TS 949

TS 949 addresses the identification colours used for pipes carrying fluids in liquid or gaseous form in land installations and on board ships. Its purpose is to make the service carried by a pipe easier to recognise visually; the scope does not extend to safety-related marking.

Why pipe colour coding matters

In general technical practice, colour coding helps operators, maintenance staff and inspectors distinguish one line from another without tracing the full route of the pipe. That is especially useful where many pipe runs are grouped together, where space is tight, or where similar-looking lines carry different services. The concept applies whether the conveyed medium is a liquid or a gas, because the identification need is the same: quick, clear recognition of the pipe’s service.

Common context in land plants and ships

The standard brings the identification idea into a common framework for both land installations and shipboard systems. On ships, compact layouts, vibration and limited access make visual identification particularly valuable; in land plants, colour conventions support orderly separation of process, utility and service piping. The emphasis here is on the pipe’s identity through colour and code, not on safety signposting or warning systems.

• This document covers the marking of pipes with colours and codes.
• It does not cover safety-oriented marking provisions.
• It applies to pipes conveying fluids in liquid or gaseous condition.
• It is intended for both land installations and ships.