How can duct be marked for easy identification?

• A. By painting the duct a single color only.
• B. By stamping the job name on every joint.
• C. By using adhesive tape with no codes.
• D. By using a color code or bar code labels.

Answer: (D)

Marking ductwork for easy identification relies on labeling that conveys both quick, at-a-glance cues and detailed data. Using a color code or bar code labels achieves this best. Color coding gives immediate recognition of service type, route, or size, so you can tell, at a glance, what you’re dealing with. Bar codes add depth by encoding specific information such as part numbers, project codes, and drawings, which can be scanned into a database for precise tracking and maintenance history. This combination speeds up installation, inspection, and future work while reducing mix-ups.

Why the other methods fall short: painting everything one color doesn’t communicate the necessary specifics and can hide important differences; stamping the job name on joints isn’t standardized, can wear off, and isn’t easily readable or scannable; adhesive tape with no codes provides no data and can peel or degrade, making it unreliable for identification over time.