BS 171O:1984

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Reprinted, incorporating Amendment No.

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British Standard Specification for

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Identificati0n of pipelines
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BS-1710 : 1984

Contents
Page

Page

Foreword
Committees responsible

lnside front cover

Back cover

C,

Specification

1.

2. Definitions
3. General
4. Basic identification colours
5. Code indications
6. Method of application
7. Direction of flow

indications giving information on the pipe

contents
Colour code indications for medical gas

services

code indications for general

E. Optional colour code indications for

ref rigeration services
Tabler

of basic identification and code

indications illustrating the application of
Examples

colours

of basic identification and code

building services

Appendicer

safety

Examples

D. Optional colour

Scope

A.

B.

1. Basic identif ication colours

2. Safety colours
3. Colour guide
4. Reference colours
5. Colour guide
6. Reference colours
F

2
2
7
7

igure

1. Application of safety colours and code

indication colours

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Foreword
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This British Standard has been prepared under the direction

of the Mechanical Engineering Standards Committee.
This revision of BS 1710 : 1975 is published to give further
clarif ication and supersedes the 1975 edition which is

withdrawn.
This standard remains in alignment with ISO/R 508
'ldentification colours for pipes conveying fluids in liquid
or gaseous conditions in land installations and on board
ships'which is published by the lnternational Organization
for Standardization (lSO). Table 1 gives the basic identification colours but supplements ISO/R 508 by providing
a basic

colour for 'other liquids'and a further colour for

ventilation ducts and conduits for electrical services. The

previous marking to denote a hazard (yellow with black
diagonal stripes) has been omitted from this revision
because of the use of this symbol in BS 5378 to indicate
a physical hazard.
Examples

of identification by basic colour and code

indications are illustrdted in appendices A and B. Colour

code indications for medical gas services are given in

appendix C and these comply with the requirements of
BS 1319 which is in course of revision. Pipelines carrying
industrial gases from cylinders should have a basic
identification colour in accordance with table 1 . Optional
colour code indications for general building services are
given in appendix D.
The identification of pipelines in land transport should
comply with this standard. An identification scheme for
pipelines in aircraft and spacecraft is given in British
Standard M 23.
The names of colours have been retained in this standard
but these are given for guidance and when ordering only
the reference number should be specified.
This standard is supplementary to any regulations laid
down for public safety,
Compliance with a Britirh Standard does not of itrelf
confer immunity from legal obligations. ,

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BS

1710: 1984

British Standard Specification for

ldentification of pipelines and services

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1. Scope

and wall penetration and at any other place where

This British Standard specifies the colours for the

identification of pipes conveying fluids in above ground
installations and on board ships on a generic basis. lt also
includes ducts for ventilation and conduits used for
carrying electrical services.

identif ication is necessary.

pipeline has been coded with safety colours for
fire fighting, the valves shall be painted red (see b.l (a)
and table 2), e,g. valves in fire extinguishing steam or water
pipelines, or in waterflooding pipelinesshall be painted red.

The following three methods of identification are included:

(a) basic identif ication colours only;

NOTE. ln other cases valves may be painted with the appropriate

identif ication colours.

G)

(b) basic identif ication colours and code indications;

(c) basic identification colours used in conjunction
with the user's particular colour coding scheme.

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These methods are augmented by the requirements of 5.2.

NOTE, The titles ot the publications referred to in this standard
are listed on the inside back cover.

For the purposes of this British Standard the following

definitions apply.

JJ

pipe and pipelines. Pipes, electrical conduits and

ducts, and their coverings.

2.2 fluids. Substances consisting of particles that move

freely among themselves and are capable of being conveyed
through pipes.

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4.

Basic identification colours

The appropriate basic colour shall be in accordance with

table 1.

5,

Code indications
5.1 Safety colours (see table 2). Safety colours shall
be as

2. Definitions

3.4 lf the

2.1

2,3 labelr. Labelling including

labels, plates, clips or signs.

3.

General
3.1 All methods of identification shall be compatible
with the pipe and operating conditioni.
3.2 Where banding (see 6.1) is adopted, the decorative
or protective colour of the pipe shall not be any of the
basic identif ication colours.

3.3 The basic identification shall be included at iunctions,

at both sides of each valve, service appliance, bulkhead

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follows:

(a) red, for fire fighting;

(b) yellow for warning*;
(c) auxiliary blue in conjunction with the green basic
colour, to denote pipes carrying fresh water, either
potable or non-potable.

5.2 lnformation. Information shall be given regarding the

nature of the contents of the pipe by using the following
or in combination:
(a) name in full;

systems either individually

(b) abbreviation of name;

(c) chemical symbol;
(d) refrigerant number as specified in BS 4580;
(e) appropriate code indication lolou, bands (see
notes 1 and 2).
NOTE 1. Colour code indications for medical gas services are
given in appendix C.
NOTE 2, Optional colour code indications for genoral building
services are given in appendix D.
NOTE 3. Optional colour code indications for refrigeration seruices
are given in appendix E. The nature of the contents of refrigeration
service pipes should also be indicated by the chemical symbol and
the refrigerant number where appropriate as specified in BS 4580,

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is required

to supplemnt the warning colourwith warning sign to comply with the Statutory lnstrument l9g0 No.
to BS 5378 : Part 1 -

1471

BS 1710: 1984
Table 1. Basic identification colours
Pip6 contents

Basic ide.tification
colour namss

BS idontilirarion
colour rslergnce BS 4800

Water

Green

12D 45

Steam

Silver-grey

10A03

Oils

- mineral, vegetable or animal

Combustible liquids

Brown

06c39

Gases

in either gaseous or
liquefied condirion (except air)

Yellow ochre

08c35

Acids and alkalis

Violet

22C37

Air

Light blue

20E51

Other liquids

Black

00E53

Electrical services and

ventilation ducts

Orange

06 E

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Table 2. $afety colours

Safoty colour

BS colour reference
BS 4800

Red

04E53

Yellow

08E51

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Auxiliary blue

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NOTE, The colour nam69 givn in column 1 are only included

for guidance since diflersnt colour namas may be used bv
different manufacturers lor lhe same colour reference-

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NOTE 1, Some colours are marginally outside the lirnits specitied in lSOi R 508 but for prrctical purposes thBy may be used.
NOTE 2. The colour names given in column 2 are only included for guidance since different colour names may be used by dilferent
manufacturers for lhe same colour relerence.

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Example

Example

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BS

6.

Method of application

6.3

6.1

Basic identification colour only. Where the determination of merely the basic nature of the fluid is
required, the basic identif ication colour shall be applied
by one of the following methods:
(a) painted on the pipe over the whole length;

(b) painted on the pipe as a band over a length of

about 150 mm, depending on the diameter of the

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pipe at points specified in 3.3;

(c) applied by wrapping around the pipe at points
specified in 3.3 an adhesive band or identification clip
of the basic identif ication colour over a length of
about 150 rnm. depending upon the diameter of the
pipe.

6,2

Basic identification colour

6.2.1 Code indications

in 5.1 shall be placed

at junctions, at both sides of each valve, service appliance,
bulkhead and wall penetration and at any other place
where identification is necessary. Code indication in
accordance with 5,1 shall be used in conjunction with the
basic identif ication colour reference as shown in table 1.

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The basic identif ication colour shall be painted either over

the whole length of the pipe or by colour banding at
points specified in 3.3. Where the basic identif ication
colour is applied over the whole length of pipe, the code
indications in 5,1 shall be applied at intervals along the
pipe with at least the minimum number of points as
specified in 3.3. Where the basic identification colour is
in the form of bandinE (see 3.2) the code indication shall
be on or next to the colour banding.
Code indication as specified in 5.2 plus, if required,
other information regarding the fluid, shall be placed
on the basic identification colour. lf the pipes are colour
banded, the code indication shall be on or next to the
colour band. The names. abbreviations or chemical symbols
shall be either white or black in order to contrast clearly
with the colour of the pipe or with the basic identif ication
colour and shall be placed directly on the pipe or on a
label fixed to the pipe near the basic identification colour.
When labels are to be used on an installation in combina.
tion with a safety colour, the background colour of the
labels shall be that of the safety colour.
NOTE. Examples of the use of basic identif ication colours with
code indication are given in appendices A and B.

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with code indications

as specif ied

it is required to indicate more precisely the fluid

then the following procedures shall be adopted.
lf, for example, it is required to visually identify pipes
conveying various types of gas then the user shall allocate
a colour for each type of gas in the plant (the colour
chosen shall not be a colour listed in table 1 ) and then
proceed as follows.
Three colour bands shall be placed at junctions. at both
sides of each valve, service appliance, bulkhead and wall
penetration and at any other place where identification
is necessary. The outside colour bands shall be the basic
identif ication colour for the particular family of fluids.
ln this example for gas, the outside colour bands would
be 08 C 35 and the centre band shall be the colour
allocated by the user or installer for the particular type
of gas flowing. The centre band may be of one colour
or a combination of colours within the width of
approximately 100 mm. Further examples are given in
appendices C and D.
When

NOTE. The dimensions of the colour bands are illustrated in

figure L

The application of colour bands shall be by one of the

following methods:
(a) painting;
(b) adhesive colour bands;
(c) equivalent colour clips.

7. Direction of flow
it is required to show the direction of flow of the
fluid, this shall be indicated by an arrow situated in the
proximity of the basic identif ication colour and painted
white or black in order to contrast clearly with the basic
identification colour. lf a label with a code indication is
attached to the pipe. the direction of flow shall be shown
When

by the pointed end of this label.

For central heating systems and 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 (see appendix B).

code

Basic identificaiion

Basic identification
colour-

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Basic identification colour with code coloun

NOTE, This standard only specif ies the basic identitication colour
for groups of fluids. Within a group there are many varieties for
which it could be impossible to specify particular colours that
would be unique to that fluid.

indication cotour

cotour

1710: 1984

Figure 1. Application of safety colours and code indication colours

BS

1710:1984

Appendix A
Examples

colours
of basic identif ication and code indications illustrating the application of safety

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ire extinguishing wator

0ecora iive

Fire extinguishing steam

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NO?E, The colours in lhese examples are illu$tr6tive only. Refarenct should
relevanr BS 4800 colour number'

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NOTE 2. Referencc numboru in pffentlr$ls cowr colour code to BS 48OO'

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BS 1710 : 1984

Appendix D
Optional colour code indications for general building

services

(Colour names are given for guidance. When specifying colours the colour references given in tables 1, 2 and 4 should
be stated.)

Tabte 3. Colour guide

Pip6 contontr

Baslc idcmification colour

(approximately 15O mm)

Colour code indication

Eaaic identifi oatkm colour

(approximatly 150 mm)

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Green

Auxiliary Hue

Green

Green

Whit

Green

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suggestions

Black

Electrical conduits and

ventilation ducts

*This colour refsrence was previously described as Yellow.

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Table 4. Reference colours (if other than safety colours)

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not previously specif ied in tables 1 and 2.

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Orange

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Appendix

optionalcolourcodeindieationsforrefrigerationservices
(Colour names are given
be stated.)

for guidance. When specifying colours the colour references given in tables 1, 2, 4

and 6 should

Table 5. Colour guide

Br.h kl.ntif icrtlon colour

Pipo contant!

Colour cod. indicrtion

(approxlmately 150 mml

Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow

Befrigerant !2
Refrigerant 22
Refrigerani 502
Anhydrous ammonia
Other refrigerants

ochre
ochre
ochre

(approximately t 50'mm)

Blue
Sea-green

ochrc.

Golden brown
Dark mauve

ochrb

Emerald green

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Table 6. Referenos colourc

(if other than safety colours)

not previously specif ied in tables

1.2

and 4

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NOTE 1; Basic colour: Yellow ochre 0S C 35/BS 48ff).

NOTE 2. See noto 3 of 5.2.

B.ric idantif icltion coloul

Yellow ochre
Yellow ochre
Yellour ochre
Yellow ochre
Yellow ochre

' '. Pail t Siircification for colour and design

for Prpetrnes
scheme tor
identiricaiign echems
Pipelines
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icatio' for an identitication
23-l' Specif icatioh
brithh
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gaseoui conditions in land imtalletions qnd in -boaid
G67C;;Og taentificatton colouis for pipo3 conveying flulds in liquid or

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ii"-ue&nicaf' engineering Standsrds Committse, was elfect on
of ttre Boata of Bsl and comes into
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iley 1984'
British Standards lnstitution,
Fimt published March 1951
First revision August 196O
Secorid rsvision Docember 1971
Third revision Octobor 1975

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commitGes responsibl e for this British Standard

The preparation of this gritish Standard was entrusted by the
Mechanical Engineering Standards Committee

(MEE/-) to

Technical Committee MEE/l04 upon which the following

bodies were represented:

British Compressed Air Society

British Compressed Gases Association
British Befrigeration and Air Conditioning Association
British Ship Research Asrociation
'
Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association

Engineeiirrg Equipment and Materials Users' Association

Fire Offices Committee
lnstitute of Marine Engineers
lnstitute of Ref rigeration
lnstitution of Fire Engineers

lnstitution of Gas Engineers

lnstitution of Occupational Safety and Health
lnstitution of Plant Engineers
Paintmakers .Association of-.Great Br itain Ltd'
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

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Amendments issued since publication

F1

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Amd. No.

Text

6012

lndicated bY a line in the margin

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