PIPING COLOR CODING FOR METALS IDENTIFICATION

DECEMBER 1988

PAGE 1 OF 6

EGE 16-B-5 1988

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. Scope References General Color Code Requirements for Materials Identification 5. Application of Materials Color Code 6. Color Code Requirements for Wall Thickness Identification

1. SCOPE This Guide (formerly entitled "Color Coding Metals for Identification") describes a color code for metallic materials for visual identification in the storehouse, the fabrication shop, and the field. It also includes an optional color code for visual identification of pipe wall thickness. 2. REFERENCES The following publications are referenced herein:
API (American Petroleum Institute) Standard Std 601 Metallic Gaskets for Raised-Face Pipe Flanges and Flanged Connections (Double-Jacketed Corrugated and Spiral Wound)

PFI (Pipe Fabrication Institute) Recommended Practice ES-22 Color Coding of Piping Materials

3. GENERAL 3.1 The color coding system for materials identification described herein is intended to help prevent failures that result from using the wrong in refinery and chemical plant services. Those metals identified in Table 1 shall be color coded, but there is no intent to code all metals used in the field. 3.2 Facilities with a well established and successful program may continue to use it, and materials for those locations shall be coded according to their coloring system. Only one color coding system shall be used in a single operating facility. 3.3 The color coding system for pipe wall thickness described herein is intended to help prevent failures as a result of using the incorrect wall thickness in the fabrication shop. Use of this system is optional, but it is recommended for those locations where the pipe is cleaned and primed before fabrication of shop details.

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TABLE 1 COLOR CODE FOR MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION Material Carbon Steel, specified tensile strength under 482.6 MPa (70,000 psi) Carbon Steel, specified tensile strength 482.6 MPa (70,000 psi) and over Carbon steel, killed steel Carbon steel, low temperature (impact tested) Color of Stripe No marking*

1 solid green*

2 solid green 1 solid red

C-Mo steel 1 Cr-Mo steel 1 Cr- Mo steel 2 Cr-1 Mo steel 5 Cr- Mo steel 7 Cr- Mo steel 9 Cr- Mo steel

1 solid orange* 1 solid orange, 1 solid blue 1 solid yellow* 1 solid blue* 1 solid white* 1 solid maroon* 1 solid white, 1 solid green*

Type 405 stainless steel Type 410 stainless steel Type 410S stainless steel

1 solid green, 1 solid black 1 solid green, 1 solid red 1 solid green, 1 solid brown

Type 304 stainless steel Type 304L stainless steel Type 304H stainless steel Type 309 stainless steel Type 310 stainless steel Type 316 stainless steel Type 316L stainless steel Type 316H stainless steel

1 solid black* 2 solid black 3 solid black 1 solid black, 1 solid brown 1 solid green, 1 solid orange 1 solid gray* 2 solid gray 3 solid gray

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EGE 16-B-5 1988

TABLE 1 Cont'd Material Color of Stripe

Type 317 stainless steel Type 321 stainless steel Type 321H stainless steel Type 347 stainless steel Type 347H stainless steel

1 solid brown, 1 solid white 1 solid pink* 2 solid pink 1 solid brown* 2 solid brown

17-4 PH

1 solid black, 1 solid red

Monel 400 Inconel 600 Inconel 625 Incoloy 800 Incoloy 800H Incoloy 825 Carpenter 20 CB-3

1 solid black, 1 solid yellow 2 solid blue 1 solid blue, 1 solid white 1 solid black, 1 solid orange 1 solid gray, 1 solid red 1 solid gray, 1 solid blue 1 solid black, 1 solid blue

Hastelloy B Hastelloy C
*Color coding follows PFI ES-22

1 solid red, 1 solid white 1 solid red, 1 solid blue

3.4 Materials identification by color coding is not a substitute for other, permanent manufacturers markings required by applicable ASTM or other materials specifications. None of the other markings shall be obscured by color coding. 3.5 The principal purpose of color coding is visual materials identification during storage and after the metal has been cut for fabrication. This includes material returned to stock. 3.6 A procedure shall be established to ensure that all material is identified correctly before the color coding is applied. Color coding need not be retained when painting is done after completion of fabrication. 3.7 Paints used for coding shall be durable, bright, and distinctive. Paints containing sulfur, lead, or other metals are not acceptable. 3.8 The level of detrimental contaminants in paints used for marking austenitic stainless steels shall be as follows:

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Surfaces to be color coded shall be clean and free of dirt, loose scale, and oil.

3.10 Should the need arise to color code other metals or wall thicknesses, colors other than those shown in Tables 1 and 2 shall be used. 4. COLOR CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION 4.1 All materials listed in Section 5 shall be color coded for identification in accordance with Table 1.

4.2 The color coding listed in Table 1 shall be applied by the supplier (manufacturer or vendor). In addition, each piece of metal shall have painted characters indicating the specification number of the material if it is not permanently marked or tagged according to an applicable materials standard. 4.3 Each length of the pipe shall have a 5 mm (3/16 in.) or larger stripe(s) running full length (Figure 1F). NPS 1 and smaller pipe may have a 3 mm ( in.) stripe(s) running full length.

4.4 Valves, flanges, and fittings do not require color coding if the material is permanently stamped and/or tagged by the manufacturer. If the materials code is not easily legible, valves, flanges, and fittings shall be coded with a stripe(s) of 5 mm (3/16 in.) minimum width. The color coding on valves should indicate the valve body material. 4.5 ASTM A307, Grade B machine bolts and A193, Grade B7 studbolts do not require color coding. Other grades of studs do not require color coding if the grade of the material is stamped on one end of each bolt. 4.6 Sprial-wound gaskets shall be color coded in accordance with API Std 601. Sheet gaskets do not require color coding. Note: The colors in API Std 601 are not the same as those in Table 1. 4.7 Plates, sheets, and strips shall have a 5 mm (3/16 in.) or larger stripe(s) running the full length of any two perpendicular sides. 1A and 1F. 5. APPLICATION OF MATERIALS COLOR CODE 5.1

Pipe, Fittings (See Paragraph 4.4), Tubes, and Bars Stripe entire length, as shown in Figures

5.2 Valves When required (see Paragraph 4.4), stripe across the body from flange to flange or end to end, as shown in Figure 1D. 5.3

Flanges When required (see Paragraph 4.4), stripe across edge up to hub, as shown in Figure 1B.

5.4 Bolting Materials When required (see Paragraph 4.5), stripe around the midpoint of each bolt or stud. 5.5 Gaskets The color coding specification listed in API Std 601 shall be used for spiral-wound gaskets (see Paragraph 4.6).

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EGE 16-B-5 1988

TABLE 2 COLOR CODE FOR WALL THICKNESS IDENTIFICATION Schedule 5S (stainless steel) 10S (stainless steel) 10 20 30 Std 40 60 XS 80 100 120 140 160 XXS Color of Dots* Maroon Black Black Green Red Yellow White Brown Aluminum Blue Tan Pink Purple Orange Gray

*Dots shall have a minimum diameter of 6 mm ( in.) and maximum diameter of 25 mm (1 in.).

5.6 Plate, Sheet, Strip Stripe on surface near two perpendicular edges for entire length, as shown in Figure 1C. 6. COLOR CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR WALL THICKNESS IDENTIFICATION 6.1 When specified in the project specifications, all pipe and fittings shall be color coded (see Figure 1F) for wall thickness identification in accordance with Table 2. 6.2 Each colored "dot" shall have a minimum diameter of 6 mm ( in.) and a maximum of 25 mm (1 in.). The distance between dots shall be not less than 25 mm (1 in.) nor more than 75 mm (3 in.).

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FIGURE 1 MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR COLOR CODING