Valve tags are mainly used by employees for the identification of valves and site safety. Just by looking at the color, shape, number, or information printed on the tag, an emergency responder, contractor, or maintenance professional identifies what the valve controls. They are used in plumbing systems, hydraulic systems, pressure boilers, gas systems, hazardous chemical systems, sprinkler systems, or any other system consisting of valves. Not just valves, valve tags are also used for actuators, transmitters, and instruments. Tags may include a number, code, text, or barcode that can be used to get more information on a valve tag chart or computer system. Valve tags prevent human error and ensure safety by minimizing the risk of spill, leakage, or accident.
Check valve tags video on its various kinds and applications.
No, they are different. A pipe label is applied directly to a pipe to identify pipe contents like Water, Steam, Natural Gas, Oxygen, etc. Pipe markers also indicate the direction in which the pipe content is flowing. These labels may also include details about potential hazards associated with the chemical and much more.
On the other hand, Valve tags are non-adhesive, made of metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, or wood. These tags are usually smaller than a pipe marker and contain less information like just a number and abbreviation for the type of valve like HVAC (Heat Vent Air Conditioning), HWR (Hot Water Return), SPR (Sprinkler), and more.
Shut Off tags are also valve tags that identify the location of shut-off valves in a system. While they are majorly used for water main shut-off valves, shut-off tags can also be used for gas, fuel electrical, steam, etc. Identifying shut-off valves is very important because they allow for easier servicing of equipment without affecting the rest of the system during equipment failure or general maintenance. Locating and tagging utility shut-off valves is very important to prevent leakage or spill until help arrives. Shut-off tags are useful in multi-story buildings where multiple valves are there for each floor or each house.
The ANSI/ASME A13.1 specifies six standard color combinations and four user-defined colors. The six standard colors identify types of pipe contents while user-defined colors must be defined by individual facilities using the standard, and the definitions shall be documented and workers must be trained accordingly.
If maintenance or repair work is going on around a machine supplied with hazardous substances, valves are present to control the supply. These valves must be locked out and tagged out for safety and accident prevention. Proper valve tags ensure that the valves are not operated while maintenance activity is underway. Sometimes, the tag is even attached to a lock that makes it physically impossible for the valve to be opened until it is released.
