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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Indoor, Indoor
Pipe markers
Adhesive
indoor
B-7543P B-7560P
+
indoor
B-7541P
+
+
and Outdoor+
Non adhesive
B-7561P
Top Seller
Single pipe marker,
or 360° visibility?
Pipe markers can be ordered on sheets or on rolls. The choice is
usually determined by what plants are most familiar with as the
functional difference between sheets and rolls in the end, is minimal.
However, sheets can be easier to use in some plants, while others will
have more use for rolls.
Single pipe markers
■ are usually self-adhesive
■ can be used on a variety of pipe diameters
■ can be used with pipe marker carriers
360° visibility pipe markers
■ can be non-adhesive or self-adhesive
■ must be ordered in relation to pipe marker diameter
■ can be wrapped around pipes
Outdoor
B-7529P B-7562P
More information:
Technical data sheets
Samples
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Pipe marker
design
The purpose of a pipe marker is to identify pipe contents and to have
employees, contractors and first responders quickly recognise the
associated risks.
To enhance recognition, a plant’s pipe markers should all have the same
design and follow a colour coding standard. We advise to switch to the most
optimal pipe marker standard for turnarounds, for new factories or facility
sections. When replacing a single pipe marker, stick to your current design.
To quickly recognise risks involved, pipe markers should include relevant
GHS/CLP symbols and pipe contents flow direction. They can also include
ISO 7010 warning symbols.
Optionally, pipe markers can include technical information to help
maintenance teams and engineers quickly determine the origin and
destination of pipe contents for example.
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Example of a pipe
marker design
Brady can supply any pipe marker you need, taking into account any regulations
and company specifications regarding text, colour, symbols, size, layout and
material. Below is an example of an ISO 20560 pipe marker design.
Relevant danger symbols:
depending on the substance, in
accordance with CLP regulations.
Heavy Fuel Oil
Substance name:
wide range of legends
available, to comply with
the country regulations.
75°C
Source & destination:
indicate the source &
destination connected by
the pipe.
P&ID information:
add a custom number
for identification
purposes.
High quality materials:
indoor, indoor+ or outdoor+ quality to
provide reliable pipe identification up
to 10 years outdoors.
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Colour code:
substance colour
code as determined
by ISO 20560 or
local legislation
Additional safety
information: add information
to increase workplace safety.
Flow direction:
indicate which way pipe
contents flows.
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QR-code:
add a code that can
be scanned to unlock
additional information.
Colour code Substance name
ISO 20560 includes a coherent colour code for international use. Some
countries may have their own colour coding standards for pipe markers.
Colour codes are usually included in the national norms for pipe marking,
which can be purchased from the official standardisation organisations in
every country.
Pipe marker colour codes are generally not enforced by law, which means
companies can teach employees and contractors a company specific
colour coding for pipe markers. Potential risks should be assessed in an
Evaluation of Risk procedure. In essence however, ISO 20560 has already
done this work for you and can help reduce training cost for new hires and
international contractors.
No matter whether you are using ISO 20560, a national or company colour
code standard, it is always a good idea to create a clear legend for your
colour code and any symbols on your pipe markers. This legend should be
clearly visible at multiple strategic locations.
Fire fighting
Air
Water
For compliance with ISO 20560, the full name or abbreviation of the pipe
contents should be clearly legible on its base identification colour. To be
clearly legible, the size of the pipe contents name must take into account the
required viewing distance and the pipe diameter.
If a pipe marker is wrapped around the pipe, the name of the pipe contents
should be visible on each relevant side.
To remain legible, it is advisable to respect a minimum height for the pipe
contents name of at least 7 mm. The pipe diameter should not force the
substance name to be smaller. Instead a mounted pipe marker should be
used to identify very thin pipes.
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Warning symbols Direction of flow
Relevant danger
symbols depending on the
substance, in accordance
with CLP regulations
Colours in
accordance with
(local) legislation.
Substance name:
wide range of legends
available, to comply with
the country regulations.
Signal word depending on
the substance, in accordance
with CLP regulations.
High quality materials:
self-adhesive laminated polyester
with low chlorine content that is
resistant to chemical, ultraviolet rays
and extreme weather conditions.
The European Union requires dangerous substances to carry relevant GHS/
CLP symbols. The Globally Harmonised System/Classification, Labelling and
Packaging of substances and mixtures is a United Nations system to identify
hazardous substances and inform users on these hazards. The regulation
also applies to pipe markers.
Relevant GHS/CLP symbols should be grouped at one side of the pipe
contents name, in roughly the same height as the substance name. Other
relevant symbols can be added, such as an ISO 7010 hot surface warning
symbol.
GHS01
GHS05
GHS02
GHS08
GHS06
GHS03
GHS07
GHS09
GHS04
W029
W017
W021
W028
W009
W016
W001
W010
Toluene
Next to the pipe contents name and the relevant warning symbols the
flow direction is important information to reduce workplace accidents and
increase productivity. Adding flow direction quickly informs employees,
contractors and first responders on where they can open or close a valve to
reduce risk or continue production.
Flow direction can be indicated with an arrow when fluids or gasses
dominantly flow in a single direction or with a double headed arrow when
they are able to flow in either direction.
W003
Ammonia
Ammonia
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Additional information
Additional information, usually of a technical nature, can be added to pipe
markers to quickly identify sections, to determine pipe contents origin
and destination or to otherwise support the productivity and efficiency of
maintenance teams in the field.
Technical pipe information can be added on one side of the pipe contents
name, with relevant GHS/CLP symbols on the other side. To avoid confusion,
technical information should always be presented on a white background for
compliance with ISO 20560.
■ secondary language pipe contents description
■ P&ID information
■ from source x to destination y
■ QR code for electronic recognition
Additional or other information can be included!
Print pipe markers
on-site
All pipe markers can be ordered in pre-printed form according to
specifications, and indoor pipe markers can also be designed and printed
at your premises using Brady Workstation apps and a printer from Brady.
The BradyJet J2000 Colour Label Printer can print compliant pipe markers
for indoor use in one pass at a top speed of 15 cm per second, in widths
ranging from 29 mm to 101,6 mm. The inkjet printer combines high print
speed and full colour printing with a durable material range for indoor pipe
markers.
You can design your pipe marker in a few steps with a computer and an
app from the Brady Workstation platform. Simply enter pipe diameter
and substance name and the app will present you with an editable, ISO
20560-compliant pipe marker for printing with a Brady printer.
Ammonia
Crude C4
to D4500
from D-9412
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Toluene
Water
Which pipe
Pipe marker
markers do I need?
If you need compliant pipe markers quickly, or if you are unsure about the
best choice in pipe markers for your facilities in one or more countries, you
can call on a Brady specialist to visit your sites.
You could discuss your identification needs with the Brady specialist while
walking through one or more sites to get a high level view on the required
pipe marking to make your site safe and compliant.
Once you have a high level view and feel confident about how Brady can
address your needs, you have the option to order pipe markers or request a
full audit by an external partner to create complete pipe marker order lists.
implementation
Pipe markers can only warn employees, contractors and first responders
against risks associated with pipe contents when they are attached to pipes
in visible places. Placing pipe markers on the visible sides of pipes, at the
most dangerous points and at regular intervals is a requirement stipulated by
the European Union.
On the next page, we offer some tips on how to comply with this regulation.
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Where to attach
pipe markers?
Pipe contents should be identified by a clearly legible pipe marking system
■ At regular intervals so it is clear from any point what the content of a pipe is
■ On both sides or connection points of valves, pumps, tanks, vessels,
installations, ...
■ At each branching point
■ On each side of walls, floors or other penetration points
■ Adjacent to stairwells and platforms on elevated pipes
■ At the start and end of pipe racks
■ At the inlet and outlet of a process train
Indoor pipe marker intervals usually are no longer than 10 metres. For
outdoor pipe markers, intervals can be longer as long as there are no
obstacles and pipe markers are clearly visible and legible from any position.
Implementation
partnerships
Brady can create pipe markers in durable materials, with or without
adhesive, in any colour code and with the warning symbols and technical
information printed on your pipe marker.
For larger pipe marking projects, Brady can call on the support of trusted
partners to professionally implement your pipe markers in your facility.
In some regions, we can offer extended partnerships to take care of your
entire pipe marking project, including:
■ Scoping: an experienced engineer calls you to scope the project
and our engagement and to identify priorities and challenges for the
on-site audit.
■ Auditing: our engineer observes the P&ID’s on-site, walks through
your plant, interviews key people and takes authorised pictures
■ Reporting: based on the scoping call and the on-site visit, our
engineer creates a comprehensive report that details the existing
situation, identifies gaps with the ISO 20560 norm and global best
practices and introduces our recommendations
■ Implementation: quality products and expert placement are
included in our partnership to implement pipe markers on-site.
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Design your own
Print your own pipe
pipe markers
To design your own ISO 20560 and other pipe markers, Brady offers the
freely downloadable Brady Workstation app environment. Brady Workstation
includes apps to easily design any pipe marker for printing with a Brady
printer.
Once the free app environment has been downloaded, users can select the
apps they need and activate a 30 day-free trial per app.
Try Brady Workstation!
Click or scan
the QR-code
markers
Safety printers enable you to print durable pipe markers, safety signs and
even safe work procedures on-site and on demand. On-site identification
printing capabilities eliminate the need to store various pipe markers for
future use. With a few consumables, you can print any pipe marker you
need, when you need it.
Brady offers specialised thermal transfer and inkjet printers to create mono-,
multi and full colour pipe markers and safety signs in various sizes with
durable materials for both in- and outdoor use.
Discover our safety printers!
Click or scan
the QR-code
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Annex
As an annex to our Pipe Identification Guide Book, we offer 3 practical
reference lists:
■ a list of national standardisation organisations where pipe marking
standards can be purchased per country
■ an example of the ISO 20560-compliant pipe markers Brady recommends
using
■ a pipe marker order checklist which includes a number of important
options that can be considered before ordering
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ISO 20560 and national
ISO 20560 colour
pipe marker norms
Below is a list of national standardisation organisations and their websites.
National pipe marking norms can be purchased from these official organisations.
More national standard organisations can be found on the member page at
www.iso.org.
Austria OENORM
www.austrian-standards.at
Belgium NBN
www.nbn.be
Bulgaria BDS
www.bds-bg.org
Croatia HZN
www.hzn.hr
Cyprus CYS
www.cys.org.cy
Czech Republic UNMZ
www.unmz.cz
Denmark DS
www.ds.dk
Estonia EVS
www.evs.ee
Finland SFS
www.sfs.fi
France AFNOR
www.afnor.fr
Germany DIN
www.din.de
Greece ELOT
www.elot.gr
Hungary MSZT
www.mszt.hu
Iceland IST
Ireland NSAI
www.nsai.ie
Italy UNI
www.uni.com
Latvia LVS
www.samc.lv
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Lithuania LST
www.evs.ee
Luxembourg ILNAS
portail-qualite.public.lu
Malta MSA
Netherlands NEN
www.nen.nl
Norway NS
www.standard.no
Poland PKN
www. pkn.pl
Portugal IPQ
www.ipq.pt
Slovakia STN
www.unms.sk
Slovenia SIST
http://www.sist.si
Spain AENOR
www.aenor.es
Sweden SS
www.sis.se
Switzerland SNV
www.snv.ch
South Africa SABS
www.sabs.co.za
Turkey TSE
www.tse.org.tr
United Kingdom BSI
www.bsigroup.com
United States ANSI
www.ansi.org
International IMO
Maritime Organisation www.imo.org
coding
Brady can supply any pipe marker you need, taking into account any
regulations and company specifications regarding text, colour, symbols, size,
layout and material. Below is an ISO 20560-compliant pipe marker colour
coding.
Acids
or liquefied conditions
Gases in either gaseous
Liquids and fixed materials
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Alkalis
Water
Firefighting equipment
Air
Hazardous Substances
Pipe marker order
checklist
Order only the best pipe markers for your environment. Carefully consider
the options below for maximum durability and return on investment. Contact
Brady for more support.
Available materials:
INDOOR
adhesive
B-7543P
(no laminate)
Outdoor durability 1 years 3-5 years 10 years
Chemical resistance Medium Excellent Excellent
Abrasion resistance Good Excellent Excellent
Service temperature -40°c - 120°c -40°c - 120°c -40°c - 120°c
INDOOR
non-adhesive
B-7560P
(no laminate)
Outdoor durability 1 years 3-5 years 10 years
+
INDOOR
adhesive
B-7541P
(clear laminate)
+
INDOOR
non-adhesive
B-7561P
(clear laminate)
+
OUTDOOR
adhesive
B-7529P
(UV-blocking laminate)
+
OUTDOOR
non-adhesive
B-7562P
(UV-blocking laminate)
All colour codes available:
■ Standard Brady colours (PIT) ■ Norwegian standard NS813
■ ISO 20560 ■ German Standard DIN 2403
■ American standard ASME A13.1 ■ Swedish Standard SS741
■ British Standard BS1710/4800
■ Marine ISO 14726
Note: If you don‘t select a colour range we will deliver the pipe markers in Brady standard colours
■ Other : please provide the RAL/
Pantone colours
Available formats:
■ 360° visibility pipe markers on rolls (15m, 30m, 50m)
■ Single pipe markers on sheets
Available formats:
■ GHS symbols, substance name or CAS-number
■ Warning symbol(s)
■ Direction arrow(s)
■ Proof needed
Quantity
Provide the number of pipe markers you need to receive a quote.
Chemical resistance Medium Excellent Excellent
Abrasion resistance Good Excellent Excellent
Service temperature -40°c - 120°c -40°c - 120°c -40°c - 120°c
*UL approved and BS5609 certified
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We identify and protect people,
products and premises.
www.bradyeurope.com
Africa
Randburg, South Africa
Tel.: +27 11 704 3295
Email: africa@bradycorp.com
Benelux
Zele, Belgium
Tel.: +32 (0) 52 45 78 11
Email: benelux@bradycorp.com
Centr al & Eastern Euro pe
Bratislava, Slovakia
Tel.: +421 2 3300 4800
Email: central_europe@bradycorp.com
Denmark
Odense
Tel.: +45 66 14 44 00
Email: denmark@bradycorp.com
France
Roncq
Tel.: +33 (0) 3 20 76 94 48
Email: france@bradycorp.com
26/05/2020
Y4449382 EUR-M-881-EN
© 2021 Brady Worldwide inc. All rights reserved
Germany, Austria & Switzerland
Egelsbach, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 6103 7598 660
Email: germany@bradycorp.com
Hungary
Budaörs
Tel.: +36 23 500 275
Email: central_europe@bradycorp.com
Italy
Gorgonzola
Tel.: +39 02 26 00 00 22
Email: italy@bradycorp.com
Middle East FZE
Dubai, UAE
Tel.: +971 4881 2524
Email: me@bradycorp.com
Norway
Kjeller
Tel.: +47 70 13 40 00
Email: norway@bradycorp.com
Russia
Moscow
Tel.: +7 495 269 47 87
Email: central_europe@bradycorp.com
Spain & Portugal
Madrid, Spain
Tel.: +34 900 902 993
Email: spain@bradycorp.com,
portugal@bradycorp.com
Sweden, Finland, Baltic states
Kista, Sweden
Tel.: +46 (0) 8 590 057 30
Email: sweden@bradyeurope.com
Turk ey
Istanbul
Tel.: +90 212 264 02 20 / 264 02 21
Email: turkey@bradycorp.com
UK & Irel and
Banbury, UK
Tel.: +44 (0) 1295 228 288
Email: uk@bradycorp.com
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