highways may require additional permits. The specific permits depend on the jurisdiction, type of work, and impact on traffic. We assess your project and identify all required permits.
How long does the permitting process take?
Permit review times vary significantly by jurisdiction. Some cities issue permits within 24-48 hours. Others take 2-3 weeks. Caltrans permit timelines depend on the district and project complexity. We set realistic expectations at the quote stage based on our experience with each agency.
Can you handle permits outside of Northern California?
Our primary service area is Northern California. For projects outside this region, contact us to discuss your needs and we will let you know if we can help.
Equipment Rental Questions
What equipment do you rent?
We rent K-rail barriers (concrete and water-filled), arrow boards, portable changeable message signs (PCMS), light towers, barricades (Type I, II, and III), channelizing drums, crash cushions, traffic cones, and construction signs. See our Equipment Rentals page for full details.
Do you deliver equipment?
Yes. We deliver equipment to job sites across Northern California. Delivery charges are based on location and quantity. Same-day delivery is available for most in-stock items.
Can I rent equipment without using your traffic control services?
Yes. Equipment rental is available as a standalone service. You can also bundle equipment with our flagging, traffic control plans, and permit services for a comprehensive package.
What are your rental rates?
Rates depend on the type of equipment, rental duration, and quantity. We offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates. Contact us at 916-573-7133 or [email protected] for a quote.
Emergency Response Questions
What constitutes an emergency?
Any situation that creates an immediate traffic safety hazard on a public road – storm damage, water main breaks, vehicle accidents that require extended closures, infrastructure failures, downed power lines, mudslides, or any incident that requires urgent traffic control beyond what is already in place.
How fast can you respond to an emergency?
Response time depends on the location relative to our crew positions. For areas within the Central Valley and Sacramento region, we can typically have crews on scene within 1-2 hours. Bay Area and outlying locations may take longer. We deploy the closest available crew immediately.
Do you work with law enforcement during emergencies?
Yes. Our crews are experienced working alongside CHP, county sheriffs, and city police during emergency incidents. We understand incident command structures and integrate our traffic control with public safety operations.
Fire Watch Questions
When is fire watch required?
Fire watch is required during and after hot work operations (welding, cutting, grinding, brazing) per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352 and NFPA 51B. It is also required when fire protection systems are impaired or offline during construction. Local fire marshals may impose additional fire watch requirements as permit conditions.
How long does fire watch need to continue after hot work ends?
OSHA and NFPA require a minimum of 30 minutes of fire watch after hot work completion. Many facility owners, general contractors, and insurance policies require longer monitoring periods – often 1-4 hours. We provide whatever duration your project requires.
Billing and Contracts
How do you bill for services?
We bill based on the services provided. Flagging is billed by the hour per flagger. Traffic control plans are billed per plan. Permits are billed per application. Equipment is billed at daily, weekly, or monthly rates. We provide detailed quotes before work begins.
Do you require a contract?
For ongoing or large-scale projects, we typically execute a service agreement. For smaller or one-time jobs, a purchase order or verbal authorization is sufficient. We are flexible and work with your procurement process.
What are your payment terms?
Standard payment terms are Net 30. We can accommodate other arrangements for established clients and large projects.
Still Have Questions?
Call us at 916-573-7133 or email [email protected]. We are happy to answer any questions about our services, capabilities, or how we can support your project.
Power Safety Service LLC
5400 E Harney Lane, Lodi, CA 95240