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in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority,
and whereas the attached publication of the Bureau of Indian Standards is of particular interest
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IS 9404 (2002): Identification of Pipelines Used in Thermal

Power Plants - Colour Code [MED 1: Boilers and Pressure
Vessels]

! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda

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Is 9404:2002

Indian Standard
IDENTIFICATION OF PIPELINE USED IN THERMAL
POWER PLANTS COLOUR CODE
(First Revision)

ICS 01.070; 23.040.01; 27.100

0 BIS 2002

BUREAU
MANAK

August 2002

OF
BHAVAN,

INDIAN

STANDARDS

9 BAHADUR SHAH
NEW DELHI 110002

ZAFAR

MARG

PriceGroup

Boilers and Pressure Vessels Sectional Committee, ME 01

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard (First Revision) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized
by the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Sectional Committee had been. approved by the Mechanical Engineering
Division Council.
This standard was first published in 1979. To bring it in line with the work practices followed in the industry,
this revision has become necessary.
Lack of uniformity of colour coding of pipeline used in thermal power plants has otlen been responsible for
destruction of property and injury to personnel due to faulty manipulations of valves, particularly when outside
agencies, iike fire-fighting squads, are called in. Uniformity of colour marking promotes greater safety, lessens
the chances of error and warns against the hazards involved in the handling of material inside the pipelines.
The following colour codes have also been published:
IS 2049:1978

Colour code for the identification of wrought steels for general engineering purposes

IS 2376:1963
IS 2379:1990
IS 2479:1981

Colour code for the identification of copper and copper alloys

Colour code for the identification of pipelines @st revision)
Colour code for the identification of aluminium and aluminium alloys for general
purposes (second revision)
Colour code for the identification of gas cylinders and related equipment intended for
medical use
Identification of the contents of industrial gas cyiinders @rst revision)
Code for identification of aircraft pipelines

(/irst revision)

IS 3933:1966
IS 4379:1981
IS 6753:1972

The colour code for identi@ing pipeline is already available in IS 2379:1990. However it is found necessary to
amplify the usage and provide some additional media in this standard in the context of power plants. For
example treated water given in IS 2379: 1990 has been narrowed down to demineralised water in this
standard in view of the availability of other codes already that is IS 2379: 1990 for soft water, boiler feed
water and fiItered water. While carrying out this revision it has been ensured that there is no conflict
between this standard and IS 2379:1990.
The composition of the Committee responsible for the formulation of this standard is given in Annex B.

Is 9404:2002

Indian Standard
IDENTIFICATION OF PIPELINE USED IN THERMAL
POWER PLANTS COLOUR CODE

(First Revision)
colour and a colour band superimposed on it, The
ground colour is kept same for a particular group of
fluid, for example, water, steam, oil, gas. Further
identification is achieved by means of applying colour
bands which varies from one fluid to another although
belonging to the same group of fluids. The shades
indicated in this standard are as specified in 1S 5.

1 SCOPE

This standard recommends a colour code for the

identification of major pipelines used in thermal power
plants. Piping integral with the boilers is not covered
in this standard. The standard may also be used for
other industrial boiler applications as far as possible.
2 REFERENCE

5.2 Ground Colour

The following standard contain provisions, which

through reference in this text constitutes provision of
this standard. At the time of publication, the edition
indicated was valid. All standards are subject to
revision, and parties to agreements based on this
standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility
of applying the most recent edition of the standard
indicated below:
IS No.
5:1994

The ground colour identifies the basic nature of the

fluid carried (see Fig. 1) and also distinguishes one
fluid from another, for example, water from oil.
5.3 Colour Band
Colour band is superimposed on the ground colour
(see Fig. 2) to distinguish:
a)

Title

Colours for ready mixed paints and

enamels ~ourth revision)

TERMINOLOGY

3.1 Identification

b)

of Pipelines

A scheme consisting of a colour code or lettering or a

combination of both intended for the identification of
the contents of the pipelines.

one kind or condition of a fluid from another

kind or condition of the same fluid, for
example, condensate from boiler feed, chilled
water from drinking water, or
one fluid from another but belonging to the
same group, for example, natural gas from
other fuel gases or furnace oil from lubricating oil.

5.4 Colour Coding Scheme

A scheme for colour coding of pipelines is given in
Annex A. However where a pipe is lagged, colours
may be painted on the insulation casings.

3.2 Hazard
Risk involved to life, health or property due to the
poisonous nature or combustibility or other causes of
dangerous substances.

6 APPLICATION

3.2 Lettering

6.1 Ground CoIour

Painting, labelling, stenciling or otherwise indicating

the contents of a pipeline.

6.1.1 Colours as given in Annex A shall be appl ied in

one of the following ways:

a)
b)

4 PAINTS
4.1 Appropriate quality of paints conforming to
relevant Indian Standards, wherever they exist, shall
be used for colour marking.

c)

4.2 It is recommended that the paint used shall produce

a glossy finish.

6.1.2 However for the following media (see Annex

A), the ground colours shall be applied throughout
the entire length of pipeline:

5 IDENTIFICATION

Boiler feed water, drains, steam, air, oils,

gaslines, tire installations.

5.1 The system of colour coding consist of a ground

1

..
,.

Throughout the entire length (see Fig. IA);

As a colour coating of adequate length but in
no case less than 300 mm, so that it is not
mistaken for a colour band (see Fig. 1B); or
As a colour panel.

:---

-a

Is 9404:2002

ANNEX A
(Clauses 5.4,6.1.1
COLOUR

Contents

and 6.1.2)

CODING FOR IDENTIFICATION

OF PIPELINES
IN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
.-.
Ground Co[our

First Colour Band

USED

Second Colour Band

Wuter

Untreated/Raw/Service
Condensate
Soft Water
Demineralised Water
Boiler Feed Water
Cool ing Water
Drinking Water
Chilled Water
Drains
Blow down
Waste Water
Fire Water

Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Sea Green
Fire Red

White
Light Brown
Light Brown
Light Orange
Gulf Red
French Blue
French Blue
Black
Canary Yellow
Canary Yellow
Canary Yellow
Crimson Red

Aluminiuml)
Aluminiuml)
AluminiumlJ

Signal Red
French Blue
Canary Yellow

Sky Blue
Sky Blue

French Blue
Silver Grey

Signal Red

Signal Red
CanaryYellow
Light Orange
Dark Violet
Signal Red

Steam

Main/Auxiliary/Bled
Reheat
Exhaust/Vent
Air

Instrument
Service/Plant
Oils

High Speed Diesel

Oil
Light Diesel oil
Furnace/Heavy Oil
Lubricating Oil
Transformer Oil
Hydraulic Power

Light Brown
Light
Light
Light
Light

Brown
Brown
Brown
Brown

Light Brown

Brilliant Green
French Blue
Light Grey
Light Orange
Dark Violet

Canary Yellow
Canary Yellow
Canary Yellow

Signal Red
Signal Red

Gas

Natural Gas
Other Fuel Gases/LNG
Hydrogen

French Blue

Others

Vacuum
Pulverised Coal
Ash
Chemical Feed
Naphtha
l) A[unlinium

White
White
French Blue
Dark Admiralty Grey
Dark Admiralty Grey

iS to be used only in cases where the

Black
Light Brown

pipes are not already clad with aluminium sheets.

Black

Is 9404:2002

ANNEX B
(JOrewOd)
COMMITTEE

COMPOSITION

Boilers and Pressure Vessels Sectional Committee, ME 01

Representative(s)

Orgarriza?ion

SHRIV. K. GOEL (Chairman)

Smu R. K. MALHOTRA(Memafe)

Central Boilers Board, New Delhi

In personalcapacity, (26, A4anak Vihar, New

SHRIM. G. K. ~0

Delhi)

Alstom Power Boilers Ltd, Durgapur

SHIU
IUr@wT. YAVAGAL
SHIUP. K. PAL(Alternate)

Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, Hyderabad

SrrroE. DORAKANNU
SmuR. P. GOEL(Alternate)

Bharat Heavy Plates and Vessels Ltd, Vkakhapatnam

Smuc. sor@swARARAo

Central Electricity Arrthorily,New Delhi

SmuJ. P. KARDAM
SINGH(Alternate)
SmuMOrnNOER

Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR), Durgapur

SW F.R. SAMAODAR

(Alternate)
SmuCm RAMANAIAH

SEEUA. K. BANDOPADHYAY
(Alternate)

Chief Inspector of Boilers, Chennai

DrJRAI
Ssnu K. THAMBI
(Alternate)
SHIUK. RAGONATH

Departmentof Atomic Energy, Mumbai

SHRIM. H. P. RAO
ENGINSERSG (Alternate)

Department ofExplosives, Nagpur

OFEXPLOSIVES
@lEF CONTROLLER

Dkectorate Generrdof Factory Advises, Service and LabourInstitute, Mumbai

SHRIV. L. KATHANE

Development ConsultantsPvt. Ltd, Kolkata

SmrrDIPAKKSARXAR

Engineers IndiaLtd, New Delhi

SmuK. P. SOMWMI
(Alternate)
SmuA. K. MEHROTRA

IndkmBoiler Manufai%nemAssociation,Mumbai

Smu M. S. W.mM

Indian 011Corporation Ltd, Mumbai

sHruu.s.PRAsAD

Smr P. K. SAXENA(Alternate)

Smr H. K. SENGIJkTA(Alternate)

SmuR. K. SmrmwAL (Alternate)

IndianRegister of ShippingjMumbai

Srut H. K. JANEIA
Smu S. KurwuL(Altemate)

Industrial BoilemLtd, Mumbai

Smu R. N. ENGINEER
SMTD. B. BALDAWALA
(Alternate)

Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Mumbai

MURTHY
Smu M. S. KRISHNA
Smu B. J. SHNENOY(Alternate)

Lloyds Register Industrial Services(I) Ltd, Mumbai

SHN J.N. GOSWAMY

National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd, Noida

MUD. K. JAIN
W-auP. K. DEV(Alternate)

011Industries Safety Dkectorate, New Delhi

Smu D.P. DHALL

Projects & Development India Ltd, Noida

Smu A. K. GLIPTA

SmuB. S.ARAswA_r
(Alternate)

Smr K. R. SOM(Alternate)
SswuP. K. GHOSH(Alternate)
Thermax Ltd, Pune

.%ruG. S. DESHPANDE
Smu J. H. JANGADA(Alternate)

The Anup Engineering Ltd, Ahmedabad

Smo P. G. SHAH

Welding Research Institute, Tiruchirapalli

Sm+rH.DATMR.AJAN

BIS Directorate Generrd

SmuM.L.CHOPRA,
Director& Head (MED)
~epresenting Director General (Ex-oflcio)]

SmuD. P. PATSL(Alternate)

Smu
P.VENXATFWARA
RAo
Joint Director (MED), BIS
5

-----

Bureau of Indian Standards

131S is a statutory institution
established
under the Bureau
harmonious
development
of the activities of standardization,
and attending to connected matters in the country.

of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote

marking and quality certification
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Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis
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<BIS Catalogue and Standards: Monthly Additions,
This Indian Standard has been developed

from Doc : No. ME 01 (0566).

Amendments
Amend No.

of comments. Standards are also reviewed

such review indicates that no changes are
up for revision. Users of Indian Standards
or edition by referring to the latest issue of

Issued Since Publication

Date of Issue

Text Affected

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