Tradefox Reference
Pipe colours.Know what’s inside before you cut.
Painted bands and labels tell you what a pipe carries, but the code changes from one standard to the next. Pick a standard to see its colours drawn out, compare them side by side, then look up which system each of 236 countries and territories uses.
Pipe colour standards
BS 1710:2014
Specification for identification of pipelines and services
- Published by
- BSI (British Standards Institution), committee PSE/4
- Used in
- United Kingdom (also used in Ireland and some Commonwealth/Gulf markets)
- Edition
- BS 1710:2014
Colours and supplementary information for identifying pipes carrying fluids above and below ground, plus ventilation ducts and conduits for electrical services. Ship systems were removed in 2014 and are now covered by BS ISO 14726.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
BS 1710:2014 water services (current table)
The current edition sorts water by where it comes from and what it is used for: an auxiliary blue band for a public supply, flint grey for any other source, then black for non-potable and red for fire fighting.
- Potable water, public supplyGreen / Auxiliary blue
- Potable water, other source (e.g. borehole)Green / Flint grey
- Non-potable water, public supply (e.g. heating, chilled, cooling circuits, hot water)Green / Auxiliary blue / Black / Auxiliary blue
- Non-potable water, other source (e.g. rainwater, greywater, reclaimed)Green / Flint grey / Black / Flint grey
- Fire-fighting water, potable public supplyGreen / Auxiliary blue / Red / Auxiliary blue
- Fire-fighting water, potable other sourceGreen / Flint grey / Red / Flint grey
- Fire-fighting water, non-potable public supply (incl. stored)Green / Auxiliary blue / Black / Red / Black / Auxiliary blue
Common UK practice, not the current table
These long-established band combinations come from the 1984 edition. They are still printed on a lot of UK pipe-marking tape and you will meet them on older installations, but the 2014 edition reorganised water services.
- Drinking waterGreen / Auxiliary blue
- Cooling water (primary)Green / White
- Boiler feed waterGreen / Crimson / White / Crimson
- CondensateGreen / Crimson / Emerald green / Crimson
- Chilled waterGreen / White / Emerald green / White
- Central heating below 100 CGreen / Blue / Crimson / Blue
- Central heating above 100 CGreen / Crimson / Blue / Crimson
- Cold down serviceGreen / White / Blue / White
- Hot water supplyGreen / White / Crimson / White
- Hydraulic power (water)Green / Salmon pink
- Sea, river or untreated waterGreen
- Fire extinguishing waterGreen / Red
- Diesel fuelBrown / White
- Furnace fuelBrown
- Lubricating oilBrown / Emerald green
- Hydraulic power oilBrown / Salmon pink
- Transformer oilBrown / Crimson
- Natural gasYellow ochre / Primrose
- Anhydrous ammonia (refrigerant)Yellow ochre / Dark mauve
- Compressed airLight blue
- VacuumLight blue / White
- SteamSilver grey
- DrainageBlack
- Electrical conduits and ventilation ductsOrange
- Acids and alkalisViolet
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Basic identification colour may run the full length of the service or be applied as bands. Safety/code colour bands sit between two bands of the basic colour. Contents are named next to the banding (full name, abbreviation, chemical symbol or refrigerant number). Flow direction is shown by arrows on the pipe or an adjacent label.
- Band widths
- The standard ties minimum band width to the service diameter. All code/safety bands in one identifier are of equal width. WRAS notes the red fire band comes in three sizes in the 2014 edition.
- Where to mark
- At junctions, on both sides of valves and at wall penetrations, so that each section or compartment shows an identifier visible from floor level or a walkway. Concealed services are marked at intervals of 500 mm or less. Below ground, marker tape in the trench with spiral identification tape may be used. Replace any identifier removed during work.
- Legend colours
- Not a legend-colour scheme like ASME. Text and arrows are supplementary information.
Water and safety colour codes follow WRAS guidance, which reproduces BS 1710:2014 extracts with BSI permission. Building-services contractors often use green, blue, black, blue, green for closed heating, chilled and condenser circuits under the 2014 scheme. HSE does not require any particular colour scheme. BS 1710:2014 is the current edition.
ASME A13.1:2023
Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems
ASME now lists a 2026 edition of A13.1. The colours shown here are from the 2023 edition, so check them against the 2026 text before relying on them.
- Published by
- ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), ANSI-accredited
- Used in
- United States (widely used in Canada, Latin America, Middle East and on US-designed projects worldwide)
- Edition
- ASME A13.1-2023 (issued 25 Oct 2023, ANSI approval 18 Aug 2023; revision of A13.1-2020). The ASME website now lists an 'A13.1-2026' edition under stabilized maintenance.
- Status
- current (2023 is the edition with confirmed content; ASME lists a 2026 edition, placed on stabilized maintenance)
A common system for identifying fluids in above-ground piping in industrial, commercial, transmission, distribution and institutional installations and in public-assembly buildings. It does not cover electrical conduits or buried pipelines.
Legend colours
Pipes carry a coloured marker that names the contents, with a flow arrow. The colour pair shows the hazard group.
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
History: the 2007 to 2020 legend scheme
Before the 2023 edition, combustible fluids were white on brown and all water, including boiler feed, was white on green.
- Fire-quenchingWhite lettering on red
- Toxic and corrosiveBlack lettering on orange
- Flammable and oxidizingBlack lettering on yellow
- CombustibleWhite lettering on brown
- Potable, cooling, boiler feed and other waterWhite lettering on green
- Compressed airWhite lettering on blue
- User-definedWhite lettering on purple
History: the 1996 scheme
The older four-group scheme, still seen on legacy plant.
- Inherently hazardous materialsBlack lettering on yellow
- Inherently low-hazard liquidsWhite lettering on green
- Inherently low-hazard gasesWhite lettering on blue
- Fire-quenching materialsWhite lettering on red
Other markings
- Abandoned pipingBlack lettering on safety white with a black border (section on abandoned piping, added in 2020).
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Legend (text naming the contents) plus a background colour field. Arrows at one or both ends show flow, and a double-headed arrow or opposed arrows show flow in both directions. GHS pictograms may be included in the legend (since 2015). Piping connected to GHS-labelled containers may carry a corresponding label: product identifier, pictogram, signal word and hazard statements. Colour is a secondary identifier; the legend is primary.
- Marker sizes
Outside diameter Min. colour field length Min. letter height 0.7-1.3 in (18-33 mm) 8 in (200 mm) 0.5 in (13 mm) 1.4-2.4 in (34-61 mm) 8 in (200 mm) 0.7 in (19 mm) 2.5-6.7 in (62-170 mm) 12 in (300 mm) 1.3 in (32 mm) 6.8-10 in (171-254 mm) 24 in (600 mm) 2.5 in (64 mm) over 10 in (over 254 mm) 32 in (800 mm) 3.5 in (89 mm) - About the sizes
- Pipes under about 0.7 in (18 mm) OD should carry a permanent tag instead of a marker.
- Where to mark
- Next to valves and flanges, at changes of direction, on both sides of wall/floor penetrations, and at intervals on straight runs that are sufficient for identification (many installers use 25-50 ft). Place labels within the normal line of sight: below the centreline of overhead pipes and above the centreline of low pipes.
- Legend colours
- 2023: Fire = white on red; Toxic & corrosive = black on orange; Flammable/combustible/oxidizing = black on yellow; Steam & hot water = black on gray; Cold/tepid water = white on green; Compressed air = white on blue; User-defined = white on purple, black on white, white on brown, white on black.
The 2023 edition moved combustible fluids into the yellow group, created a grey group for steam and hot water, and made brown a user-defined colour. OSHA does not require A13.1 for workplaces in general.
AS 1345:1995
Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts
- Published by
- Standards Australia
- Used in
- Australia; also used in New Zealand (cited in NZ codes, adopted by Watercare in place of NZS 5807) and the basis of Israel's SI 659
- Edition
- AS 1345-1995 (reconfirmed 2018, shown as R2018)
- Status
- current (reconfirmed 2018)
Identifies the contents of pipes, conduits, ducts and sheathing that carry fluids, electrical or communications services, using colours, words and symbols, on land and on ships. Not intended for buried or normally inaccessible services, which receive general guidance only.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
Plumbing and utility practice in Australia and New Zealand.
- Potable (drinking) waterGreen ground with a dark blue band or patch (Watercare guidance cites AS 2700 B21 Ultramarine)
- Recycled water (plumbing, AS/NZS 3500.1)Purple/lilac pipe or continuous purple sleeving (AS 2700 P23 Lilac, P12 Purple or P24 Jacaranda); never blue
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Paint the whole pipe in the identification colour (with or without extra bands), or band it regularly with the identification colour. Add words naming the contents and flow-direction arrows. A safety colour (red, or yellow/black) is added where it applies.
- Band widths
- The Watercare guidance (Oct 2023), based on AS 1345, uses: OD below 40 mm continuous band with 4 mm text; 40-75 mm label 25 mm high with 12 mm text; over 75 mm label 50 mm high with 24 mm text; minimum label length 375 mm.
- Where to mark
- Watercare practice: every 8 m on straight runs, next to fittings, within 1 m of valves, both sides of wall/floor penetrations, readable from standing position.
Colours and AS 2700 references follow published guidance from Watercare (Auckland) and paint makers’ charts based on AS 1345. Plumbing-specific marking, such as recycled water, is covered by AS/NZS 3500.
DIN 2403:2025
Kennzeichnung von Rohrleitungen nach dem Durchflussstoff (Identification of pipelines according to the fluid conveyed)
- Published by
- DIN, committee NA 095-01-06 GA 'Sicherheitskennzeichnung' (NASG)
- Used in
- Germany (also referenced in Austria/Switzerland and by German-designed plants)
- Edition
- DIN 2403:2025-12 (replaces DIN 2403:2018-10; earlier editions 2014-06 and 2007-05)
- Status
- current (2025-12)
Marks above-ground pipelines by the fluid they carry. Since 2025 it can also apply to flexible lines. Excludes ships/offshore (ISO 14726), ventilation in non-residential buildings (EN 16798-3) and medical gas pipelines (EN ISO 7396). Includes special rules for fire-extinguishing lines and drinking/non-drinking water pipes.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
Common practice in German plumbing, used alongside DIN 2403.
- Drinking water (DIN 1988 / TrinkwV practice)Codes PWC (cold) in green, PWH (hot) in red, PWH-C circulation with violet 'C'; non-potable marked NPW.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Label or band in the group colour (with secondary colour field for groups 4, 5, 8 and 9). It carries a flow arrow, the fluid name (word, formula or code) and CLP pictograms where relevant. Alternatives: painting plus lettering, adhesive bands, or signs.
- Band widths
- Label and letter size depend on recognition distance. TRGS 201 points to ASR A1.3 Table 3.
- Where to mark
- At operationally important or hazardous points: start/end, branches, wall penetrations, valves and fittings. Trade practice is at least every 10 m.
- Legend colours
- Text, arrow and border colour per group: white on green/red/violet/brown/blue; black on grey/yellow/orange.
In Germany the Hazardous Substances Ordinance and TRGS 201 require pipes carrying hazardous substances to be marked, and DIN 2403 is the recognised way to do it. The group colours shown match TRGS 201; check the 2025 text for any changes.
ISO 14726:2008
Ships and marine technology - Identification colours for the content of piping systems
- Published by
- ISO (TC 8)
- Used in
- International: ships and offshore/marine structures (may also be used on land)
- Edition
- ISO 14726:2008, edition 1 (May 2008; last confirmed 2024). Adopted as BS ISO 14726, DIN ISO 14726, NF EN ISO 14726 etc.
- Status
- current (confirmed 2024)
Main and additional colours identifying piping on ships and marine structures by content or function. The colours can also be used on drawings. Excludes medical gas, industrial gas and cargo piping.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
Safety colours
Specific contents
Main - additional - main (the additional band is narrower and flanked by the main colour)
Black main colour: waste media
- Black waterBlack / Blue
- Waste/used oilBlack / Brown
- Bilge waterBlack / Green
- Exhaust gasBlack / Grey
- Grey waterBlack / White
- Sewage, contaminatedBlack / Yellow
Blue main colour: fresh water
- Fresh water, sanitaryBlue / Brown
- Potable waterBlue / Green
- DistillateBlue / Grey
- Gas-turbine wash waterBlue / Orange
- Feed waterBlue / Silver
- Cooling fresh waterBlue / Violet
- Chilled waterBlue / White
- CondensateBlue / Yellow
Brown main colour: fuel
- Heavy fuel oil (HFO)Brown / Black
- Aviation fuelBrown / Blue
- Biological fuelBrown / Violet
- Gas-turbine fuelBrown / White
- Marine diesel oil (MDO)Brown / Yellow
Green main colour: sea water
- Decontamination waterGreen / Blue
- Sea water, sanitaryGreen / Brown
- Ballast waterGreen / Violet
- Cooling sea waterGreen / Yellow
Grey main colour: non-flammable gases
- OxygenGrey / Blue
- Inert gasGrey / Brown
- NitrogenGrey / Green
- RefrigerantGrey / Maroon
- Compressed air, low pressureGrey / Orange
- Compressed air, high pressureGrey / Red
- Control/regulating airGrey / Violet
- Breathing airGrey / White
- Breathing gasGrey / Yellow
Maroon main colour: air and sounding pipes
- Air and sounding pipes of waste mediaMaroon / Black
- Air and sounding pipes of fresh waterMaroon / Blue
- Air and sounding pipes of fuelMaroon / Brown
- Air and sounding pipes of sea waterMaroon / Green
- Air and sounding pipes of non-flammable gasesMaroon / Grey
- Air and sounding pipes of oils other than fuelMaroon / Orange
- Air and sounding pipes of steamMaroon / Silver
- Air and sounding pipes of fire fightingMaroon / Red
- Air and sounding pipes of acids/alkalisMaroon / Violet
- Air and sounding pipes of ventilationMaroon / White
- Air and sounding pipes of flammable gasesMaroon / Yellow
Orange main colour: oils other than fuel
- Thermal fluidOrange / Blue
- Lubricating oil, gas turbinesOrange / Green
- Hydraulic fluidOrange / Grey
- Lubricating oil, steam turbinesOrange / Silver
- Lubricating oil, gearsOrange / Violet
- Lubricating oil, internal-combustion enginesOrange / Yellow
Silver main colour: steam
- Steam for heatingSilver / Black
- Driving steamSilver / Green
- Exhaust steamSilver / White
- Supply steamSilver / Yellow
Red main colour: fire fighting
- Fire-fighting waterRed / Green
- Fire-fighting gasRed / Grey
- Sprinkler waterRed / Orange
- Spray waterRed / Violet
- Fire-fighting powderRed / White
- Fire-fighting foamRed / Yellow
White main colour: ventilation air
- Discharge airWhite / Black
- Mechanical supply air, coldWhite / Blue
- Natural exhaust airWhite / Brown
- Atmospheric airWhite / Green
- Mechanical exhaust airWhite / Grey
- Decontaminated supply airWhite / Maroon
- Mechanical recirculated airWhite / Orange
- Mechanical supply air, warmWhite / Silver
- Smoke clearanceWhite / Red
- Conditioned supply airWhite / Violet
- Natural supply airWhite / Yellow
Yellow main colour: flammable gases
- HydrogenYellow / Blue
- AcetyleneYellow / Grey
- Liquid gasYellow / Violet
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Adhesive tape, signs or painted stripes at right angles to the pipe axis. Main colours may also be painted over the full length. The additional colour band is narrower than the main colour and sits between main-colour fields. Flow arrows are recommended, two-headed where flow reverses. Text naming the content is recommended, in a language the crew understands.
- Band widths
- Not specified. Tape goes round the full circumference up to 200 mm OD and about half the circumference above 200 mm.
- Where to mark
- At least once per room/compartment, at every bulkhead/wall/deck penetration, near each valve, and every 3-5 m along the line (more often at bends or congested areas). Pipes in bundles are marked individually.
ISO 14726 replaced the ship systems formerly in BS 1710 and the older two-part ISO 14726 of 2002. Colour combinations left blank in the standard, such as violet, have no contents assigned.
CAN/CGSB-24.3:1992
Identification of piping systems
- Published by
- Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB stopped standards development on 1 April 2026)
- Used in
- Canada
- Edition
- CAN/CGSB-24.3-92
- Status
- unclear (not found on CGSB withdrawn lists; in practice ASME A13.1 is widely used)
Identification of piping contents by colour and legend.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Hazardous materialsYellow / Black
- Inherently low-hazard materials (e.g. water, compressed air)Green / WhiteNMS/Winnipeg spec puts city/domestic water, drainage, distilled water and compressed/instrument air on green.
- Fire-protection systemsRed / White
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
Other markings
- Nms practiceIn the National Master Specification table used by the City of Winnipeg, heating water supply/return, high-temperature hot water, make-up water and refrigerant lines are yellow; natural gas is marked 'to codes'. Institutional standards (e.g. Dalhousie) add project colours such as grey, black, light/dark blue and purple, but these are not from the CGSB standard.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Background colour field with legend in block capitals, sizes and colours per CAN/CGSB-24.3; flow arrows. Small pipes (under about 19 mm) use tags.
- Band widths
- Minimum colour field length 200 mm
- Legend colours
- Black on yellow; white on green; white on red
Canadian workplace rules require pipes to be identified but do not set colours, and ASME A13.1 is widely used. Medical gas pipelines follow CSA Z7396.1.
Decree 12715-MEIC:1981
Norma oficial para la utilización de colores en seguridad y su simbología
- Published by
- Government of Costa Rica, Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC)
- Used in
- Costa Rica
- Edition
- 134 on 16 July 1981 (in force six months later)
- Status
- in force (no repeal seen); mandatory official norm
Safety colours and symbols, including identification of above-ground pipes (buried pipes excluded).
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Water (cold, potable, river)Green
- Hot water and heatingGreen / Orange
- SteamOrange
- Air and compressed airBlue
- Liquid fuels, fuel gases, lubricating oilsBrown
- Toxic or corrosive gases and acidsYellow
- Electricity, telephone, sewage and storm waterGrey
- Ventilation and refrigerationWhite
Safety colours
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Full painting, or bands of the fluid colour on large pipes. Legends with product name and/or hazard in black or white. Flow arrows beside bands.
- Band widths
- By OD per Table 5-C, e.g. 20.3 cm band with 1.3 cm letters for 1.9-3.2 cm pipes, up to 91.5 cm band with 9 cm letters above 25.4 cm
- Where to mark
- At most every 6 m on straight runs, both sides of valves, fittings, changes of direction and wall/floor/ceiling penetrations. Bands sit 10 cm from fittings; the gap between bands is twice the band width.
- Legend colours
- Black or white for contrast
Similar in structure to Argentina's IRAM scheme (both have green-with-orange for hot water and a 6 m spacing).
Sources: 27
Checked 9 Nov 2026
GB 2894-2025:2025
安全色和安全标志 (Safety colours and safety signs), Chapter 8: 工业管道的基本识别色和识别符号 (basic identification colours and codes for industrial pipelines)
- Published by
- SAMR / Standardization Administration of China (SAC)
- Used in
- China (mainland)
- Edition
- GB 2894-2025 (issued 30 May 2025, in force 1 March 2026); replaces GB 2893-2008, GB 2894-2008 and GB 7231-2003
- Status
- current (mandatory national standard)
Safety colours and safety signs in general, plus basic identification colours, identification codes, and hazard/fire signs for industrial pipelines (Chapter 8, with application examples in informative Annex E).
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterGreen · colour standard no G03Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview); also in two GB 2894-2025 articles.
- Steam (water vapour)Red · colour standard no R03Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview); also in two GB 2894-2025 articles.
- Acids or alkalisPurple · colour standard no P02Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview); also in two GB 2894-2025 articles.
- AirLight grey · colour standard no B03Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview).
- GasesYellow · colour standard no Y07Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview).
- Combustible liquidsBrown · colour standard no YR05Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview).
- Other liquidsBlackTable 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview).
- OxygenLight blue · colour standard no PB06Table 2 of GB 2894-2025 (preview).
Safety colours
Specific contents
None by contents; the substance name or chemical formula is written on the pipe. Note under Table 2: other substances may use the medium's own colour as the basic identification colour, and the pipe colour must then be clearly different from it.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Identification colour applied by one of several methods (as in GB 7231: full length, rings, labels, labels with arrows, tags), plus substance name or formula and a flow arrow (double-headed for two-way flow).
- Band widths
- Hazard band 150 mm yellow with 25 mm black on each side
- Where to mark
- Start and end of each line, junctions, both sides of wall penetrations and other required points; a 10 m spacing rule applies for some methods.
All eight colours and their colour-standard numbers come from a preview of the Table 2 text. Water, steam and acid/alkali are also confirmed by two independent articles. The colours and codes are the same as GB 7231-2003, so practice is unchanged.
GB 7231:2003
工业管道的基本识别色、识别符号和安全标识 (Basic identification colours, code indications and safety signs for industrial pipelines)
GB 7231-2003 was abolished on 1 March 2026 and replaced by the mandatory GB 2894-2025. Its pipeline colours have not been checked here and may differ, so treat the colours below as the previous scheme.
- Published by
- AQSIQ / Standardization Administration of China
- Used in
- China (mainland)
- Edition
- GB 7231-2003 (issued 13 Mar 2003, in force 1 Oct 2003; replaced GB 7231-1987)
- Status
- superseded: abolished 1 March 2026 and replaced by GB 2894-2025 'Safety colours and safety signs' (mandatory). GB 2894-2025 also absorbs GB 2893-2008 and GB 2894-2008 and includes industrial pipeline identification colours.
Industrial pipelines carrying gases and liquids that are not buried. Clauses 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2 were mandatory.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterGreen · colour standard no G03 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
- Steam (water vapour)Red · colour standard no R03 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
- AirLight grey · colour standard no B03 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
- GasesYellow · colour standard no Y07 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
- Acids or alkalisPurple · colour standard no P02 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
- Combustible liquidsBrown · colour standard no YR05 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
- Other liquidsBlack
- OxygenLight blue · colour standard no PB06 (confirmed in GB 2894-2025 Table 2)
Safety colours
Specific contents
None; the substance name or chemical formula is written on the pipe.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Choose one of five methods: (a) full-length colour, (b) 150 mm colour ring, (c) rectangular colour label, (d) label with arrow, (e) hanging tag. Code indications: full name and/or chemical formula, single or double flow arrow, optional pressure/temperature/velocity.
- Band widths
- 150 mm colour ring (method b)
- Where to mark
- For methods b-e: at least every 10 m, plus start/end points, junctions, bends, valves and both sides of wall penetrations
Water and drainage pipes in buildings follow GB 55020-2021 and other building codes rather than GB 7231.
GOST 14202-69:1969
Трубопроводы промышленных предприятий. Опознавательная окраска, предупреждающие знаки и маркировочные щитки (Pipelines of industrial plants: identification colouring, warning signs and marking plates)
- Published by
- USSR State Committee of Standards; now an interstate (CIS) standard
- Used in
- Russia and CIS states
- Edition
- GOST 14202-69 (in force 1 Jan 1971; reissued Sept 2001; text with a 2022 correction)
- Status
- in force (no replacement found); voluntary unless referenced by regulations
Identification colouring, warning signs and marking plates for pipelines (incl. fittings and insulation) of industrial plants, indoors, outdoors, on trestles and in channels. Excludes electrical cable routes.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- 1 WaterGreen
- 2 SteamRed
- 3 AirBlue
- 4 Flammable gases (incl. liquefied)Yellow
- 5 Non-flammable gasesYellow
- 6 AcidsOrange
- 7 AlkalisViolet
- 8 Flammable liquidsBrown
- 9 Non-flammable liquidsBrown
- 0 Other substancesGrey
Safety colours
Specific contents
The number of rings (1-3) indicates hazard class according to pressure and temperature. Ring width and spacing depend on pipe OD.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Full-length painting or rings of the group colour, with warning rings, marking plates (four types including flow-left/right/both and sampling point) and yellow-triangle warning signs.
- Band widths
- Table by outside diameter
- Legend colours
- Plate text white on green/red/brown, black on blue/yellow/orange/violet/grey
GOST colour-sample numbers are not shown here; use the standard for exact shades.
GSO BS 1710:2024
Specification for identification of pipelines and services
- Published by
- GSO, the GCC Standardization Organization (adopted nationally as e.g. BH GSO BS 1710:2024 and OS GSO BS 1710:2024)
- Used in
- Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, plus Yemen as a GSO member
- Edition
- GSO BS 1710:2024 (approved 14 Oct 2024; based on BS 1710:2014)
Same as BS 1710:2014: colours and supplementary information for pipes carrying fluids above and below ground, ventilation ducts and electrical conduits. Two methods: basic colours only, or basic colours with code indications/code colours. Excludes ships (see ISO 14726).
Uses the same colours as BS 1710.
GSO BS 1710 is based on BS 1710:2014. Check each member state’s technical regulations to see whether it is mandatory there.
INEN 440:1984
Colores de identificación de tuberías
- Published by
- INEN (Servicio Ecuatoriano de Normalización)
- Used in
- Ecuador
- Edition
- NTE INEN 440:1984 (first revision)
Colours, their meaning and use to identify pipes carrying fluids in land installations and on ships.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- 1 WaterGreen
- 2 SteamSilver grey
- 3 Air and oxygenBlue
- 4 Flammable gasesOchre
- 5 Non-flammable gasesOchre
- 6 AcidsOrange
- 7 AlkalisViolet
- 8 Flammable liquidsBrown
- 9 Non-flammable liquidsBlack
- 0 VacuumGrey
- LPGWhite
Safety colours
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Three modes: colour only; colour plus fluid name; colour plus name plus code indications. Full painting or bands (painted or adhesive).
- Band widths
- Band at least 150 mm long, depending on diameter
- Where to mark
- If not fully painted: at joints, both sides of valves, service devices and wall penetrations
The standard defines colours by CIE coordinates; the names here are the nearest common colour names.
Sources: 41
Checked 9 Nov 2026
IRAM 2507
Sistema de seguridad para la identificación de cañerías
- Published by
- IRAM (Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación)
- Used in
- Argentina
- Edition
- A University of Buenos Aires document titles the same content 'IRAM 2407'.
- Status
- referenced as current by the national occupational-risk regulator (SRT, 2019)
Identification of pipes by fundamental colours and bands.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Fire-fighting (sprinklers, hydrants, fire water, retardants)Red
- SteamOrange
- Fuels (liquid and gaseous)Yellow
- Compressed airBlue
- ElectricityBlack
- VacuumBrown
- Cold waterGreen
- Hot waterGreen / Orange
- Process lines, harmless productsGreyUBA document
- Process lines, hazardous productsGrey / OrangeUBA document
Safety colours
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Full painting or bands. Arrows beside bands. Legends in black or white for contrast. A colour-code chart must be displayed in each facility.
- Band widths
- Minimum band width by OD: up to 50 mm 200 mm; 50-150 mm 300 mm; 150-250 mm 600 mm; over 250 mm 800 mm (UBA document)
- Where to mark
- Every 6 m or less on straight runs, both sides of valves and fittings, changes of direction, and wall/floor penetrations (UBA document)
- Legend colours
- Black or white
Argentine Decree 351/79 requires pipe identification to IRAM rules. Some documents number the same content IRAM 2407.
IS 2379:2024
Colour Code for Pipeline Identification - Code of Practice
- Published by
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), committee MED 17
- Used in
- India
- Edition
- IS 2379:2024
Colour coding for the contents of pipelines in domestic and public buildings and in industrial installations without a specific code of their own. Excludes buried pipelines and electrical-service conduits.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterSea green · IS 5 shade per IS 5
- SteamAluminium
- Mineral, vegetable and animal oils; combustible liquidsLight brown
- AcidsViolet
- AirSky blue
- GasesCanary yellow
- AlkalisGrey
- Other liquids/gases not needing identificationBlack
- Hydrocarbons / organic compoundsGrey
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
- Drinking waterSea green / French blue / Red
- Cooling waterSea green / French blue
- Boiler feed water (1990 table)Sea green / Gulf red
- High-pressure steamAluminium / French blue
- HydrogenCanary yellow / Red / French blue
- Sulphuric acidViolet / Brilliant green / Orange
- Compressed / instrument / plant airColour not recorded
- VacuumColour not recorded
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Ground colour along the full length, or for at least 300 mm, with colour bands laid on it in the direction of flow. The first band is four times the width of each later band. Lettering (name, formula or abbreviation) and flow arrows are recommended.
- Band widths
- Minimum first-band width: up to 80 NB 25 mm; 100-150 NB 50 mm; 200-300 NB 75 mm; 350 NB and above 100 mm. Hazard panels at least 100 mm.
- Where to mark
- Battery limits, intersections, changes of direction, near valves and joints, midway points, and every 50 m on long yard runs. Uninsulated lines above 100 C need not carry bands.
- Legend colours
- Legend height by OD: 20-30 mm OD 10 mm; 30-50 mm 20 mm; 50-80 mm 30 mm; 80-150 mm 40 mm; above 150 mm 90 mm.
The 2024 second revision replaces the 1990 edition and keeps the same ground colours. IS 5 shade numbers are not listed here.
ISO 20560-1:2024
Safety information for the content of piping systems and tanks - Part 1: Piping systems
- Published by
- ISO (TC 145/SC 2)
- Used in
- International
- Edition
- ISO 20560-1:2024, 2nd edition, replacing ISO 20560-1:2020. Part 2 covers tanks. National adoptions include NEN-ISO 20560-1:2020 (NL), NBN ISO 20560-1:2021 (BE), NS-ISO 20560-1:2024 (NO) and DS/ISO 20560-1:2024 (DK).
Safety information for above-ground piping: contents, associated hazards, support for emergency response. Excludes buried pipes, area hazard signage and risk assessment. Can be used on ships.
Legend colours
Pipes carry a coloured marker that names the contents, with a flow arrow. The colour pair shows the hazard group.
- WaterWhite lettering on green
- AirWhite lettering on blue
- Gases (gaseous or liquefied)Black lettering on grey
- Liquids and solids (powder, granulate)White lettering on black
- AcidsBlack lettering on orange
- Alkalis (lyes)White lettering on violet
- Fire-fighting mediaWhite lettering on red
Safety colours
Specific contents
None; the contents are named in text.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- A marker combines a basic identification colour field with the substance name, flow arrow(s) and, where hazardous, a yellow safety-colour field. That field holds the GHS hazard pictograms and/or ISO 7010 warning signs, grouped on one side.
- Band widths
- Defined by tables keyed to pipe diameter. Brady's implementation uses a minimum basic-ID width of 85 mm up to 150 mm OD, 120 mm for 151-500 mm, and 200 mm above 500 mm.
- Legend colours
- As listed in basicColours. Colours are defined by chromaticity regions in Table 2; the yellow values were changed in 2024.
The 2024 edition kept the colour classes but adjusted the colour coordinates. In the EU, the CLP regulation sets the hazard pictograms shown on markers.
Sources: 46
Checked 9 Nov 2026
ISO 7010:2019
Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Registered safety signs
- Published by
- ISO (TC 145/SC 2); CEN adoption as EN ISO 7010
- Used in
- International / EU
- Edition
- ISO 7010:2019 (3rd edition) with Amendments 1-11 (2020-2026); EN ISO 7010 in Europe. A revision (ISO/DIS 7010) is under development.
- Status
- current (to be revised)
Registered safety signs (prohibition, mandatory, warning, safe condition, fire equipment). Shape and colour follow ISO 3864-1. It is not a pipe colour code.
This standard does not set pipe colours of its own. It is listed for context.
Safety colours
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Relationship to pipes: ISO 20560-1 and DIN 2403 markers can carry ISO 7010 warning signs next to the content name, alongside or instead of GHS/CLP pictograms. ISO 7010 sets no pipe colours.
ISO 7010 sets the safety signs and warning symbols that often appear on pipe markers. It does not assign pipe colours.
Sources: 47
Checked 9 Nov 2026
JIS Z 9102:1987
配管系の識別表示 (Identification marking for piping systems)
- Published by
- JISC / Japanese Standards Association
- Used in
- Japan
- Edition
- JIS Z 9102:1987 (reaffirmed, most recently listed 2013; supersedes 1956/1959/1976 editions)
- Status
- current (1987 edition, reaffirmed)
General rules for marking piping systems to improve safety (e.g. preventing wrong valve operation) in factories, mines, schools, theatres, ships, vehicles and similar facilities.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterBlue · Munsell 2.5PB 5/8
- SteamDark red · Munsell 7.5R 3/6
- AirWhite · Munsell N9.5
- GasYellow · Munsell 2.5Y 8/6
- Acids and alkalisPurple · Munsell 2.5P 5/5
- OilBrown · Munsell 7.5YR 5/6
- ElectricityYellow / Red · Munsell 2.5YR 7/6
Safety colours
Specific contents
None standardised; substance names and flow arrows are added in white or black.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Identification colour applied to the pipe (painting or coloured tape/bands) with the substance name and flow-direction arrow. Safety displays are bands with contrasting edging.
- Band widths
- Tapes are sold in 25/50/100/150 mm widths.
- Legend colours
- White or black for text and arrows
Medical gas piping in Japan follows JIS T 7101. Small differences in Munsell values reflect later revisions of the JIS safety-colour standards.
KS A 0503
배관계의 식별 표시 (Identification marking for piping systems)
- Published by
- KATS (Korean Agency for Technology and Standards)
- Used in
- Republic of Korea
- Edition
- KS A 0503:2020 (released 31 Dec 2020); first established 1988.
General rules for identification marking of piping in factories, mines, schools, theatres, ships, vehicles and aviation security facilities, to prevent valve misoperation and support safe handling.
Edition noted; colours not yet confirmed. Check the published standard before using it.
Check the current edition and content with the Korean Standards Association before use.
NBR 6493:2019
Emprego de cores para identificação de tubulações industriais
- Published by
- ABNT (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas)
- Used in
- Brazil (referenced by NR 26 workplace signage rule)
- Edition
- NBR 6493:2019 (Nov 2019, incorporating an amendment to the Oct 2018 edition; previous 1994 edition, NB-54). The ABNT catalogue shows a June 2024 confirmation, but a reseller page also shows a cancellation notice, so the status is contradictory.
- Status
- current per most listings (conflicting cancellation notice on a reseller page)
Colours identifying industrial piping carrying fluids, bulk solids or electrical conductors.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Water (except fire water)Green
- SteamWhite
- Compressed airBlue
- Non-liquefied gasesYellow
- Liquefied gases and low-viscosity flammables/combustibles (diesel, petrol, kerosene, lube oil, solvents)Aluminium
- High-viscosity flammables/combustibles (fuel oil, asphalt, tar)Black
- Acids / non-gaseous chemical productsOrange
- Alkalis (caustic soda, bleach)Lilac
- Bulk solids (ore) and crude oilBrown
- VacuumLight grey
- Electrical conduitsDark grey
Safety colours
Specific contents
Industrial gases follow NBR 13193.
Colours shown are as commonly published; check the 2019 revision for any changes.
NCh 19:1979
Prevención de riesgos - Identificación de sistemas de tuberías
- Published by
- INN (Instituto Nacional de Normalización, Chile)
- Used in
- Chile
- Edition
- NCh19.Of1979 (approved by INN 8 Jun 1979; made official by Decreto 203 of 11 Jul 1979, Ministerio de Salud, Diario Oficial 13 Aug 1979; replaces NCh19.Of61)
- Status
- official Chilean standard (on INN official-standards list)
Identification of piping in plants, hospitals, schools and other public premises. Excludes buried pipes, electrical conduits and supports. States full agreement with ANSI A13.1-1975.
Legend colours
Pipes carry a coloured marker that names the contents, with a flow arrow. The colour pair shows the hazard group.
- High inherent hazard: liquids or gasesBlack lettering on yellow
- High inherent hazard: radioactiveYellow lettering on purple
- Low inherent hazard: liquidsWhite lettering on green
- Low inherent hazard: gasesWhite lettering on blue
- Fire protection and fire-fighting (water, foam, CO2 etc.)White lettering on red
Safety colours
Specific contents
None; contents named by legend.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Legend naming the contents (full or abbreviated) on a colour field, with flow arrows; tapes or metal tags allowed where they do not confuse.
- Marker sizes
Outside diameter Min. colour field length Min. letter height up to 32 mm 200 mm 15 mm 33-50 mm 200 mm 20 mm 51-150 mm 300 mm 30 mm 151-250 mm 600 mm 60 mm over 250 mm 800 mm 90 mm - About the sizes
- Units not printed in the text seen; mm assumed by analogy with ANSI A13.1-1975.
- Where to mark
- Near valves, at changes of direction and branches, both sides of wall/floor penetrations, and at frequent intervals on straight runs; read from below for overhead pipes.
- Legend colours
- Black on yellow; yellow on purple; white on green, blue and red
Based on the 1975 ANSI scheme (yellow/green/blue/red plus purple for radioactive), not the current ASME A13.1-2023 colours. Chilean sites using ASME labels today will show newer colours.
NEN 3050:1972
Kleuren voor het merken van pijpleidingen (Identification colours for pipes conveying fluids in liquid or gaseous condition in land installations and on board ships)
- Published by
- NEN (Netherlands Standardization Institute)
- Used in
- Netherlands (historically Belgium/Flanders practice similar)
- Edition
- NEN 3050:1972 with correction C1:2002
- Status
- current (latest edition per reseller)
Meaning and use of colours for marking pipes carrying liquids or gases on land and on ships. Basic colours only where the substance type is enough; basic plus additional marking where the exact substance matters.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterGreen · RAL 6010
- SteamSilver / Aluminium · RAL 9006
- AirBlue · RAL 5012
- GasesYellow · RAL 1004
- Acids and basesViolet · RAL 4001
- Flammable liquidsBrown · RAL 8001
- Other (non-flammable) liquidsBlack · RAL 9005
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Basic colour only, or basic colour plus additional markings
The RAL set matches the old ISO/R 508 scheme. Dutch industry increasingly uses ISO 20560-1.
NF X08-100:1986
Couleurs - Tuyauteries rigides - Identification des fluides par couleurs conventionnelles
- Published by
- AFNOR
- Used in
- France (and French-speaking markets)
- Edition
- NF X08-100, February 1986 (replaced the October 1977 edition)
- Status
- current (AFNOR lists it as in force)
Conventional colours identifying fluid families in rigid piping, and for some families the specific fluid and its state. Sector standards (e.g. NF X08-104 steelworks, NF X08-105 chemical plants) build on it. Excludes aircraft fluid circuits.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- AirLight blue
- Steam (vapeur d'eau)Light grey / Aluminium
- Other gasesOrange / Yellow
- WaterYellow / Green
- Mineral, vegetable and animal oils / liquid fuelsLight brownOils and liquid fuels share light brown.
- Acids and basesViolet
- Other liquidsBlack
- Fire-extinguishing fluidsOrange red
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
State colours
An extra band that shows the condition of the contents.
- Hot or superheatedOrange grey
- Cold or cooledViolet
- Liquefied gasPink
- Under pressureOrange red
- Rarefied gas / very low pressureLight blue
- Polluted or vitiatedBrown
Identification colours (examples)
Examples of the ring used for particular contents. Check the standard for the exact water pairings.
- Drinking waterLight grey
- Non-potable water and sea waterBlack
- Distilled/demineralised waterPink
- OxygenWhite
- NitrogenBlack
- HydrogenOrange red
- AcetyleneLight brown
- Natural/industrial gasPink
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Background (family) colour over the full length or as a ring/band. The identification colour and state colour are rings/bands placed side by side over the background. Flow arrows are white or black; on discontinuous marking each band ends in a point. The fluid name and hazard pictograms are added on plates or stickers.
- Legend colours
- White or black arrows
Colour pairings are taken from INRS guidance; check the standard for exact shades and for the water identification rings.
NOM-026-STPS:2008
Colores y señales de seguridad e higiene, e identificación de riesgos por fluidos conducidos en tuberías
- Published by
- STPS (Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social), published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación
- Used in
- Mexico
- Edition
- NOM-026-STPS-2008 (issued 6 Nov 2008; replaced NOM-026-STPS-1998)
- Status
- current; mandatory (Norma Oficial Mexicana)
Safety colours and signs in workplaces, and identification of hazards from fluids conveyed in pipes.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Fire-fighting fluidsRedWhite text
- Hazardous fluids (incl. above 50 C, low temperatures that can injure, or 686 kPa / 7 kg/cm2 gauge and above)YellowBlack text; may be yellow/black 45-degree diagonal stripes with yellow at least 50%
- Low-risk fluidsGreenWhite text
Specific contents
Full substance name or NOM-018-STPS hazard communication may be added.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Paint the whole pipe, use identification bands, or use indelible labels. Add supplementary information (safety signs, hazard legend, substance name, process data). Flow arrows are white or black.
- Band widths
- Minimum band width by OD: up to 38 mm 100 mm; 38-51 mm 200 mm; 51-150 mm 300 mm; 150-250 mm 600 mm; over 250 mm 800 mm
- Where to mark
- Visible from the work area and near valves. Colour repeated every 10 m (bands up to 200 mm) or 15 m (wider). Text: minimum 15 cm letters on pipes over 300 mm; tag with 10 mm letters for pipes under 25 mm.
- Legend colours
- White text on red and green; black (or magenta) on yellow
Hazard-based like ASME 1996 (three colours), not content-based.
Sources: 65
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NP 182
Identificação de fluidos - Cores e sinais para canalizações
- Published by
- IPQ (Instituto Português da Qualidade)
- Used in
- Portugal
- Edition
- NP 182
- Status
- cited as current in a 2020 fire-safety technical note
Identification of pipes carrying liquid or gaseous fluids in land installations.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterGreen · RAL 6010
- AirLight blue · RAL 6034
- Gases, combustible and non-combustibleYellow ochre · RAL 1027
- Liquids, combustible and non-combustibleBrown · RAL 8004
- Acids and alkalisViolet · RAL 4009
- Unidentified/other liquidsBlack · RAL 9005
Safety colours
Legal reference to NP 182 verified (official gazette); colours come from one paint maker's catalogue and follow the ISO R508 pattern.
NTF 253:2006
Codificación para la identificación de tuberías que conduzcan fluidos
- Published by
- FONDONORMA (Venezuela)
- Used in
- Venezuela
- Edition
- NTF 253:2006
- Status
- listed in university repository (2018)
Coding to identify pipes by the fluid circulating in them.
Edition noted; colours not yet confirmed. Check the published standard before using it.
The Venezuelan oil industry (PDVSA) uses its own colour code.
Sources: 68
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NTP 399.012:1974
Colores de identificación de tuberías para transporte de fluidos en estado gaseoso o líquido en instalaciones terrestres y en naves
- Published by
- ITINTEC (now INACAL), Peru
- Used in
- Peru
- Edition
- NTP 399.012:1974, 1st edition (28 Nov 1974; approved by R.D. 380-74-ITINTEC-DG/DN). A copy is titled 'revisada el 2014'.
- Status
- listed as a recommended (voluntary) Peruvian technical standard
Colour identification of pipes carrying liquids or gases in land installations and on ships; sites should display the colour-code chart.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Fire-fightingRed · ITINTEC S1
- WaterGreen · ITINTEC S7
- SteamGrey · ITINTEC S14
- Petroleum and derivativesAluminium · ITINTEC S15
- Vegetable and animal oilsBrown · ITINTEC S5
- Gases, gaseous or liquefiedOchre · ITINTEC S3
- Acids and alkalisViolet · ITINTEC S11
- AirLight blue · ITINTEC S10
- Food substancesWhite · ITINTEC S12
Specific contents
Black (S13) is listed but no meaning was readable in the copy seen; ITINTEC codes matched to colours by table order.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Basic colour over the whole pipe including accessories, or basic colour plus coded indications; legend with fluid name (optionally formula) and hazard, in white or black; arrows in white or black.
- Band widths
- Safety-colour bands: OD under 50 mm: 200 mm; 50-150 mm: 300 mm; 150-250 mm: 600 mm; over 250 mm: 800 mm
- Where to mark
- Legend preferably near loading/unloading valves
- Legend colours
- White or black, whichever contrasts
Single copy of the standard text (not from INACAL). Health facilities follow MINSA RM 897-2005 instead. Not to be confused with the Peruvian-health red/yellow/green scheme.
Sources: 69
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NZS 5807:1980
Code of practice for industrial identification by colour, wording or other coding
- Published by
- Standards New Zealand
- Used in
- New Zealand
- Edition
- NZS 5807:1980 with amendments A1 (1983) and A2 (1988)
- Status
- listed (no withdrawal shown on CodeHub); Watercare describes AS 1345 as its replacement in practice
Safety colours, signs and warnings, plus colours and markings for fluid-carrying pipes, electrical conduit and ducting, and industrial gas cylinders.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- WaterGreen · BS5252 12 C 39 (Resene 'Turtle Green')
- SteamGrey · BS5252 10 A 07 (Resene 'Friar Grey')
- AirLight blue · BS5252 18 E 51 (Resene 'Boston Blue')
- Gases (incl. LPG, refrigerant)Yellow ochre · BS5252 08 C 35 (Resene 'Twine')
- Oils (crude, condensate, fuels)Brown · BS5252 06 D 45 (Resene 'Peru Tan')
- Fire systemsRed · BS5252 04 E 53 (Resene 'Guardsman Red')
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
Other markings
- Stripes single sourceThe Resene chart adds stripe colours on the base colour, e.g. drinking water green with blue stripe (18 E 53), salt/service water green with black, utility air blue with black, flare gas buff with red, diesel brown with red, halon red with yellow. Several entries are oil-and-gas specific (well-stream fluids, kill fluids, barytes).
In practice New Zealand uses the AS 1345 colours.
PSK 0903:2023
Putkistojen merkintä virtaavan aineen mukaan. Tunnusvärit ja merkit (Marking of piping according to flow media. Identification colours and signs)
- Published by
- PSK Standardisointi (Finnish process-industry standards association), work group PSK 09/5
- Used in
- Finland
- Edition
- PSK 0903, 1st edition, 25 Aug 2023 (replaces SFS 3701:1995)
Identification colours for fluids in pipes, application instructions and label layout for industrial, HVAC and medical gas piping. Identifies the medium, its physical state and flow direction. Ships use ISO 20560-1 and ISO 14726.
Edition noted; colours not yet confirmed. Check the published standard before using it.
PSK 0903:2023 replaces SFS 3701. Check the published standard for colours.
Sources: 72
Checked 9 Nov 2026
SANS 10140-3:2003
Identification colour markings - Part 3: Contents of pipelines
- Published by
- SABS (South African Bureau of Standards)
- Used in
- South Africa (also used in neighbouring SADC countries)
- Edition
- SANS 10140-3:2003 (formerly SABS 0140-3)
Colour identification of pipeline contents.
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Water (drinkable)Brilliant green · SANS 1091 H10
- Fire-fighting waterRed · SANS 1091 A11
- AirArctic blue · SANS 1091 F28
- Gases (other than air)Light stone · SANS 1091 C37
- OilBrown · SANS 1091 B13
- AcidsJacaranda · SANS 1091 F18
- SteamAluminium / Silver
- HydrocarbonsAluminium / SilverTransnet uses French grey H30 for petroleum
- Refrigerants and air conditioningWhite
- Drainage water (sewage)Black
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
- Drinking water, coldBrilliant green H10 with cornflower band
- Drinking water, hotBrilliant green H10 with crimson band
- Non-drinkable demineralised waterGreen with white band
- Instrument airArctic blue with salmon pink (A40) band
- VacuumArctic blue with primrose (C67) band
- AcetyleneLight stone with maroon (A01) band
- HydrogenLight stone with poppy red (A14) band
- ArgonLight stone with peacock blue (F08) band
- OxygenLight stone with white band
- Lubricating oilOil colour with verdigris green (E22) band
- Hydraulic oilOil colour with salmon pink band
- Transformer oilOil colour with crimson band
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Basic colour with a second (code) band, plus optional legend and flow arrow.
- Band widths
- Transnet practice is a 300 mm combined band (150 mm on short spools).
- Where to mark
- Transnet practice: every 50 m and at bends and tees
Transnet’s petroleum colours, on a French grey base, are company practice rather than part of the standard.
SI 659:1967
Identification marks and warning signs for equipment containing fluids, gases or electrical cables
SI 659 is based on AS 1345. The colours below are taken from AS 1345 and have not been checked against the Israeli text.
- Published by
- Standards Institution of Israel (SII)
- Used in
- Israel
- Edition
- SI 659
- Status
- current (reconfirmed 2019); not listed as an official/mandatory standard
Marking identifying the contents of fixed equipment (pipes, channels, fixed tanks) holding fluids, gases or electrical conductors, plus warning signs. Excludes portable cylinders and domestic installations.
Uses the same colours as AS 1345.
SI 659 is based on AS 1345.
Sources: 75
Checked 9 Nov 2026
SS 741:2017
Identification marking for gas, liquid and ventilating installations (Märkning av rörledningar och ventilationskanaler)
- Published by
- SIS (Swedish Institute for Standards)
- Used in
- Sweden
- Edition
- SS 741:2017 (current). Earlier: edition 6 (approved 17 May 2002, withdrawn) and SS 741:2013 (edition 7, approved 11 Nov 2013, withdrawn and replaced by SS 741:2017).
- Status
- current (2017 edition)
Marking of gas, liquid and ventilation installations (pipelines, tanks, ducts, valves, loading/unloading points), including hazardous products under CLP (some explosives, organic peroxides and self-reactive substances excepted). Not for medical gas pipelines.
Edition noted; colours not yet confirmed. Check the published standard before using it.
Swedish workplace rules on chemical hazards require pipes with hazardous contents to be marked, with CLP pictograms.
UNE 100100:2000
Climatización - Código de colores (Air conditioning - Colour code)
- Published by
- UNE (formerly AENOR)
- Used in
- Spain (HVAC installations; a supporting standard of the RITE thermal-installations regulation)
- Edition
- UNE 100100:2000 (31 Mar 2000; replaced UNE 100100:1987)
- Status
- current (listed for sale; no withdrawal seen)
Colour code for pipes and ducts in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning installations.
Edition noted; colours not yet confirmed. Check the published standard before using it.
General industrial piping in Spain uses UNE 1063.
UNE 1063:2016
Identificación de canalizaciones según el fluido que transportan (Identification of pipelines according to the fluid conveyed)
- Published by
- UNE (formerly AENOR)
- Used in
- Spain
- Edition
- UNE 1063:2016 (21 Dec 2016). Earlier: UNE 1063:1959 (cancelled 31 Dec 2000, replaced by UNE 1063:2000), then UNE 1063:2000.
Marks above-ground pipelines by the fluid conveyed. Excludes ship piping (ISO 14726).
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Water (group 1)GreenSub-classes 1.0-1.9, e.g. drinking, untreated, distilled, pressurised and waste water.
- Steam / water vapour (group 2)RedSub-classes 2.0-2.9, e.g. saturated, superheated and vacuum steam.
- Air (group 3)GreySub-classes 3.0-3.9, e.g. fresh, compressed and exhaust air.
- Combustible gases incl. liquefied gases (group 4)Yellow / Red
- Non-combustible gases (group 5)Yellow / BlackExamples given: nitrogen, carbon dioxide, chlorine, gas mixtures.
- Acids (group 6)OrangeE.g. sulphuric, hydrochloric, nitric acid.
- Alkalis / lyes (group 7)VioletE.g. caustic soda, ammonia solution.
- Combustible liquids (group 8)Brown / RedSub-classes by flash-point class.
- Non-combustible liquids (group 9)BlackE.g. food/beverage liquids, aqueous solutions.
- Oxygen (group 0)Blue
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
Other markings
- Group digitsEach fluid class carries a characteristic digit (0-9) matching the colour group above; the second digit identifies the sub-class.
- Legacy schemeAn older Spanish/DIN-style scheme (e.g. benzol white, coal dust black, hot water green+white, condensate green+yellow, compressed air blue+red, vacuum grey) still appears in some university safety guides. It predates the group scheme above and should not be used for new work.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Group colour applied over the whole length, over a section, or as bands; additional colour as a band on the group colour where the table calls for one. Hazardous-substance pipes also carry the legally required label/sign.
UNE 1063:2016 follows the scope and structure of DIN 2403. Check the published standard for colours.
UNI 5634:1997
Sistemi di identificazione delle tubazioni e canalizzazioni convoglianti fluidi
- Published by
- UNI (Ente Italiano di Normazione)
- Used in
- Italy
- Edition
- UNI 5634:1997
- Status
- cited as reference (2023)
Identification of above-ground pipes and ducts by base colour, plus name/formula and hazard symbols for hazardous fluids (optional yellow base for hazardous fluids, Appendix A).
Basic identification colours
The main colour tells you the group of contents.
- Fire-extinguishing fluidsRed · RAL 3000Lettering white.
- WaterGreen · RAL 6032Lettering white.
- Steam and superheated waterSilver grey · RAL 9006Lettering black.
- AirLight blue · Munsell 2.5PB 7/8Lettering white or black.
- Mineral, vegetable and animal oils; combustible/flammable liquidsBrown · RAL 8007Lettering white.
- Gases, gaseous or liquefied (except air)Ochre · RAL 1024Lettering black.
- AcidsOrange · RAL 2010Two sources give orange; one municipal spec groups acids with alkalis under violet (see notes).
- AlkalisViolet · Munsell 2.5P 7/8
- Other fluidsBlackLettering white.
Safety colours
Specific contents
Extra bands or markings narrow the group down to exactly what is in the pipe.
Other markings
- OxidisersWhite / Black
- Water subdivisions padova specA Padova municipal specification (citing UNI 5634) subdivides water: drinking = plain green; non-drinking/drain = green with black bands; heating = green with yellow; cooling = green with white; process hot water = green with orange; distilled/condensate = green with light blue. These may be project additions rather than standard text.
How pipes are marked
- Method
- Base colour (full length or bands) plus fluid name or formula and flow arrows; hazardous fluids add hazard symbols (CLP) and may use yellow as the base colour (Appendix A).
- Legend colours
- White on red, green, light blue (or black), brown, orange, violet and black; black on silver grey, ochre yellow and yellow
Check the published standard for colours.
ČSN / STN 13 0072
ČSN: Bezpečnostní označení potrubí podle provozní látky (Safety identification of the content of piping systems); STN: Potrubie. Označovanie potrubí podľa prevádzkovej tekutiny
- Published by
- ÚNMZ/Czech standards agency (ČSN); ÚNMS SR (STN)
- Used in
- Czech Republic; Slovakia
- Edition
- ČSN 13 0072:2024-11 (approved 16 Oct 2024, issued 1 Nov 2024, effective 1 Dec 2024). The previous ČSN 13 0072 (approved 27 Aug 1990, effective 1 Aug 1991) ceased to be valid on 1 Dec 2024; it had replaced ČSN 13 0072 (1968), 13 0073 (1961) and 13 0074 (1968). STN 13 0072:1990-08 (Slovakia) replaced the 1969 STN edition, withdrawn 1 Aug 1991.
- Status
- ČSN: current (2024 edition). STN: in force (1990).
ČSN 2024: safety marking of above-ground piping in industry and energy by contents and hazards. Not for residential/office buildings, though usable by analogy in boiler and plant rooms. Excludes buried pipes.
Edition noted; colours not yet confirmed. Check the published standard before using it.
The 2024 Czech edition closely follows the structure of ISO 20560-1. Check the published standard for colours.
Side by side. Same contents, different code.
The main colour for each group of contents in each standard. Select a standard name to open its full details. On-screen colours are approximate; use the printed colour reference for paint matching.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Contents | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | GreenWater | White on safety greenPotable, cooling or other cold or tepid water | GreenWater | GreenGroup 1: Water | BlueFresh water | Green / WhiteInherently low-hazard materials (e.g. water, compressed air) | GreyElectricity, telephone, sewage and storm water | GreenWater | GreenWater | Green1 Water | Green1 Water | GreenCold water | Sea greenWater | White on greenWater | BlueWater | Not assigned | Not assigned | GreenWater | Yellow / GreenWater | Not assigned | GreenWater | GreenWater | GreenWater | BlackDrainage water (sewage) | GreenWater (group 1) | GreenWater |
| Drinking water | Green / Auxiliary bluePotable water, public supply | White on safety greenPotable, cooling or other cold or tepid water | Green / Dark bluePotable (drinking) water | Green / Red / VioletDrinking water (DIN 1988 / TrinkwV practice) | Blue / GreenPotable water | Not assigned | GreenWater (cold, potable, river) | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Sea green / French blue / RedDrinking water | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Light greyDrinking water | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Brilliant greenWater (drinkable) | Not assigned | Not assigned |
| Steam | Silver greySteam | Black on safety graySteam, steam condensate, boiler feedwater or other hot water | Silver greySteam | RedGroup 2: Steam (water vapour) | SilverSteam | Not assigned | OrangeSteam | RedSteam (water vapour) | RedSteam (water vapour) | Red2 Steam | Silver grey2 Steam | OrangeSteam | AluminiumSteam | Not assigned | Dark redSteam | WhiteSteam | Not assigned | Silver / AluminiumSteam | Light grey / AluminiumSteam (vapeur d'eau) | Not assigned | Not assigned | GreySteam | GreySteam | Aluminium / SilverSteam | RedSteam / water vapour (group 2) | Silver greySteam and superheated water |
| Oils | BrownOils (mineral, vegetable or animal) and combustible liquids | Black on safety yellowFlammable, combustible or oxidizing fluids | BrownOils (mineral, vegetable, animal) and flammable/combustible liquids | Brown / RedGroup 8: Flammable liquids and solids | BrownFuel | Not assigned | Not assigned | BrownCombustible liquids | BrownCombustible liquids | Brown8 Flammable liquids | Brown8 Flammable liquids | Not assigned | Light brownMineral, vegetable and animal oils; combustible liquids | White on blackLiquids and solids (powder, granulate) | BrownOil | BlackHigh-viscosity flammables/combustibles (fuel oil, asphalt, tar) | White on greenLow inherent hazard: liquids | BrownFlammable liquids | Light brownMineral, vegetable and animal oils / liquid fuels | Not assigned | BrownLiquids, combustible and non-combustible | BrownVegetable and animal oils | BrownOils (crude, condensate, fuels) | BrownOil | Brown / RedCombustible liquids (group 8) | BrownMineral, vegetable and animal oils; combustible/flammable liquids |
| Gases | Yellow ochreGases (gaseous or liquefied), except air | Black on safety yellowFlammable, combustible or oxidizing fluids | Yellow ochreGases (gaseous or liquefied, incl. vapours) | Yellow / RedGroup 4: Flammable gases | YellowFlammable gases | Not assigned | YellowToxic or corrosive gases and acids | YellowGases | YellowGases | Yellow4 Flammable gases (incl. liquefied) | Ochre4 Flammable gases | Not assigned | Canary yellowGases | Black on greyGases (gaseous or liquefied) | YellowGas | YellowNon-liquefied gases | White on blueLow inherent hazard: gases | YellowGases | Orange / YellowOther gases | Not assigned | Yellow ochreGases, combustible and non-combustible | OchreGases, gaseous or liquefied | Yellow ochreGases (incl. LPG, refrigerant) | Light stoneGases (other than air) | Yellow / RedCombustible gases incl. liquefied gases (group 4) | OchreGases, gaseous or liquefied (except air) |
| Acids and alkalis | VioletAcids and alkalis | Black on safety orangeToxic and corrosive fluids | VioletAcids and alkalis | OrangeGroup 6: Acids | VioletAcids, alkalis | Not assigned | YellowToxic or corrosive gases and acids | PurpleAcids or alkalis | PurpleAcids or alkalis | Orange6 Acids | Orange6 Acids | Not assigned | VioletAcids | Black on orangeAcids | PurpleAcids and alkalis | OrangeAcids / non-gaseous chemical products | Not assigned | VioletAcids and bases | VioletAcids and bases | Not assigned | VioletAcids and alkalis | VioletAcids and alkalis | Not assigned | JacarandaAcids | OrangeAcids (group 6) | OrangeAcids |
| Air | Light blueAir | White on safety blueCompressed air | Light blueAir | GreyGroup 3: Air | Grey / OrangeCompressed air, low pressure | Green / WhiteInherently low-hazard materials (e.g. water, compressed air) | BlueAir and compressed air | Light greyAir | Light greyAir | Blue3 Air | Blue3 Air and oxygen | BlueCompressed air | Sky blueAir | White on blueAir | WhiteAir | BlueCompressed air | Not assigned | BlueAir | Light blueAir | Not assigned | Light blueAir | Light blueAir | Light blueAir | Arctic blueAir | GreyAir (group 3) | Light blueAir |
| Fire fighting | RedFire fighting | White on safety redFire-quenching fluids | RedFire services (fire fighting, detection, suppression) | Not assigned | RedFire fighting | Red / WhiteFire-protection systems | RedFire protection (sprinklers, fire water) | Not assigned | Not assigned | RedFlammable, explosive or fire-hazardous contents | RedFire-fighting water or steam | RedFire-fighting (sprinklers, hydrants, fire water, retardants) | RedFire fighting (valves; fire water ground) | White on redFire-fighting media | Red / WhiteFire extinguishing (消火表示) | GreenWater (except fire water) | White on redFire protection and fire-fighting (water, foam, CO2 etc.) | Not assigned | Orange redFire-extinguishing fluids | RedFire-fighting fluids | RedFire-fighting | RedFire-fighting | RedFire systems | RedFire-fighting water | Not assigned | RedFire-extinguishing fluids |
| Other | BlackOther fluids (including drainage) | White on safety purpleUser-defined | BlackOther fluids (incl. drainage) | Not assigned | BlackWaste media | Not assigned | Not assigned | BlackOther liquids | BlackOther liquids | Grey0 Other substances | Grey0 Vacuum | BrownVacuum | BlackOther liquids/gases not needing identification | Not assigned | Not assigned | Light greyVacuum | Not assigned | BlackOther (non-flammable) liquids | Orange / YellowOther gases | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Not assigned | Arctic blue / PrimroseVacuum | Not assigned | BlackOther fluids |
By country. Which code applies where.
All 236 countries and territories. Many have no law on pipe colours and simply follow an international or neighbouring standard. Each entry says what the code is based on and how well that is supported.
No national pipe-colour rule found.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour rule found. Spanish or French practice is likely.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Argentina's work-risk regulator (SRT) lists IRAM 2507 for pipe identification in its signage guide.
Sources: 42
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Austria's Work Equipment Ordinance (AM-VO) § 49(3) requires pipes to be marked where confusion could endanger workers, using the identification colours of legal provisions or recognised technical rules, plus pressure or flow direction where needed. A legal commentary names ÖNORM Z 1001 (e.g. water green with white text, flammable gases yellow with black text).
- Follows
- ÖNORM Z 1001 (named in commentary); DIN 2403 commonly used
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NR-26 requires pipe colours to follow official technical standards but names none. ABNT NBR 6493 covers pipe identification colours (2019 edition for industrial piping). There are sector standards too, such as NBR 7485 (sugar/ethanol plants) and NBR 13193 (industrial gases).
- Follows
- ABNT NBR 6493
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Canadian practice for building piping is CAN/CGSB-24.3, required by the federal National Master Specification section 23 05 53.01 and by institutional design standards. ASME A13.1 is also common in industry. Fire codes add rules for flammable-liquid piping (no red paint; CPPI colour-symbol system at transfer points).
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NCh19.Of1979 'Identificación de sistemas de tuberías' is an official Chilean standard (Decreto 203, 1979) and follows ANSI A13.1-1975: yellow/black for high-hazard liquids or gases, purple/yellow radioactive, green/white low-hazard liquids, blue/white low-hazard gases, red/white fire protection. ASME A13.1 labels with newer colours are also common.
- Follows
- NCh19.Of1979
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Correction: GB 7231-2003 was withdrawn on 1 March 2026. Industrial pipeline identification colours are now in Chapter 8 of the mandatory GB 2894-2025 'Safety colours and safety signs' (issued 30 May 2025). Its Table 2 keeps the same eight colours as GB 7231 (water bright green, steam bright red, air light grey, gases medium yellow, acids/alkalis purple, combustible liquids brown, other liquids black, oxygen light blue). Building water and drainage pipes follow building codes (e.g. GB 55020-2021).
- Follows
- GB 2894-2025 (Chapter 8; replaced GB 7231-2003 on 1 Mar 2026)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Colombia's industrial safety statute (Ministry of Labour Resolution 2400 of 1979, art. 515) requires pipes in complex pressure-vessel installations to be painted in different colours to identify their contents, but does not set the colours.
- Basis
- Regulation (Ministry of Labour occupational safety statute) requires colour identification without fixing colours
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Costa Rica's official safety-colour norm sets full-length pipe colours by contents (red fire protection, green water, blue air, orange steam, brown fuels, yellow toxic/corrosive, grey services).
- Follows
- Decreto 12715-MEIC (1981)
Sources: 27
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour rule found. ASME A13.1 is widely used in the region. A Cuban NC standard may exist.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
ČSN 13 0072:2024 'Bezpečnostní označení potrubí podle provozní látky' took effect 1 Dec 2024 for above-ground pipes in industry and energy (optional for renovations; usable by analogy in plant rooms of other buildings). The 1990 ČSN 13 0072, which had a colour table by substance, ceased to be valid the same day. Gas pipes also follow ČSN EN 1775 / ČSN EN 15001-1.
- Follows
- ČSN 13 0072:2024
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Danish Standards' adoption DS/ISO 20560-1:2024 is listed as current by a distributor.dk.
- Follows
- DS/ISO 20560-1:2024
Sources: 110
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NTE INEN 440:1984 'Colores de identificación de tuberías' is the Ecuadorian standard (listed in a university repository review of INEN standards).
- Follows
- NTE INEN 440:1984
Sources: 111
Checked 9 Nov 2026
PSK 0903 (1st ed., Aug 2023) sets identification colours and labels for industrial and HVAC piping in Finland and replaces SFS 3701:1995. It points to ISO 20560-1 and ISO 14726 for marine cases.
- Follows
- PSK 0903:2023
Sources: 72
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NF X08-100 (Feb 1986) sets conventional colours for rigid pipework. INRS guide ED 88 on pipe colour coding is based on it. Not mandated by the Labour Code, which covers pipe labelling via the safety-signs rules.
Sources: 64
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No above-ground pipe identification rule was found; BS 1710 is commonly specified.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Sources: 112
Checked 9 Nov 2026
IS 2379 was revised in 2024 (second revision of the 1963 standard, last revised 1990). It covers pipeline colours in domestic, public and industrial installations where no specific code exists.
- Follows
- IS 2379:2024
Sources: 44
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No Irish national standard for above-ground pipe colours found. I.S. 370 covers only buried plastic pipes. BS 1710 is commonly used.
Sources: 113
Checked 9 Nov 2026
SI 659 covers identification and warning marks for equipment carrying fluids, gases or cables, including pipes and ducts. The SII page does not show it as an official (mandatory) standard.
Sources: 75
Checked 9 Nov 2026
UNI 5634 is the Italian standard for identification colours of above-ground pipes and ducts. Public works specifications (e.g. Comune di Ornago) require the colour/service association to follow it. D.Lgs. 81/2008 Annex XXVI covers pipe labelling, not colours.
- Follows
- UNI 5634:1997
Checked 9 Nov 2026
The MLIT Public Building Works Standard Specification (Mechanical, 2025 edition) says pipe identification follows JIS Z 9102 in principle.
Sources: 116
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Jordan's only pipe colour standards found are ISO 14726 adoptions for ships. No building or industrial standard found.
- Follows
- JS 163-1/-2 (ISO 14726 adoption, ships only)
Sources: 117
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour rule found. Swiss or Austrian practice is likely.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour standard found. ASME A13.1, JIS Z 9102, GB 7231 or ISO practice may be used depending on the project. Hong Kong/BS 1710 or Portuguese practice may apply.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
JKR's specification says pipes must be identified 'in accordance with their relevant standards' without naming one. BS 1710 is commonly specified.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Sources: 119
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Mexico regulates pipe identification directly through NOM-026-STPS-2008, which applies to all workplaces nationwide: red for fire-fighting fluids, yellow for hazardous fluids, green for low-risk fluids, plus legend and flow direction. Buried pipes and nuclear plants are excluded.
- Follows
- NOM-026-STPS-2008
Sources: 120
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No Monegasque rule found; French practice (NF X08-100) is likely.
- Follows
- NF X08-100 (likely, French practice)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour standard found. ASME A13.1, JIS Z 9102, GB 7231 or ISO practice may be used depending on the project. GOST 14202-69 may be followed from Soviet-era practice.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NZS 5807:1980 is cited by NZ Building Code Acceptable Solutions G10/AS1 and G12/AS1 and by NZ sprinkler, hydrant and gas standards. AS 1345 also applies through AS/NZS 3500. WorkSafe has a specific legal instrument for fuel tank pipework markings.
- Follows
- NZS 5807:1980 (also AS 1345 via AS/NZS 3500)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Norway has adopted ISO 20560-1:2024 (safety information for the content of piping systems) as NS-ISO 20560-1:2024. No legal requirement naming it was found; work regulations require CLP labelling of chemicals.
- Follows
- NS-ISO 20560-1:2024
Sources: 125
Checked 9 Nov 2026
The Panama Canal Authority has its own pipe colour code for floating equipment and maritime terminals. No national general standard found; ASME A13.1 is widely used.
- Basis
- Sector rule (Panama Canal Authority)
Sources: 127
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NTP 399.012:1974 sets basic pipe colours: red fire-fighting, green water, grey steam, aluminium petroleum products, brown vegetable/animal oils, ochre yellow gases, violet acids/alkalis, light blue air, white food substances. It is marked 'recomendable' (voluntary). Health facilities follow MINSA RM 897-2005.
- Follows
- NTP 399.012:1974 (voluntary); MINSA RM 897-2005 for health facilities
Checked 9 Nov 2026
OSHS Rule 1230 on identification of piping systems adopts Article 11.4 of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers Code. Legend is the main identifier, with colour supplementary. Text read from an unofficial copy of the OSHS.
Sources: 129
Checked 9 Nov 2026
PN-70/N-01270 is the Polish standard series on pipeline marking (sheets for identification bands, tablets, inscriptions and basic requirements), cited by later branch standards. A refinery safety instruction (ORLEN Południe) gives the usual Polish colours: water green, steam silver-grey, oils and flammable liquids brown, gases yellow, acids and alkalis violet, air light blue, other liquids black; red for fire-fighting, yellow for warnings.
Checked 9 Nov 2026
NP 182 'Identificação de fluidos - Cores e sinais para canalizações' is the Portuguese pipe-identification standard. ANEPC Technical Note 13 (Despacho 8904/2020) requires exposed fire-riser pipes to be finished in the colour NP 182 requires. A paint maker lists NP 182 colours as green water, light blue air, ochre gases, brown liquids, violet acids/alkalis, black others.
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour rule found. Italian practice is likely.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Saudi Arabia is a GSO member, and GSO issued GSO BS 1710:2024 (based on BS 1710:2014) in Oct 2024. A national adoption record for Saudi Arabia was not found. Project specs often call for BS 1710 or ASME A13.1. Saudi Aramco and petrochemical projects commonly use their own or ASME-based schemes.
- Follows
- GSO BS 1710:2024
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No Singapore Standard for general pipe identification was found. The SCDF Fire Code requires fire-protection pipework to be red or carry red bands (min. 20 mm, max. 6 m apart) with labels. For other services, BS 1710 or ASME A13.1 are used by practice.
- Basis
- Fire code (fire-protection piping only)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
STN 13 0072 (1990) on marking pipes by operating fluid is listed as valid by the Slovak standards office.
- Follows
- STN 13 0072
Sources: 94
Checked 9 Nov 2026
KS A 0503 'Identification marking of piping systems' is the Korean Industrial Standard, established 1988 and revised most recently in 2025.
Sources: 135
Checked 9 Nov 2026
RITE instruction IT 1.3.4.4.4 requires pipework in thermal installations to be marked per UNE 100100. For general industrial piping the national standard is UNE 1063:2016. INSST guidance historically used DIN 2403 colours.
- Follows
- UNE 100100 (thermal installations); UNE 1063:2016 (general)
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour standard found. ASME A13.1, JIS Z 9102, GB 7231 or ISO practice may be used depending on the project. Check local rules. A Thai university construction TOR sets its own pipe colour bands (e.g. cold water blue, waste green, soil black, vent white, fire red full length) without citing a standard, showing project-by-project practice.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Sources: 142
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Turkey's health and safety signs regulation (2013, replacing the 2003 regulation based on EU Directive 92/58/EEC) requires visible pipes carrying hazardous substances to carry labels with pictograms near valves and joints; it sets no pipe colour scheme. No TS pipe-colour standard was found in Turkish public mechanical specifications.
- Basis
- Regulation (Sağlık ve Güvenlik İşaretleri Yönetmeliği, RG 11.09.2013/28762) for hazardous-substance pipes; colours by practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
BS 1710 is the UK national standard for pipe and service identification. The Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996 do not set pipe colours; HSE guidance L64 points to BS 1710. Water services use a green basic colour with code bands per BS 1710.
- Follows
- BS 1710:2014
Checked 9 Nov 2026
ASME A13.1 is the American National Standard for piping identification. OSHA has no general pipe-marking rule; A13.1 is voluntary nationally but is cited in codes such as the Illinois plumbing code and the California Plumbing Code (A13.1-2020).
- Follows
- ASME A13.1-2023
Checked 9 Nov 2026
No national pipe-colour rule found. Italian practice is likely.
- Basis
- Industry practice
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Fondonorma NTF 253:2006 sets coding for identifying pipes by the fluid they carry. It continues the COVENIN 253 series.
- Follows
- NTF 253:2006 (formerly COVENIN 253)
Sources: 68
Checked 9 Nov 2026
Local rules come first. Entries with no listed source show the usual practice only. Site specifications, insurers and building owners often set their own colour schemes, and older installations may follow a withdrawn edition. Confidence shows how well each entry is supported: Verified entries were confirmed from an official source such as a standards body, regulator or government; Corroborated entries are supported by two independent technical sources; entries marked Check local rules show the usual practice and should be confirmed locally.
Colour is a clue. Not a permit to cut.
Paint fades, pipes get reused and not every installer followed the code. Treat colours as a starting point and confirm before you open any pipe.
1Check the paperwork
Compare what you see with the drawings, valve schedules and any labels or legends on the pipe. If they disagree, stop and find out why.
2Isolate and prove
Isolate the supply, lock and tag it off, release stored pressure and drain down. Prove the line is dead or empty before breaking into it.
3Gas needs registration
In the UK it is a legal requirement that anyone working on gas pipework or appliances for pay is on the Gas Safe Register. Never cut or disturb a yellow-banded or gas-labelled pipe unless you are registered. Other countries have their own licensing.
4Unsure? Leave it
An unmarked or wrongly marked pipe can carry anything from hot water to refrigerant or fuel. Ask the site owner or a competent person before you go further.
Sources. Everything we checked.
Standards bodies, regulators, utilities and technical guides used on this page, each listed once. All were checked on 9 Nov 2026.
- BSI Knowledge: BS 1710:2014 product page (opens in a new tab)Title, 31 Dec 2014 publication, current status, scope, ships moved to BS ISO 14726
- WRAS: Pipe identification BS 1710 (v1.1, April 2021) (opens in a new tab)Water green 12 D 45, fire red 04 E 53, auxiliary blue 18 E 53, flint grey 00 A 09, yellow 08 E 51, the 2014 water service identifiers, placement rules and the 500 mm interval for concealed pipes
- WRAS newsletter: Marking a change (opens in a new tab)December 2014 revision: blue for public supply, grey for other sources, added black band for harmful, red fire centre band kept in three sizes
- ASME: A13.1 2023 product page (opens in a new tab)Title, scope (above-ground piping, excludes electrical conduits), stabilized maintenance
- ASME: A13.1 current product page (opens in a new tab)Lists an A13.1-2026 edition on stabilized maintenance (content not reviewed)
- Accuris preview of ASME A13.1-2023 (opens in a new tab)Issued 25 Oct 2023, revises 2020, ANSI approval 18 Aug 2023, edition history, 2023 changes to Scope, Legend, Colour section and Table 4.2-1
- ANSI blog: Identification of piping systems, ASME A13.1-2023 (opens in a new tab)2023 changes: revised colour table, new flow-direction figures, continuous maintenance; 2020 changes: placement, abandoned piping
- ANSI Webstore: ASME A13.1-2023 (opens in a new tab)Edition and description
- SAFTENG: Updates to ASME A13.1 (4 Jul 2024) (opens in a new tab)2023 changes: scope, definitions, legend, colour section and Table 4.2-1 revised, abandoned piping, continuous maintenance.
- NZ Building CodeHub (MBIE): AS 1345-1995 (R2018) (opens in a new tab)Title, R2018 reconfirmation, scope incl. ships and exclusion of buried services, citing documents
- business.gov.au ABLIS: AS 1345 (WA) (opens in a new tab)Linked to WA Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004; scope
- Watercare (Auckland): Plant pipe labels & colour guidance note, Oct 2023 (opens in a new tab)Adopts AS 1345 in place of NZS 5807; colours; potable water blue band; label sizes and placement
- Queensland Plumbing Newsflash 456 (Dec 2010) (opens in a new tab)Recycled water purple per AS/NZS 3500.1 and AS 2700
- DIN Media: DIN 2403:2025-12 (opens in a new tab)Edition 2025-12, current, replaces 2018-10, scope and exclusions, committee
- DIN: table of contents DIN 2403:2025-12 (opens in a new tab)Structure: Table 1 colour allocation, fire lines, drinking/non-drinking water tables, CLP annex
- DIN Media: draft E DIN 2403:2024-12 (opens in a new tab)Changes vs 2018: flexible lines added, chlorine example, editorial revision
- TRGS 201 Annex 3 (via BGN Branchenwissen) (opens in a new tab)German technical rule for hazardous substances: groups 0-9, group/secondary/text colours, refers to DIN 2403
- KomNet NRW dialogue 22723 (opens in a new tab)Legal basis: GefStoffV section 8(2), TRGS 201 4.5.3; cites DIN 2403:2018-10
- ISO: ISO 14726:2008 (opens in a new tab)Title, edition 1, May 2008, current, confirmed 2024, scope
- ISO 14726:2008 full text (incorporated by reference, Public.Resource.Org) (opens in a new tab)Main colours, additional-colour combinations, RAL equivalents (Annex B), application and placement rules
- iTeh sample ISO 14726:2008 (opens in a new tab)Cross-check of Tables 2 and 3
- Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations s.10.24 (opens in a new tab)Federal rule: piping for hazardous substances marked by labelling, colour-coding, placarding or other means, with flow direction
- Nova Scotia Labour: Labelling of pipes (2007) (opens in a new tab)Provincial guidance cites ANSI A13.1 and WHMIS; 1981-style yellow/green/blue/red scheme
- CGSB withdrawn standards, series 6-41 (opens in a new tab)Series 24 shows no withdrawn entries; CGSB ended standards development 1 April 2026
- City of Winnipeg bid document: NMS 23 05 53.01 Mechanical Identification (2011) (opens in a new tab)Pipe marking 'to CAN/CGSB 24.3'; legend sizes and colours per CAN/CGSB 24.3; background/legend pairs yellow/black, green/white, red/white; contents table.
- Dalhousie University: Div 23(b) Mechanical Identification Standard (2024) (opens in a new tab)Institutional standard requiring marking to CAN/CGSB 24.3 with legend sizes and colours from the standard; red/green/yellow legend pairs.
- BINASSS (Costa Rica national health library): Norma oficial para la utilización de colores en seguridad y su simbología (opens in a new tab)Decree text: dates, pipe colours, bands, legends, arrows
- Chinese Standard: GB 2894-2025 product page and preview (opens in a new tab)Issued 30 May 2025, in force 1 Mar 2026, replaces GB 2893/2894-2008 and GB 7231-2003; Chapter 8 structure; identification codes; 150 mm yellow + 25 mm black hazard band; fire-fighting-only marking; Annex E.
- GB-GBT: GB 2894-2025 preview (Chinese) (opens in a new tab)Table 2 'eight basic identification colours, colour standard numbers and swatches' (section 8.1): water bright green G03, steam bright red R03, air light grey B03, gas medium yellow Y07, acid/alkali purple P02, combustible liquid brown YR05, other liquid black, oxygen light blue PB06; note on other substances.
- Sohu: GB2894-2025 industrial pipeline marking (opens in a new tab)Eight common media; water bright green, steam bright red, acid/alkali purple; name + flow arrow; yellow/black hazard ring; '消防专用' for fire pipes.
- Sohu: New safety colours and signs standard in force: changes (opens in a new tab)Independently states water bright green, steam bright red, acid/alkali purple; hazardous-chemical pipes need both basic colour and hazard ring; GB 7231 content absorbed.
- Science and Technology Daily (2026-02-28) (opens in a new tab)GB 2894-2025 is mandatory and includes industrial pipeline identification colours (cited from prior pass).
- Code of China: GB 7231-2003 (opens in a new tab)Status superseded, replaced by GB 2894-2025, superseded 1 Mar 2026
- Chinese Standard: GB 7231-2003 English excerpt (opens in a new tab)Issue/implementation dates, mandatory clauses, code indications
- GB 7231-2003 text (hosted PDF) (opens in a new tab)Five identification methods, 150 mm ring, 10 m spacing, hazard band 150 mm yellow with 25 mm black
- GOST 14202-69 full text (stroyinf.ru) (opens in a new tab)Ten groups and colours, warning rings, fire lines red, plates and signs, dates
- Meganorm: GOST 14202-69 (opens in a new tab)Text incl. 2022 correction, in force from 1 Jan 1971, no replacement
- GSO store: GSO BS 1710:2024 (opens in a new tab)Title, approval date 14 Oct 2024, current edition, based on BS 1710:2014, scope incl. two identification methods
- Bahrain BSMD store: BH GSO BS 1710:2024 (opens in a new tab)National adoption listing (search result; Bahrain)
- Oman DGSM store: OS GSO BS 1710:2024 (opens in a new tab)National adoption listing (search result; Oman)
- UDLA (Universidad de las Américas, Ecuador) thesis 2015 quoting NTE INEN 440:1984 (opens in a new tab)Year, colour table, application modes, band length, placement
- SRT (Superintendencia de Riesgos del Trabajo): Guía técnica 05 Señalización (2019) (opens in a new tab)Cites IRAM 2507; fundamental colours per product
- UBA Exactas: IRAM 2407 Identificación de cañerías (opens in a new tab)Same colour set plus process-line greys, band widths, spacing, legends
- BIS: IS 2379:2024 (published text) (opens in a new tab)Second revision July 2024, scope, Table 1 ground colours, band rules and widths, hazard markings, legend sizes
- IS 2379:1990 (Public.Resource.Org) (opens in a new tab)1990 edition, reaffirmed 2006, Amendment 1 (2007), detailed band tables
- iTeh: ISO 20560-1:2024 sample (opens in a new tab)2nd edition June 2024 replaces 2020, scope, colour classes with text colours, 2024 technical changes
- ISO: ISO 7010:2019 (opens in a new tab)Edition 3, 2019, amendments 1-11, scope, ISO 3864 basis, revision under way
- NSAI shop: JIS Z 9102:1987 (opens in a new tab)Title, 31 July 1987, reaffirmed 2013, current, superseded editions, purpose
- Supplier guide: Paint City: JIS safety and identification colours (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Seven identification colours with Munsell values; fire/danger/radiation displays and edging
- Supplier guide: Ishii Mark: JIS pipe identification tape (opens in a new tab)Corroborates colours and Munsell values per substance; fire/danger/radiation tapes
- Background article: Japanese Wikipedia: 配管系の識別表示 (opens in a new tab)JIS Z 9102:1987 still current (2020); safety display colours and edging
- Supplier guide: Kankouji-sekou exam notes (No.42) (opens in a new tab)Substance-colour pairs as taught for the national pipe-work exam
- National Library of Standards (China) NDLS: KS A 0503-2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Steel & Metal News (snmnews), 6 Aug 2025: KATS to revise KS for piping identification marking (opens in a new tab)KS A 0503 established 1988; KATS revision draft notice (terminology fixes, 'fire hydrant' renamed 'fire-extinguishing substance' indication, figure updates); colours not described.
- ABNT catalogue (normas.com.br): NBR 6493 (opens in a new tab)Editions 1994/2018/2019, confirmation June 2024, scope; conflicting cancellation notice
- Supplier guide: Engenharia 360: cores das tubulações (opens in a new tab)Colour list; NR 26 (Portaria MTP 2.770/2022) points to technical standards
- Supplier guide: Tuper: use of colours in industrial piping (opens in a new tab)Corroborates colour list (1994 edition basis)
- Copy of NCh19.Of1979 text (seigrapa.weebly.com) (opens in a new tab)Decree, ANSI A13.1-1975 basis, Table 1 classes and colours, Table 2 sizes, placement.
- Seguritos Chile: Norma para la aplicación de colores (opens in a new tab)
- SIGWEB copy of INN official standards list (opens in a new tab)NCh19.Of1979 listed as an official Chilean standard (prior pass).
- NSAI shop: NEN 3050:1972 C1:2002 (opens in a new tab)Title, current status, two-method scope
- Dow Benelux: markeringen bijlage 1 (opens in a new tab)NEN 3050 basic colours with RAL numbers (site practice)
- AFNOR boutique: NF X08-100 (opens in a new tab)Title, Feb 1986, in force, scope, replaced 1977 edition
- INRS ED 88 'Codage couleur des tuyauteries rigides' (2nd ed., Nov 2015) (opens in a new tab)Family background colours, state colours, identification examples, application method (French national OSH institute)
- Diario Oficial de la Federación: NOM-026-STPS-2008 (opens in a new tab)Full official text: colours, band table, legends, placement, transitory articles
- Diário da República 2.ª série n.º 182 (17 Sep 2020), Despacho 8904/2020, ANEPC Technical Note 13 (copy hosted by AICCOPN) (opens in a new tab)Exposed fire-riser pipes must be finished in the colour required by NP 182 'Identificação de fluidos - Cores e sinais para canalizações'.
- Robbialac: Catálogo de cores normalizadas (opens in a new tab)Paint maker's 'Tubagens NP 182' RAL list by fluid group.
- Universidad Central de Venezuela repository: NTF 253:2006 (opens in a new tab)Fondonorma NTF 253:2006 'Codificación para la identificación de tuberías que conduzcan fluidos' (COVENIN keyword).
- Copy of NTP 399.012:1974 (minercode.org) (opens in a new tab)Title, approval, scope, colour table with ITINTEC codes, bands, legends, arrows, 'recomendable' status.
- NZ Building CodeHub: NZS 5807:1980 (opens in a new tab)Title, 1980, amendments 1983/1988, scope, cited by NZ Building Code acceptable solutions G10/AS1, G12/AS1
- Resene: Safety Colours & Industrial Identification as per NZS 5807 (2004 chart) (opens in a new tab)Paint maker's chart titled 'as per NZS 5807' listing pipe base and stripe colours with BS 5252 codes.
- PSK Standardisointi: PSK 0903 (opens in a new tab)1st edition 25.8.2023, replaces SFS 3701:1995, scope incl. HVAC and medical gas, ships excluded
- Supplier guide: Protekta/Brady: South African Standard Pipe Markers brochure (opens in a new tab)SANS 10140-3:2003 basic colours with SANS references and band combinations
- Transnet Pipelines TPL-TECH-MECH-SPEC-PL877 (2020) (opens in a new tab)State-owned operator spec citing SANS 10140-3:2003 and SANS 1091 codes; potable water cornflower band on brilliant green
- SII: standard page SI 659 (opens in a new tab)Title, 1967, reconfirmed 2019, scope, based on AS 1345, not official
- SIS: SS 741:2013 (opens in a new tab)Edition 7, approved 2013-11-11, withdrawn, replaced by SS 741:2017; scope incl. CLP products, excludes medical gas.
- SIS: SS 741 edition 6 (opens in a new tab)Edition 6 approved 2002-05-17, withdrawn, replaced by SS 741:2013.
- Region Skåne: technical marking instruction (opens in a new tab)Public client requires pipe colours per Tables 1 and 2 of SS 741 and duct colours per Table 3; arrows for flow direction.
- UNE: UNE 100100:1987 record (opens in a new tab)1987 edition withdrawn 31 Mar 2000, replaced by UNE 100100:2000
- en-standard.eu: UNE 100100:2000 (opens in a new tab)Title, release 2000-03-31, 8 pages, ICS 01.070 / 91.140.30
- AENOR magazine May 2017 (opens in a new tab)Listed among standards supporting the RITE
- technickenormy.cz: UNE 1063:2016 (opens in a new tab)Title, 2016-12-21, scope incl. exclusion of ships
- INSST NTP 3: Señalizaciones de conducciones (1982) (opens in a new tab)The older UNE 1063 copied an old DIN standard; banding and arrow method
- INSST NTP 566: Señalización de recipientes y tuberías: aplicaciones prácticas (2004) (opens in a new tab)
- Universidad de Valladolid: Identificación de tuberías (prevention service guide) (opens in a new tab)Shows the older basic+complementary colour scheme still circulating in Spain (legacy, not the current group table).
- UNE: UNE 1063:1959 record (opens in a new tab)1959 edition 'Caracterización de las tuberías en los dibujos e instalaciones industriales' cancelled 31 Dec 2000 by UNE 1063:2000.
- Certifico: Colori di identificazione tubazioni non interrate UNI 5634 (Rev. 1.0, 14 June 2023) (opens in a new tab)Edition 1997, approach, optional yellow for hazardous fluids, cites D.Lgs 81/2008 Allegato XXVI and CLP
- Testo Unico Sicurezza: Allegato XXVI D.Lgs 81/2008 (opens in a new tab)Legal requirement to label containers and pipes with hazardous substances
- Comune di Padova: Capitolato speciale d'appalto, impianti meccanici (Alloggi Via Boyle-Curie) (opens in a new tab)Municipal works spec, 'colori distintivi (UNI 5634)': water green, steam grey, oils/liquid fuels brown, gases ochre yellow, air light blue, acids and alkalis violet, fire red, other liquids black, hazard yellow with black bands.
- Diadromi: UNI 5634 colori per l'identificazione dei fluidi (opens in a new tab)UNI 5634-97 replaced UNI 5634-65; base colour and lettering colour per fluid category incl. acids orange, alkalis light violet, hazardous yellow.
- Coibentare.net: Colori segnaletici delle tubazioni (opens in a new tab)Same base colours with RAL/Munsell references and lettering colours; colour samples indicative only.
- TZB-info: ČSN 13 0072:2024 (opens in a new tab)Title, approval 16 Oct 2024, effective 1 Dec 2024, scope
- TZB-info: ČSN 13 0072 (old) (opens in a new tab)Older edition cancelled and replaced
- Slovak standards office: STN 13 0072 (opens in a new tab)STN 13 0072, 27 Aug 1990, in force
- Slovak standards office: STN 13 0072 (1969 edition) (opens in a new tab)1969 edition withdrawn 1 Aug 1991, replaced by STN 13 0072:1990-08.
- MBIE Codehub: AS 1345-1995 citing documents (opens in a new tab)AS 1345-1995 is cited by AS/NZS 3500.1:2018 (water services) and AS/NZS 5601.1 among others.
- JUSLINE: Arbeitsmittelverordnung (AM-VO) § 49 (opens in a new tab)Austrian law: where confusion could endanger workers pipes must be clearly marked; if colours are used they must follow legal provisions or recognised technical rules; no standard is named.
- Forum Verlag: AM-VO § 49 Leitungen und Armaturen (commentary) (opens in a new tab)Text of § 49(3) and commentary naming ÖNORM Z 1001 with example colours.
- Bahrain BSMD store: BH GSO BS 1710:2024 (opens in a new tab)Adopted as Bahraini standard BH GSO BS 1710:2024, approved 21 Nov 2024.
- Gosenergogaznadzor Vitebsk branch memo (rossony.vitebsk-region.gov.by) (opens in a new tab)Belarusian regulator: pipe colouring, symbols and lettering must meet GOST 14202-69 (marking duty from TKP 458-2023).
- dnaop.com: Interstate standard GOST 14202-69 text (opens in a new tab)GOST 14202-69 is an interstate (CIS) standard on identification colouring, warning signs and marking plates for industrial pipelines.
- NBN shop: NBN ISO 20560-1:2021 (opens in a new tab)Belgian standards body sells ISO 20560-1 (piping content safety information) under the NBN ISO 20560-1:2021 designation.
- Supplier guide: Goossaert brochure: Leidingmarkering volgens NBN 69 (opens in a new tab)
- Ministério do Trabalho: NR-26 (2022 update) (opens in a new tab)NR-26 item 26.3.2: colours identifying pipes carrying liquids and gases must follow official technical standards (none named).
- Normas.com.br: technical article on NBR 6493 (opens in a new tab)ABNT NBR 6493 'Emprego de cores para identificação de tubulações' (1994; newer 11/2019 edition for industrial piping).
- Dalhousie University Design Guidelines Div 23(b) Mechanical Identification Standard (2024) (opens in a new tab)University facilities standard: pipe identification to CAN/CGSB 24.3.
- BC Fire Code 2012, Division B, Article 4.5.4.1 (opens in a new tab)Flammable/combustible liquid piping must be marked with contents and must not be painted red; transfer points use the CPPI colour-symbol system.
- Normograma Colpensiones: Resolución MinTrabajo 2400 de 1979 (arts. 503-550) (opens in a new tab)Art. 515: pipes must be painted in different colours to identify contents where valve confusion could cause accidents; no colour scheme given.
- Normograma Cancillería: same resolution (PDF) (opens in a new tab)Same art. 515 text in the Foreign Ministry's legal compilation.
- Standards distributor listing: DS/ISO 20560-1:2024 (opens in a new tab)
- ESPOL (Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral) repository document, ch. 5.1 Normas INEN existentes (opens in a new tab)Lists NTE INEN 440:1984 'Colores de identificación de tuberías' among Ecuadorian INEN standards.
- HK Highways Department: Colour Code of Underground Facilities (Version D, Dec 2025) (opens in a new tab)Reference table of utility colours for underground pipes/ducts, using BS 4800 colour references; not for above-ground services.
- NSAI: Revision to I.S. 370 colour code for buried plastics piping (opens in a new tab)Irish I.S. 370 (2007, under revision) covers buried plastic pipe/duct colours only.
- Comune di Ornago (MB): Capitolato tecnico prestazionale impianti meccanici (PNRR canteen project) (opens in a new tab)Italian municipal works specification requires the colour/service association to follow UNI 5634.
- Certifico: Colori di identificazione tubazioni non interrate UNI 5634 (opens in a new tab)Describes UNI 5634:1997 for above-ground pipe identification; links it with D.Lgs. 81/2008 Annex XXVI.
- MLIT Public Building Works Standard Specification (Mechanical), 2025 ed., 1.7.4 (opens in a new tab)Japanese government spec: pipe identification in principle follows JIS Z 9102.
- JSMO e-service: ICS listing (Jordan) (opens in a new tab)Jordan standards JS 163-1 and JS 163-2 (2005) adopt ISO 14726 (ships and marine piping identification colours).
- GSO Members page (opens in a new tab)GSO members: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Yemen.
- JKR (Public Works Department Malaysia) CWS Specification (opens in a new tab)Pipework to be identified 'in accordance with their relevant standards' plus flow arrows; no colour standard named.
- DOF: NOM-026-STPS-2008 (opens in a new tab)Mexican Official Standard on safety colours and identification of risks from fluids in pipes; applies nationwide; red = fire-fighting, yellow = hazardous, green = low-risk fluids.
- TenderNed tender document (painting schedule) (opens in a new tab)Dutch public tender specifies water, chemical and air pipes coloured 'volgens NEN3050'.
- Standards distributor listing: NEN-ISO 20560-1:2020 (opens in a new tab)
- MBIE Codehub: NZS 5807:1980 citing documents (opens in a new tab)NZS 5807:1980 (industrial identification by colour, wording or other coding) is cited by NZ Building Code Acceptable Solutions G10/AS1 and G12/AS1, AS/NZS 3500 parts, NZS 4541, NZS 4510 and NZS 5261.
- WorkSafe NZ Safe Work Instrument: Markings for pipework connected to above-ground stationary tanks (opens in a new tab)Legal marking rules for class 3.1 fuel pipework at large tanks; fire-fighting pipes red; its own colour schedule.
- Standard Norge: ISO 20560-1:2024 (adopted as NS-ISO 20560-1:2024) (opens in a new tab)
- Oman DGSM store: OS GSO BS 1710:2024 (opens in a new tab)Adopted as Omani standard OS GSO BS 1710:2024 on 14 Oct 2024.
- Autoridad del Canal de Panamá: Norma 2600SEG-301 Código de colores para tuberías (rev. 2022) (opens in a new tab)Pipe colour code for ACP floating equipment and maritime terminals only; references ISO 14726, ASME, ANSI.
- MINSA RM 897-2005 Señalización de seguridad de establecimientos de salud (opens in a new tab)Peruvian health-facility rule: pipes red (fire), yellow (hazardous), green (low risk); annex of suggested fluid colours.
- Philippine Occupational Safety and Health Standards (copy hosted by SBFCC), Rule 1230 (opens in a new tab)Rule 1230 'Identification of piping systems' adopts Article 11.4 of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers Code; legend is primary, colour supplementary.
- BN-76/2552-14 (Lublin University of Technology digital library) (opens in a new tab)Branch standard citing PN-70/N-01270 sheets 07 (bands), 08 (tablets), 12 (inscriptions), 14 (basic requirements).
- ORLEN Południe: Instrukcja stosowania znaków i sygnałów bezpieczeństwa (opens in a new tab)Company instruction listing pipeline identification colours by medium (does not name the standard).
- NormaCS expert answer 5648 (opens in a new tab)GOST 14202-69 is voluntary under Federal Law 162-FZ unless referenced; cited e.g. in SP 56.13330.2021.
- SCDF Fire Code 2023, clause 6.7 Colour scheme of fire protection systems (opens in a new tab)Fire protection pipework not painted red must carry red bands at least 20 mm wide with labels, at most 6 m apart.
- Singapore Standards eShop: ISO 14726:2008 (opens in a new tab)ISO 14726 (marine) sold as ISO, not as an SS adoption; no SS pipe-identification standard shown.
- KATS e-standard: KS A 0503 배관계의 식별 표시 (opens in a new tab)KS A 0503 (pipe system identification marking) established 1988, last revised 2025.
- BOE: Reglamento de Instalaciones Térmicas en los Edificios (RITE), consolidated text, IT 1.3.4.4.4 (opens in a new tab)Spanish regulation: pipework of thermal installations must be marked according to UNE 100100.
- INSST NTP 3: Señalizaciones de conducciones (opens in a new tab)Spanish OSH institute note cites UNE 1063 and uses DIN 2403 colours (1982 note).
- Kiwa Sweden: Tips för att märka rör enligt CLP och AFS 2014:43 (opens in a new tab)AFS 2014:43 requires product text and flow direction on pipes; SS 741 is the main standard used.
- SIS: ISO 20560-1:2024 (opens in a new tab)ISO 20560-1:2024 (edition 2) is in force in the SIS catalogue and replaces ISO 20560-1:2020.
- Suva: Anlagen zur Wasseraufbereitung (hosted by Canton Aargau) (opens in a new tab)Pipes must be marked by content; refers to VSM 18575 'Rohrleitungen, Kennfarben und Kennzahlen' (SNV).
- DIN Media: VSM 18575 (opens in a new tab)VSM 18575 (1977), 'Rohrleitungen; Kennfarben und Kennzahlen', listed as current.
- Srinakharinwirot University e-procurement TOR T_6505 (opens in a new tab)Project pipe colour-band table; fire pipes red; no national standard cited.
- Alomaliye: Sağlık ve Güvenlik İşaretleri Yönetmeliği (RG 11.09.2013, 28762) (opens in a new tab)2013 regulation repeals the 2003 regulation.
- isguvenligi.net: Güvenlik ve Sağlık İşaretleri Yönetmeliği (2003) text (opens in a new tab)Annex III: labels on visible hazardous-substance pipes; no pipe colours.
- dnaop.com: NPAOP 60.3-1.03-04 Rules for safe operation of main gas pipelines, Annex 1 (opens in a new tab)Ukrainian labour-protection rules' annex on pipeline colour marking is compiled per GOST 12.4.026 and GOST 14202.
- HSE Operational Circular OC 212/1, Safety Signs and Signals Regulations 1996 (opens in a new tab)HSE lists colour coding of pipes as one available control; labelling of pipes under Schedule 1 Part III.
- Illinois Administrative Code, Title 77 Part 890 (Plumbing Code) Section 890.1200 (opens in a new tab)State plumbing code points to ASME A13.1 (and ANSI/NEMA Z535.1) for colour codes.
- California Plumbing Code referenced standards (GoCodebook) (opens in a new tab)CPC referenced-standards table lists ASME A13.1-2020 for piping identification.
Notes shared by several countries
- No national pipe-colour standard found. Projects commonly follow BS 1710; mining and oil projects may use ASME A13.1 or SANS 10140-3 (southern Africa).
- No national pipe-colour standard found. French (NF X08-100) or international practice is likely.
- No local rule found. UK practice (BS 1710) is likely followed; US-linked projects may use ASME A13.1.
- No national pipe-colour standard found. EU safety-signs rules (Directive 92/58/EEC) cover pipe labels but not colours.
- No local rule found. Australian or New Zealand practice is likely, given building codes and suppliers.
- No national pipe-colour rule found. BS 1710 and ASME A13.1 are both used.
- No national pipe-colour rule found. ASME A13.1 is widely used in the region.
- No local rule found. French standards and practice (NF X08-100) are likely used; New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna have their own local codes.
- GOST 14202-69 is a CIS interstate standard and was the Soviet-era rule.
- No national pipe-colour standard found. ASME A13.1, JIS Z 9102, GB 7231 or ISO practice may be used depending on the project.
- No national pipe-colour standard found. BS 1710 is commonly specified in Commonwealth-influenced building practice; ASME A13.1 in oil and gas.
- No national pipe-colour standard found. Projects commonly use BS 1710 or ASME A13.1.
- No national pipe-colour standard found. Oil and gas projects follow operator specs (often ASME A13.1 or ISO).
- US territory. ASME A13.1 is the US national practice, but no territorial rule adopting it was confirmed.
- No national pipe-colour rule found. Former Yugoslav JUS standards may still be used.
- No local rule found. Dutch (NEN 3050) or US (ASME A13.1) practice may be used, especially in refineries.
- No national pipe-colour rule found. Nordic practice (SS 741 / ISO 20560) is likely.
- No local rule found. US practice (ASME A13.1) is likely given US building code links.