IS 2379 : 1990

(Reaffirmed 2006) Edition 2.1 (2007-05)

BUREAUOFINDIANSTANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG NEW DELHI 110002
Price Group 5 BIS 2008

Indian Standard

PIPELINES IDENTIFICATION COLOUR CODE

( First Revision )
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1) UDC 621.643.006.8 : 621-777.6 Chemical Engineering Plants and Related Equipment Sectional Committee, HMD 17 FOREWORD This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards on 27 March 1990, after the draft finalized by the Chemical Engineering Plants and Related Equipment Sectional Committee had been approved by the Heavy Mechanical Engineering Division Council. Lack of uniformity of colour coding of pipelines in industrial installations has often been responsible for destruction of property and injury to personnel due to faulty manipulations of values, particularly when outside agencies, like fire-fighting squads, are called in. Uniformity of colour marking promotes greater safety, lessens the chances of error and reduces hazards involved in the handling of material inside the pipelines. Identification of the particular contents of the pipelines is achieved by imposing suitable colour bands on the ground colour. Lettering, as a mode of identification, is also recommended for chemical industry as this will reduce the possibility of mistakes in identification. Lettering may include the contents by name, chemical formula, or by unmistakable and commonly understood abbreviations. This standard was first published in 1963. The present revision is based on the prevailing practices in the industry. In this revision use of legends have been recommended for various types of hazards. Hydrocarbon, Naptha and some more chemicals and allied products have been included in the standard. The title of the standard is also revised to bring it in line with the latest guidelines. In the formulation of this standard assistance has been derived from the following publications: This edition 2.1 incorporates Amendment No. 1 (May 2007). Side bar indicates modification of the text as the result of incorporation of the amendment. BS 1710 : 1984 Specification for identification of pipelines and services. British Standards Institution. ASA A 13.1-1981 Scheme for the identification of piping systems, American National Standards Institute.

IS 2379 : 1990
1

Indian Standard

PIPELINES IDENTIFICATION COLOUR CODE

( First Revision )

1 SCOPE This Indian Standard covers the colour scheme for the identification of the contents of pipelines carrying fluids in domestic and public buildings and such industrial installations where a specific colour code does not exist. 1.1 For the purpose of this standard, piping systems shall include pipes of any kind and in addition fittings, valves, and pipe coverings. Supports, brackets or other accessories are specifically excluded from application of this standard. 1.2 This standard is not applicable to pipelines buried underground or used for electrical services.
NOTE For exact colour matching original printed copy may be seen and not the printout taken form the CD Rom.

2 REFERENCES 2.1 The following Indian standards are necessary adjuncts to this standard: 3 TERMINOLOGY 3.0 For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply. 3.1 Hazard Risk involved to life, health, or property due to the poisonous nature of combustibility or other causes of dangerous substances. 3.2 Lettering Painting, labelling, stencilling or otherwise indicating the contents of a pipeline. 3.3 Identification of Pipelines A scheme consisting of a colour code or lettering or a combination of both intended for the identification of the contents of the pipelines. 3.4 Pipes and Pipelines Any fluid-carrying media in the form of pipes, or conduits, with their coverings; this excludes media used for the pneumatic conveyance of solids. 4 PAINTS 4.1 Appropriate quality of paints conforming to relevant Indian Standards, shall be used for colour marking. 4.2 It is recommended that the paints used should produce a glossy finish. 5 COLOURS 5.1 In order to identify the contents of the pipelines, a large number of colour shades are required. Recommendation regarding shades of colours that may be used are given in IS 5 : 1978. 6 IDENTIFICATION The system of colour coding consists of a ground colour and colour bands superimposed on it. 6.1 Ground Colours The ground colour identifies the basic nature of the fluid carried ( see Fig. 1 ) and also distinguishes

one fluid from another, for example water from oil. The various ground colours are indicated in Table 1. 6.1.1 Ground colour shall be applied throughout the entire length for uninsulated pipes, for insulated pipes, on the metal cladding or on the pipes of material such as non-ferrous metals, austenitic stainless steel, plastic, etc, ground colour coating of minimum 2 m length or of adequate length, not to be mistaken as colour band, shall be applied. 6.2 Colour Bands Colour bands are superimposed on the ground colour ( see Fig. 2 ) to distinguish: 7 APPLICATION 7.1 Ground Colour Colours as given in Table 1 shall be applied in one of the following ways: IS No. Title 5 : 1978 Colours for ready mixed paints and enamels ( third revision ) 2239 : 1963 Aluminium paint for general purposes, in dual container a) One kind or condition of a fluid from another kind or condition of the same fluid, or b) One fluid from another but belonging to the same group, for example carbon monoxide from coke oven gas or diesel fuel from furnace fuel. a) Throughout the entire length ( see Fig. 1A ); b) As a colour coating of adequate length (but in no case less than 300 mm) so that it is not mistaken for a colour band ( see Fig. 1B ); c) As a colour panel; d) On a label attached to the pipe; or e) By the use of coloured adhesive tapes of suitable material.

IS 2379 : 1990
2 1A Ground Colour Applied to Full Section 1B Ground Colour Applied to a Portion Only FIG. 1 GROUND COLOUR Table 1 Ground Colours ( Clause 6.1 and 7.1 )
Substance Colour Water Sea green Steam Aluminium to IS 2339 Mideral, vegetable and animal oils, combustible liquids Light brown Acids Dark violet Air Sky blue Gases Canary yellow Alkalies Smoke grey Other liquids/gases which do not need identification Black Hydrocarbons/organic compounds Dark admirality grey FIG. 2 COLOUR BAND SUPERIMPOSED OF GROUND COLOUR

IS 2379 : 1990
3 7.2 Wherever the ground colour is not applied throughout the entire length, it shall be applied near valves, junctions, joints, service appliances, bulkheads, walls, etc ( see Fig. 3 ). 7.2.1 When colour bands are superimposed on the ground colour, the ground colour shall extend sufficiently on both sides of the colour bands to avoid confusion ( see Fig. 2 and 3 ). 7.3 Colour Bands They shall be superimposed on ground colour at the following location: 7.3.1 Colour bands shall be arranged in the sequence shown in Tables 2 to 5, and the sequence follows the direction of flow ( see Fig. 3 ). For example, Fig. 3 shows the colour code for a pipe carrying freon where the light grey and dark violet colour bands have sequence numbers 1 and 2. 7.3.2 The relative proportional widths of the first colour band to the subsequent bands shall be 4 : 1 ( see Fig. 3 ). 7.3.3 As a rule minimum width of colour band shall confirm to the following Table: For insulated pipe, nominal pipe size means the outside diameter of insulation. 7.4 Valves shall be painted with the same colour as the main pipelines except when the pipeline has been provided with the safety colour, the valves shall be painted red, for fire fighting; yellow, with black diagonal stripes, for warning of danger; and french blue in conjunction with the green basic colour, to denote pipes carrying fresh water, either potable or non-potable. 7.5 The colour coding as prescribed in this standard and as applicable to pipelines for general services, pipelines conveying industrial gases hydrocarbons and naptha and pipelines conveying medical gases are given in Tables 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. 7.6 All uninsulated pipes having temperatures above 100C (Heat resistant Aluminium painted) need not be identified with colour bands. As special case if required colour bands may be applied using Teflon Tape. 8 HAZARDS 8.1 When it is desired to indicate that a pipeline carries a hazardous material, a panel of colour of suitable width (minimum 100 mm) as given below shall be superimposed on the ground colour at suitable intervals: a) At battery limit points; b) Intersection points and change of direction points in piping ways; c) Other points such as midway of each

piping way, near valves, junction joints of service appliances, walls, on either side of pipe culverts; d) For long stretch yard piping at 50 m interval; and e) At start and terminating points. Nominal Pipe Size Width L (mm) 80 NB and below 25 Over 100 NB up to 150 NB 50 Over 200 NB up to 300 NB 75 Over 350 NB 100 a) Slightly Radioactive Hazards A base colour of jasmine yellow with black dots suitably superimposed ( see Fig. 4A ); b) Highly Radioactive Hazards A base colour of light orange with cross diagonal stripes of black colour, suitably superimposed ( see Fig. 4B ); and c) Other Hazards Equal diagonal stripes of black and golden yellow colours ( see Fig. 4C ). Different legends for various types of hazards other than radioactivity like that for flammable or explosive materials, chemically active or toxic materials, etc, may be indicated by lettering.
NOTE Arrows indicate the direction of flow. FIG. 3 COLOUR BANDS ON GROUND COLOUR

FLUID CARRIED, FREON

IS 2379 : 1990
4 Table 2 Colour Code for General Services ( Clauses 7.5 and 9.1 )
Contents Ground Colour First Colour Band Second Colour Band WATER: Cooling Sea green French blue Boiler feed water Sea green Gulf red Condensate Sea green Light brown Drinking Sea green French blue Signal red Treated Sea green Light orange Fire water Fire red Crimson red Central heating below 60C Sea green Canary yellow Central heating 60C to 100C Sea green Dark violet Central heating above 100C Sea green Dark violet Signal red Cold water down service from storage tanks Sea green French blue Canary yellow Domestic, hot Sea green Light grey Hydraulic power Sea green Black Sea, river, untreated Sea green White Filtered water Sea green Light brown Soft water Sea green Light brown Signal red Warm water Sea green Light grey Canary yellow Chilled water Sea green Black Canary yellow Sprinkle and hydrant water Sea green White Signal red Waste water Sea green Canary yellow Signal red Demineralized water Sea green Gulf red Process water Sea green Oxide red Wash water Sea green Canary yellow Quench water Sea green Dark grey AIR: Compressed, up to and including 15 kg/cm2 Sky blue

Compressed to over 15 kg/cm2 Sky blue Signal red Plant air Sky blue Silver grey Instrument air Sky blue French blue Dry vacuum White Wet vacuum White Dark violet Very high pressure steam Aluminium to IS 2339 Signal red High pressure steam Aluminium to IS 2339 French blue Medium pressure steam Aluminium to IS 2339 Gulf red Low pressure steam Aluminium to IS 2339 Canary yellow Drainage Black Town gas Canary yellow OILS: Light diesel fuel Light brown Brilliant green High speed diesel fuel Light brown Paraffin oil Light brown Signal red Quenching oil Light brown Canary yellow Furnace fuel Light brown French blue Lubricating oil Light brown Light grey Hydraulic power Light brown Dark violet Transformer oil Light brown Light orange

IS 2379 : 1990
5 Table 3 Colour Code for Industrial Gases ( Clauses 7.5 and 9.1 )
Contents Ground Colour First Colour Band Second Colour Band Ammonia Canary yellow Dark violet Chlorine Canary yellow Dark violet Light orange Hydrocyanic acid Canary yellow Dark violet Post office red Phenole Canary yellow Dark violet Smoke grey Sulphur dioxide Canary yellow Dark violet Golden brown Acetylene Canary yellow Service brown Flare gases Canary yellow Hydrogen sulphide Canary yellow Gulf red Argon Canary yellow French blue Benzole Canary yellow Dark violet French blue Blast furnace gas Canary yellow Signal red Light grey Butane Canary yellow Signal red Coal gas Canary yellow Signal red Brilliant green Carbon dioxide (temperate) Canary yellow Light grey Carbon monoxide Canary yellow Signal red White Coke oven gas Canary yellow Signal red Dark violet Ethylchloride (inflammable) Canary yellow Light grey Signal red Ethylchloride (non-inflammable) Canary yellow Light grey White Ethylene Canary yellow Dark violet Signal red Ethylene oxide Canary yellow Dark violet Brilliant green Freon (chlorofluoro derivative of methane and ethane) Canary yellow Light grey Dark violet Helium Canary yellow Light brown Hydrogen Canary yellow Signal red French blue Methane Canary yellow Signal red Light brown Methylbromide Canary yellow French blue Black Methylchloride (inflammable) Canary yellow Brilliant green Signal red Methylchloride (non-inflammable) Canary yellow Brilliant green French blue Neon Canary yellow Light brown Black Nitrogen Canary yellow Black Oxygen Canary yellow White Propane Canary yellow Signal red Black Phosgene Canary yellow Black White Fuel gas and sour gas Canary yellow Grey Dark violet Sweet gas Canary yellow Grey

Residue gas, LPG Canary yellow Oxide red White Charge gas Canary yellow Signal red French blue Aromatic gasoline Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Canary yellow Pyrolysis gasoline Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Black

IS 2379 : 1990
6 Table 4 Colour Code for Hydrocarbons and Naptha ( Clauses 7.5 and 9.1 )
Contents Ground Colour First Colour Band Second Colour Band Propylene F. P. (Liquid) Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Propylene (C. G.) (Liquid) Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Smoke grey Ethylene glycol Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Gulf red Ethylene Di-chloride Dark Admirality grey Gulf red Benzene Dark Admirality grey Canary yellow Butadine Dark Admirality grey Black Acetone Dark Admirality grey Black Canary yellow Methanol Dark Admirality grey Deep buff Naptha Dark Admirality grey Light brown Black Ethane (Liquid) Dark Admirality grey Light grey French blue Propylene (Liquid) Dark Admirality grey Signal red Black Kerosene Light brown Brilliant green Dark violet LPG (Liquid) Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Dark violet ACIDS Phosphoric acid Dark violet Silver grey Hydrofluoric acid Dark violet Signal red French blue Sulphuric acid Dark violet Brilliant green Light orange Nitric acid Dark violet French blue Light orange Hydrochloric acid Dark violet Signal red Light orange Acetic acid Dark violet Silver grey CHEMICAL & ALLIED PRODUCTS Brine Black White Caustic solution Smoke grey Light orange Classified Black Canary yellow Spinbath concentrative sulphuric acid Dark violet Brilliant green Canary yellow Dissolving Light orange White Causted Dark violet Light orange Evaporated spinbath Black Canary yellow Brilliant green Floculent solution Black Brilliant green Lime Smoke grey White Canary yellow Mercury Black White Brilliant green Rum-off caustic Smoke grey White Recovered caustic Smoke grey Signal red White Carbon disulphide Black Light orange Strong caustic Smoke grey French blue White Steeping caustic Smoke grey Golden yellow Sodium sulfide Black Brilliant green Canary yellow Soap solution Black Light orange White Spinbath supply Black White Canary yellow Spinbath return Black Golden yellow Sodium carbonate solution Dark violet Jasmine yellow Waste caustic Dark violet White Canary yellow Waste spinbath Black Jasmine yellow Viscose Black Golden yellow Brilliant green

IS 2379 : 1990
7 Table 5 Colour Code for Medical Gases ( Clauses 7.5 and 9.1 )
Gas Ground Colour Band First Colour Band Second Colour Band Air Sky blue White Black Cyclopropane Canary yellow Light orange Carbon dioxide Canary yellow Light grey Ethylene Canary yellow Dark yellow Signal red Helium Canary yellow Light brown Oxygen Canary yellow White

Oxygen and carbon dioxide mixture Canary yellow White Light grey Oxygen and helium mixture Canary yellow White Light brown Nitrous oxide Canary yellow French blue Signal red Nitrogen Canary yellow Black Vacuum Sky blue Black BACKGROUND OF NO. 397 JASMINE YELLOW WITH BLACK DOTS POSITIONING OF DOTS

4A Hazard Marking for Slightly Radioactive Fluids

BACKGROUND OF NO. 557 LIGHT ORANCE WITH BLACK CROSS STRIPES PROPORTIONAL WIDTH 4 : 1 BLACK CROSS STRIPS

4B Hazard Marking for Highly Radioactive Fluids

STRIPES OF BLACK AND NO. 356 GOLDEN YELLOW

4C Hazard Marking for Other Kind of Hazards FIG. 4 DETAILS OF HAZARD MARKING

IS 2379 : 1990
8 9 ADDITIONAL IDENTIFICATION When further identification is required to supplement the colour code, this may be done by the particular industry for its own use. 9.1 Lettering Lettering is recommended for Chemical Industry ( see Fig. 3 and 5 ), of the products not covered in Tables 2 to 5. For steam, temperature and pressure shall be indicated after colour indication, by lettering. The recommended size of lettering for pipes of different diameters is given below: 9.2 Direction of Flow Where it is required to indicate the direction of flow, arrows or letters may be painted near valves, junctions, walls, etc, and at suitable intervals along the pipe, in a manner best suited to local conditions ( see Fig. 3 ). These shall be black or white in colour and in contrast to the colour on which they are superimposed. If a label or badge with a codified indication is attached to the pipe, the direction of flow may be indicated by the pointed end of the label or badge. Sizes of arrow shall be as given in Fig. 6. 9.2.1 For central heating systems or other closed circuits where it is necessary to indicate separately, the flow and return pipes, this shall be done by the use of the word FLOW or the letter F on the one pipe and the word RETURN or the letter R on the other. 10 VISIBILITY OF MARKINGS 10.1 Attention shall be given to the visibility of colour marking and the letterings. Where the pipelines are located above the normal line of vision of the operator, the lettering shall be placed below the horizontal line of the pipes, as shown in Fig. 7.

10.2 Preferably colouring shall be all around the pipe wherever possible, if not, the extent of colouring along the circumference is to be decided by purchase Engineer in charge depending upon direction of visibility at site. 10.3 The electrical illumination of plant in the night should be such that the shades of colours are not affected to ensure proper visibility in the night. Wherever legends and colour bands are indicated, their location should be such that they are easily visible from floor/ground level during day time and extra illumination should be provided over them for night time or wherever visibility is poor. Outside Diameter of Pipe or Covering Size of Legend mm mm 20 to 30 10 Above 30 ,, 50 20 ,, 50 ,, 80 30 ,, 80 ,, 150 40 ,, 150 ,, 250 90 Over 250 FIG. 5 HAZARD MARKING (FLUID CARRIED, ETHYL CHLORIDE)

IS 2379 : 1990
9 6A For Pipes DN 200 and Below 6B For Pipes Above DN 200 FIG. 6 SIZE OF ARROWS FIG. 7 POSITIONING OF MARKINGS FOR VISIBILITY Standard Mark The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The Standard Mark on products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been produced to comply with the requirements of that standard under a well defined system of inspection, testing and quality control which is devised and supervised by BIS and operated by the producer. Standard marked products are also continuously checked by BIS for conformity to that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence for the use of the Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturers or producers may be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Standards.
Bureau of Indian Standards BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and attending to connected matters in the country. Copyright BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS. Review of Indian Standards Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also reviewed periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that no changes are needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue of BIS Catalogue and Standards : Monthly Additions. This Indian Standard has been developed from Doc : No. HMD 17 (5222) and amended by ME 17

Amendments Issued Since Publication Amend No. Date of Issue Amd. No. 1 May 2007

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