MIL-STD-101 Color Code For Pipelines And For Compressed Gas CylindersThis standard establishes a common color code for visual warnings to accompany the written identification of materials covered in piping systems and contained in compressed gas cylinders, and to facilitate the segregation of these cylinders at depots. This standard does not define the manner or conditions under which these materials may be used safely.

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MIL---STD---101C

Xenon	Gray	--- --- ---
Xylene	Yellow	Brown
Xylidine	Brown	Yellow

5.2 Cylinder identification.

5.2.1 Assignment of colors. The use of color coding for compressed gas cylinders covered by this standard is mandatory. The assignment of colors to extend coverage of material handled in compressed gas cylinders shall be made only after approval of the preparing activity of this standard. Requests for color coding of additional materials not covered by this standard should include technical details of the material, primary and secondary hazards of the material, and technical details of the cylinder, including the type of cylinder valve used.

5.2.2 Exact identification. In addition to Department of Transportation (DOT) marking and stamping requirements (see 5.2.5.5), exact identification of any material contained in a com- pressed gas cylinder is mandatory and shall be made only by means of the written title as speci- fied in table III. The title shall appear in two locations diametrically opposite and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. It is recommended that the titles be applied by use of upper case letters and Arabic numerals whenever applicable. On cylinders 4 inches in diameter and larger, the title shall be in approximately 2---inch high letters. On cylinders less than 4 inches in diameter, letters may be reduced in size. Where a title includes a modifier, such as "oil---free," the modifier shall follow the chemical designation and should be shown in letters approximately three---fourths as high. Cylinders having a background color of yellow, orange, or buff shall have the title painted with black letters. Cylinders having a background color of red, brown, blue, gray, green, or black shall have the title painted with white letters. Mixtures of two or more gases shall show the percent of each gas as part of the title.

5.2.3 Use of colors.

5.2.3.1 Color warnings. The appearance on the body, top, or as a band(s) on compressed gas cylinders of any of the six colors specified in 4.2 shall provide a warning of danger from the haz- ard involved in handling the type of material contained in the cylinder according to the defini- tions for warning colors in 4.2.

5.2.3.2 Cylinder color bands. Cylinder color bands appear upon the cylinder body and serve as color warnings when they are yellow, brown, blue, green, or gray. The bands also provide color combinations to separate and distinguish cylinders for convenience in handling, storage, and shipping. Color bands for segregation purposes will not be specified for new materials not presently covered by this standard when new color codes for them are assigned.

5.2.4 Painting of cylinders. All cylinders shall be painted in accordance with table III and figures 2 and 3 to provide uniform recognition throughout the Department of Defense.