Pipe Marking Guide

Resource Description

INTRODUCTION

The following article provides basic instructions for pipe markers design and placement. These recommended practices will help improve facility efficiency and increase safety through visual communication. Proper pipe marking plays a critical role in protecting the safety of workers, visitors, and emergency responders who must enter a facility. The following instructions are designed to help your facility comply with widely accepted standards for pipe marking. Following these standards helps ensure pipe content, flow direction, and additional pipe information are easily seen and understood by all.

The goal is to reduce confusion, dangerous situations, injuries, and even deaths.

Although the ASME/ANSI standard suggests labeling all pipes, it is required for pipes to be labeled in the following situations:

• the contents of pipes could affect procedures during emergencies
• the contents of pipes are hazardous
• the flow direction is unknown
• the destination of the contents is unknown
• the flow needs to be redirected for maintenance
• one or more valves need to be shut off for maintenance

LABEL PLACEMENT and SIZE

Pipe marker location plays a critical role in the safety and efficiency of every facility. In many facilities, pipe systems generally have a number of bends, penetrations, valves, and possibly distribution headers. Factor these visual obstacles into your final placement decision. Every pipe must have pipe markers that are visible from any location from which the pipe can be seen.

Labels must always be applied to clean and dry surfaces to provide lasting performance. Visually appropriate locations often need to be cleaned of debris to create an acceptable pipe marker surface.

Pipe markers should be placed:

• To indicate the direction of flow by labeling with arrows at one or both ends of the label;
• To be visible from the point of normal approach;
• At any line entry or re-entry point;
• Near valves, flanges, and changes in pipe direction;
• At both sides of the ceiling, wall, or floor penetrations;
• On straight pipe runs;
• Every 25 ft to 50 ft is typical.

Special Conditions for placement:

• If a pipeline is located above the normal line of vision, the label shall be placed below the horizontal centerline of the pipe to maximize visibility;
• If a pipeline is located below the normal line of vision, the label shall be placed above the horizontal centerline of the pipe to maximize visibility.

Pipe Label Size. The size of the pipe marker is also an important factor. Properly sized labels will allow personnel to read the labels at a reasonable distance. See the table below to ensure existing pipe markers are standard-compliant. If not, they should be replaced.

NOTE: Pipes too small for labels should be marked with a hanging tag.

COLOR SCHEME

The contents of a pipe determines the color scheme of the pipe marker. See the following table to  ensure existing pipe markers are standard compliant. If not, they should be replaced.

Flammable	Fluids, which are vapor or produce vapors that can ignite and continue to burn in air.	Black on Yellow
Combustible	Fluids that may burn but are not flammable.	White on Brown
Toxic & Corrosive	Fluids, which are corrosive or toxic or will produce corrosive or toxic substances.	Black on Orange
Fire Quenching	Water and other substances used in sprinkler fire fighting piping systems.	White on Red
Other Water	Any other water except for water used in sprinkler & fire fighting piping systems.	White on Green
Compressed Air	Any vapor or gas under pressure that does not fit a category above.	White on Blue
Defined by User	Defined by user.	White on Black
Defined by User	Defined by user.	Black on White
Defined by User	Defined by user.	White on Purple
Defined by User	Defined by user.	White on Gray

LABEL CREATION

Need pipe markers? Evaluate what your facility’s needs are first. If your facility is medium-to-large in size, it may be more cost-effective and efficient to have a Handheld Label Printer in-house. Pipe markers and many other industrial labels can be custom designed and easily printed on demand when employees have access to the right printer and supplies in their work area.