DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 II Page 1 of 14 REV.

3A

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STANDARDS PUBLICATION

KOC STANDARD

FOR

COLOUR CODING OF
PIPES AND FITTINGS FOR
MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION

DOC NO: KOC-MP-026

DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 2 of 14 REV. 3A

KOC STANDARD

FOR

COLOUR CODING OF
PIPES AND FITTINGS FOR
MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION

DOC NO: KOC-MP-026

(FORMERLY 015-LH-1 006)

ISSUING AUTHORITY:

STANDARDS TEAM

A _ . Amended as
3 04 09 12
Marked on Page 3

Rev. Date Description

 DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 3 of14 REV. 3A

TABLE OF CQNTENTS

PAGE NO.

1.0 SCOPE I OBJECTIVE 4

2.0 GENERAL I APPLICATION I RESPONSIBILITY 4

3.0 TERMINOLOGY 4
3.1 Definitions 4
3.2 Abbreviations 5

4.0 REFERENCE CODES AND STANDARDS 5

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 5

6.0 COLOUR CODING MATERIALS 6

7.0 COLOUR CODING PAINT APPLICATION 6

8.0 COLOUR CODING REQUIREMENTS 7

9.0 COLOUR CODES FOR MATERIALS 8

13A/
10.0 INSPECTION AND TESTING 10

11.0 HANDLING, SHIPPING AND STORAGE 10

APPENDICES: 11-13

APPENDIX 1: COLOUR CODING I MARKING DETAILS - PIPES 11

APPENDIX 2: COLOUR CODING I MARKING DETAILS- FITTINGS 12

APPENDIX 3: COLOUR CODING I MARKING DETAILS- FLANGES, 13

SPECTACLE BLINDS, LINE BLINDS & SPACERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 14

Sr. DESCRIPTION
No

Clause 3.1.2: Definitions: Added the definition of Daub.

Clause 4.2: Reference Standards: Added references of API Spec. 5L and NACE MR0175 /IS015156.
Clause 9.0: Table 1: Added Foot Note to Table 1.
DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 4 of 14 Rev. 3A

1 .0 ~CQPE /.OBJECT!\/~~

1 .1 This KOC Standard describes the minimum requirements of colour coding of

pipes and associated fittings supplied as bulk material for installation at
KOC facilities. These colour coding are over and above the stencilling I
permanent markings, that are mandatory for the pipe Manufacturer I
Supplier.

1 .2 Objective of colour coding for bulk material is to provide an aid to

warehouse I fabricators I pipe handlers I labourers for preliminary
recognition of the type of material.

1 .3 Exclusions

a. This Standard does not cover colour coding of pipe fittings such as
strainers, valves and sight flow indicators.

b. Galvanized, and Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Plastic (RTRP) pipes I

fittings shall not be colour coded.

2.0 GENERAL I APPLICATION I RESPON~lBILITY

2.1 All surfaces to be colour coded shall be prepared, painted and marked in
accordance with the requirements of this Standard.

2.2 Colour coded pipes and fittings shall be checked for conformance with this
Standard before shipment to warehouse I storage area I Sites I Projects I
Facilities. However, it shall be the responsibility of the Supplier I Purchaser
and the User Team(s) to ensure that dissimilar material do not mix-up.

2.3 The presence of colour code does not diminish the need for permanent
markings to be transferred whenever pipes are cut during fabrication

2.4 Colour coding is required in addition to stencilling I permanent markings and

shall be positioned so as not to impinge or interfere with those markings.

2. 5 Any exception or deviation(s) from this Standard, along with their merits
and justification, shall be brought to the attention of the Team Leader-
Standards.

3.0 TERMINOLOGY

3.1 Definitions
 DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 5 of 14 Rev. 3A

3. 1 . 1 Abrading

A method of surface preparation that is carried-out by abrasive paper

before painting.

I 3AI 3.1.2 Daub

Colour paint applied in a small area of approximately 2 inch (50 mm)

diameter.

BS British Standard

NPS Nominal Pipe Size

4.0 REFERENCE CODES AND STANDARDS

4.1 In the event of conflict between this Standard and the standards/codes
referenced herein, the most stringent requirement shall apply, unless
otherwise specified.

4.2 The latest edition of the following standard shall apply:

3A
API Spec. 5L Specification for Line Pipe

BS 381 C Colours for Identification, Coding and Special Purposes

NACE MR0175/ Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries Materials for Use in
IS015156 H 2 S containing Environments in Oil and Gas Production
Part1: General Principles for Selection of Cracking-
Resistant Materials. Part2: Cracking-Resistant Carbon and
Low-Alloy Steels, and the Use of Cast Irons. Part3:
Cracking-Resistant CRAs (Corrosion-Resistant Alloys) and
other alloys.

5.1 The environment of Kuwait is severe on pipes, pipelines, equipment and

structures and must be considered carefully before the selection of marking
paint materials. It must be assumed thaC unless otherwise specified, paint
system may be subjected to sand and fine particle dust storms, sand laden
winds, chemical contaminants and extrem;_temp13ratures.
 DOC. NO. KOC·MP-02~6_ _ 11 Page 6 of 14
~======================~==================~~~--h-=-==-=================~
Rev. 3A

6.0 COLOUR CODING MATERIALS

6. 1 Quality of Colour Coding Paint

6.1 .1 Colour coding paint shall be chemically pure, uniform in compos1t1on and
free from any foreign contaminants. It shall not contain any toxic or
hazardous constituents (e.g., Asbestos, Red Lead, Lead Chromate etc.).

6.1.2 The colour coding paint used for stainless steel shall be completely free of
any ingredient containing sulphur and halogens compounds.

6.1.3 Colour coding paint used for pipes and fittings materials other than carbon
steel and ferritic material shall be completely free of metallic pigment or
other metallic ingredient.

6. 1 .4 Where the lighter colours specified cannot be easily obtained without

metallic pigments, colour coding paint containing titanium dioxide or rutile
titanium dioxide shall be considered.

6.1 .5 The colour coding paint shall be compatible with the protective coating of
the pipe I fitting.

6.2 ~Colours

6.2.1 The colours used to designate the material type of the pipe/fitting shall be as
indicated in Table 1 of this Standard.

6.2.2 The colours to be used shall comply with BS 381 C according to the
reference numbers given in Table 1 of this Standard.

7.0 ~O~LOUR CODING P~INT APPLICATION

7.1 General Requirement

Colour coding paint shall be applied on the specified surfaces of the pipe and
fitting in accordance with the requirements of this Standard.

7.2 Surface Preparation

7 .2.1 Contaminants Removal

Surface to be colour coded shall be dry and clean. Foreign materials like
deposits, oil, grease and rust scale shall be by a suitable method.
[ DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page7of14 -~~--- Rev. 3A
I

7 .2.2 Blast Cleaning

After pre-cleaning, ferritic material surfaces to be colour coded shall be

sweep blast cleaned, using a suitable abrasive, to achieve a surface profile
of 25 to 35 micron.

7 .2.3 Abrading

For all other (non ferritic) materials requiring colour coding, the surface to be
painted shall be prepared with coarse abrasive paper, to provide an anchor
profile of at least 5 micron.

7 .2.4 The prepared surfaces shall be cleaned from any dust, residual products and
prior to paint application.

7.3 Pail]t Application

7 .3.1 Following surface preparation, the colour coding paint shall be applied by
using a suitable method recommended by the Contractor.

7 .3.2 The application shall be within the same work shift (maximum 6 hours
following preparation). Prepared surfaces which must be left for longer
period shall be re-blasted I re-abraded before painting.

7 .3.3 Colour coding paint shall not be applied to any machined surface, including
weld bevels, flange faces etc., nor on any surface intended for welding.

7 .3.4 Colour coding paint shall not be applied under the following conditions:

a. Outdoors during fog, rain or high wind conditions in an atmosphere (e.g.

sandstorm etc.).

b. When the ambient temperature is less than 5°C.

c. When the relative humidity is greater than 85%.

d. When the metal surface temperature is less than 3°C.

7.3 .5 Painted areas shall be thoroughly cured dry before the pipes/fittings are
handled and prepared for packaging and shipping.

8.0 COLOUR C.QDING REQUIRgMENT§

8.1 Each length of pipe or tubing 38 mm ( 1.5 inch) NPS or smaller shall be
marked with 25 mm wide circumferential bands spaced approximately 1 m
apart with a band 75 mm from each of Appendix I of this Standard
for details).
DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 8 of 14 Rev. 3A

8.2 Each length of pipe 50 mm (2 inch) 1\IPS or larger and each pipe fitting 150
mm (6 inch) nominal diameter or larger shall be marked with a 25 mm wide
circumferential stripe 50 mm from each end or weld bevel. (See Figure-2 of
Appendi:r I ami Figure-2 of Appendix 2 of this Standardfor detailv).

8.3 Each pipe fitting 100 mm (4 inch) NPS or smaller, shall be marked at two
locations on the surface 1 80° apart with two circular spots of not less than
1 5 m m in diameter. (See Figure-/ of Appendix 2 of this Standartl{or details).

8.4 Each flange, spectacle blind, line blind & spacer shall be marked on the
outside edge full width, in two opposite locations. Each mark shall be at
least 50 mm long except that on small flanges and blinds this length may be
reduced as necessary to avoid permanent markings. (See Figure-/ of Appendix 3 of
this Standard for details). Blinds with handles may have their handle colour
coded instead of the edge provided that the colour coding stripe completely
encircles the handle.

8.5 For all pipe fittings packed in totally enclosed crates, drums, cartons, etc.
the crate, drum or carton shall be colour coded with a single 50 mm wide
circumferential band of the same colour as that on the fittings contained
therein. Where several smaller cartons or drums are packed in a larger
shipping crate that larger crate shall not be colour coded.

9.0 COLOUR CODES FOR MATERIALS

9.1 Table 1 of this Standard describes the colour codes for various steel pipe I
fitting materials.
TABLE 1
~··

Colour Codel
Sr. Marking
Pipe I Fittings Material as per
No. Colour
{BS 381C)
'
a) Carbon Steel Conforming to NACE MR0175 I
IS015156 (Bare or Uncoated externally)
--- -----
b) Carbon Steel Conforming to NACE MR0175 I Ruby 542
1
IS015156 (Bare or Uncoated externally), with
non-metallic internal coating.
'
:a) Carbon Steel Non-conforming to NACE
MR0175 I ISO 15156 (Bare or Uncoated '
I externally) Golden
2 356
~ Yellow
• b) Carbon steel (Non-conforming to NACE MR
0175 I IS015156) with non-metallic internal
I coating (Bare or Uncoated externally). l
l
r
(. ... Continued)
 DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 9 of 14 Rev.3A

( ........ Continued)
-·

Sr. I Pipe I Fittings Material

Marking
Colour Code!
as per I
No. Colour
(BS 381 C)
Carbon Steel (Conforming to NACE MR0175 I
3 IS015156) with internal lnconel lining (Bare or Manila 367
Uncoated externally).
Camouflage
4 Super Duplex Stainless Steel
Beige
5 Austenitic-Ferritic (Duplex) Stainless Steel Strong Blue 107
6 Ferritic (Chromium) Stainless Steel Light Orange I 557
7 Austenitic {Cr-Ni or Cr-Mn-Ni) Stainless Steel Grass Green 218
8 lnconel Light Violet 797

9 Monel Smoke Grey 692

10 Cu- Ni Night 642

Foot Note:
I8Jt~itional Marking I Colour Coding I Identification for Pi~

(a) Additional marking I colour coding may be adopted based on specific project requirements.
3A
(b) For API 5L pipes, the Vendor/Manufacturer shall apply a daub of paint on pipes of various grades in
line with clause Nos. 11.1.3 & 11.2.7 of API Spec.5L and colours specified vide Table No. 27 of
API Spec.5L, to facilitate ease of recognition by the pipe handlers. In addition to the said Table,
daub colour for API 5L grade X42 will be 'Grey". No such daub is needed for API 5L grade B pipe.
The daub shall be applied approximately 50 mm (2 inch) in diameter, on outside or inside surface of
each length of pipe. The option of daub paint application on inside or outside shall be specified by
the Purchaser during procurement.
OC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 10 of 14 Rev. 3A

10.0 lNSPECTION AND TESTING

10.1 Marking location and dimensions on pipes, fittings or package shall be

checked for conformance with clause 8.0 of this Standard.

10.2 Marking colours and their codes for specified pipes/fittings materials shall be
checked for conformance with Table 1.

11.0 HANDLING, SHIPPING AND STORAGE

11.1 Colour coded pipes/fittings shall be carefully handled during stacking,

loading, transportation, slinging and lowering. This is to avoid undue
physical damage or deterioration to the colour marking system.
 DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026
r-- Page 11 of 14 Rev. 3A
1

~fPENDIX 1: COLOUR CODING I MARKING DETAILS (PIPES)

75 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 1000 mm 75 mm

(TYP.) (TYP.) (TYP.) (TYP.) (TYP.) (TYP.)

PIPES NPS 38 mm (l Yz'') and Smaller

Refer Clause 8.1 of this Standard

FIGURE-1

25 mm (TYFl.)

w
50 mm 50 mm
(TYP.) (fYP.)

PIPES NPS 50 rnm (2") and Larger

Refer Clause 8.2 of this Standard

FIGURE-2
DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 C Page 12 of14 Rev. 3A

2 Spots Dio 15 mm each

~--lfJJ oporl
0
(lYP_]

\ \~(TYP)
~

Fittings NPS 100 mm (4") and Smaller

Refer Clause 8.3 of this Standard

FIGURE-1

25mm (TYP.)

II )-J.f
,----- ·:1 25mm (TYP )
r\
1 1 (TYP)
50mm

~~~,-J- 5Dmm -l+.- 25m m ---J.,.._

L_ I (TYP.) (TYP.)

Fittings NPS 150 mm (6") and Larger

Refer Clause 8.2 of this Standard

FIGURE-2
 DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 13 of 14 Rev.3A

APPEJ''{DIX 3: COLOUR CODING I MARKING DETAILS (FLANGES, SPECTACLE BLINDS,

LINE BLINDS & SPACERS}

50 mm (TYP.) 0
AT TWO OPPOSITE LOCATIONS 180 APART

Flanges, Spectacle Blinds, Line 131inds & Spacers

Refer Clause 8.4 of this Standard

FIGURE-1
DOC. NO. KOC-MP-026 Page 14 of 14 Rev. 3A

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Revision 3A to this Standard has been approved by the Standards Technical

Committee (STC) comprising the following:

Mr. Hamzah Ahmad Standards Team Chairman

Mr. Mohd. Emam Insp. & Corr. Team (S&EK) Deputy Chairman
Mr. S. Kumar Standards Team Secretary/Member
Mr. A. Unnikrishnan Standards Team Member
Mr. N. Ramanathan Major Projects IV Member
Mr. Daniel Pino Utilities Team Member
Mr. Mohd. Aslam lmadi Design Team Member
Mr. G. Unnikrishnan Design Team Member
Mr. Abdul R. AI-Shamari Insp. & Corr. Team (N&WK) Member
Mr. Haithem Aboughaith Gen. Projects Team Member
Mr. Gopal Murthy Opns. Tech. Svcs. (WK) Team Member
Mr. Fahad AI Qattan HSE System Team Member
Mr. Abdulla AI-Yousef Project Mgmt. Team (NK) Member
Mr. Richard Arthur Info. System Planning Team Member