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.

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AMMONIA PIPE MARKER INFORMATION

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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

PIPE MARKER SIZE CHART

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"