In a plant room full of pipes, it's hard to tell the chilled water from the gas line or the fire main. Pipe markers solve that. A colour-coded band with the contents written on it and an arrow showing flow lets maintenance staff, contractors and emergency crews identify a pipe at a glance, before they cut, isolate or work on it.
In Australia, pipe identification usually follows AS 1345, the standard for identifying the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts. This guide explains the colour system and how to choose and place markers.
The AS 1345 colour system
Each group of contents has its own identification colour:
| Contents | Colour | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Water (including chilled, hot and boiler feed water) | Green | Water pipe markers |
| Steam | Silver grey | Steam pipe markers |
| Oils and combustible liquids | Brown | Oil and fuel pipe markers |
| Gases (other than air) | Yellow ochre | Gas pipe markers |
| Air and vacuum | Light blue | Air and vacuum pipe markers |
| Acids and alkalis | Violet | Acid and alkali pipe markers |
| Other fluids | Black | Other fluids pipe markers |
| Fire services | Red | Fire service pipe markers |
| Electrical services | Orange | Electrical pipe markers |
| Communications | White | Communications pipe markers |
Always check the current edition of the standard, your project specification and your site's own requirements, especially for hazardous contents.
Choosing the right marker
- Legend: pick the wording that matches the contents, for example "Chilled Water Supply", "Natural Gas" or "Fire Hydrant". If your legend isn't listed, custom markers let you write your own.
- Flow direction: each legend comes with a right arrow, left arrow, both directions or no arrow.
- Size: match the marker to the pipe diameter so the text is readable from where people normally stand.
Where to put pipe markers
- Next to valves, branches and junctions.
- Where pipes pass through walls, floors and ceilings, on both sides.
- At regular intervals along long straight runs.
- Where the pipe can be seen from normal access points.
Fire services and hydrants
Fire service lines are often the most important pipes to identify. Pair red fire service pipe markers with hydrant, booster and sprinkler valve signs. See our fire equipment signage guide and plant and pump room guide.
Installation tips
- Clean and dry the pipe surface first so the self-adhesive marker sticks.
- Apply markers after insulation and painting are finished.
- Plan marker quantities from the drawings, the same way you plan statutory signs. See our sign schedule from drawings guide.
Pipe markers by service
Every marker below comes with a left, right, both directions or no arrow option. Pick the service, then the arrow that matches the flow.
Water
Potable water ยท Non potable water ยท Domestic cold water ยท Domestic hot water ยท Hot water flow ยท Hot water return ยท Chilled water supply ยท Chilled water return ยท Condenser water supply ยท Condenser water return ยท Heating water flow ยท Heating water return ยท Rainwater ยท Bore water ยท Process water
Steam and condensate
Steam ยท Low pressure steam ยท High pressure steam ยท Steam condensate ยท Condensate
Oils and fuels
Diesel ยท Petrol ยท Fuel oil ยท Hydraulic oil ยท Lubricating oil ยท Waste oil
Gases
Natural gas ยท LP gas ยท Oxygen ยท Medical oxygen ยท Nitrogen ยท Carbon dioxide ยท Acetylene ยท Argon ยท Refrigerant
Acids, alkalis and chemicals
Acid ยท Alkali ยท Caustic soda ยท Sulphuric acid ยท Hydrochloric acid ยท Sodium hypochlorite ยท Chemical dosing ยท CIP supply ยท CIP return
Air and vacuum
Compressed air ยท Instrument air ยท Plant air ยท Breathing air ยท Medical air ยท Vacuum ยท Medical suction
Drainage and waste
Sewer ยท Sewer vent ยท Soil waste ยท Trade waste ยท Pumped drainage ยท Drain
Fire services
Fire hydrant ยท Fire sprinkler ยท Fire hose reel ยท Fire water ยท Fire foam
Electrical and communications
Electrical ยท Electrical conduit ยท Sub mains ยท Communications ยท Data
Frequently asked questions
Do you make custom pipe markers?
Yes. Custom pipe markers in the water and other fluids ranges let you add your own legend.
Can I order a whole plant room's markers at once?
Yes. Buy 25 or more of the same marker to save an extra 5%, 50+ to save 10%, or 150+ to save 15%, applied automatically. Every order is made to order and dispatched in 2โ3 business days, and shipping is free on orders over $500.
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