Learning the Basics of Pipe Marking
Pipe marking may seem like it is a fairly simple concept at first, but once you look at the importance of getting it right and the many regulations surrounding it, you will realize that it is anything but. Having a basic understanding of pipe marking is extremely important for the safety of any facility.
Fortunately, while there is certainly a lot you need to know about it, there aren’t too many things that are overly complex or will take too long to understand. Read through the following pipe marking basics so you can get started tackling the important project of marking your pipes.
Why is Pipe Marking Important?
Many people wonder why it is important to mark or label their pipes at all. This is especially true with smaller facilities that may not have too many pipes going throughout the area. The fact is, however, that while the people in a given facility may already know what each pipe is used for, they aren’t the only ones that the pipe markings will benefit.
If you are having any type of emergency, for example, the police, fire or medical responders may need to know too. If there is a leak, they need to be able to quickly identify what is leaking so they can respond properly. Another reason why it is so helpful to have the pipes properly labeled is in case you bring in an outside contractor to work on the pipes or anything in the area. If they don’t know what is contained in the pipes, it could cause problems.
Of course, the one of the most important reasons why it is so important is because it is often required by OSHA and other regulatory agencies. Staying in compliance with these agencies can help ensure you don’t get any fines or run into any other issues.
How to Properly Mark Pipes
When you are ready to get started with your pipe marking project, you will need to make sure you have the right labels for the job. Fortunately, this is extremely easy and can likely be done with equipment you already have in your facility.
Using an industrial label maker, you can print off custom labels that will meet or exceed the requirements for pipe marking in your facility. If you don’t already have one of these printers, they are an excellent investment as they can be used for pipe marking as well as many other important safety activities.
Once you print off the labels that you need, you can apply them directly to the pipe. Make sure that they are placed at least every 50 feet, and in a way that they are visible to people who are looking at them from the ground. In addition, it is necessary to have labels in place any time the pipe goes through a wall or another obstruction that you can’t see through. Click HERE for more information on where to place pipe marking labels.
Maintaining Your Markings
Finally, once the pipe markings are properly in place, you will need to take some steps to ensure they remain in good shape and easily visible. This starts with simple cleaning, which will be taken care of by your maintenance team.
As long as you use high quality pipe marking labels (like our vinyl labels), you will be able to clean them with your normal cleaning products because the labels are made to stand up to moisture and general use.
With proper care, your pipe markings can last for years without any problems. In the event that they are damaged, however, they can be replaced with new ones in just minutes. The important thing is to make sure that they are always in good shape and easy to see.
Additional Resources
- ANSI Color Codes for Pipe Marking– creativesafetysupply.com
- Pipe Marking: The Basics You Need to Know– blog.creativesafetysupply.com
- Pipe Marking Standards– safetyblognews.com
- Pipe Marking for Your Facility– hiplogic.com
- Great Pipe Marking Examples– lean-news.com
- Pipe Marking – 7 Things You Should Know– babelplex.com
- ANSI Pipe Marking Standards– bridge-to-safety.com
- Where are Pipe Labels Required?– iecieeechallenge.org
- Labels that Last: Pipe Labels Exposed to Extreme Weather– blog.labeltac.com