Pipe Color Code Standard and Piping Color Codes Chart ( Clear Explanation )

Why Do We Required Pipe Color Code ?

Pipes are used in facilities to transport liquids and gasses from one place to another, both short and long distances. Most facilities have dozens of pipes moving substances from place to place and because of this, it is important to be able to keep track of what is in each pipe and where it is going. This is where pipe color-coding can become essential.

More than that Pipe markings save lives. If color codes are ignored, employees are at a higher risk of causing an accident that may result in physical harm as well as facility damage. For example, If someone opens a pipe that is not marked with the proper colors, he or she may expect clean water but get a toxic chemical.

Pipe color-coding is not a complicated process, especially if industry standards are used. There are many standards out there from a variety of sources, but by far the most popular is the ANSI/ASME A13.1 standard. This standard explains colors, text, size, and placement of pipe marking labels.

Following this type of color-coding standard makes it easy to offer training to employees and also helps ensure different departments within a facility are all using the same colors for their pipes.

ASME/ANSI A13.1 – Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems
BS 1710 – Specification for Identification of Pipelines and Services
IS 2379 – Pipelines Identification Color Code
PFI ES-22 – Recommended Practice for Color Coding of Piping Materials.

ANSI/ASME A13.1 Pipe Color Code Standards Explained :-

Industry's and factories in which piping system is available should familiarize themselves with the ANSI/ASME A13.1 pipe color code standard. This standard identifies the color of the labels and what those colors mean.

The following are the main options for this set of standards:

Yellow with Black Lettering

This Color is used for any pipe that contains flammable and oxidizing liquids and gasses in which fluids that are a vapor or produce vapors that can ignite and continue to burn in air . This could include gasoline, oils, and many others.

Green with White Lettering

Using a green label with white lettering means that the pipe contains potable water. It could be used for cooling, feeding boilers, or even going to drinking fountains or sinks.

Blue with White Lettering

Blue labels with white lettering are used for pipes that transport compressed air or vapor that does not fit a category above.

Red with White Lettering

Red labels with white lettering are used for all fire quenching fluids. This could include water used in sprinkler & fir-fighting piping system , but only if the pipe is used just for fire quenching.

Orange with Black Lettering

Orange labels with black lettering are for toxic or corrosive fluids or which will produce corrosive or toxic substances . Most acids will need to use this type of pipe marking.

Brown with White Lettering

This option is for all combustible fluids. These fluids that may burn but are not flammable.

The ANSI/ASME color codes for pipes also leave several color combinations for "user defined" pipes. This is important because it allows facilities to plan out certain pipes that don't fit in with the normal standards. It is important to remember, however, that whenever using user-defined pipe markings, people who haven't been sufficiently trained won't understand what they mean.
The user defined color options are: