Pipes and Equipment - Identification Labels
Tags and label colors used for mechanical, plumbing and piping systems.
Abbreviations, letter tags and label coloring for mechanical, plumbing and piping systems are based on
- ASME A13.1 ‑ Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems.
- NFPA 99 – Standard for Health Care Facilities.
- NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
- NFPA 14 – Installation of standpipe and Hose Systems.
- International Plumbing Code.
| Label Abbreviation | System, Pipe Contents | Label Colors (Background - Text) |
|---|---|---|
| CHWR | Chilled Water Return | Green - White |
| CHWS | Chilled Water Supply | Green - White |
| CWR | Condenser Water Return | Green - White |
| CWS | Condenser Water Supply | Green - White |
| FOR | Fuel Oil Return | Yellow - Black |
| FOS | Fuel Oil Supply | Yellow - Black |
| HPC | High Pressure Condensate | Blue - White |
| HPS | High Pressure Steam (above 125#) | Blue - White |
| HWR | Hot Water Heating Return | Green - White |
| HWS | Hot Water Heating Supply | Green - White |
| LPC | Low Pressure Condensate | Blue - White |
| LPS | Low Pressure Steam (below 25#) | Blue - White |
| MPC | Medium Pressure Condensate | Blue - White |
| MPS | Medium Pressure Steam (above 25# - below 125#) |
Blue - White |
| PCR | Pumped Condensate Return | Blue - White |
| ACID | Acid Waste | Orange - Black |
| BR | Brine Water | Orange - Black |
| FIRE | Fire Suppression Water | Red - White |
| HAZ | Hazardous Waste | Orange - Black |
| DI or RO | High Purity Water | Green - White |
| DCW | Potable Cold Water | Green - White |
| DHW | Potable Hot Water Supply | Green - White |
| DHWR | Potable Hot Water Return | Green - White |
| NG | Natural Gas | Yellow - Black |
| LN2 | Nitrogen (liquid) | Black - White |
| Med Air | Medical air | Yellow - Black |
| CO2 | Carbon dioxide | Gray - White |
| He | Helium | Brown - White |
| N2 | Nitrogen | Black - White |
| N2O | Nitrous oxide | Blue - White |
| O2 | Oxygen | Green - White |
| Med Vac | Medical?surgical vacuum | White - Black |
| WAGD | Waste anesthetic gas disposal | Violet - White |
| Lab Air | Laboratory air | Yellow and White checkerboard - Black |
| Lab Vac | Laboratory vacuum | White and Black checkerboard - Black boxed |
| IA | Instrument air | Red - White |
| CFHE | Chemical Fume Hood Exhaust | Purple - White |
| BCE | Biosafety Cabinet Exhaust | Purple - White |
| RE | Radioisotope Exhaust | Yellow - magenta |
| ETOE | ETO Exhaust | Purple - white |
ASME A13.1 - 2007 Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems - is intended to establish a common system to assist in identification of hazardous materials conveyed in piping systems and their hazards when released in the environment - concerns identification of contents of piping systems in industrial and power plants - recommended for the identification of piping systems used in commercial and institutional installations and in buildings used for public assembly.
