Pipe Markings (A13.1-1981).

ANSI requires that pipes be marked with a legend indicating

the name of the contents and arrows showing the direction of flow of the material. A color is
used in combination with the legend to identify the characteristic hazards of the contents. The
label needs to be applied close to valves, flanges, branches, changes in direction, and
wherever pipes pass through walls. Following is the classification of materials and designated
colors.

Material Marker Color

Fire Quenching Materials Red
Materials Inherently Hazardous Yellow
Materials of Inherently Low Hazard, Gas Blue
Materials of Inherent Low Hazard, Liquid Green
Inherently Hazardous Materials
•Flammable or explosive
•Chemically active or toxic
•Extreme temperatures
•Radioactive (Yellow and purple are acceptable if already installed or until existing supplies
are depleted.)
Color field: yellow. Lettering: black.

Material of Inherently Low Hazard

Materials that are not hazardous by nature and are at or near ambient temperature and
pressure.
•Liquid or liquid mixtures.
Color field: green. Lettering: white.
•Gas or gaseous mixtures.
Color field: blue. Lettering: white.

Fire-Quenching Materials
•Water
•Foam
•CO2
•Halon
Color field: red. Lettering: white.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q. What is the difference between OSHA and ANSI requirements for marking hazards?

A. OSHA outlines markings for Danger and Caution hazards in 29 CFR 1910.144. ANSI also defines
Danger and Caution, but further describes Warning and other color designations in Z35.1-1998.

Q. Which pipes need to be marked?

A. According to ANSI A13.1-1981, pipe systems include pipes of any kind. They are defined as
conduits for transporting gases, liquids, semiliquids or fine particle dust.

Q. Are arrows required in addition to marking pipes?

A. Yes, ANSI A13.1-1981 states that arrows shall be used to show the direction of flow.
Identifying colors according ANSI A13.1 of typical materials transported in piping systems are
indicated below:
 Material Color Code

Acetic Acid Yellow

Acetone Yellow

Acetylene Gas Yellow

Acid Yellow

Air Green

Alcohol Yellow

Alum Green

Ammonium Nitrate Yellow

Amyl Acetate Yellow

Antidote Gas Blue

Argon Green

Benzol Yellow

Bisulphite Liquor Yellow

Blau Gas Yellow

Bleach Liquor Yellow

Blow-off Water Yellow

Boiler Feed Water Yellow

Brine Green

Burner Gas Yellow

 Butane  Yellow

Butyl Alcohol Yellow

Calcium Chloride Blue

Carbon Bisulphide Yellow

Carbon Dioxide Yellow

Carbon Monoxide Yellow

Carbonated Water Green

Caustic Soda Yellow

Chlorine Yellow

Chlorine Gas Yellow

Chloroform Yellow

Circulating Water Green

City Gas Yellow

City Water  Green

Coal Gas Yellow

Cold Water Green

Compressed Air Green

Condensate Yellow

Cooling Water Green

Cottonseed oil Yellow

Cutting Oil Green

Diesel Oil Yellow

Distilled Water Green

Drain Oil Yellow

Drain Water Green

Drinking Water Green

Dye Yellow

Ethan Dye Yellow

Exhaust Air Green

Exhaust Gas Yellow

Exhaust System Yellow

Filtered Water Blue

Fire Protection
Red
Water

Flue Gas Yellow

Foamite Red

Formalin Yellow

Freon Green
 Fresh Water Green

Fuel Gas Yellow

Fuel oil Yellow

Gas Yellow

Gasoline Yellow

Glycerine Green

Heating Returns Yellow

Heating Steam Yellow

Helium Green

Hot Water Yellow

Hydrochloric Acid Yellow

Hydrogen Yellow

Hydrogen
Yellow
Peroxide

Hydrogen
Yellow
Sulphide

Industrial Water Green

Instrument Air Green

Kerosone Yellow

Lacquer Yellow

Lactic Acid Yellow

 Linseed Oil Yellow

Lubricating Oil Yellow

Make-up Water Green

Mercury Yellow

Methyl Chloride Yellow

Mixed Acid Yellow

Mixed Gas Yellow

Monoethanolamin
Green
e

Muriatic Acid Yellow

Naphtha Yellow

Natural Gas Yellow

Nitric Acid Yellow

Nitrogen Green

Nitrogen Oxide Yellow

Oil Yellow

Oil, lubricating Yellow

Oil, soluble Yellow

Oxygen Yellow

Paint Yellow
 Peanut Oil Yellow

Phenol Yellow

Phenol Yellow

Process Gas Yellow

Producer Gas Yellow

Propane Gas Yellow

Raw Water Green

Refrigerated Water Green

River Water Green

Salt Water Green

Sanitary Sewer Green

Soda Ash Green

Solvent Yellow

Soybean Oil Yellow

Sprinkler Water Red

Steam Yellow

Storm Sewer Green

Sugar Juice Green

Sulhur Chloride Yellow

Sulphur Dioxide Yellow

Sulphuric Acid Yellow

Tar Yellow

Toluene Yellow

Toluol Yellow

Trichlorethylene Yellow

Turpentine Yellow

Vapor Yellow

Varnish Yellow

Vegetable Oil Yellow

Waste Water Green

Water Green

Water Gas Yellow