Rule 1230: Identification of Piping System

RULE 1230
IDENTIFICATION OF PIPING SYSTEM

1230.01: Scope:

This Rule shall provide a common code to assist in the proper identification of materials conveyed in piping systems.

This Rule shall cover only the identification of piping systems in industrial and power plants. It does not cover pipes buried in the ground.

1230.02: Standard Requirements:

Specifying the contents of piping system shall be primarily on the basis of stenciled or lettered legends.

Use of color as a means of specifying the type of material conveyed in a piping system shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Standard. Relatively, for the purpose of uniformity and to lessen the chances of error, confusion or inaction especially in times of emergency, Article 11.4, Chapter XI of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers Code, in accordance with its latest edition, is hereby adopted

1230.03: Definitions:

(1) “Piping Systems” shall include conduit for the liquids, semi-liquids, but not solids carried in air or gas.

In addition to pipes of any kind, fittings, valves and pipe coverings are included. Supports, brackets, or other accessories are specifically excluded from the application of this Standards.

(2) “Fire Protection Materials and Equipment” shall include sprinkler system and other fire-protection equipment The identification of this group of materials may also be used to identify or locate such equipment as alarm boxes, extinguishers, fire blankets, fire doors, hose connections, hydrants and other fire-fighting equipments.

(3) “Dangerous Materials” shall include materials which are hazardous to life or property because they are easily ignited, toxic, corrosive, at high temperatures and pressures, productive of poisonous gases or are in themselves poisonous. It also includes materials that are known ordinarily as fire producers or explosives.

1230.04: Methods of Identification of Contents of Piping System:

(1) “Positive Identification” of contents of piping systems shall be primarily on the basis of stenciled or lettered legends giving the name of content in full or abbreviated form in accordance with Table 25 C. Where it is desirable or necessary to give supplementary information such as hazard or use of the piping system content, this may be done by additional legend or by color applied to the entire piping system, or as colored bands. Legends may be placed on colored bands. (See figure 20.)

(2) “Identification by color or by colored bands” which are supplementary to the use of legends shall be installed at frequent intervals on straight pipe runs (sufficient to identify), close to all valves, and adjacent to all change-in-directions, or where pipes pass through walls and floors. The color identification may be accompanied by use of decals or plastic bands which are made to conform with the standards. If desired, the entire length of the piping system may be painted with the color.

1230.05: Visibility:

Attention shall be given with reference to pipe markings. Letterings on overhead pipe above normal line of operators’ vision shall be placed below the horizontal center line of the pipe (See Figure 20.)

1230.06: Location of stenciled or lettered legends:

In certain types of plants, it may be desirable to label the pipes at junction points or points of distribution only, while at other locations the markings may be installed at necessary intervals all along the piping, close to valves and to change-in-direction.

1230.07: Type and Size of Letters for Stencils:

The standard sizes for letters in the use of stencils shall be from 13 to 89 millimeters in height.

Tags shall be used for identifying pipes with less than (3/4″) 19 millimeters in diameter. The lettering or the background shall be in standard color. (See Table 25-d)

In cases where it is decided to paint the entire piping, the color and sizes of legend letters stenciled on the piping for identification of materials conveyed should conform to the specifications. (See Tables 25 a and 25 b).