Undertaking a pipe labeling project can be a daunting task. Whether your facility has hundreds of pipes or just a few, it is important they are marked correctly! Those working on or around pipes in your facility, whether it be employees or emergency responders, will greatly benefit from well-marked pipes.
Your first step in a pipe labeling project will be to learn the requirements. Having a good understanding of the standards that regulate your industry will be important. The ANSI/ASME A13.1 standard applies to most workplaces but there are also specific standards for marine environments, ammonia refrigeration, and wastewater treatment. Before you begin putting labels on pipes, familiarize yourself with pipe color codes and explore the best practices for pipe marking. Having a comprehensive knowledge of pipe marking will make your pipe labeling project run a lot smoother and the next steps a lot easier.
After you have gotten to know a bit more about pipe marking standards, it is time to take inventory and survey your facility. Using a workbook or sheet of paper, take note of all the pipes present. To make ordering labels for you a quick and painless process, be sure to include helpful information. Write down the pipe contents, type of contents (flammable, combustible, etc.), the diameter of the pipe, area the pipe is located, direction of flow, and number of pipes.
If you were thorough in the last two steps, it will make your job of getting labels a breeze, you’ll just need to choose a method. Using the information collected in the last step, you can determine the color of label you will need, the text on it, how big the label and text need to be, and any extra symbols you may want to include (like arrows). The traditional way to get pipe labels is by ordering online or through a catalog. By auditing your pipes, you will have a complete shopping list to place your order quickly and wait for labels to arrive.
Another option is to invest in an industrial label printer. By printing your pipe labels on-site rather than order them from a company can save you both time and money. Having the ability to create professional-grade custom labels can guarantee your pipe labeling project will only take a day or two, and that it will meet your facility’s specific expectations.
Once you ordered your labels or printed them off, it’s time to mark the pipes! Schedule a time for installation, preferably a time that would not disrupt workers or cause a delay in processes. Have a team together to complete the install work and ensure they understand pipe marking standards and best practices.
Additional Resources
- A Guide to Pipe Marking Standards– creativesafetysupply.com
- A Guide to ANSI Pipe Marking Standards– pipemarking.info
- Where can I use custom labels?– label-printers.org
- Pipe Marking 101: Why is Pipe Marking Important?– infographicsdirectory.org
- Where do I start with 5S?– 5sforum.com
- How do I label for optimal arc flash safety?– arcflashanswers.com
- Floor Marking for Warehouse Traffic– forkliftsafety101.com
- Visuals for the Workplace: Safety Signs & Labels– safetyvisuals.com
- Wire and Cable Management– electricalsafetyexpert.com