Scheme for the

Identification of
Piping Systems

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

 Scheme for the
Identification of
Piping Systems

AN AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

� The American Society of

� Mechanical Engineers Two Park Avenue • New York, NY • 10016 USA
 Date of Issuance: October 25, 2023

The next edition of this Standard is scheduled for publication in 2026.

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Copyright © 2023 by
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 CONTENTS

Foreword ............ ....................... .............. .............. ....... iv

Committee Roster ........... ....................... ....................... ....... v
Correspondence With the A13 Committee ............ .............. .............. ....... vi
Introduction . .................................................................... vii
Summary of Changes ... ................................. ................... ....... viii

1 Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4 Method of Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Figures
4.1·1 Flow Direction to the Right ................................................ 2
4.1-2 Flow in Both Directions (Double-Headed Arrow) ................................. 2
4.1·3 Flow in Both Directions (Arrows Pointed in Opposite Directions) ..................... 2
4.1·4 GHS Pictograms ......................................................... 3
4.3-1 Location of Identification Markers ........................................... 4

Tables
4.2-1 Designation of Colors ..................................................... 4
4.4-1 Size of Legend Letters .................................................... 4

iii
 FOREWORD

This Foreword provides a brief history of how ASME Al3.l, Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems, came to be
and how it has evolved over time.
Shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, in a time of rapid industrial expansion, it became apparent that some
scheme should be devised to identify piping. In 1908, an article on "Identification of Power House Piping by Colors" was
read at a meeting of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In 1909, an article called "Standard Colors for Power
Station Piping" was read at the meeting of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies.
In 1920, the National Safety News pointed out the need for a color scheme for piping, and the following year several
papers were published and reports made to various committees, notably the Prime Movers Committee of the National
Electric Light Association, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the U.S. Navy Department.
In the meantime, many large companies compiled their own scheme with no thought to standardization of pipe colors,
even in their own plants. When personnel were shifted, accidents could and did happen as a result.
The American Standards Association [now called the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)] organized the
Sectional Committee on the Identification of Piping Systems on June 14, 1922. This committee's efforts resulted in the
initial publication of this Standard in 1928.
On August 23, 1950, the committee was reorganized to investigate the possibility of a revision to the Standard. It was
felt that a revision was necessary because of the tremendous number of different materials being carried in pipes. After
many meetings and much discussion, a revision of American Standard, Scheme for Identification of Piping Systems, was
approved by the sectional committee and sponsors. It was then presented to the American Standards Association for
approval and designation as an American Standard. This was granted on January 27, 1956.
In the late 1960s, the committee began discussions on the possibility of revising the 1956 standard. These discussions
continued for a number of years, eventually resulting in approval by ANSI. The revision was designated as an American
National Standard on June 13, 1975.
In accordance with the policy of ANSI, the committee began a review of the 1975 Standard for a possible revision in the
late 1970s. This resulted in a revised edition, which was approved by ANSI and designated as an American National
Standard on November 16, 1981.
Subsequent editions were approved by ANSI in 1996 and 2007.
The 2015 edition of ASME A13.l incorporated the GHS pictograms and added a definition for oxidizing. ASME
Al3.l-2015 was approved by ANSI on October 30, 2015.
The 2020 edition of ASME Al3.l made a number of changes, including redesignating some paragraphs, revising most
definitions, adding a reference to the GHS, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, and
adding a new paragraph to address abandoned piping. ASME A13.l-2020 was approved by ANSI on September 1, 2020.
The 2023 edition of ASME A13.l makes significant changes, including revising the Scope, updating each of the defini­
tions, expanding the Legend section, and revising both the Color section and Table 4.2-1, Designation of Colors. Also, ASME
Al3.l was changed from a periodic-maintenance to a continuous-maintenance Standard. ASME Al3.l-2023 was
approved by ANSI on August 18, 2023.

iv
 ASME A13 COMMITTEE
Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems
(The following is the roster of the committee at the time of approval of this Standard.)

STANDARDS COMMITTEE OFFICERS

A. Mukherjee, Chair
R. Mohamed, Secretary

STANDARDS COMMITTEE PERSONNEL

J. A. Ciba, Jr., Signode Industrial Group B. Martinez Reyes, Flowserve
A. Esmaeili, APA Group R. Mohamed, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
D. R. Frikken, Becht A. Mukherjee, ST Energy Co., LLC
J. M. Hamedi, BHP Minerals Australia J. Paschal, Paschal Engineering
W. M. Huitt, W. M. Huitt Co. R. Severinsen, Marking Services, Inc.
R. M. Jimenez, Brimar Industries, LLC B. E. Spencer Ill, Marathon Petroleum
A. Bhanu K., The Piping Institute F. W. Tatar, Consultant
V. V. Kumar, Honeywell UOP H. Toki, Bechtel India Pvt., Ltd.

v
 CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE Al3 COMMITTEE

General. ASME codes and standards are developed and maintained by committees with the intent to represent the
consensus of concerned interests. Users of ASME codes and standards may correspond with the committees to propose
revisions or cases, report errata, or request interpretations. Correspondence for this Standard should be sent to the staff
secretary noted on the committee's web page, accessible at https://go.asme.org/A13committee.

Revisions and Errata. The committee processes revisions to this Standard on a continuous basis to incorporate
changes that appear necessary or desirable as demonstrated by the experience gained from the application of the Stan­
dard. Approved revisions will be published in the next edition of the Standard.
In addition, the committee may post errata on the committee web page. Errata become effective on the date posted.
Users can register on the committee web page to receive e-mail notifications of posted errata.
This Standard is always open for comment, and the committee welcomes proposals for revisions. Such proposals
should be as specific as possible, citing the paragraph number(s), the proposed wording, and a detailed description of the
reasons for the proposal, including any pertinent background information and supporting documentation.

Cases. The committee does not issue cases for this Standard.
Interpretations. Upon request, the committee will issue an interpretation of any requirement of this Standard. An
interpretation can be issued only in response to a request submitted through the online Interpretation Submittal Form at
https://go.asme.org/InterpretationRequest. Upon submitting the form, the inquirer will receive an automatic e-mail
confirming receipt.
ASME does not act as a consultant for specific engineering problems or for the general application or understanding of
the Standard requirements. If, based on the information submitted, it is the opinion of the committee that the inquirer
should seek assistance, the request will be returned with the recommendation that such assistance be obtained. Inquirers
can track the status of their requests at https://go.asme.org/Interpretations.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of any interpretation when or if additional information that might affect
an interpretation is available. Further, persons aggrieved by an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME
committee or subcommittee. ASME does not "approve," "certify," "rate," or "endorse" any item, construction, proprietary
device, or activity.
Interpretations are published in theASME Interpretations Database at https://go.asme.org/Interpretations as they are
issued.

Committee Meetings. The A13 Standards Committee regularly holds meetings that are open to the public. Persons
wishing to attend any meeting should contact the secretary of the committee. Information on future committee meetings
can be found on the committee web page at https://go.asme.org/A13committee.

vi
 INTRODUCTION (23)

PURPOSES OF STANDARDIZATION

Schemes for identification of the contents of piping systems have been developed in the past by a large number of
industrial plants and organizations of various kinds. Generally speaking, the standards arrived at in individual cases have
given satisfaction to those using them but they also have suffered from a lack of uniformity. Mistakes made in turning
valves on or disconnecting pipes at the wrong time or place have resulted in numerous injuries to personnel and damage
to property. In particular, these sorts of mistakes have been made when outside agencies, such as municipal fire depart­
ments, were called in to assist. Furthermore, there has been considerable confusion for people who change employment
from one plant to another.
In order to promote greater safety and lessen the chances of error, confusion, or inaction, especially in times of
emergency, a uniform system for the identification of piping contents has been established to warn personnel
when the piping contents are inherently hazardous. Therefore, while this Standard has been prepared to specify
the identification of the contents of piping systems on the basis of legends, it also suggests the use of color as a supple­
mentary means of identifying the type of hazard of the material contained in the system.

METRIC CONVERSIONS

This Standard contains U.S. Customary and SI (metric) units. Either system may be used to meet the requirements of
this Standard.

vii
 ASME A13.1-2023
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Following approval by the ASME A13 Committee and ASME, and after public review, ASME A13.1-2023 was approved by
the American National Standards Institute on August 18, 2023.

ASME A13.1-2023 includes the following changes identified by a margin note, (23).

Page Location Change

vii Introduction Last sentence revised
1 1 Revised
1 2 Revised
1 3 Revised
1 4.1 Revised
2 Figure 4.1-1 Added
2 Figure 4.1-2 Added
2 Figure 4.1-3 Added
3 Figure 4.1-4 Former Figure 4.1-1 redesignated
2 4.2 Revised
4 Table 4.2-1 Revised
2 4.3 Revised
2 4.4 Revised

viii
 ASME A13.t-2023

SCHEME FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PIPING SYSTEMS

(23) 1 SCOPE ANSI/NEMA ZS35.1. American National Standard for

Safety Colors. National Electrical Manufacturers Asso­
This Standard establishes a common system to assist in ciation.
identification of fluids conveyed in piping and their char­ GHS. Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
acteristics. Labelling of Chemicals. United Nations.
The Standard describes requirements for the identifi·
cation of aboveground piping used in industrial, commer­
cial, transmission, distribution, and institutional 4 METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION
installations, and in buildings used for public assembly.
It does not apply to electrical conduits. 4.1 Legend (23)
An alternative system for identification is acceptable if
(a) the system is described in writing This Standard requires preparation of a legend that
(b) employees are trained to recognize the contents of describes the contents of the piping system. Legends
the piping based on the system shall be brief, informative, pointed, and simple for greatest
(c) the system meets local jurisdictional requirements effectiveness. The following are examples of content
descriptions appearing in a legend:
(a) "HOT WATER"
(23) 2 DEFINITIONS (b) "Phosphate Slurry"
fluids: liquids, gases, slurries, pneumatically conveyed (c) "Air 700 kPa"
solids, and their mixtures. (d) "ARGON 500 PSIG"
combustible: a fluid that can burn, but that is not flam­ (e) "PROPANE"
mable. (f) "Chilled Water"
corrosive: a fluid that causes visible destruction of, or (g) "HYDRAULIC OIL"
irreversible alterations in, living tissue or materials by (h) "AFFF Foam"
chemical action at the site of contact. (i) "CARBON TETRACHLORIDE"
firefighting: water, foam, and C0 2, among other fluids, OJ "Liquid CO/
that are used to control, suppress, or extinguish fires. (k) "SULFURIC ACID"
flammable: a fluid that, under ambient or expected oper­ (1) "STEAM 100 PSJG"
ating conditions, is a vapor or produces vapors that can be (m) "Crude Oil"
ignited and continue to burn in air. The term thus may (n) "Natural Gas"
apply, depending on service conditions, to a fluid In addition to the legend, arrows shall be used to indi­
defined for other purposes as flammable or combustible. cate direction offlow. The direction shall be indicated by a
oxidizing: a fluid that may, generally by providing single-headed arrow (see the example in Figure 4.1-1).
oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other Where flow can be in both directions, either a double­
material more than air does. headed arrow (see Figure 4.1-2), or two arrows
toxic: a fluid that may constitute a hazard to life or pointed in opposite directions (see Figure 4.1-3), shall
health, either temporary or permanent, from exposure be displayed. Contents shall be identified by a legend
by contact, inhalation, or ingestion. with sufficient additional details, such as temperature
piping: conduits used to convey, distribute, mix, separate, and pressure, as are necessary to identify the hazard.
discharge, meter, control, or snub fluid flows that are Legends may be stenciled or taped on, or marked in ink.
constructed from pipe, tube, fittings, valves, and their In any situation, the number and location of identification
coverings. Supports, brackets, and other accessories markers shall be based on the particular piping system.
are specifically excluded from applications of this Stan­ The applicable GHS pictogram as illustrated in
dard. Figure 4.1-4 may be included as part of the legend.
Where piping is connected to containers that are labeled
(23) 3 REFERENCES in accordance with GHS requirements, a corresponding
label on the piping may be provided. The corresponding
The latest edition of the following standards shall, to the label should contain at least the product name or
extent specified herein, form a part of this Standard.

1
 ASME A13.1·2023

Figure 4.1-1 4.3 Placement (23)

(23) Flow Direction to the Right
Attention shall be given to the visibility of the pipe
markings. Where piping is located above or below the
normal line of vision, the lettering shall be placed
below or above the horizontal centerline of the pipe
(see Figure 4.3-1).
Legends shall be applied close to valves or flanges; adja­
cent to changes in direction, branches, and where pipes
Figure 4.1-2 pass through walls or floors; and at intervals on straight
(23) Flow in Both Directions (Double-Headed Arrow) pipe runs sufficient for identification. For piping layouts
where applying legends in this way is impractical, substi­
tute techniques to achieve positive identification are ac­
ceptable. One such technique is placing the legends on
plates that are attached to the piping.

4.4 Type and Size of Letters (23)

Figure 4.1-3 Contrast shall be provided between the color field and
Flow in Both Directions (Arrows Pointed in Opposite legend for readability. Use of letters of standard style, 1 in
(23)
Directions) sizes 0.5 in. (13 mm) and larger, is recommended. See
Table 4.4-1 for specific size recommendations. For iden­
tification of materials in piping with an outside cover
diameter less than 0. 75 in. (19 mm), the use of a perma­
nently legible tag is recommended. The tag should follow
the identification scheme described in this Standard
except for the size of letters, which should be such
that they can be easily read from a position along the
identifier, the pictogram, the signal word, and the physical, typical line of vision.
health, and environmental hazard statements.
4.5 Abandoned Piping
(23) 4.2 Color
Piping that has been abandoned in place should be iden­
Color should be used to identify the characteristics of tified. The recommended color scheme is safety white
the contents. Color should be displayed on, or contiguous background with black letters. A black border should
to, the piping by any physical means. Its use shall be in be added to the identification. When the abandoned
combination with a legend. Color may be used in contin­ piping is protected from corrosion by the addition of a
uous, total-length coverage or in intermittent displays. pressurized fluid or contains residual hazardous material,
Colors preceded by the word "Safety" shall meet the the legend should indicate that.
requirements of ANSl/NEMA 2535.1 (see Table 4.2-1).

1 Sans serif gothic bold lettering provides hjgh readability.

2
 ASME A13.t-2023

Figure 4.1-4
GHS Pictograms (23)

• 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 • Irritant

• Respiratory sensitizer toxicity • Dermal sensitizer
• Reproductive toxicity • Acute toxicity (harmful)
• Target organ toxicity • Narcotic effects
• Mutagenicity • Respiratory tract
• Aspiration toxicity irritation

3
 ASME A13.1·2023

Table 4.2-1
(23) Designation of Colors

Background
Fluid Color Letter Color
Firefighting Safety red White
Toxic or corrosive Safety orange Black
Flammable, combustible, or oxidizing Safety yellow Black
Steam; or steam condensate, boiler feedwater, Gray Black
or other hot water
Potable, cooling, or other cold or tepid water Safety green White
Compressed air Safety blue White
To be defined by the user Safety purple White
To be defined by the user Safety white Black
To be defined by the user Brown White
To be defined by the user Safety black White

Figure 4.3-1
Location of Identification Markers

Table 4.4-1
Size of Legend Letters
Outside Diameter of Length of
Pipe Covering, Color Field, A, Size of Letters, B,
in. (mm} in. (mm} in. (mm}
0.7 to 1.3 (18 to 33) 8 (200) 0.5 (13)
1.4 to 2.4 (34 to 61) 8 (200) 0.7 (19)
2.5 to 6.7 (62 to 170) 12 (300) 1.3 (32)
6.8 to 10 (171 to 254) 24 (600) 2.5 (64)
Over 10 (over 254) 32 (800) 3.5 (89)

4
ISBN 978-0-7918-7626-8

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