Resources
Maintenance workers or emergency personnel can’t usually tell a pipe’s contents with just a glance and opening a valve to release unknown liquids or gases might just spell disaster. In industrial environments, it’s crucial to have a clear, easy-to-see pipe identification system and within that system, valve tags are a critical (although overlooked) element.
Valve tags communicate important and relevant information and identification at the point of need, avoiding costly errors or delays. In this resource hub, we cover topics like:
- The different materials used for valve tags.
- How to better color code pipes with valve tags.
- What valve tag charts are and how to use one.
- Different standards and regulations regarding valve tags.
- How valve tags fit into a larger pipe marking system.
…and more! Valve tags are a cost-effective option to improving the overall safety and efficiency of your facility. In the case of an emergency, valve tags are especially important on pipes carrying hazardous materials. During facility inspections or routine maintenance, employees will be able to quickly look at a valve tag and understand things like what chemical is in the pipe, whether or not the valve is normally kept open, and an identification number that identifies the valve.
Creative Safety Supply is your supplier for all things pipe marking – including valve tags and accessories. Below you will find our expert tips on pipe color codes, valve tag best practices, and pipe labeling standards. Whether your facility has a complex system of pipes and valves, or you’re just looking to tag a few valves, we have the resources and solutions to help.
Getting Started
- Not sure where to start? Find out what labels you need with the pipe marking calculator.
- Want to learn more about pipe marking? Explore our pipe labeling resources.
- Have a question about valve tags? Browse valve tag Q&A hub.
- Ready to get started? Shop our selection of valve tags.
Valve Tag Articles
Valve Tags: Guide for Pipe Identification
Tips and recommendations for labeling the valves on your pipe system. …
Valve Tag Questions and Answers
Do valve tags have words, numbers, or pictures on them?
Valve tags are an important safety item in facilities around the world. In many places they are required in order to follow the standards put out by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Even these organizations, however, don’t have a lot of strict requirements regarding what will… …
How do I start implementing valve tags?
When working toward improving workplace safety, adding valve tags is a fairly easy and affordable option to consider. If your facility doesn’t yet have valve tags in all the places where it should, you’ll want to make a plan of action on how to implement this important safety item. The following is a simple step-by-step… …
Are valve tags the same as pipe labeling?
Visual communication techniques are important in just about all areas of a facility. When looking at pipes, valves, and other aspects of this type of system, it is even more critical. This is because pipes and valves are often located up in the ceiling, under the floor, behind a wall, or in some other location… …
How many valves should I tag?
Valve tags are an important resource for many types of workplaces. These tags are intended to make it easier for employees, maintenance personal, emergency workers, and others to determine what type of solution is contained behind a valve. Opening a valve can release the solution to the surrounding environment or allow it travel into another… …
When should I use a pipe tag?
Pipes contain and transport a wide range of different liquids and gasses throughout most workplaces. These could be relatively harmless things like water, or it could be deadly gas, acid, steam, or other dangerous solutions. To help improve the overall safety of the piping system, it is important to use pipe tags in all appropriate… …
What are the valve color codes?
Color coding valve tags is an important form of visual communication. When followed properly, employees will be able to identify what type of fluid or gas will come out of a valve when it is opened at just a glance. Even if there is no other information available on the valve tag, the color will… …
What is a valve tag chart?
Valve tags are a great way to quickly share information in the workplace. They are placed on the various valves and have important information listed on them. In many cases, a valve tag will be quite small so it can’t include all the necessary information. Even when larger tags are possible it is helpful to… …
How do valve tags work with a LOTO system?
Valve tags are a great resource in most facilities and provide a lot of safety benefits. While most of the time they will be installed as a permanent source of information about the valves they are attached to, they can also be used as part of a lockout/tagout program. This can help to keep employees… …
How do valve tags improve workplace safety?
Workplace safety managers know that it is often the smallest things that can help to make the most important improvements in the safety of employees, equipment, and the public. One example of this is using valve tags to provide information about a valve to those in the area. Learning how valve tags can improve workplace… …
What are temperature based valve tags?
Temperature valve tags are those that are used in situations where the temperature is either very hot, or very cold. These tags are designed to be able to stand up to the extreme temperatures without getting damaged or unusable. Understanding when these types of valve tags are necessary will help to not only ensure it… …
What are chemical valve tags?
Facilities around the world use piping systems to safely transport hazardous chemicals throughout a facility. The pipes are designed to keep the chemicals contained so that they can be used in the machines or other areas without worry. This has proven to be a much safer option than trying to transport the chemicals by barrel,… …
What are plumbing valve tags?
Valve tags are used in many different situations to provide information to anyone who works with or around pipe valves. Plumbing systems are among the most common areas where valves are used, so it makes sense that these tags are quite popular in these situations. Understanding what plumbing valve tags are, how to use them,… …
Where should valve tags be placed?
Coming up with a good workplace policy to identify where valve tags should be placed is an important part of any safety manager’s job. In most situations there is not going to be a regulatory requirement from a government agency like OSHA specifying where valve tags must be located. There are private organizations, however, that… …
What information is on a valve tag?
Using valve tags is a simple and inexpensive way to help employees understand exactly what is flowing through a pipe, and what will come out should they open a specific valve. This is important for avoiding accidents, injuries, and other problems. Whether a valve will release clean water or a dangerous acid, it is good… …
When are valve tags used?
Valve tags are a simple form of visual communication that can, and should, be used in almost every facility. They are attached to a valve on a pipe to provide some type of information to those who are working in the area. The information they provide can range anywhere from a simple number that identifies… …
What are valve tags made out of?
Valve tags are used to provide information about an individual valve where it is attached. The tags can be made to have very basic information, or customized to include additional details that can help inform those working in the area. Valves can be located in almost any environment, so it is important to have them… …
Who develops and enforces valve tag regulations?
Valve tags are a simple, yet effective, way to make sure that employees working in an area know exactly what a given valve is going to do. This helps to reduce the risk of an accident caused by the wrong valve being opened or closed, resulting in problems. Developing Standards & Regulations Valve safety and valve tag… …
What are the standards and regulations of valve tags?
One of the best ways to operate a safe workplace is to make sure you are following all established safety standards and regulations. There are, of course, thousands of different regulations on the books that a facility manager needs to be aware of. When it comes to valve tags and markings, there are several different… …
What are valve tags?
Valve tags are an important part of overall workplace safety. They are a simple item that is attached on or near the valve of any pipe. There are quite a few different types of valve tags, all of which are designed to serve the same general purpose. While not strictly required by OSHA or other… …
