Pipe labels are quite a bit different than most other types of labels in the workplace. This is partly because of the fact that there is a very limited amount of visible room on this particular type of label. Since the label has to wrap around the pipe, it requires you to ensure placement of the text is perfect, and every letter conveys the important information that is needed.
Because of these limits, and the fact that pipes of different sizes have different amounts of room, there are very few actual requirements when it comes to the text that is used on these labels. Instead, the requirements are focused on the colors of the labels (which are color-coded to indicate what type of solution is in the pipe), and the symbols such as arrows to indicate flow direction.
What is In the Pipe?
The main thing that really does need to be printed onto the label is the pipe’s contents. This should be printed off in letters that are at least the minimum required size for the diameter of the pipe itself. Ideally the text should also be bolded and all in capital letters to make it as easy to read as possible. For larger pipes, it is often ideal to print the text in two or three places so that it will be visible from each side of the pipe itself.
If there is room on the label, it can be helpful to include other text. What is printed on the label will be left to the decision of the facility manager. In most cases, it will be specific warnings related to the chemical in the pipe. For example, brief instructions on what should be done should the contents of the pipe leak out would be beneficial.
The one thing to remember about this is that while additional details can be helpful, the main portion of the label should be simply identifying what is in the pipe. Anything extra can be there only if it doesn’t make it so the contents of the pipe is unreadable.
- What should the height of text on a pipe label be?
- How do I calculate how many pipe labels I will need?
- Can I create custom pipe labels and still be compliant?
- What information can I include on a pipe label?
- What are different types of pipe labels?
- What are the ANSI standards for pipe color codes?