Pipe Labeling in the Pulp & Paper Industry
Standards and Requirements for Marking and Identifying Pipes
OSHA requires that pulp and paper plants follow specific guidelines under 29 CFR 1910.261, and focuses more on increased safety as a result of a pipe marking program. Pipe labels should contain all of the information employees need in order to make intelligent decisions regarding the contents of a pipe or conduit. The pulp and paper industry has hazards that make standardized pipe marking a priority.
FREE Facility Pipe Marking Guide
Pipe marker labels indicate which pipelines are dangerous, direction of flow, and pipe contents.
The table below is a summary of the ASME standards for marking and identifying pipes in the pulp and paper industry. Use this guide when marking all chlorine, caustic and acid lines. This guide can also be used in other industrial industries.
*Intended to be a brief overview, not a complete list of all pipe marking specifications
| O.D. of pipe or covering | Length of the color field | Size of the letters | |||
| inches | mm | inches | mm | inches | mm |
| < 3/4" | < 19mm | A permanently legible tag is recommended | |||
| 3/4 - 1-1/4 | 19 - 32 | 8 | 200 | 1/2 | 13 |
| 1-1/2 - 2 | 38 - 51 | 8 | 200 | 3/4 | 19 |
| 2-1/2 - 6 | 64 - 150 | 12 | 300 | 1-1/4 | 32 |
| 8 - 10 | 200 - 250 | 24 | 600 | 2-1/2 | 64 |
| over 10 | over 250 | 32 | 800 | 3-1/2 | 89 |
Pipe marker labels should include directional arrows, indicating the direction of flow, at each end of the label. Directional arrows should go around the entire circumfirence of the pipe (or pipe covering). Pipes should be marked in the following locations:
• Adjacent to all changes in direction
• Adjacent to all valves and flanges
• At both sides of floor and wall penatrations
• At any point of entry into the line
• At 50 foot intervals on straight runs
Check out this free online tutorial about industrial pipe marking at labelingproducts.com.
