Brady How to best identify pipes? User manual

How to best

identify pipes?

Pipe Identification Guide Book

Table of contentsWhy this guide?

Pipe markers show important information when and where it matters. They
can make a plant visually compliant and dramatically increase the safety of
both employees and contractors. They can act as a live blueprint for a plant,
assisting engineers in deciding where and when to intervene. Should a leak
occur, well implemented pipe markers will highlight potential leak sources for a
quick and adequate reaction.

Go for Zero

Pipe markers immediately inform professionals what to
expect, even when they are unfamiliar with a specific
plant. A simple tap could contain water, but might
just as well hold pressurised steam, oil or gas. Pipe
markers are indispensable in an ambitious Go for Zero
programme that aims to reduce workplace accidents
to an absolute minimum. In most countries,
pipe markers are also required by law. Brady
offers durable professional pipe markers to
achieve compliance with any standard
and to support companies on their
journey towards world-class safety
at work.

This pipe identification guide book offers insight in the advantages
of clearly identified pipes, refers to the legal requirements and
various norms for pipe markers, highlights factors that determine
pipe marker durability and design and includes tips on how to best
apply pipe markers.

2

Why this guide

4

The benefits of pipe marking

5

Pipe markers versus pipe paint

7

Laws

7

Norms

9

Pipe marker materials

10

Pipe marker environment

11

Pipe marker attachment

12

Indoor, Indoor

13

Single pipe marker, or 360° visibility?

15

Pipe marker design

18

Colour code

19

Substance name

20

Warning symbols

21

Direction of flow

22

Additional information

23

Print pipe markers on-site

24

Which pipe markers do I need?

25

Pipe marker implementation

26

Where to attach pipe markers?

27

Implementation partnerships

28

Design your own pipe markers

29

Print your own pipe markers

31

Annex

32

ISO 20560 and national pipe marker norms

33

ISO 20560 colour coding

34

Pipe marker order checklist

+

and Outdoor+ pipe markers

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The benefits

Pipe markers

of pipe marking

The purpose of pipe marking is to ensure quick recognition of pipe contents,
flow direction and their associated risks. Pipe marking is most succesful
when used in combination with proper work methods, instructions and
accident prevention measures and training. These can teach the right
response after recognising pipe contents in case of a leak for example.

Well identified pipes offer a number of benefits. They can

■ Save lives - Unmarked pipes and valves can endanger employees,

contractors and first responders

■ Cut costs - Well identified pipes can help to avoid costly errors

■ Increase productivity - Pipe markers immediately inform employees

when and where to intervene

■ Increase efficiency – Pipe

markers increase the efficiency
of maintenance teams and
external contractors

■ Increase compliance - Colour

coded pipe markers increase
pipe content recognition speed
and compliance with ISO 20560,
national, or company standards

versus pipe paint

Identifying pipe contents with printed pipe markers has a number of
advantages over painting pipes with dangerous contents.

Printed pipe markers are

■ more durable

■ faster to apply

■ less expensive in labour cost

■ easier to adjust or remove for plant changes, maintenance or repairs

■ safer for personnel applying the marking

■ easier to comply with laws and norms

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Laws

The European Union has laid out a number of minimum requirements for
the placement of signs on containers and pipes in Annex III of the Council
Directive 92/58/EEC from June 24, 1992. EU Member states need to
include these minimum requirements in national legislation.

■ Pipe markers must be placed on visible sides

■ Pipe markers must be placed at the most dangerous points and at

intervals

■ GHS/CLP icons must be used to identify substances or mixtures

■ Pipe markers must be made out of materials suitable to the

environment

■ Where the level of natural light is poor, phosphorescent colours,

reflective materials or artificial lighting should be used

Norms

The international norm for pipe contents identification is ISO 20560. It
includes rules for the size of pipe markers, viewing distances, GHS/CLP
icons, warning icons, colour coding and other.

Norms can be purchased from the official standardisation organisations in
every country. Brady can supply pipe markers that are compliant with your
standard of choice.

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Pipe marker
materials

Pipe markers can only increase productivity and reduce workplace accidents
when they are firmly attached and clearly legible. The environment in which a
pipe marker needs to perform plays an important role in the choice and cost
of pipe marker materials, adhesives or attachment systems.

Ask yourself what your pipe markers are exposed to, how often you want to
replace them and what types of adhesives, if any, your pipes can endure.

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Pipe marker attachment Pipe marker environment

Pipe markers need to stay attached, retain their colour code, print and integrity
when exposed to relevant environmental factors which may include:

■ indoor & outdoor environments

■ UV radiation

■ temperature

■ pipe surface

■ chemicals

■ humidity

■ salt water

The materials your pipe markers are made out of, need to be able to resist the
environmental factors they will be exposed to when applied on your pipes.

Depending on your environment, pipe markers can be attached with
adhesives or alternative attachment systems such as pipe marker carriers.

If pipe markers are self-adhesive, the adhesive layer should be suitable for
the pipe it will be applied on and not cause corrosion. If you are unsure about
the corrosive nature of your pipes, pipe markers can be wrapped around
pipes and attached onto themselves using an adhesive strip with a minimum
overlap.

On rough, hot or extremely cold pipe marker surfaces, or if pipe contents or
flow change often, a non adhesive pipe marker or a pipe marker carrier system
might be a better solution. Rigid pipe marker carriers can be strapped on to
pipes to keep pipe markers into place that can easily be swapped out.

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