Product Information
Details
IIAR BULLETIN #114 - 2019 REVISION
Ammonia Snap-Around and Strap-On Pipe Markers are made using durable outdoor grade vinyl. Marker sizes RA to RE wrap completely around pipes up to 6" O.D. For pipes larger than 6" O.D. use strap on pipe markers, sizes RF, RG or RH.
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 2019 Revision.
Bulletin #114 2019 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.
- Ammonia Piping Abbreviations: The 2019 revision contains 31 abbreviations versus 17 contained in the 1991 Guidelines. See full list below.
- Color changes: The background color for Ammonia pipe markers shall be Safety Orange, following the color guidelines by ANSI Z535.1 Safety Color Code.
- Color changes: The color for the LIQUID physical state has also changed, it used to be Orange and is now Yellow.
- Component/ Equipment Marker Abbreviations: in the 2019 revision IIAR has supplied a list of the most common component abbreviations. See full list below.
- 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:
- Abbreviation Section: Printed in black
- Physical State Section: Either LIQUID or VAPOR
Printed in yellow for Liquid and sky blue for Vapor - Marker Body: Body color to be Safety Orange and contain the refrigerant "AMMONIA" printed in black
- 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. - Directional Arrow: Detachable arrow printed in black.
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.
Brimar's Snap-Around & Strap-On Pipe Markers
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Ammonia Snap-Around Size RA
For pipes with O.D. of 3/4" to 1"
Legend Size: 1/2"
Marker Size: 8" -
Ammonia Snap-Around Size RB
For pipes with O.D. of 1-1/8" to 2-3/8"
Legend Size: 3/4"
Marker Size: 8"
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Ammonia Snap-Around Size RC
For pipes with O.D.2-1/2" of to 3-1/4"
Legend Size: 1-1/4"
Marker Size: 12" -
Ammonia Snap-Around Size RD
For pipes with O.D. of 3-3/8" to 4-1/2"
Legend Size: 1-1/4"
Marker Size: 12"
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Ammonia Snap-Around Size RE
For pipes with O.D. of 4-5/8" to 6"
Legend Size: 1-1/4"
Marker Size: 12" -
Ammonia Strap-On Size RF
For pipes with O.D. of 6-1/8" to 7-7/8"
Legend Size: 1-1/4"
Marker Size: 12"
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Ammonia Strap-On Size RG
For pipes with O.D. of 8" to 10"
Legend Size: 2-1/2"
Marker Size: 24" -
Ammonia Strap-On Size RH
For pipes with O.D. over 10"
Legend Size: 3-1/2"
Marker Size: 32"
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.
Compliance
Snap-Around and Strap-On Pipe Markers
These markers are made with high-quality PVC vinyl and printed with UV-resistant ink for maximum durability and are available in two formats: snap-around (coiled) and strap-on (flat markers supplied with holes and 2 nylon ties).
Styles AA through E (snap-around) are simply uncoiled by hand and automatically recoil around the pipe for a secure fit. Styles F, G, and H (strap-on) include nylon ties to secure the marker around pipes with diameters from 6 1/8″ to 10″+. For pipes larger than 14″ in diameter order additional nylon ties.
- These Markers are available in formats: Coiled (snap-around) and flat with holes (strap-on).
- For pipe diameters up to 6″, use snap-around markers (styles AA, A, B, C, D, E); these markers are simply uncoiled by hand and automatically recoil around the pipe.
- For pipe diameters larger than 6″, use strap-on markers (styles F, G, H); these markers are installed using nylon ties (included with purchase) or stainless steel strapping.
- Advantages of snap-around and strap-on pipe markers: No pipe preparation, 360° visibility, speed of installation, arrows included and overall better appearance.
- Durability
- 4 to 5 years
- Service Temp
- -40 °F to 160 °F (-40 °C to 71 °C)
- Minimum Application Temp
- None
- Surface Prep
- None
- Spec Compliance
- ANSI / ASME A13.1 2020
Marker Size, Letter Height & Max. Characters Per Marker
The following shows the recommended pipe marker letter height and marker size based on the outside pipe diameter of the pipe to be identified. For pipes smaller than 3/4" and for valve identification, the use of a permanent legible tag is recommended.
ANSI / ASME Size Table
* Size selection MUST include insulation thickness / Size F ships with two 36" long ties and sizes G and H ship with two 48" long nylon ties.
Latest Revision ANSI / ASME A13.1
ANSI / ASME is the most common pipe identification standard used in the United States. The standard specifies the primary and secondary means of identifying pipe content, as well as the size, color and placement of the identification device.
1. Primary Identification
The legend (name of 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 table and installation recommendations for details.
Legends should use arrows to indicate the direction of flow, where flow can be in both directions, arrows in both directions should be displayed. Contents should be identified by a legend with sufficient additional details such as temperature, pressure, etc. Legends should be brief, informative, pointed, and simple for greatest effectiveness.
1.1 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 in Fig.1 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."
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"
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FLUID SERVICE COLOR COMBINATIONS Fire Quenching Fluids 
Toxic & Corrosive Fluids 
Flammable & Oxidizing Fluids 
Combustible Fluids 
Potable, Cooling, Boiler feed, & other Water 
Compressed Air 
Defined by the User 
Defined by the User 
Defined by the User 
Defined by the User 
- 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.
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Install pipe labels close to valves or flanges.
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Apply pipe labels adjacent to changes in direction and/or branches.
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.
