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(Reaffirmed 2016) 

 
IS( Reaffirmed
2379 : 1990
2006 )
(Reaffirmed 2015) 
(Reaffirmed
  2020)

(Reaffirmed 2014) 

Indian Standard (Reaffirmed 2013) 

PIPELINES -IDENTIFICATION - COLOUR  

CODE (Reaffirmed 2012) 
( First Revision )  

First Reprint OCTOBER 1992 (Reaffirmed 2011) 

(Reaffirmed 2010) 
UDC 621’643’006’8 : 621 - 777’6
 

(Reaffirmed 2009) 

(Reaffirmed 2008) 

(Reaffirmed 2007) 

(Reaffirmed 2006) 

(Reaffirmed 2005) 

8 BIS 1991

BUREAtJ OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

March 1991 Price Group 5

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Chemical Engineering Plants and Related Equipment Sectional Committee, HMD 17

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard ( First Revision ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards on 27 March
1990, after the draft finalized by the Chemical Engineering Plants and Related Equipment Sectional
Committee had been approved by the Heavy Mechanical Engineering Division Council.

Lack of uniformity of colour coding of pipelines in industrial installations has often been responsible
for destruction of property and injury to personnel due to faulty manipulations of values,
particularly when outside agencies, like fire-fighting squads, are called in. Uniformity of colour
marking promotes greater safety, lessens the chances of error and reduces hazards involved in the
handling of material inside the pipelines.

Identification of the particular contents of the pipelines is achieved by imposing suitable colour
bands on the ground colour. Lettering, as a mode of identification, is also recommended for
chemical industry as this will reduce the possibility of mistakes in identification. Lettering may
include the contents by name, chemical formula, or by unmistakable and commonly understood
abbreviations.

This standard was first published in 1963. The present revision is based on the prevailing practices
in the industry. In this revision use of legends have been recommended for various types of
hazards. Hydrocarbon, Naptha and some more chemicals and allied products have been included
in the standard. The title of the standard is also revised to bring it in line with the latest
guidelines.

In the formulation of this standard assistance has been derived from the following publications:
BS 1710 : 1984 Specification for identification of pipelines and services. British
Standards Institution.
ASA A 13.1-1981 Scheme for the identification of piping systems, American National
Standards Institute.
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IS 2379 :1990

hdian Standard
PIPELINES -IDENTIFICATION - COLOUR
CODE
( First Revision )
1 SCOPE 4.2 It is recommended that the paints used
should produce a glossy finish.
This Indian standard covers the colour scheme
for the identification of the contents of pipelines 5 COLOURS
carrying fluids in domestic and public buildings
and such industrial installations where a specific 5.1 In order to identify the contents of the
colour code does not exist. pipelines, a large number of colour shades are
required. Recommendation regarding shades o
1.1 For the purpose of this standard, piping colours that may be used are given in IS 5 : 1978.f
systems shall include pipes of any kind and in
addition fittings, valves, and pipe coverings. 6 IDENTIFICATION
Supports, brackets or other accessories are
specifically excluded from application of this The system of colour coding consists of a ground
standard. colour and colour bands superimposed on it.
1.2 This standard is not applicable to pipelines 6.1 Ground Colours
buried underground or used for electrical
The ground colour identifies the basic nature of
services.
the fluid carried ( see Fig. 1 ) and also dis-
tinguishes one fluid from another, for example
2 REFERENCES
water from oil. The various ground colours are
2.1 The following Indian standards are necessary indicated in Table 1.
adjuncts to this standard:
6.1.1 Ground colour shall be applied throughout
IS No. Title the entire length for uninsulated pipes, for
5 : 1978 Colours for ready mixed paints insulated pipes, on the metal cladding or on the
and enamels ( third revision ) pipes of material such as non-ferrous metals,
2339 : 1963 Aluminium paint for general austenitic stainless steel, plastic, etc, ground
purposes, in dual container colour coating of minimum 2 m length or of
adequate length, not to be mistaken as colour
3 TERMINOLOGY band, shall be applied.

3.0 For the purpose of this standard, the 6.2 Colonr Bands
following definitions shall apply.
Colour bands are superimposed on the ground
3.1 Hazard colour ( see Fig. 2 ) to distinguish:
a) One kind or condition of a fluid from
Risk involved to life, health, or property due to
another kind or condition of the same
the poisonous nature of combustibility or other
fluid, or
causes of dangerous subsitances.
b) One fluid from another but belonging to
3.2 Lettering the same group, for example carbon
monoxide from coke oven gas or diesel
Painting, labelling, stencilling or otherwise
fuel from furnace fuel.
indicating the contents of a pipeline.
3.3 Identification of Pipelines 7 APPLICATION

A scheme consisting of a colour code or lettering 7.1 Ground Colour

or a combination of both intended for the Colours as given in Table 1 shall be applied in
identification of the contents of the pipelines.
./ one of the following ways:
3.4 Pipes and Pipelines a) Throughout the entire length ( see Fig. 1A );
Any fluid-carrying media in the form of pipes, or b) As a colour coating of adequate length,
conduits, with their coverings; this excludes media ( but in no case less than 300 mm) so
used for the pneumatic conveyance of solids. that it is not mistaken for a colour band
( see Fig. IB );
4 PAINTS 4 As a colour panel;
4.1 Appropriate quality of paints conforming to 4 On a label attached to the pipe; or
relevant Indian Standards, shall be used for 4 By the use of coloured adhesive tapes of
colour marking. suitable material.
1
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IS 2379 : 1990

Table 2 Colour Code for General Services

( Clauses 7.5 md 9.1 )
---- -
Contents Ground Colour
I First Colour Band Second Colour Band

WATER:

Cooling Sea green French blue -

Boiler feed water Sea green Gulf red -
Condensate Sea green Light brown -
Drinking Sea green French blue Signal red
Treated Sea green Light orange
Fire water Fire red Crimson red -
Central heating below 60°C Sea green Canary yellow -
Central heating 60°C to 100°C Sea green Dark vio!et -
Central heating above 1OO’C Sea green Dark violet Signal red
Cold water down service from Sea green French blue Canary yellow
storage tanks
Domestic, hot Sea green Light grcy -
Hydraulic power Sea green Black -
Sea, river, untreated Sea green White -
Filtered water Sea green Light brown -
Soft water Sea green Light brown Signal red
Warm water Sea green Light grey Canary yellow
Chilled water Sea green Black Canary yellow
Sprinkle and hydrant water Sea green White Signal red
Waste water Sea green Canary yellow Signal red

AIR:
Compressed, up to and including Sky blue -
15 kg/cm2
Compressed to over 15 kg/cm’ Sky blue Signal red -
Plant air Sky blue Silver grey
Instrument air Sky blue French blue -
Dry vacuum White - -
Wet vacuum White Dark violet
Very high pressure steam Aluminium to Signal red
IS 2339
High pressure steam Aluminium to French blue
IS 2339
Medium pressure steam Aluminium to Gulf red
1s 2339
Low pressure steam Aluminium to Canary yellow
IS 2339
Drainage Black -
Town gas Canary yellow -

OILS:

Light diesel fuel Light brown Briljiant green

High speed diesel fuel ‘Light brown -
Paraffin oil Light brown Sign,al red
Quenching oil Light brown Canary yellow
Furnace fuel Light brown French blue
Lubricating oil Light brown Light grey _
Hydraulic power Light brown Dark violet
Transformer oil Light brown Light orange
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IS 2379:1990

Table 3 Colour Code for Industrial Gases

( Clauses 7.5 and 9.1 )
_. __- -__
Contents Ground Colour First Colour Band Second Colour Band

Ammonia Canary yellow Dark violet -

Chlorine Canary yellow Dark violet Light orange

Hyde-ocyanic acid Canary yellow Dark violet Post ofice red

Phenole Canary yellow Dark violet Smoke grey

Sulphur dioxide Canary yellow Dark violet Golden brown

Acetylene Canary yellow Service brown -

Flare gases Canary yellow - -

Hydrogen sulphidc Canary yellow Gulf r-ed

Argon Canary yellow French blue -

Benzole Canary ye1low Dark violet French blue

Blast furnace gas Canary yellow Signal red Light grey

Butane Canary yellow Signal red

Coal gas Canary yellow Signal red Brilliant green

Carbon dioxide ( temperate ) Canary yellow Light grey -

Carbon nonoxide Canary yellow Signal red White

Coke oven gas Canary yellow Signal red Dark violet
Ethylchloride ( inflammable ) Canary yellow Light grey Signal red
Ethylchloride ( non-inflammable ) Canary yellow Light grey White
Ethylene Canary yellow Dark violet Signal red
Ethylene oxide Canary yellow Dark violet Brilliant green
Freon (chlorofluoro derivative of Canary yellow Light grey Dark violet
methane and ethane )

Helium Canary yellow Light brown -

Hydrogen Canary yellow Signal red French blue

Methane Canary yellow Signal red Light brown
Methylbromide Canary yellow French blue Black
Methylchloride (inflammable ) Canary yellow Brilliant green Signal red
Methylchloride ( non-inflammable ) Canary yellow Brilliant green French blue
Neon Canary yellow Light brown Black

Nitrogen Canary yellow Black

Oxygen Canary yellow White

Propane Canary yellow Signal red Black

Phosgene Canary yellow Black White
.I
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IS 2379:1990
Table 4 Colour Code for Hydrocarbons and Naptha
( CIa1m?s 7.5 an(l9.1 )
-______-. --py ___._._- ..~.--
/
Contents Ground Colour First Colour Iiand / Second Colour Band
-_- __ __ i______-
Propylene F.P. ( Liquid ) Da:-k Admirality grcy Brilliant green -

Propylene ( C.G. ) ( Liquid 1 Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green 1 Smoke grey
Ethylene glycol Dark Admirality grey Brilliant green Gulf red

Ethylene Di-chloride Dark Admirality grey Gulf red -

Benzene Dark Admiral&y grey Canary yellow -

Butadine Dark Admirality grey Black

Acetone Dark Admirality grey Black Canary yellow

i -
Methanol Dark Admirality greY Deep buff -

Naptha Dark Admirality grey Light brown Black

ACIDS

Phosphoric acid Dark violet / Silver grey -

Hydrofluoric acid Dark violet Signal red French blue

Sulphuric acid Dark violet Brilliant green Light orange

Nitric acid Dark violet French blue Light orange

Hydrochloric acid Dark violet Signal red Light orange

Acetic acid Dark violet Silver grey -

CHEMICAL & ALLIED

PRODUCTS

Brine Black White -

Caustic solution Smoke grey Light orange -

Classified Black Canary yellow -

Spinbath concentrative sulphuric Dark violet Brilliant green Canary yellow

acid

Dissolving - Light orange White

Causted Dark violet Light orange -

Evaporated spinbath Black Canary yellow Brilliant green

Floculent solution Black Brilliant green -

Lime Smoke grey White Canary yellow

Mercury Black White Brilliant green

Rum-off caustic Smoke grey White -

Recovered caustic Smoke grey Signal red White

Carbon disulphide Black Light orange -

Strong caustic Smoke grey French blue White

Steeping caustic Smoke grey Golden yellow -

Sodium sulfide Black Brilliant green Canary yellow

Soap solution Black Light orange White

Spinbath supply Black White Canary yellow

Spinbath return Black Golden yellow

Sodium carbonate solution Dark violet Jasmine yellow

Waste caustic Dark violet White Canary yellow

Waste spinbath Black Jasmine yellow

Viscose Black Golden yellow Brilliant green

6
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IS 2379 : 1990

6A For Pipes DN 200 and Below

30

50 --125

6B For Pipes Above DN 200

FIG. 6 SIZE OF ARROWS

FIG. 7 POSITIONINGOF MARKINGS FOR VISIBILITY

9
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Standard Mark

The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of Indian
Standards Act, 1986 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The Standard Mark on
products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been produced
to comply with the requirements of that standard under a well defined system of inspection,
testing and quality control which is devised and supervised by BIS and operated by the
producer. Standard marked products are also continuously checked by BIS for conformity
to that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence for the
use of the Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturers or producers may be obtained
from the Bureau of Indian Standards.
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Bureau of Indian Standards

BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote
harmonious development of the activities of standardization. marking and quality certification of goods
and attending to connected matters in the country.

Copyrigbt

BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in
any form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the
course of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade
designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director ( Publications ). BIS.

Revision of Indian Standards

Indian Standards are reviewed periodically and revised, when necessary and amendments, if any, are
issued from time to time. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of
the latest amendments or edition. Comments on this Indian Standard may be sent to BIS giving the
following reference :

Dot : No. HMD 17 ( 5222 )

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text Affected

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Headquarters:

Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002

Telephones : 331 01 31. 331 13 75 Telegrams : Manaksanstha
( Common to all Offices )

Regional Offices: Telephone

Contra1 : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg 331 01 31

NEW DELHI 110002 331 13 75

Eastern : l/l4 C. I. T. Scheme VII M, V. I. P. Road, Maniktola 37 84 99, 37 85 61,

CALCUTTA 700054 37 86 26, 37 86 62

Northern : SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C. CHANDIGARH 160036 53 38 43, 53 16 40,

53 23 84
Southern : C. I. T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS 600113 235 02 16, 235 04 42,
1 235 15 19, 235 23 15
Western : Manakalaya, E9 MIDC, Marol, Andheri ( East ) 632 92 95, 632 78 58,
BOMBAY 400093 t 632 78 91, 632 78 92

Branches : AHMADABAD, BANGALORE, BHOPAL, BHUBANESHWAR, COIMBATORE,

FARIDABAD, GHAZIABAD, GUWAHATI, HYDERABAD, JAlPUR, KANPUR,
LUCKNOW, PATNA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.

Printed at Printrade, New Delhi, India

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AMENDMENT NO. 1 MAY 2007

TO
IS 2379:1990 PIPELINES — IDENTIFICATION — COLOUR CODE

( First Resisiott )

(Page 4, Table 2) — Add the following after the last entry ‘Waste water’ under subheading ‘Water’:

Contcots Ground Colour First Colour Band Second Colour Band

I )cmncral}zcd water Sea green Gulf red

Process \\ ater Sea green Oxide red
\Vash N atcr Sea green Canary yellow
Quench waler Sea green Dark grey

(F’([ge 5, Table 3) — Add the following after the last entry ‘Phosgene’:

Contents Ground Colour First Colour Band Second Colour Band

Fuel gos and sour ~as Canary yellow Grey Dark violet
s\\cct gas Canary yellow Grey
[< CSldUC ~dS, LPG Canary yellow Oxide red White
t’hargc gas Canary yellow Signal red French blue
Aromatic gasoline Dark Admiralty grey Brilliant green Canary yCHOW
JytolysIs gasoline Dark Admiralty grey Brilliant green Black

(Poge 6, Table 4) – Add the following after ‘Naptha’:

Contents Ground Colour First Colour Band Second ColourBand

Ilhune ([.lquid) Dafk Admiralty grey Light grey French blue

- propylene (Llquld) Dark Admiralty grey Signal red Black
Kerosene Light brown Brilliant green Dark violet
I.PG (1.lquld) Dark Admiralty grey Brilliant green Dark violet

(\f[: 17)

Reprography Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India