Understanding User-Defined Color Codes for Pipe Marking

Pipe marking is an essential part of workplace safety, providing quick, visual identification of pipe contents and their associated hazards. ANSI/ASME A13.1 establishes standard color codes for common substances; however, many facilities handle materials or processes that go beyond these standard classifications. In such situations, facilities turn to user-defined color codes.

User-defined color codes, as recognized by ANSI/ASME A13.1, are specific color combinations reserved for marking pipes and equipment when the standard color options are not sufficient. This flexibility allows facilities to clearly identify non-standard substances and maintain consistency across locations while ensuring compliance. Understanding these color codes is essential to ensure safety and compliance when a facility needs to label contents that don't fit standard categories.

Standard vs User-Defined Color Codes

The ANSI/ASME A13.1 standard defines specific colors for common types of substances and fluids to help personnel quickly identify pipe contents and ensure uniformity across facilities. User-defined color codes, on the other hand, are custom combinations reserved by ANSI/ASME A13.1 for situations not covered by the standard colors. They allow facilities to:

• Identify non-standard materials or specialized fluids
• Provide further classification within an existing category (e.g., potable vs. cooling water)
• Maintain consistency across multiple facilities

Clear documentation and training are essential to ensure personnel understand user-defined codes.

Examples of User-Defined Color Codes

The ANSI/ASME reserves four specific color combinations that are as follows:

• Purple with White Text: Specific hazards or utilities not covered by standard colors
• Black with White Text: Custom product categories
• White with Black Text: Custom labels requiring high contrast
• Brown with White Text: Specific pipelines not covered by predefined colors

These color combinations provide help in implementing more granular and custom pipe labeling while still adhering to a recognized standard. Let’s look at the uses of these color combinations:

• A facility may label drinking water with black text on white, while using green for other water types.
• A pharmaceutical plant might use white text on black for ultra-pure water to separate it from regular water.
• A chemical terminal could label recycled process water with black text on white to differentiate it from standard green potable water.
• An electronics manufacturing facility may use black text on white for ultra-clean deionized water lines, clearly marking them from other types.

Key Considerations for Effective Implementation

For pipe labels with user-defined color combinations to be effective and safe, the following must be in place:

• Consistency: Apply codes uniformly across the facility and locations
• Documentation: Clearly record meanings in safety plans
• Training: Educate all staff and emergency personnel
• Legend and Content: Labels should include critical information such as the pipe contents, flow direction, and hazard warnings.
• Size and Placement: Ensure labels are visible and readable from a safe distance
• Compliance and Review: Align with applicable industry standards and regulations and conduct periodic audits

User-defined color codes provide additional color combination options to meet specific facility needs and identify substances not covered by the six standard pipe color codes defined in ANSI/ASME A13.1. When applied consistently, documented, and supported with training, these custom labels improve operational efficiency, reduce errors, and strengthen workplace safety.