ARCHITECTURAL COMPREHENSIVE COURSE

Philippine
Pipe Color
Coding
(NBC
Amended
Rules and
Regulations
Rule XIII
Electrical and

COLOR

MATERIAL PIPED

PIPE
IDENTIFICATION

RED

Carbon Dioxide
Water (Fire Service)

Carbon Dioxide
Fire Service Water

ORANGE

Acetylene
Blast Furnace Gas
Gasoline
Grease
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Oil
Tar
Producer Gas
Liquid Petroleum
Gas
Oil and Water
Vacuum-High

Acetylene
B.F. Gas
Gasoline
Grease
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Oil
Tar
Producer Gas
LPG

YELLOW

GREEN

Acid
Air-High Pressure
Ammonia
Steam-High
Pressure
Steam-Low
Pressure
Water-Boiler Feed
Water-Hot
Water-High
Pressure
Air-Low Pressure
Argon-Low Pressure
Helium-Low
Pressure
Nitrogen-Low
Pressure
Water-Cold
Water-Distilled
Water-Low Pressure
Water-Treated
Oil and Water

Oil and Water

High Vacuum
Acid
H.P. Air
Ammonia
H.P. Steam
L.P. Steam
Boiler Feed Water
Hot Water
H.P. Water

L.P. Air
L.P. Argon
L.P. Helium
L.P. Nitrogen
Cold Water
Distilled Water
L.P. Water
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Treated Water
Oil and Water

ARCHITECTURAL COMPREHENSIVE COURSE

Mechanical)
Identification of Pipe by Color
Types of Pipes
o Copper pipe ideal water supply lines leading from the main water
supply pipe to household sinks and toilets. Copper is popular with
plumbing contractors because it is clean, doesn't rust and is very
reliable for both hot and cold water delivery. Copper pipes provide
trouble-free service for decades. Copper pipes will freeze and burst if
left exposed to the elements. If you have copper pipes that run through
the outer walls of your home, be sure the walls contain plenty of
insulation.
o PEX tubing Its flexibility and strength make it as reliable as copper
but easier for plumbers to work with. PEX stands for cross-linked
polyethylene and it is being used increasingly for water supply lines as
a low cost alternative to copper piping. Developed in the 1960s, PEX
has been used in Europe for decades but was only introduced to the
U.S. in the 1980s. No material is freeze-proof but PEX is freezeresistant and can expand and contract if the water inside freezes.
o PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe is the most common material used
today for household drainpipes and vents. It comes in a wide variety of
sizes and is durable and reliable. It is finding renewed acceptance as a
copper substitute in pressurized water supply lines. It has long been
popular for drainage and sewage piping. PVC pipe is inexpensive and
popular with plumbing contractors because its joints fit tightly together
to resists root intrusion and it is easy to repair. It can be quickly glued
together to provide decades of trouble-free service.
o ABS piping is used in both ground and above-ground applications, and
may also be installed outdoors, provided the pipes meet certain
conditions. Based on local regulations, outdoor usage may require the
pipes to contain pigments to prevent it from ultraviolet radiation or to
be painted with a water-based latex paint.
o HDPE is high-density polyethylene plastic pipe often used for drainage
in household plumbing.
o Clay piping is an older style, if you discover that you still have it in
your home, you need to get it replaced as soon as possible.
o CPVC pipes are beige and are approved for use in hot or cold water
service lines.
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ARCHITECTURAL COMPREHENSIVE COURSE

o Polyethylene tubes are black and approved for cold water use.

o Polybutylene is gray or beige and is usually sold in coiled lengths.

Polybutylene is the only flexible pipe approved for hot and cold service
lines.
o Orangeburg, also known as fibre conduit pipe, was a tarpaper-like
material used for sewer lines from the 1860s through the 1970s. It
became common again during World War II when iron and other
materials were diverted to the war effort. Orangeburg pipe is very
susceptible to root intrusion and has fallen out of favor with building
code writers.
o Cast Iron pipes are tough and reliable. Today they are more
commonly found in commercial and municipal applications than in
residential plumbing. However, iron pipes can be found in older homes.
Cast iron resists corrosion and can last a very long time. Plumbers work
with cast iron drainage pipes, water supply lines and natural gas lines.
o Lead pipes have fallen out of favor today due to the danger of leadrelated illnesses and health problems. Lead was the most common
type of pipe for centuries because it was easy to work with. The word
"plumbing" actually is derived from the Latin word for lead,
"plumbum." If you have lead water supply lines, your water should be
tested to determine the exposure level of your home. Sanders Home
Services recommends replacing lead pipes with safer materials. At the
very least, you should always run the tap for two or three minutes after
it feels cold before drinking it or
cooking with it.
o Galvanized steel pipes have also fallen out of favor in new
construction. After years of use, minerals from water react with the
galvanizing material to cause scale build up inside the pipe. This will
eventually narrow the diameter of the pipe resulting in lower water
pressure and reduced volume.

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