No matter how you do it, it is important to mark any exposed pipes in your facility. Some companies create their own system for marking these exposed pipes, while others use established systems created by industry leaders. Either way, it is important to have a clear system in place so that employees and first responders will know what they are dealing with in an emergency situation.

If you decide to create your own system for marking your pipes, it is important to consider three things: what color are the labels, how big are the labels, and how do you show the direction of the fluid’s flow. The color of the lettering and the labels should have some uniformity, so that if the words cannot be read, they can still be understood as flammable, toxic, safe, and so on. The labels need to be size appropriate based upon the size of the pipe. The larger the pipe, the larger the label needs to be. And with that, the larger the label, the larger the lettering should be. Finally, it is crucial that every label denotes the direction of the flow of the pipes. In an emergency situation or an evacuation, this information could save lives.

If you decide instead to use an existing system, the most common is the ANSI/ASME A13.1 pipe labeling system. This system creates a set of rules around label creation and makes it easier on safety teams to maintain accurate labels. It also makes the job of first responders easier, as they will be familiar with your facility’s labels.

If you would like to have your pipe marking system reviewed, or if you would like to upgrade to the ANSI/ASME A13.1 system, please contact us and we can help you. If you have anything to add about properly labeling pipes, please leave a comment.