You can use OSHA standards in your pipe marking project. These standards help increase workplace safety. Our line of SafetyPro industrial labeling systems are designed to help you quickly and easily create custom OSHA and ANSI compliant pipe labels.
ANSI and OSHA Compliance
With all of the safety standards out there, it is easy to get confused. Let us help you with your ANSI A13.1-1981 signage, ANSI Z535.1-1991 labeling, liquid mixture pipe signs and steam pipe marking. Whether you need to label Low Stage Suction pipes, flow direction or Low Temperature Recirculated Liquids, we can help determine your pipe marking requirements.
BS1710 label printing
It is a legal requirement under The Health & Safety (Safety Sign & Signals) Regulation to mark visible pipework containing or transporting dangerous substances and preparations with a pictogram or symbol. Let us help you learn how.
ANSI Pipe Marking Standards

Hazardous materials flow through miles of piping in many industrial, commercial and institutional facilities. Just like hazardous materials in other situations, piping systems should be appropriately labeled to make people aware of the hazardous materials they carry. The ANSI A13.1-1981 Scheme for Identification of Piping Systems addresses this concern by offering a common labeling method for use in all facilities.

ANSI separates materials transported in above-ground piping systems into three categories:
  • High-Hazard Materials: Encompasses several hazard areas including corrosive and caustic materials; substances that are toxic or capable of creating toxic gases; explosive and flammable materials; radioactive substances; and materials that, if released, would be hazardous due to extreme pressures or temperatures.
  • Low-Hazard Materials: Materials that are not inherently hazardous and have a small chance of harming employees through mild temperatures and low pressures.
  • Fire Suppression Materials: Fire protection materials such as foam, carbon dioxide (CO2), Halon and water.


Label Requirements

Pipe marking labels must effectively communicate the contents of the pipes and give additional detail if special hazards (such as extreme temperatures or pressures) exist. The legend should be short in length and easy to understand. For example, the legend "Steam 100 PSIG" specifies the contents as well as the additional pressure hazard. An arrow should be used in conjunction with the legend to show which direction the material flows.

The three hazard classes have different color-coded labels associated with them. All high-hazard materials use black characters on a yellow background. The low-hazard material class is divided into two different color schemes: liquids or liquid mixtures use white characters on a green background; gases or gaseous mixtures use white characters on a blue background. The fire suppression class uses white letters on a red background. The letters on pipe labels should be a minimum of 1/2" high, and should increase in size as the pipe diameter increases. The following table indicates ANSI-recommended letter height for various pipe sizes.

Outside Pipe Diameter Letter Height

.75" to 1.25".5"
1.5" to 2".75"
2.5" to 6"1.25"
8" to 10"2.5"
over 10"3.5"

Label Placement

Labels should be positioned on the pipes so they can be easily read. Proper label placement is on the lower side of the pipe if the employee has to look up to the pipe, on the upper side of the pipe if the employee has to look down towards the pipe, or directly facing the employee if on the same level as the pipe (see Illustration 1). Labels should be located near valves, branches, where a change in direction occurs, on entry/re-entry points through walls or floors, and on straight segments with spacing between labels that allows for easy identification

ANSI Pipe Marking Labeling Supplies

ANSI A13.1-1981 signs for liquid mixture pipes, steam pipes and low stage suction pipes can be hard to find. To make sure you are up to date with the latest compliance rules in ANSI Z535.1-1991, for flow direction labeling, Low Temperature Recirculated Liquid and identifying Thermosyphon Supply pipes, contact us today. We also sell compatible duralabel supplies, SafetyPro printers and TSC thermal transfer machines, which get the job done for far less than brady label printers.


Home :: Company :: OSHA Standards :: OSHA Charts OSHAPipeMark.Com (c) 2020 - 877-762-9280
Pipe Marking Home OSHA Pipe Marking Standards OSHA Pipe Marking Charts Contact Us