ASME Guide

Latest Revision ANSI / ASME A13.1 2015:

ANSI / ASME A13.1 Changes

Primary Means of Identification:

The legend (name of the pipe content) and directional flow arrow remain the primary means of identifying pipe content. The size and placement of the marker and arrow has not changed. See ANSI/ ASME Size Chart below and installation guide for details.
ASME A13.2015 3.1 Legend: "Positive identification of the contents of a piping system shall be by lettered legend, giving the name of the contents in full or abbreviated form. Arrows shall be used to indicate direction of flow. Where flow can be in both directions, arrows in both directions shall be displayed. Contents shall be identified by a legend with sufficient additional details such as temperature, pressure, etc. as are necessary to identify the hazard."
Pipemarker.com meets ANSI & ASME A13.1 2015 Type and Letter Size requirements: Brimar uses sans serif gothic bold lettering (Arial Bold) when manufacturing pipe markers to provide high readability and contrast with marker color.

Additional Means of Identification ASME A13.1

ASME A13.1 incorporated the GHS pictograms into the 2015 revision and has recommended their use as part of the legend.

"The applicable GHS pictograms as illustrated below may be included as part of the legend. Where piping is connected to containers that are labeled in accordance with GHS requirements, a corresponding label on the piping may be provided. The corresponding label should contain at least the product name or identifier, the pictogram, the signal word, and the physical, health, and environmental hazard statements."

Hazard Communication Pictograms

Nine OSHA approved Hazard Communication pictograms. Each pictogram below is used to alert users of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed to. The pictogram consists of a black symbol inside a white diamond framed by a red border and each represents a distinct hazard. from no symbols, or up to 6 different symbols can be printed on each marker, depending on the substance you need to identify. The symbol printed on the marker is determined by its chemical hazard classification. Reference to SDS to learn about the hazard classification of each substance you will be exposed to.

2. Secondary Identification

ASME A13.1 4.2 Color: "Color should be used to identify the characteristic hazards of the contents. Color should be displayed on, or contiguous to, the piping by any physical means, but its use shall be used in combination with a legend. Color may be used in continuous, total-length coverage or in intermittent displays. Colors preceded by the word "Safety" shall meet the requirements of ANSI / NEMA Z535.1"

Flammable Fluids

Used for fluids that, under ambient or expected operating conditions, are a vapor or procedure vapors that can be ignited and continue to burn in air. The terms thus may apply, depending on service conditions, to fluids defined for other purposes as flammable or combustible

Oxidizing Fluids

Oxidizing fluid is any gas or liquid that may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other material more than air does.

Fire Quenching Fluids

This classification includes water, foam and CO2 used in sprinkler systems and fire fighting piping systems.

Toxic & Corrosive Fluids

This classification includes fluids that are corrosive or toxic, or will produce corrosive or toxic substances when released.

Combustible Fluids

This classification includes fluids that can burn but are not flammable.

3. Placement

Always position pipe labels on pipes to achieve the best visibility. Install pipe labels below or above the horizontal centerline of the pipe when pipes are located above or below the normal line of vision.

4. Abandoned Piping

Piping that has been abandoned in place should be identified. The recommended color scheme is a safety white background with black letters. A black border should be added to the identification. When the abandoned piping is protected from corrosion by the addition of a pressurized fluid or contains residual hazardous material, the legend should indicate that.