A robust and efficient pipe ID system is the only way to ensure that there are no hidden pipe risks during a wall installation. In the UK, there are strict regulations about the use of pipe id markers and tags. Wherever there is a challenge, innovation comes to the rescue and finds a solution. This can be found in new types of pipe markers that make it easier than ever before to locate pipes behind stud walls. This makes it safer and more efficient for those building new homes and installing walls, but also in the future for any emergency repair work or on-going maintenance. It is at these times that the location and type of pipe is a crucial aspect of the work and improves safety standards considerably.
Why is a pipe ID system so crucial?
When a pipe isn’t labelled or hasn’t been labelled correctly it can cause a whole host of potential problems. The contents of the pipe could lead to an exposure to high pressure, extreme temperatures, or a range of chemicals and liquids that are deemed hazardous. If a contractor is repairing or maintaining pipework behind a wall installation, an unlabelled pipe leaves them with complete uncertainty about what to expect and can lead to accidents, injuries, and in the worst cases, fatalities.
Regulations and custom pipe markers
Legislation and regulations ensure that pipe identification markets and systems are now a requirement in new build homes in the UK, and this is where your choice of identification markers and systems are crucial. Custom pipe labels ensure that you are covered for every eventuality, with each pipe labelled to improve the visibility of crucial information, colour-coded and providing specific information about the contents and potential hazards of the pipework in question.
Where there is an emergency, correct, colour-coded labelling from pipe identifying markers, helps to reduce levels of confusion. You can add barcodes, safety symbols, tracking options, and QR codes to help clarify pertinent information about the pipe’s contents.
When installing a new wall, it’s important to conduct an audit of the pipework that is to be installed behind it. This ensures that you know the contents of the pipe exactly and can format pipe identification markers accordingly to match the hazards and required information.
Over time, you should conduct reviews of the pipe labelling and overall pipe ID system to ensure that regulations are adhered to. Routine maintenance schedules or emergency situations could result in accidents if there has been a change to pipework or regulations and the labelling has not been updated accordingly.
To ensure safe wall installations and pipework it is important to have a system of pipe identification in place that maintains strict compliance and works within a wide range of applications. British Standard 1710 (BS 1710) is designed to provide building designers, service installers, and those industries that rely on pipe installation such as water, gas, and refrigeration, with the correct system of identification. Choosing a suitable product as your pipe identifying marker ensures that you are looking after not only the contractors in the immediate future but for any future work or maintenance on a property. Safe wall installation comes under much tighter regulation than ever before, especially within new build homes in the UK, so it’s about time that you made the chance and chose the best snap-on pipe markers and tags to make a big difference to the safety of pipework behind a wall installation.