IIAR BULLETIN #114 - MARCH 2014 REVISION

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Ammonia markers have been developed to help contractors comply with ANSI / ASME A13.1-2015 standards for piping identification and IIAR's Recommended Guidelines, Bulletin #114 Identification of Ammonia Refrigeration Piping and System Components March 2014 Revision.

 

Bulletin #114 2014 states that all piping mains, headers and branches should be identified as to the physical state of the refrigerant, i.e. vapor, liquid, etc., the relative pressure level of the refrigerant and the direction of flow. All components of the refrigeration system, e.g. receivers, heat exchangers, accumulators, etc., should also be uniformly identified.

 

Pipe markers in accordance with Bulletin 114, are designed to identify the refrigerant contained within that piping segment (i.e., ammonia) including the physical state of the refrigerant, relative pressure level of the refrigerant and direction of flow.

 

The changes specified in the 2014 Revision of the guidelines are as follows:

  1. Ammonia Piping Abbreviations: The 2014 revision contains 28 abbreviations versus 17 contained in the 1991 Guidelines. See full list below.
  2. Color changes: The background color for Ammonia pipe markers shall be Safety Orange, following the color guidelines by ANSI Z535.1 Safety Color Code.
  3. Color Changes: The color for the LIQUID physical state has also changed, it used to be Orange and is now Yellow.
  4. Component/ Equipment Marker Abbreviations: in the 2014 revision IIAR has supplied a list of the most common component abbreviations. See full list below.
  5. Piping Color Scheme: the scope of this new section is to provide a suggested, non-mandatory color scheme beyond a simple 'one color' or 'two color' scheme for ammonia refrigeration piping systems in machinery rooms. The color schemes may also be applied to portions of the refrigeration system beyond machinery rooms. Existing schemes for identification are considered acceptable. In those areas where state codes and government regulations are not conflicted, ammonia refrigerated facilities have the option to implement a company documented piping color scheme.

AMMONIA PIPE MARKER INFORMATION


Ammonia pipe markers will contain or be divided in 5 section or components:

  1. Abbreviation Section: Printed in black
  2. Physical State Section: Either LIQUID or VAPOR
    Printed in yellow for Liquid and sky blue for Vapor
  3. Marker Body: Body color to be Safety Orange and contain the refrigerant "AMMONIA" printed in black
  4. Pressure Level Section: Either LOW or HIGH.
    Pressure in excess of 70 psig will be considered to be high pressure and printed in black letters on a red band.
    Pressure equal to or less than 70 psig will be considered to be low pressure and printed in black on a green band.
  5. Directional Arrow: Detachable arrow printed in black
Ammonia Marker Sections

PIPE MARKER SIZE CHART

The following chart shows the recommended pipe marker letter height and marker size based on the outside pipe diameter of the pipe to be identified and the distance between the viewer and the pipe.

 

Considering these factors, the size of the pipe marker and lettering should be selected to provide quick and positive identification. Pipe location, from a viewer's standpoint, will be different on every installation. Therefore, on-site decisions will be necessary to provide the optimum pipe marking system.

Diameter (O.D.) Range Minimum Marker Width Minimum Marker Length Letter Size Physical State Pressure Level
Up to 1-1/4" 1" 8" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2"
Greater than 1-1/4" – 2" 1-1/2" 8" 3/4" 3/4" 3/4"
Greater than 2" – 7" 2-1/2" 12" 1-1/4" 1" 1"
Greater than 7" – 10" 3-1/2" 24" 2-1/2" 1-1/2" 1-1/2"
Over 10" 4-1/2" 32" 3-1/2" 2" 2"

Brimar's Stick-On EZ Pipe Markers


Illust. of Ammonia Marker for Pipe OD of .75 to 2 inches

Ammonia EZ Marker Style AN-1
For pipes with O.D. of 3/4" to 2"
Legend Size: 3/4" High
Marker Size: 1-1/2" h x 10" long
Marker comes with detachable directional arrow

Illust. of Ammonia Marker for Pipe OD of 2.5 to 6 inches

Ammonia EZ Marker Style AN-2
For pipes with O.D. of 2-1/2" to 6"
Legend Size: 1-1/4" High
Marker Size: 2-1/2" h x 15" long
Marker comes with detachable directional arrow

Illust. of Ammonia Marker for Pipe OD of 2.5 to 6 inches

Ammonia EZ Marker Style AN-3
For pipes with O.D. of 7" to 10"
Legend Size: 2-1/2" High
Marker Size: 3-1/2" h x 27" long
Marker comes with detachable directional arrow

Illust. of Ammonia Marker for Pipe OD of 2.5 to 6 inches

Ammonia EZ Marker Style AN-4
For pipes with O.D. Over 10"
Legend Size: 3-1/2" High
Marker Size: 4-1/2"h x 32" long
Marker comes with detachable directional arrow


Brimar's Wrap Around & Strap-On System #4 Pipe Markers


Illust. of Ammonia Marker for Pipe OD of 2.5 to 6 inches

Ammonia System #4 Wrap Around Style AN4B
For pipes with O.D. of 1" to 2-3/8"
Legend Size: 3/4" High
Marker Size: 8" wide
Marker includes directional arrows

Illust. of Ammonia Marker for Pipe OD of 2.5 to 6 inches

Ammonia System #4 Wrap Around Style AN4E
For pipes with O.D. of 2-1/2" to 4-3/4"
Legend Size: 1-1/4" High
Marker Size: 12" wide
Marker includes directional arrows

Illustration of Ammonia Pipe Marker Wrap Around

Ammonia System #4 Wrap Around Style AN4F
For pipes with O.D. of 5" to 7-7/8"
Legend Size: 1-1/4" High
Marker Size: 12" wide
Marker includes directional arrows

Illustration of Ammonia Pipe Marker Strap On

Ammonia System #4 Strap On Style AN4H
For pipes with O.D. Over 8"
Legend Size: 3-1/2" High
Marker Size: 32" long
Marker includes a detached directional arrow


AMMONIA PIPE ABBREVIATIONS:

 

Abbreviating the names given to pipes in the ammonia refrigeration system will assist the operator in identifying and tracing the system. To further assist the operator make sure the physical state (LIQUID or VAPOR) as well as the pressure level (HIGH or LOW) are also identified in the marker. i.e., Adding -10° to a particular recirculated suction line and 0° to another one, would serve to differentiate between 2 Low Temp Recirculated Suction (LTRS) lines.

COMMON AMMONIA PIPING ABBREVIATIONS
Piping Description Abbreviation State Pressure
Booster Discharge  BD VAP LOW
Booster Suction  BS VAP LOW
Condenser Drain  CD LIQ HIGH
Defrost Condensate * DC LIQ/VAP HIGH
Economizer Suction  ES VAP LOW
Equalizer * EQ VAP HIGH
Foul Gas * FG VAP HIGH
High Pressure Liquid  HPL LIQ HIGH
High Stage Discharge  HSD VAP HIGH
High Stage Suction HSS VAP LOW
High Temperature Recirculated Liquid  HTRL LIQ LOW
High Temperature Recirculated Suction  HTRS LIQ/VAP LOW
High Temperature Suction  HTS VAP LOW
Hot Gas * HG VAP HIGH
Hot Gas Defrost  HGD VAP HIGH
Intermediate Pressure Liquid  IPL LIQ HIGH
Liquid Drain * LD LIQ LOW
Liquid Injection Cooling LIC LIQ HIGH
Liquid Transfer LT LIQ LOW
COMMON AMMONIA PIPING ABBREVIATIONS
Piping Description Abbreviation State Pressure
Low Stage Discharge LSD VAP LOW
Low Stage Suction LSS VAP LOW
Low Temperature Liquid LTL LIQ LOW
Low Temperature Recirculated Liquid  LTRL LIQ LOW
Low Temperature Recirculated Suction  LTRS LIQ/VAP LOW
Low Temperature Suction  LTS VAP LOW
Medium Temperature Recirculated Liquid MTRL LIQ LOW
Medium Temperature Recirculated Suction MTRS LIQ/VAP LOW
Medium Temperature Suction  MTS VAP LOW
Oil Drain  OD --- ---
Pump Out PO LIQ/VAP LOW
Purge * PRG VAP HIGH
Relief Vent * RV --- ---
Relief Vent  RV VAP HIGH
Sub-Cooled Liquid  SCL LIQ HIGH
Thermosyphon Return  TSR LIQ/VAP HIGH
Thermosyphon Supply  TSS LIQ HIGH
Thermosyphon Vent  TSV VAP HIGH
* These piping descriptions are not included in the Bulletin No. 114-2014

DIRECTIONAL ARROWS

Directional arrows will be printed on the marker body. In the case of the wrap around pipe markers, arrows & legends are printed repeatedly in opposite directions allowing the marker to be applied in any direction achieving proper reading while indicating pipe content flow. The "self-adhesive" type of marker will be printed with one directional detachable arrows. In either case, the directional arrow or arrowhead will be BLACK in color and proportionate in size to the marker. Directional arrow tape may also be applied around the full circumference of the pipe.


AMMONIA COMPONENT / EQUIPMENT MARKERS


1. Component markers will bear the name of the equipment they identify, e.g., RECEIVER, ACCUMULATOR, RECIRCULATOR, etc.

2. In addition, component markers will be provided with a pressure level designation.

 

Component markers will have BLACK letters on a SAFETY ORANGE field.

 

Pressure Level will be indicated by the word HIGH in RED letters or the word LOW in GREEN letters printed or applied flush with the right edge of the marker.

 

Brimar's component markers measure 24" x 3-1/2" and contain 2-1/2" high text.

New Ammonia Component Markers Bulletin 114 2014

COMPONENT MARKER ABBREVIATIONS:

 

Applying abbreviations of the names commonly given to components or equipment in an ammonia refrigeration system will assist the operator in identifying components and tracing system piping. In addition to the abbreviation, the use of a temperature or a pressure commonly associated with a particular line may further assist the operator.

COMMON COMPONENT/EQUIPMENT ABBREVIATIONS
Component / Equipment Abbreviation
Accumulator (with/without int. coil)  ACC
Air Cooled Condenser   AC
Air Handling Unit   AHU
Air Unit   AU
Booster Compressor   BC
Controlled Pressure Receiver   CPR
Evaporative Condenser   EC
Heat Exchanger   HEX
High Pressure Receiver   HPR
High Stage Compressor   HSC
High Temperature Recirculator   HTR
Intercooler (with/without int. coil) IC
Liquid Transfer Unit   LTU
Low Temperature Compressor   LTC
COMMON COMPONENT/EQUIPMENT ABBREVIATIONS
Component / Equipment Abbreviation
Low Temperature Recirculator   LTR
Low Low Temp Recirculator   LLTR
Oil Pot   OP
Oil Separator   OS
Pilot Receiver   PR
Purger Unit   PRG
Refrigerant Pump   RP
Refrigerated Make-Up Air Unit   RMAU
Rooftop Air Unit   RTU
Surge Drum   SD
Swing Compressor   SWC
Thermosyphon Receiver   TSR
Water Cooled Condenser   WC 

AMMONIA REFERENCE CHART

 

A reference chart that fully explains the ammonia refrigeration piping and component identification markers, including the approved abbreviations, should be placed in areas that are conspicuous to operating personnel. Regardless of the piping color scheme selected, a legend or key to the meaning of the colors should be posted in a conspicuous area. The reference chart, legend, or key should be made of durable material that will remain legible.

 

Ammonia Reference Chart Bulleting 114 2014