ANSI/ASME Standard: For Pipe Identification

ANSI/ASME Standard
For Pipe Identification

Complies with ANSI/ASME Standard A13.1-2020 Code Requirements
The standards for pipe identification regulate the letter size, marker length, marker color, and location of markers
to be installed. The purpose of the standard is to identify hazardous materials conveyed in piping systems and their
hazards when released into the environment.
Pipe markers are to indicate both the contents of the pipe and its direction of flow. Arrows at one or both ends
indicate flow, the contents are indicated by text and by a standard color scheme.
The current version of the ANSI/ASME A13.1-2020 code uses a color scheme with six standard color combinations,
and four defined by user combinations. The pipe marker colors are based on the charismatic characteristics of the
hazard of the contents of the pipe, as shown in the table below:
Current 2020 Standards

Defined
Classification Color Scheme
Applications
Fire-Quenching Fluids White Text on Safety Red Sample
Toxic and Corrosive

Black Text on Safety Orange Sample
Fluids
Flammable and
Black Text on Safety Yellow Sample
Oxidizing Fluids
Combustible Fluids White Text on Safety Brown Sample
Potable, Cooling Boiler

White Text on Safety Green Sample
and Other Water
Compressed Air White Text on Safety Blue Sample
Defined
Classification Color Scheme
Applications
Defined By User White Text on Safety Purple Sample
Defined By User Black Text on Safety White Sample
Defined By User White Text on Safety Grey Sample
Defined By User White Text on Safety Black Sample

Existing schemes for identification can be considered meeting the updated 2020 ASME requirements if the schemes
are described in writing or employees are trained to the operation and hazards of the piping systems. To avoid
confusion, any existing facility that was labeled to the older 1996 color scheme may continue to be updated using
that specification following the table below:
Previous 1996 Standards
Materials Inherently Hazardous Color Scheme
Flammable or Explosive, Chemically Active or Toxic,

Extreme Temperature or Pressures, Radiooactive. Black Text on Safety Yellow Sample
Materials Inherently Low Hazard Color Scheme
Toxic and Corrosive Fluids White Text on Safety Green Sample
Toxic and Corrosive Fluids White Text on Safety Blue Sample
Pipe Marker Placement

Pipe markers should be positioned so that
they can be easily seen from the normal
angle of approach – for instance, below the
centerline of the pipe if the pipe is overhead,
and above the centerline if the pipe is below
eye level. Markers are required at the following
locations:
• Adjacent to all valves and flanges

• Adjacent to all changes of direction
• On both sides of wall or floor penetrations
• At intervals on straight pipe runs sufficient
for identification
Pipe Marker Size

Pipe diameter determines the appropriate marker and text sizes, as shown in the following table:
Minimum Length of Minimum Text

Outside Pipe Diameter
Marker Color Field Height
.7” to 1.3” (18 to 33 mm) 8” (200 mm) .5” (13 mm)
1.4” to 2.4” (34 to 61 mm) 8” (200 mm) .7” (19 mm)
2.5” to 6.7” (62 to 170 mm) 12” (300 mm) 1.3” (32 mm)
6.8’ to 10” (171 to 254 mm) 24” (600 mm) 2.5” (64 mm)
Over 10” (Over 254 mm) 32” (800 mm) 3.5” (89 mm)
GHS Pictograms
Piping that is connected to containers that are labeled in accordance with GHS requirements, a corresponding label
on the piping may be provided. The corresponding label should contain at least the product name or identifier, the
pictogram, the signal word, and the physical, health, and environmental hazard statement(s).
• Oxidizers • Flammable • Explosives

• Self-reactives • Self-reactives
• Pyrophorics • Organic peroxides
• Self-heating
• Emits flammable gas
• Organic peroxides
• Acute toxicity (severe) • Corrosives • Gases under pressure
• Carcinogen • Environmental toxicity • Irritant

• Respiratory sensitizer • Dermal sensitizer
• Reproductive toxicity • Acute toxicity (harmful)
• Target organ toxicity • Narcotic effects
• Mutagenicity • Respiratory tract irritation
• Aspiration toxicty
Marking Services, Inc. (MSI) is a worldwide leader in mechanical labeling, servicing the identification needs of
mechanical, electrical and ammonia contractors. We’ve been advancing the use of pipe markers, valve tags and
equipment signs to enhance overall operations of commercial, industrial, health care, educational and technology
facilities for over the last 30 years. We offer identification products that are ASME, ANSI, NFPA, and OSHA compliant
and are widely utilized and installed nationally and internationally.
MSI offers a complete line of mechanical identification to meet every labeling challenge with extremely fast
fulfillment, industry best quality, and no minimum order requirements. Through our value-added services and high
quality products, we significantly raise the level of safety awareness, promote safe work conditions and reduce total
“in-place” costs.
For more information on the ANSI/ASME A13.1-2020 Standard, please visit the following source:
American National Standards Institute - www.asme.org
Marking Services Inc.

www.markserv.com | 800.234.0135 | [email protected]

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What does the standard regulate regarding pipe identification?

What does the standard regulate regarding pipe identification?

What are the standard color schemes used for pipe identification and what do they indicate?

What are the standard color schemes used for pipe identification and what do they indicate?

ANSI/ASME Standard

For Pipe Identification

Current 2020 Standards

Fire-Quenching Fluids White Text on Safety Red Sample

Toxic and Corrosive

Combustible Fluids White Text on Safety Brown Sample

Potable, Cooling Boiler

Compressed Air White Text on Safety Blue Sample

Defined By User White Text on Safety Purple Sample

Defined By User Black Text on Safety White Sample

Defined By User White Text on Safety Grey Sample

Defined By User White Text on Safety Black Sample

Previous 1996 Standards

Materials Inherently Hazardous Color Scheme

Flammable or Explosive, Chemically Active or Toxic,

Materials Inherently Low Hazard Color Scheme

Toxic and Corrosive Fluids White Text on Safety Green Sample

Toxic and Corrosive Fluids White Text on Safety Blue Sample

Pipe Marker Placement

• Adjacent to all valves and flanges

Pipe Marker Size

Minimum Length of Minimum Text

.7” to 1.3” (18 to 33 mm) 8” (200 mm) .5” (13 mm)

1.4” to 2.4” (34 to 61 mm) 8” (200 mm) .7” (19 mm)

• Oxidizers • Flammable • Explosives

• Acute toxicity (severe) • Corrosives • Gases under pressure

• Carcinogen • Environmental toxicity • Irritant

Marking Services Inc.

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